Get behind out sport and support the push to get kitesurfing included at the 2016 olympics.
Kiteboarding Olympic Campaign Episode 2 from International Kiteboarding Assoc on Vimeo.
Kitesurfing LessonsWednesday, 29 September 2010
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Kitesurfing for 2000 km solo!!
A 35 liter dry-pack, a kite, a board, and 2000 kilometers of Brazilian coast ahead. That was Louis Tappers life for 33 days when he set a new world record for the “longest kite surfing journey” solo.
Monday, 27 September 2010
Anyone around this weekend and fancy a fun weekend out?
Saturday, 25 September 2010
Friday, 24 September 2010
Kitesurfing Rules of the Road
Meeting head-on: When two kitesurfers meet head on, the kitesurfer on the starboard tack (looking over his right shoulder) has right of way.
Leaving the beach: A kiter leaving the beach has right of way over those coming in, this is due to the fact that he will be navigating over the white water. Overtaking: When overtaking in the same direction direction, the overtaking kitesurfer must stay clear of the slower kiter.
In general, power-boats must keep clear of sailboats, rowboats and canoes and kitesurfers! Kitesurfing Lessons
Leaving the beach: A kiter leaving the beach has right of way over those coming in, this is due to the fact that he will be navigating over the white water. Overtaking: When overtaking in the same direction direction, the overtaking kitesurfer must stay clear of the slower kiter.
In general, power-boats must keep clear of sailboats, rowboats and canoes and kitesurfers! Kitesurfing Lessons
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Remember guys, if you lose your kite report it!
A Nelson kitesurfer who lost his kite in gusty winds at Tahunanui Beach yesterday afternoon is embarrassed he prompted a pointless search operation. The Nelson Surf Life Saving Club and a Nelson City Council launch warden were sent to search for a supposed kitesurfer in the rough water near Rocks Rd, after the kite was spotted in the sea. Moral: If you lose gear on or near the water, report it so it doesn't trigger a search call-out.
The surf life-saving club is regularly called out to save kitesurfers in trouble and is urging enthusiasts to be better prepared.
The kitesurfer, who was too embarrassed to be identified, told the Nelson Mail the strength of the wind ripped the back of his harness which the kite's safety leash was attached to.
The kite took off and he chased it down the beach, but it ended up in the water.
He had been flying the kite on the beach, but did not intend to hit the water as it was too windy. On the way home he saw police and stopped to tell them what happened.
He had given up on the kite which he thought had gone.
"I should have called the cops straight away, but didn't have a phone."
Yesterday was a big day for enthusiasts of the sport, with southerly gusts reaching 45 knots and many heading to Back Beach to hit the water.
Nelson Surf Life Saving Club president Marcus Gardener said two volunteers were involved in the search, which lasted about 25 minutes. He said it was a "yucky" day and nobody would have wanted to be floating in the water.
The club did about 12 rescues of kitesurfers a year which meant it was their "major source of activity".
Mr Gardener said it was frustrating that kitesurfers were not better prepared with safety equipment.
Many just wore wetsuits, but should have some sort of buoyancy vest plus a fluro helmet and mini beacons.
"He lost his kite so you are looking for a head in the water."
He said the number of kitesurfers needing to be rescued was increasing because the sport was becoming more popular.
"Visitors who aren't local and aren't familiar with weather can get caught out.
"When things go wrong they go wrong quickly."
At Back Beach, kite-surfer Brian Pollock said that he saw the kite off Fifeshire Rock.
He said it was the strongest winds he had ever experienced during the three years he had been involved with the sport.
Windsurfer Mark Steel was also heading there and said the conditions were exciting.
"It's full on, there's a lot of carnage like wiping out and damaging equipment.
"I get adrenalin. If I see wind and I am at polytechnic I want to put everything down and come out here."
Untitled
Learn to speak like a kitesurfer!!
Blimp: A Leading Edge Inflatable (LEI) type kite.Blowing Up: Crashing due to sheer unmanageable speed. usually happens when overpowered and you unexpectedly lose an edge.Certification: A symbol/seal/certificate used by an instructor to justify a $75 an hour lesson that your pal could have given you.Eating Sh!t: A particularly bad crash, especially after big air.Figure 9: A kite loop immediately followed by a powerdive into the drink. Properly executed, the kite traces a ‘9’ in the air.Hindenburg: When a LEI type kite rolls forward and falls out of the sky.Hucking: Using the kite to jump with emphasis on height.Junk: Male Genetalia. As in “This seat harness is crushing my junk. Owee!!!”.Lady Berries: BoobiesLit Up: Way overpowered.Lofting: Being picked up off of the ground when the kite is flying directly overhead. Especially if unwanted/unexpected.Oh Sh!t Loop: A ‘kiteleash’ this is simply a grab loop at the end of your kiteline. You grab the Oh Sh!t Loop and pop the safety release to activate (In THAT order )Punch Out (Maverick): To ‘eject’ from the kite to avoid carnage/disassembly.Pulling the Trigger: Pulling on one side of the bar, sending the kite up, to initiate a jump.Slapping a Tailfish: A LAZY Stalefish - No grab, just a smack on the back edge of the board between your back foot and the tail. Though it still looks good to the average bystander, calling a friend on it could be used to shame them into purchasing you a beer.Sponsorship: Why your gear costs so much.The Man: Ze Gandarme, Der Polezie, The Police (Not the band), The Fuzz, Johnny Lawdog, Barney Fife, Deputy Dawg, Smokey, Pigs, or any other type of Law Enforcement Official.The Men in the Grey Suits: Sharks. Tindy: A LAZY Indy - Much like a ‘Tailfish’ but on the front of the board. Good enough to get you sponsored… If you are a slightly chubby, blonde, 19 year old, girl -
However, your friends are not so lucky - This usually means more free beer from your pals. Wakestyle: Style of kiteboarding where the kite doesn’t move much to execute low, powered jumps. Requires great skill, but usually doesn’t impress bystanders as much as hucking lazy, big air. Life is not fair.Yard Sale: A crash after which you find your gear scattered over a wide area. It is a start.Kitesurfing Lessons
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Kitesurfing with a tablecloth and a wooden tray!
Kitesurfing just became affordable for everyone!!
http://www.surfertoday.com/kiteboarding/4139-kiteboarding-with-a-table-cloth-and-a-wood-plaque Great tips on correct launching technique
1) It's frustrating to try to launch for someone who just hooks in and then spends a bunch of time fiddling with their lines and spinning the bar while you are standing there holding the kite for them. So, before you ask someone to launch your kite, do them the favour of sorting out your lines first as best you can, from downwind if necessary.2) Make sure you have a good idea of where the edges of your window are BEFORE you even pick up the bar. Go to a little downwind of 90 degrees so that there's no power in the kite when you pull the lines tight. I've seen more launches than I can count go sketchy due to failure on this point.3) Walk upwind carefully with tension in the lines until the wind is just filling the kite, that is the easiest place to reconfirm that your lines/bridles are all right BEFORE you hook in.4) After you attach your safety leash: hook IN, sheet OUT, pull BACK with your harness to keep the front lines taught while you walk UPwind until you feel some power in the kite when you gently pull the bar. Helper should not move downwind from their position unless indicated by the kiter.5) Before launching, sheet out all the way to check that you have adequate depower, then in to make sure that you have enough tension in your back lines for turning and for power. Far better to check this before you launch rather than launching and then putting the kite to 12 oclock to check your power trim.Here is the procedure we teach our students:
______________________________________________Launching Procedure (S.P.L.A.T.): do all of your checks every time to avoid problems S - Situation Re-check beach, water, and wind/weather conditions.
Locate your wind window; identify left and right edges before picking up the bar
P - Position (yours and the kite’s position vs. the wind direction and the water’s edge)
Start by making sure the lines stay loose until you are just downwind of the kite
Straighten/check lines with no power in the kite (at left or right edge of window)
Attach safety leash, hook in & sheet out until back lines are slightly slack
Walk upwind keeping front lines taut until you feel the right amount of power
Make sure you are as close to the water’s edge as comfortable for you & helper
L - Lines and Safety Systems: Lines & bridles free of tangles; connected & adjusted properly
Sheet fully out (to check depower) and fully in (to check back line tension for turns)
Take the time to make sure there are no problems with either quick release system
A - Around Thorough 360 degree check of beach and ocean, just before you give the signal:T - Thumb up with bottom hand (but not if the panels are flapping or the front lines are slack.
Scottish Kitesurfers!
Awesome article for those of you kitesurfing in Scotland or looking for some inspiration to really push your kitesurfing...see how far this wee lass got in just 3 years!
Monday, 20 September 2010
Kiting in Oil Spills?
If so clean your board with baby oil and a soft cloth...now I know some of you were just dying to know that!!
Sunday, 19 September 2010
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