NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 $5.95 USA

Transcription

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005
$5.95 USA
014LAUNCH
Joe Turkiewicz looks to the future of
high wind kiting.
018411
ASNEWS.NET begins podcast
broadcast weekly.
024SHOPTALK
Kiteboarding Hatteras keeps up with
Carolina kiters.
040GREECE
A Greek Tale of a truly Massive Rail.
028GIRL
Searching out new talent in an ever-growing sport is half the fun here at The Kiteboarder. Young
standout Clinton Bolton earned our cover slot after a late afternoon meeting with Senior Staff
photographer Jim Semlor. “Clinton is pretty amazing,” said Semlor. “When I checked my cards at
home, nearly every sequence was different. He killed it with style points.”
POWER
Slingshot girls’ kite clinic draws crowd
in Hood River.
048GREENLAND CROSSING
Snowkite family sets Greenland Ice
Cap crossing record.
064THE BILLIONAIRE BOARDER
Rebel Billionaire Sir Richard Branson
sponsors girls’ X-treme team.
070SICK SEQUENCES
If you can do these sequences, you’re
ready to turn pro.
074ANALYZE THIS
Top 10 focus on new gear for the
2005-06 snowkite season.
080ACADEMY
The secret to becoming a kiteboarder.
9
I‘m not so bad ass
Photo by Victoria Tap
I‘m a KOOK!!
If you are like me, then you are sensitive, opinionated and you probably get
grumpy if you don’t get your much needed water time. What most people forget is
that we are all human and prone to doing stupid things that we seem to repeat over
and again. A lot of times we don’t even realize we are even doing anything stupid,
or we wouldn’t do it in the first place. I would say, in a nutshell, this sums up me
and most of my friends. Usually when problems occur it is due to one person’s
stupidity crashing into someone else’s world and wreaking havoc. One simple
conversation can make all this go away. So how does this long drawn out analogy
equate to kiteboarding?
Take a sensitive, opinionated kiteboarder who doesn’t get enough water time,
and put him on the beach with a bunch of kiters who get their fix everyday. There is
bound to be a problem. You know that random kiteboarder I am describing.
Everyone is always quick to spew about the stupid things they do and say, but no
one will take the extra ten minutes to say, “Hello.” I have been that idiot kiteboarder
who has shown up at a random beach and dropped my kite right where I shouldn’t.
Luckily people knew me and were cool about it. However, I see people not being
cool to people all the time in similar situations.
As a matter of fact, I am going to get on my soap box right now and tell people
to start being nicer to each other on our beaches. We are ALL kiteboarders in this
sport together. I don’t care if you are a kook or a pro. You need to get over yourself
and your chromed-out new kite gear and give the guy or girl next to you respect.
You can’t expect anyone to respond very well to being treated like snittzle. I am sick
of the all the whining, politics and propaganda on the beach. This is frigging
kiteboarding.
I am going to go out on a limb here and publicly declare what a kook I am. I can’t
do a handlepass. I can’t do a three off a kicker. I do stupid stuff all the time. I don’t
mean to, and I am certainly glad no one pins me to a cross for every mistake I
make. More importantly, I am glad I haven’t ended up dead from some of my poor
judgment. I don’t want to be that old grumpy kiteboarder or windsurfer who doesn’t
have anything nice to say about anyone or anything, nor do I want to have to listen
to that person’s negativity. So, how do you deal with it? It’s very simple. Be friendly
at the beach. If someone is being a jerk to you, do something nice for them. I am
not asking you to wash their car or buy them dinner. Offer to launch or land their
kite when they least expect it. Sometimes a simple hello is all it takes. In the end,
we are all human and a simple conversation and positive attitude can make your
beach a nicer place.
Ryan Riccitelli, editor
EDITOR
RYAN RICCITELLI
ryan@kbmag.com
ART DIRECTOR
JIM SEMLO R
SNOW/CREATIVE EDITOR
JAMES BRO W N
SAFETY EDITOR
RICK IOSSI
TOWSURF EDITOR
C HUCK PATTERSON
ILLUSTRATOR
C AR “LOS” PRESTO N
EDITORS AT LARGE
ALEX RO VIRA, PAUL LA NG
EDITORIAL INTERN
DEVIN CARROLL,
C O RY McFARLA N D
SENIOR WRITERS
Marina Chang, James Brown, Emi Marino, Bucky Ashcroft, Gary Martin, Rick Iossi,
Sierra Lake, Oliver Govers, Jim Semlor
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS
Neil Hutchinson, Damien Wright, Joe Bidawid, Lou Wainman, Matt Nuzzo, Trip
Foreman, Paul Menta, Kevin “Top Hat” Senn, Gregg Gnecco, Jay Crawford, Henry
Dupont IV, Sean Driscol, Bill Lee, JeffSkoll,Paul Lang, Jeff How ard, CliffStone, Stefan
Ruether, Jeff Burton, Corky Cullen, John Romais, Brad Lange, Eric Akiskalian, Ben
W ilson
CONTRIBUTORS
Gregg Gnecco, Gary Martin, Carl Preston, Joe Bidawid, Matt Nuzzo, Felix Pivec,
Alexis Rovira, Sierra Lake, John Romais, Greg Norman Jr.,Aaron Sales, Jenny Dodge,
Kyle Touhey, Jon Modica, Davey Blair, Moe Goold, Bri Chmel, Trip Foreman, Jason
Slezak, Paul Lang, Eric Marchard, Sarah McNair-Landry, Buster Tronolone, Nate
Farran, Emanuela ‘Emi’ Marino
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jim Semlor, Kim Kern, Sierra Lake, Matt Cotton, Paul Javier, Michelle Zuniga, Gus
Schmiege, Gregg “Tekko” Gnecco, James Brown, Morton Skoll, Charles Oreve,Stefan
Ruether, Josh Marinos, Matt Mink, BOK
PHOTOGRAPHY
John Bilderback, Stephen Whitesell, Tracy Kraft, Jeff Pfeffer, Bill Mielcke, Charles
Oreve, Clark Merritt, Alexis Rovira, Lance Koudele, Dave Turner, Bri Chmel, Jimmy
Lewis, Gary Martin, BusterTronolone, Chris Tronolone, Bucky Ashcroft, Hugo Ljunberg,
Kenny Bain, Les Bore, John Chow , Dick Gustafson, Dan Gavere, Kyle Touhey, Buster
Tronolone, Matt Cohen, Clark Merritt, Lobo, Chris Tronolone, BOK, Shanna DeVriesMerrill, Matt Cotton, Alexis Rovira, Boulgakow ,Kegan Conway,Victoria Tap, Michelle
Zuniga, Graf, Scott Semon, Pierce Louis, Brendan Richards, ‘Big’ To m
Thanks to all editorial and photography contributors for
supporting this magazine!
SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@kbmag.com
Get an annual subscription (6 issues) and two 2006
Kiteboarder Calendars for you and a friend for just $34.99!
Our calendar features 13-months of full color, high quality
images from around the world. Take advantage of this
limited time offer and get The Kiteboarder delivered hot
off the press with two 2006 Kiteboarder Calendars to help
ring in the new year. Save 57% off regular price. Quantities limited.
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12
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DEPARTMENT
TURKIEWICZ
. . . The Final Frontier . . High Wind Kiting . . .
My van was getting blown side-to-side
as I headed east down to the Gorge. The
Columbia River was frothing, with 30 mph
west winds ripping down the corridor and
white caps turning to dust as the wind
continued to build with the dry eastern
Oregon heat. Shock waves of 40-45 mph
gusts were cruising through, making it
scary to stand on shore.
I had never seen Joe Turkiewicz kite, but
I had heard the stories and was intrigued to
see him and his passion for high wind
kiting. We finally got our schedules to
match, and the Gorge was firing, with wind
reports in the red. I called Joe to make sure
we were on, and within minutes, he
rounded the corner of the Secret Spot,
where the Gorge corridor straightens out.
On big days, the wind fires through like a
wind tunnel on full throttle. He didn’t seem
the least bit worried – and why should he?
This was the type of wind he searches for
“with full-on floodgates open - current for
truck-size roller central - and all my friends
tearing it up.” On days when most
kiteboarders run back to their poleboarding roots, Turkiewicz is checking the
river to see if that new 4 meter kite is going
to get its first test run in nuclear conditions.
Its unnerving to think that in two years,
Turkiewicz has graduated from his first 12
meter kite and directional board to a high wind, strapless style that attracts attention
from the moment you look out on the river.
He still rides an ancient Wipika, but the
style is all new school. High wind kiting as
he puts it, may be the last frontier to be
conquered. His story is part inventor, part
innovator and part passion.
Joe’s Story (uncut)
At the company where I worked
everyone kited or was learning to kite. We
had new demo kites that everyone was
fighting over. It seemed that as the new
guy, I never could get on the right kite for
the day. I immediately got sick of always
flying different kites that were never tuned
right. I ended up buying a beater, an 8.4
meter Airblast and a bar, so I had a
consistent setup day-to-day. I quickly
learned I could take that thing into pretty
high winds and loved the way it flew, so I
filled out the quiver with the 6.3 and 4.9
and am currently riding the smallest kite
from two summers ago.
Finding room to carve in the swell - all strapless - is what draws
Joe to high wind kiting. Location: Gorge Lens: Jim Semlor
Mad Scientist
There were so many different boards on
the beach and in the shops; I liked the
shape of one board or the rail on another,
but I saw a lot of breakage going on too. I
am really into composites, so I started
reading all I could find about lay-ups in
aircraft, racing hulls, etc. After asking
everyone that I knew that had knowledge in
that field a barrage of questions, I decided
I could make my own. The first one was
blue insulation foam/plywood sandwich
with a Kevlar top. It lasted a couple of
months, but was only about $35 to build.
During that time I was going through tons
of material statistics on resin types, weave
flex characteristics, and foam densities. I
had manufacturers sending me samples,
Joe Turkiwiecz rips a seam through the crippled swell at the ‘Secret Spot’.
Location: Gorge Lens: Jim Semlor
Story by Joe Turkiewicz
Photographs by Jim Semlor
14
15
[
I have started looking at some smaller kites than 7’s for
surfboards. I love high wind because bigger wind makes for bigger
swell. The hindering thing I feel in the “high wind” category of kites
is that most of them are made for training or smaller people. I want
a tiny performance kite that turns stupidly fast and can take
punishment. If you want to get the same power from a small kite
in high wind that you get from an average kite in normal wind, the
compensation for the load difference needs to be taken into
consideration. The load relative to the size is substantially
different. I think that as people find higher wind more appealing,
there will be a stronger demand on manufacturers to make gear
that performs.
]
Turkiewicz fully committed at the Spit.
Location: Hood River Lens: Pierce Louis
and I got some books on
vacuum bagging. I got a bunch
of medical vacuum pumps
cheap and got after it.
I ended up with a 3-layer
sandwich, 110 cm finless board,
with small flip tips.
It was a mix of all the
elements of construction and
desired ride characteristics I
wanted. It rode so nice, and I am
working hard to copy it for this
winter. The board is super fast,
loose, and light.
Line Madness
My lines were next. I started
hacking them down, so I could
turn faster and get more cuts on
swell.
I felt the board could change
directions faster than the kite on
traditional length lines, so I
shortened the window to match
it.
I also started sewing up my
own bar systems, with bomber
hardware that was matched to
my throw and reach. I again
16
spent the winter in Costa Rica; it
is so windy there, and I have
never in three years in the Gorge
seen wind like it.
Last winter, I kept going out in
higher winds and cutting down
the lines to turn faster and to
carry more kite.
I came back to the Gorge that
spring flying on 10 meter lines,
but it is never windy enough to
fly on those here, so I am flying
16 to 20 meters on most days.
Evolution of a
Gorge Surfboard
I had never flown anything
bigger than a 9 meter in Costa
Rica; big kites feel very slow, so
I started riding around on my
friend’s mini-tanker surfboard in
lighter winds on my smaller
kites.
I picked up a couple swap
meet surfboards when I got
back. I started riding those
exclusively — no matter the
wind. Gary Swanson of Cascade
Performance Fiberglass offered
to shape me boards after I
stopped in to bounce a few
ideas off him on a high wind
surfboard.
We ended up with a concept
of
a
traditional
looking
performance short board that
has a shape and fin combo
tweaked to milk longer rides off
Gorge swell, and a beefed up
construction to take abuse.
The whole process was
amazing, especially watching
my new board being shaped.
After building boards myself,
seeing him fly through a blank
and end up with a perfect shape
so quickly was astonishing.
I think it makes you a better
rider to think about how you ride,
or want to ride, and to tweak or
build your equipment to help you
get there. Understanding all the
elements and dynamics at work
is a huge part of it.
Surfing the Gorge
My most memorable moment
was this spring during a huge
swell at the “Wall,” a great little
wave spot in the Gorge.
I can remember turning in the
trough and hitting the face of a
swell while my back lines were
poking through the back of the
wave in front of mine.
This has pushed me to want
to ride some bigger waves on
higher wind days. I think that
waves of any kind are where it’s
at, no question. I have recently
seen some amazing powered
freestyle riding.
The
whole
sport
is
progressing. The kids that I had
never heard of last year are
absolutely killing it, with some of
the best riding I have seen in
person, pictures or film.
I want to add some of that
element to slash and burn on the
swell — linking those kinds of
moves on a swell would be the
ultimate style for me.
Sponsors include Wipika Kiteboarding, Hotel
Tilawa.com, Anarchy Eyewear,
Gary Swanson and Cascade Performance
Fiberglass.
I
DEPARTMENT
information
SMACK
SMACK
Tonia Farman hard at work
Stacy Boggs checks the scene
WOMEN’S KITEBOARDING ASSOCIATION
LAUNCHES IN HOOD RIVER
Former Slingshot Marketing Manager
Tonia Farman, and Executive Director of
the Association of Windsports (AWSI)
Stacy Boggs, have combined forces to
form the Women’s Kiteboarding
Association (WKA). Recognizing a need for
women to learn, progress, and enjoy the
sport with confidence and camaraderie,
Tonia and Stacy formed the WKA to
progress and promote women of all ages
and abilities in the sport of kiteboarding, as
well as establish and preserve free and
safe access to a clean shoreline and ocean
environment. The WKA will initially focus
on promoting kiteboarding to women
through events such as Kite Nights and
Women’s Kite Clinics.
For news, information, photos and
membership registration, visit
www.womenskiteboarding.com.
PRYDE GROUP OPENS WEST COAST OFFICE
Pryde Group, North America, recently
celebrated the opening of their new West
Coast office in San Clemente, CA.
The new location will house western
hemisphere admin staff for distribution,
and serve as FLOW Snowboarding’s
International Headquarters.
It will also act as a second distribution
point for Cabrinha, Neilpryde, JP
Windsurfing, RSX Olympic Windsurfing
equipment, and FLOW products ensuring
faster service on orders to the western part
of the US, and a second pick-up point for
export accounts.
What does this mean for you? Faster
Mr. Neil Pryde himself with Kent Marincovik
and the crew from Cali Kites and Xdream
Sportz. Photo by Ryan Riccitelli
delivery of up to two weeks on goods
imported from Asia.
KITEBEACHES.COM
ADDS GOOGLE EARTH
Scouting out a new beach or planning your next trip
has never been easier. Now with www.kitebeaches.com,
you can pinpoint and see the exact location of kite
beaches around the world with accurate GPS
coordinates, thanks to Google Earth. If you see a beach
you like, just click on the beach name and you’ll get all
the info you need on conditions, seasonality, travel tips
and more.
18
also be touring and offering demos on the
east coast and all the hot snowkiting
regions this fall. Contact www.flysurferusa.com to set up a demo or for more info.
If you’re in Cabarete, be sure to take
advantage of the free downwind trips and
excursions offered by EH Kiteboarding. You can
test EH kites and boards for free, pump up your
kites with a handy compressor, and store a cold
Presidente beer in the convenient fridge for the
ride back to town. Check out
www.ehkiteboarding.com for more info.
Litewave and Globerider team rider Nina
Johansson was recently featured on the
half hour TV program Nissan Action Sports
which played throughout the US, and a
Subway commercial which aired locally in
Hawaii. She also made the magazine
covers this summer in Germany
(Kiteboarding.de) and Sweden (Sport Guide
Sweden).
Escape the winter blues this season with
REAL Kiteboarding in Cozumel. You can book
straight accommodations or one of the
infamous REAL Cozumel Kite Camps which run
from December 5 through mid-March. Booking
are also being taken for REAL Hatteras Camps.
Go to www.realkiteboarding.com for more info.
Slingshot rep Dave Civiello and Kevin Trejo
of Solosports.net will be hosting Slingshot Wave
Daze Demo in San Carlos from November 5-12.
Dave will have all the new 2006 Slingshot Gear
available for testing and Kevin will be offering
free instruction for ripping up the waves. Cost
of the camp is $1600 which includes
transportation to and from San Diego, lodging,
and meals. Contact www.Solosports.net for
more info.
Air Assault Kiteboarding just opened its
doors in Key West for lessons, gear sales, and
excursions. The new shop will sell and demo
gear from Slingshot and Naish. Lessons will be
at “the Flats”, only accessible by boat. Students
will enjoy clear, warm, shallow water for miles,
with no obstructions. With riding possible in in
any wind direction, Students and guests will be
transported to the Flats in the shop’s new 19foot boat, equipped with an air compressor, and
board racks. “Taxi service” to the Flats will
allow experienced kiters to come enjoy the
fantastic conditions, like a 15-mile downwinder.
Key West’s season is from October through
June, with 12 - 20mph winds. On no wind days,
you can wakeboard, snorkel, kayak or sightsee.
Key West is a great holiday destination with an
exceptional nightlife. For more info contact
info@airassaultonline.com
Ian Huschle has joined Best Kiteboarding as
its new President and CEO. Ian brings 16 years
of experience in building lasting ventures,
managing complex operations, raising capital,
and providing financial and strategic advisory
services. He is an honors graduate of Harvard
College and Harvard Business School, and
most recently was with Allen & Company, the
New York investment bank, before joining Best.
For a full backgrounder, go to
www.bestkiteboarding.com
Who is faster than 66.9 mph (108 km/h) with
the Flysurfer Speed? Flysurfer will pay $1200US
to the first person who beats the speed record
of 66.9 mph this winter season 2006 (November
2005 through April 2006). Registration and rules
are at www.stormboarding.com Flysurfer will
“Papa Tron” and his lovely wife Elly
recently celebrated their 30th wedding
anniversary in Cabarete with their infamous
sons Chris and Buster Tronolone and the
riders on the PKRA tour. Papa Tron
considers the riders his “other family”
which made the big event even more
special. Congratulations!
KITE NEWS, LIVE INTERVIEWS GOES DIGITAL
The Kiteboarder Magazine has launched
ASNEWS.net, an hour-long mp3 podcast
available for FREE at www.kbmag.com or
itunes.
ASNEWS.net and The Kiteboarder
Magazine come from the mind of Ryan
Riccitelli, who has been involved in action
sports his whole life, and been on the
kiteboarding scene since the beginning.
Together with hosts Alexis Rovira and Paul
Lang, the trio will deliver current action
sports news and kiteboarding headlines
from around the world.
Because of the hosts’ extensive network
with the who’s who of kite, wind, surf,
skate, and tow, the podcast will also
include pro-rider interviews, gear talk and
random off-the-wall topics.
Please email editor@kbmag.com with
any news items you would like featured. If
you have any questions, please contact
marina@kbmag.com
SURF EXPO WRAP by Chip Wasson
Surf Expo, the once a year trade show
for the industry, was kickin in the kite and
windsurf section compared to the rest of
the show.
With the exception of the Reef Girls
section, the majority of the show was
catatonic compared to the kite/windsurf
section.
Every day ended with partying in aisle
#900, smack dab in the middle of the
kite/windsurf area near Ozone, RRD and
UltraNectar.This year was especially
exciting with the introduction of many new
innovations in kite design and safety.
There was also a prevalence of new
surf/wave specific boards. Hopefully some
of the rest of the mainstream world will start
waking up and realize the crossover nature
of kiting; it only extends the played out
worlds of surf, skate, ski and snowboard.
CAUTION BOARD GIVEAWAY
ENTER BEFORE DEC.9th FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN
The Kiteboarder Magazine and Caution Kiteboarding
have teamed up to give you a FREE board, just in time for
the holidays! Just go to www.kbmag.com and click on the
Caution board giveaway banner for your chance to win
Brendan Richard’s board, as featured in the
August/September issue of The Kiteboarder. Winner will be
drawn December 15, 2005.
South Africa will host the “Red Bull
Cape Town Man” in mid-November. Over a
dozen countries will compete in this first
ever multi-disciplined relay race which
incorporates speed kitesurfing, adventure
biking, mountain running and speed
paragliding. This intense, one day
competition of 70 four-man teams will push
athletes to their limits as they race amidst
historic and natural landmarks in and
around Cape Town. For more info check
out www.redbullcapetownman.com
Wipika has brought on Shay Ohrel as
North American Sales Manager to head the
Hood River office. An MBA graduate, Shay
will be the main point of contact for
retailers and distributors throughout the
Americas. He is looking forward to
strengthening existing relationships and
expanding the Wipika network amongst
retailers, schools, and on the beach.
Speed and crossing racing seems to be
the most heated competition in kiting lately.
North Kiteboarding’s Stef de Jong just set a
world record in August of 115 miles in 7
hours and 55 minutes when he kited nonstop from Lowestoft, the most easterly
point on Great Britain, to Holland ((The
Playstation2 Kiteboard Crossing). de Jong
broke the record set eight years back by
two windsurfers. On September 7,
Cornwall’s Andreya Wharry broke de Jong’s
record when she kited 132.7 miles from
Watergate Bay, Cornwall, to County
Waterford, Ireland in 8 hours, 6 minutes
(Veuve Clicquot Kite Crossing). Dreya, a
former TV Gladiators champion and world
top-ten ranked professional kitesurfer,
shattered the current official world record
for the “Longest Continuous Journey by a
19
letters
Susi Mai Trivia
Blood, Sweat & Adrenaline
Dear Editor:
I just received my first issue of
The Kiteboarder Magazine and I am
completely stoked. The quality is so
much better than that “other”
magazine you were affiliated with.
The articles, pictures and profiles
are great. Even the paper is better
quality, which means my little boy
will grow up reading back issues as
he learns to kiteboard.
Thanks for a great product.
Timothy Masters
Boca Raton, FL
I want to take a moment and
thank the contributors who make
this magazine what it is. My life has
been controlled chaos since I
started The Kiteboarder. Our team
has worked our butts off making it
100% from the heart. I think the
proof is in the pudding—Ed.
Dear Editor:
I am writing regarding your August
PDF download. In the article on page
19 about Susi Mai you say, “At 15,
Susi Mai sat on the beach at the 2002
Cabarete, PKRA event...” It’s 2005, so
that makes her 18 this year. You wrote
in her VITALS, “Age, 20; Height, 5’3”;
Weight 105; Stance 36cm...” Are you
spending too much time on the
water...or not enough?
Regards,
Scott
We never claimed we were smarter
than our readers. Thanks for only
mentioning one of our mistakes. I am
glad to see you have been studying
Susi’s vitals. I guess I am one of the
lucky ones who knew her before all
the fame and fortune of kiteboarding—
Ed.
Huge in Norway
Dear Editor:
I was wondering if perhaps you
could help me. On page 60 of the
August 2005 issue of The Kiteboarder
Magazine, there is a picture of
Guillaume Chastagnol launching huge
with an Ozone Frenzy. Can you please
tell me where this photo was taken?
Thank you for your help,
Mike Hitelman
Alex Peterson gets a better view of his
terrain in the Cali mountains.
Location: South Lake Tahoe Lens: Dan Gavere
20
That shot of Guillaume sticks in the
back of my mind all the time. The shot
was taken by Boulkgakow in Norway.
Just wait until you see the stuff in our
next issue. Be sure to check out
kbmag.com for the new snowkiting
photo gallery—Ed.
Send all of your rants, grumbles, propaganda and words of encouragement to editor@kbmag.com
I
DEPARTMENT
SMACK
Kitesurfer” of 110 miles set by Marcus “Flash”
Austin. The first official world record was set
by Neil Hutchinson, Kent Marincovik and
Fabrice Collard, who kited from Florida to
Cuba in December 2001.
Slingshot’s Ben Wilson was recently
invited to the Kelly Slater Invitational in Fiji, a
unique surf, music and lifestyle event bringing
together the world’s top surfers and special
guests to the tropical island of Tavarua.
Unfortunately, the event was cancelled the
day before it started due to travel warnings in
Fiji, but Ben managed to turn a negative into
a positive in his typical style. Although the
stars didn’t show up, most of the surfers and
media did. Ben had the best three days of
kiteboarding that he’s had all year, and
showed everyone what could be
accomplished in the waves with a kite.
History is in the making as
monkeykites.com prepares for The Great
Downwinder 2006, scheduled to take place
New Year’s Day 2006. Over 150 applicants
from 14 countries are vying for the 25 slots on
a journey traveling 621.4 miles over 14 days
from Southport in Queensland to Collaroy,
Northern Beaches, Sydney. Details are at
www.monkeykites.com.
By James Brown
New World Order
Check out the mind blowing action from
the 2004 PKRA tour. The events were held
in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Dominican
Republic, Fuerteventura and Brazil.
The bar has been raised once again by
young guns like Aaron Hadlow, Ruben
Lenten and Gianni Aragno. Let’s not forget
tour veterans like Jaime Herraiz, Martin
Vari and Andre Phillip. Cindy Mosey,
Kristin Boese and Ania Grzelinska have
been throwing down as well.
Bonus footage includes extras from the
finals in Brazil. For copies visit
www.tronolone.com
Unhooked 2
Buster Tronolone spent a year flying
around the world to capture the diverse
and amazing new directions that
kiteboarding has taken in this brand-new,
spankin’ release. Freeriding sessions
include: Jason Slezak’s rib crushing results
22
from charging the famous “Camel Toe” rail
in Hatteras; huge washing machine waves
ridden by Ben Wilson in Indonesia and Jeff
Tobias at “The Zoo” in Australia; and tons
more freestyle action with the pro riders
who are pushing the possibilities.
For copies visit www.tronolone.com
Funk [The Mark Shinn Story]
If you were wondering what Mark Shinn
has been up to since he won both world
kiteboarding tours, don’t miss this DVD! I
thought I’d seen it all until the first few
minutes of footage where Mark is riding
strapless while pulling kick flips, shuv-it’s,
varials and aerials.
That’s not all though. There’s plenty of
new school action as well as some classic
old school thrown in the mix.
Shinn is undoubtedly one of the most
versatile as well as inspirational riders in
the world. For copies visit
www.funkdvd.com
A techy at heart, Dr. Mark Godley was
often frustrated with the challenging launches
around his home turf. He decided to do
something about it and invented the
Turbolauncher and Line Manager. Mark
recently visited Italy where he a local Flexi rep
Alex Boyce put the line manager through it’s
paces. With a kiting community of over eight
thousand, kiters use some of busiest beaches
in Europe. The Line Manager allowed Mark
and Alex to show how a kite can be rigged in
the space of the arc of a the kite without
stress or line tangles in minutes. After all, the
Italians like to eat spaghetti, not untangle it!
Check out www.kitelauncher.com
Blowing in the Wind has launched their
new kiteboarding website
www.GoKitesurf.com.The site is loaded with
great information on using 5th Line systems,
images showing safe areas to ride, safe wind
directions, and kite anatomy, essential
information for newbies just starting out, and
the lowdown on kiting at Cape Fear.
PASA unveiled its new certification card for
recreational kiters and instructors. The full
color credit card style photo is a great tool
for both instructors and kiteboarders to keep
kiteboarding access open while spreading
awareness and education. Along with The
Card PASA also released the new updated
I
DEPARTMENT
SMACK
PASA Student Handbook. For more
information please visit PASA at
www.pasakiteboarding.org
Name:Jay Crawford
Nickname: Captain Morgan
Age: 38
Location: Avon, North Carolina
Years Riding: Since it started
in Hatteras, ’99
Claudia Nygard, aka KiteGirl, had a great
summer with her KiteGirl Klinics. Focusing on
getting more women kiteboarding in the surf
this year, KiteGirl will hit Kauai in October.
December will bring her to Montana for
KiteGirl Snow Clinics. January 2006 KiteGirl is
planning to be in Florida to be the only female
kiter for a 10-day long Key Largo to the Dry
Tortugas KiteKat Expedition. She will be back
on the snow in February and March of 2006.
For more information on the KiteGirl Klinics
and events please check out www.kitegirl.com
Jennytips
Dodge
How did you get into the kiteboarding retail ByWhat
can you offer experienced kiters
business?
who want to come kite your area?
Bob Huizing and Brian Klauser said come
Experienced riders can have head high waves
down and get out of the golf industry, you’ll have
(NE, north beaches or SW, south beaches). Or, if
more fun! Dave Johnson, from North Sports
you want to improve your wake style tricks, take
said the same.Thanks Jason for giving the staff
a session in some serious flat water—anywhere
our first lessons on original Naish equipment.
in the sound!
What is the kiteboarding scene like in your
area?
Epic— ocean, sound, waves or flat!
What is your season?
It is year round if you want, but usually March
15 through December 1.
Are there any issues (access, usage rights,
etc) or everything all good?
Stay 150 feet away from all power lines,
especially “Kite Point,” mandated by the Park
Service.
What is the best way for people to check the
forecast and current conditions in your
area?
Ikitesurf.com as they have two wind meters at
our site (on roof and on water). Double check the
weather via NOAA, windguru, and your local
weather station. Drop in anytime to KBH shop
and our staff will give you the real deal.
compiled by Jenny Dodge
of The Kiteboarder staff
Kite Chicks welcomes San Francisco Bay
Area rider Yoko Nishikubo to the Kite Chicks
Team. Yoko was first turned onto kiteboarding
in December 2004 at a Girls Kite Camp on
Ishigaki Island, Japan. She has changed her
entire world schedule so that she can kite on
any given weekday and most windy
weekends. In the spirit of Kite Chicks, Yoko is
looking forward to turning other girls onto
kiting and sharing her stoke. If you’d like to be
considered to become a Kite Chicks team
rider, email teamriders@kitechicks.com.
Live2kite is offering all Kiteboarder Mag
readers a minimum of 30% off all 2005 kites
and boards from RRD, Caution, Underground,
Liquid Force, Flexifoil, Airush, Ozone,
Flysurfer, Globerider and Litewave Design.
Don’t miss this opportunity to save on same
great gear. Please use coupon #13fd99 at
checkout.www.live2kite.com
John Grim of South Africa, one of the
world’s top speed kiters, has joined Best
Kiteboarding’s team of international riders. If
you’re interested in speedkiting and other racy
subjects, you can catch John in a rare
moment of repose in an in-depth interview at
www.bestkiteboarding.com
Dogpile.com can make searching the web easier, because it has all the best
search engines piled into one. It combines Google, Yahoo, MSN and Ask Jeeves to bring
a new way to ‘fetch’ news, information and entertainment off the internet.
ASNEWS.NET brings you all of the latest headline action sports news. Be sure to
check out the weekly podcast available free at itunes.com or www.asnews.net.
Our programmers have been hard at work creating a new weather portal on
www.kbmag.com. Check out our weather links page and make finding wind one stop
shopping with over 100 weather links to choose from.
our
This is the perfect site for any kiteboarder who has problems remembering those
important dates. Don’t be caught with your pants down on those next special occasions.
Click on www.savemyass.com.
24
Many of the younger people already know about myspace.com and have logged onto
page and added us as friends. Check out the underworld of
www.myspace.com/theringmedia. Use at your own risk; myspace is extremely
addicting.
compiled by The Kiteboarder staff
&RPSHWLWLRQ
UHVXOWV
With over 30 years under his
belt, Tommy is no stranger to
stylish carves.
By Cory McFarland
2005 RED BULL MICHIGAN QUALIFIER GOES OFF!
PKRA Canada- September 3-10
After four straight days of 20-25 mph winds, 50 cases of Red Bull,
classic Northern Michigan stoke, and an unforgettable bus ride to an
awards ceremony of a lifetime, every one of the 32 competitors left the
Red Bull Qualifier high on life. Organized and hosted by Broneah
Kiteboarding, the event took place on a beautiful sandy spit along Lake
Michigan a few miles north of classic Point Betsie, just outside of
Traverse City. During the first day of competition, riders rigged 8 and 10
Andy Hurdman dominates the rail.
meter kites and were eliminated through 14 heats into a final round of
Photo: Broneah
four kiters. Local Midwest rider Joel Hageman stepped up against
Canadian Grom Sam Medysky, Island boy Madison VanHeurk, and last year’s champion Andy Hurdman for an all
out expression session. Unable to select a winner from Thursday’s final heat, the judges challenged the top three
riders in three different categories during Friday’s event; kiteloops (20 minutes), handlepasses (20 minutes), and a
slider jam (1 hour). Again on 8 and 10 meter kites, Sam, Madison and Andy showed the crowd their gnarliest
kiteloops and highest most powered handlepasses in the book. To say the guys threw down balls to the wall is an
understatement. But beyond the L-3’s and KGB’s, the boys had the most fun rocking the Broneah/Redbull slider as
the crowd gathered around and cheered them on from only a few feet away. This event will surly be talked about
for years to come. Check out more info and photos on the event at www.broneah.com.
Current Overall PKRA Rankings (as of 9/26)
Men
1st - Aaron Hadlow - Flexifoil
2nd - Etienne Lhote - F-One
3rd - Ruben Lenten- Slingshot
Women
1st - Kristen Boese - JN Kites
2nd - Ania Grzelinska - North
3rd - Bruna Kajiya - Naish
By Nate Farran
Canadian PKRA Stop: Les Iles de la Madeleine
by www.aerosport.ca
The sixth stop of the PKRA took place at Canada’s wind and ocean
playground “Les Iles de la Madeleine”. This tiny tourism and fishing
island composed of sand dunes, white sand beaches, deep red cliffs
and seemingly endless coastline was the ideal site for North America’s
first PKRA event. Despite light winds caused by a rare depression, the
competition finished with an amazing final day. The morning started
cool and cloudy at the “Plage de la Martinique” with wind speeds
ranging from 15-20 knots and boosting to 30 knots by the end of the
Little man Lenten shows off his trophy.
Photo courtesy Aerosport.ca
day. The riders attacked the final rounds of single eliminations with the
energy of the rising winds and all delivered strong, crowd pleasing
performances. After solid heats from Clinton Bolton, Jesse Richman, Ceasar Portas, Leshai Miller, Alvaro Onieva
and an amazing performance by Rui Meira, the show came down to Ruben Lenten and Aaron Hadlow. Aaron,
despite difficulties with his harness after his first trick, pulled one technical move after another from his mobe 7 to a
720 blind surface pass maneuver with an extra twist in the air. However, it was Ruben who stole the day and first
place performing for both the judges and crowd with his smooth riding, incredible airs, and arsenal of powered kite
loops and handlepasses. Canadian Daphnee Laliberte put out an exceptional performance on home soil in a four
heat stretch before being stopped by Brazil’s Bruna Kajiya. Kristin Boese in a final round against Bruna, pulled her
signature handlepass downloop 360 and tantrum to walk away with first place. With this win, Kristin is in a good
position for 2005 world champion. Special props should be given to Shawn and Jesse Richman who despite the
week’s flukey light winds performed daily for the crowds!
1st -Aaron Hadlow - Flexifoil
2nd -Ruben Lenten-Slingshot
3rd -Rui Meira -Naish
Fly to Red Bull Qualifiers
Michigan, September 23-25
Men
1st - Andy Hurdman – Best
2nd - Madison VanHeurk – Naish
3rd - Sam Medysky – Naish
4th - Joel Hageman (Liquid Force)
North Carolina-July 22-24
Men
1st -Dimitri Maramenides - Airush
2nd -Andy Hurdman - Best
3rd -Jason Slezak - Liquid Force
Women
1st -Morgan Skiperdine - Airush
2nd -Bri Chmel - Best
3rd -Nadia Roux REAL
Texas- August 13-14
1st -Clinton Bolton - Best
2nd -Damian Leroy - Cabrinha
3rd -Jeff De La Garza - Naish
France-August 27-29
Men:
1st -Mickael Fernandez
2nd -Sébastien Garat
3rd -Sébastien Tacheau
Women
1st -Anaïs Leroux
2nd -Hélène Barrière
2nd -Muriel Filleul
King of the Great Lakes
Pro Division
1st -Cameron Dietrich - Cabrinha
2nd -Stephen “GS” Schank - Aggression
3rd -Christopher Sabella
Amateur Division
1st -Andy Bolt
Junior Division
1st -Erik Merrill
KPWT
Jim Beam Cabo Frio World Cup-September
2-10
Freestyle Men
1st -Reno Romeu - North
2nd -Thomas Cocquelet - Cabrinha
3rd -Tiago Rocha - Best
Freestyle Women
1st -Gisela Pulido - Airush,
2nd -Julie Simsar - Flexifoil
3rd -Noelia Nunez - Airush
Wave Masters Men:
1st -Jose Luengo - Airush
2nd -Hervé Bouré - Takoon
3rd -Antoine Auriol - Kiteloose
Wave Masters Women
1st -Gisela Pulido - Airush
2nd -Carol Freitas - Wipika
Snowkite Competitions Update
Speed Crossing Men
1st -Ruben Salvador
2nd -Charles Deleau - North
3rd -Pierre Romain - Airush
The upcoming Winter season is looking to be packed full of local,
national and worldwide events. Many people have been wondering
where to go for updated information on events and competitions. Check
for up-to-date schedules and important links in the ASNews.net blog.
Big air is the norm in snowkiting comps.
Photo: Stef
The U.S. snowkiting community is working at getting organized and has
plans to make a dedicated website that will include event schedules as
well as locations for snowkiting. For the U.S. scene, check for Ozone Snowkite Freeride tour event dates and
locations at www.ozonesnowkites.com.
On the European scene, the Corona Extra Winter tour will be in full force again. Check out
www.semnozkitesurfing.com. There is also a new European tour starting up which is organized by the ISKA
(International Snowkite Association).
Speed Crossing Women
1st -Gisela Pulido - Airush
2nd -Carol Freitas - Wipika
3rd -Julie Simsar - Flexifoil
By James Brown
26
Hang Time
Men Thomas Cocquelet - Cabrinha
Women Gisela Pulido - Airush
2005 Overall Ranking KPWT After 3 events
Men :
1st -Mickael Fernandez - RRD
2nd -Charles Deleau - North
3rd -Thomas Cocquelet - Cabrinha
Women :
1st -Noelia Nunez - Airush
2nd -Gisela Pulido - Airush
3rd -Julie Simsar - Flexifoil
Lens: Courtesy of Tommy Trozera
Name: Tommy Trozera
Street Name: “Tommy T.”
Age: 48
Hood: Cardiff by the Sea, California. I love to kite Baja and the Coronado towers in the
summer. In the winter, I ride Tourmaline and anywhere along the coast depending on the
storm.
Roots: I grew up surfing, snow skiing, hang gliding, windsurfing and skateboarding.
System: I ride Gaastra all the way. They build it, I fly it.Thanks Kenny.
Ride: I only ride Jimmy Lewis. Need I say more?
Claim: Last year I was able to kite 176 days—438 hours to be exact, and I still made a
good living.
Shout: Make everyday count. Go as big as possible as often as possible. Be nice.
7RPP\V7LSV
‘
Check your stuff as often as you can. You are better to have it fixed before a session than to have it
break during a session.
Know your limits. Don’t ride when the conditions are over your head.
When traveling, if you roll into a new spot that looks perfect and the locals aren’t out, there’s
probably a reason. Ask questions.
When in doubt, ALWAYS yield the right of way.
Pay attention. Pay attention. Pay attention. The beatings will continue until the lessons are learned.
Tommy prides his custom
Jimmy Lewis quiver.
Lens: Courtesy of Tommy Trozera
By Marina Chang
Photographs by Jim Semlor
received a call from Mira Kwon,
Marketing Director for Slingshot,
inviting me to check out the Slingshot
Kiteboarding Gorge Girls Clinic in July. I
thought sure, why not, although to be honest, I
never quite understood the attraction of all girl
oriented events. After participating in this clinic, I am a
changed woman! The clinic was just plain fun. The
camaraderie and the friendships that were created during
the week were truly special. I saw first hand the value and
positive difference of women teaching other women our sport.
28
Stacy Boggs, left, lays out her lines for a crowd of girls at the Hook in
Hood River.
Aaron Sales goes over kiting 101, giving tips on the proper technique for
pumping up a leading edge and bladders to the right pressure.
29
Mira Kwon lines up the students and keeps the pace going.
Laura Maher sets up for a body drag, while students see the challenges
of launching at the Hook in Hood River.
It started as a simple idea for regional
riders Laura Maher and Stacy Boggs.
Wanting to give something back to their
sponsor, Slingshot, the girls decided to put
on a complimentary clinic that catered
exclusively to women.
A few posters and 48 hours later, more
than 35 women were signed up for the fourday Slingshot Gorge Girls Clinic, held in
Hood River the week of July 18.
“Hood River is an extremely active area,
so we knew that there would be SOME
interest from the local women to learn about
kiteboarding,” said event organizer Stacy
Boggs.
“The Clinic confirmed our belief that a lot
of women are interested in our sport – they
just need the right venue! We had another
30 girls and women on our waiting list and
Two boat crews kept the clinic running smoothly. Thanks goes to Tom
Sinclair, Gary Reed, Hunter Thompson and Jim Shepherd.
had at least 10 walk-ins a day when word
spread about the event.”
A white tent furnished with pink chairs,
pillows and rugs marked the staging area for
the clinic. Women and girls from 13 to 50
years old waited with eager anticipation to
learn and experience more about the sport
that draws wind enthusiasts from all over
the globe to their backyard.
Some participants already had some
experience with training kites or body
dragging, but for various reasons did not
continue learning. The clinic gave women of
all levels a chance to ask questions and
learn hands on from other women the
challenges unique to female kiteboarders.
Participants were also treated to a BBQ
sponsored by Slingshot with lots of great
swag raffled off from DaKine and Slingshot.
Co-organizer Laura Maher commented,
“Women learn differently than men, and
have different concerns. The most common
misconception with women is they think
they need a lot of upper body strength to
kiteboard. Their biggest fear is they will get
hurt and not have control.”
Maher added, “Women are more visual
learners and tend to have more finesse, so
they have a deeper need for more in-depth
knowledge and understanding than men.
Women don’t need to be coddled, but there
is a certain dynamic created when women
work with other women. There is no
competition and no stress – the flow is just
smoother as we can relate to each other
better and create a less intimidating, more
comfortable learning environment.”
Kitesense: Laura Maher
1. Seat or waist harness: Both are great! From experience, I can hold
down more power with a seat, but ride a waist for comfort in grabs and
waves. Personal preference is the key.
2. Choosing a kite size: Always go smaller when in doubt! A solid comfort
zone is especially important to women when learning to kite. Do NOT go out
if you are unsure.
3. Boards: Women tend to need smaller boards and have a narrower
stance. Also, footstraps can sometimes be too large for our feet. Burn or drill
an extra hole in the webbing to customize the fit.
4. Safety in launching/landing: Every time you launch and land your kite,
think about where the safety releases are on your bar. There are far more
great stories than bad, but we need to be prepared.
30
5. Launch: When starting out, have someone hold you down on a launch,
especially in windy places. Walk the site so you know safe entry and exit
points at launch and downwind of the launch.
6. Set goals: Every time you head to the beach, try and set one simple
goal to achieve on the water. Progression will keep you coming back for
more.
7. Posture: Watch other people’s posture. It will help your overall style
and riding comfort. Just remember, your ass doing the stink bug won’t help
you edge the board.
8. Fashion First: A little style goes a long way. “I’m a girl, it’s my job.”
Don’t be afraid to bling out your gear and show your personal style.
C
DEPARTMENT
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KRISTiN
BOESE
By Marina Chang
Kristin Boese trained last winter on the buttery
flats of Coche, Venezuela.
Lens: Axel Reese
Kristin Boese has always been that quiet competitor that most people
Kristin Boese
Photo: Ugo Richard
overlooked. Over the last year something clicked, and her riding has taken
women’s kiteboarding to the next level. Growing up in East Germany, her travels
began the moment the wall broke down. At 23 she graduated college and started to work as
a windsurf instructor in Spain, Egypt and North Germany. Three years ago she met a kiteboarder and fell in
love—not with him but with the sport. Kristin’s story is quite amazing considering her background. Her
dedication and passion for riding has earned her the number one spot in the Women’s division of the PKRA.
When and where did you start
kiteboarding?
I started to kite in February 2002, in
Fuerteventura while I was working at the Pro
Center Rene Egli.
What riders influence you most?
My boyfriend Marc (Marley) Ramseier,
because we kite together all the time.
What do you do off the water to help you
on the water?
I do a lot of Yoga and stretching.
Where is your favorite place to ride and
why?
I like Coche, Venezuela. The water is very
nice and warm. The flat water is perfect for
practicing.
How does it feel to be number one on the
PKRA tour?
Well, of course it feels really, really good,
but on the other side, it makes you nervous
too. It is not always easy because everybody
36
is expecting a lot from you. I am just very
happy, and hope I can keep it up!
What is something about you that you do
outside of kiteboarding that most people
wouldn’t know?
Well, there are so many things inside of
Kiteboarding that most people wouldn’t know,
that there is not much time for “outside
things” other than maybe playing “Solitaire”
on my mobile phone… I am really addicted to
that!
Do you and Cindy Mosey have a rivalry
on the water?
We have never had that between us. We
have a lot of respect for each other. I was very
upset when she told me that she wanted to
stop competing.
I miss her a lot, and I am always happy
when she sends me emails wishing me good
luck. She is a very special person to me, and
she did a lot for women in kiteboarding.
AGE:28
HEIGHT: 5’6”
WEIGHT: 132
STANCE: Regular
YEARS RIDING: 3
FAVORITE SPOTS: Coche
and
Maui
Flat
water and 20 knots for
freestyle, and waves for
having fun.
FAVORITE MOVES: Unhooked
kiteloops and downloops
BOARD: Carved Popper
124cm
BINDINGS: JN Straps
KITE: JN Prima Donna
BARS: JN New School
LINES: 25m
HARNESS: Mystic Dark Rider
WETSUIT: Mystic shorty or
Metalite -underwar
SPONSORS: JN Kitesports,
Mystic, Caribbean Winds,
Carved
FAVORITE CONDITIONS:
PRO
TIPS
n Be careful using
a 5th line in big
waves. It will
destroy your kite if
the kite turns
around itself.
n Buy a board bag
that is not longer
than 140 cm (55”).
Most airlines won’t
charge you.
n Check to see if
you need a visa for
the country you
are traveling to.
C
DEPARTMENT
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The first time I laid eyes on Sky Solbach was at one of
the early Red Bull King of the air contests on Maui.
Living up to my tradition of the salty, aging
photographer, I remember thinking, “what’s up
with this pretty boy…who did his hair?”
Even after he placed a well deserved third, I
shook my head and thought “kook!” You
know how it is. He wasn’t part of the
established set. He just seemed too nice to
be true—and that hair! Well now, some
years later, I count Sky as one of my best
friends. We have traveled and shot photos
around the world, and we have also
tossed back a few too many beers
together. Over the years I’ve learned what
a solid guy he is as well as a hell of a
kiteboarder. Sky came over and hung out at
my house on Oahu during a recent North photo
shoot, and I decided to put him on the hot seat.
SKY
Sky Solbach boosts an indy grab in your face.
Lens: Stephen Whitesell
Story and photographs by
By Stephen Whitesell
SOLBACH
Okay, let’s get this out of the way. What’s with
the hair? Would you say your hair is kind of
your trade mark—the source of your Mojo?
I actually look at it from more of an
economic standpoint; I don’t need to pay for
haircuts! People always make comments
about my sheep wool, but to be honest, I
don’t really think that much about it. It
definitely makes me recognizable, so yeah, I
guess some people would say it is my
trademark. I get some strange looks in the
airport. . .
What is the state of the PKRA?
The PKRA Tour “By The Riders, For The
Riders” is not perfect and we are responsible
for making it what it is today. It seems like a
great concept that the rider’s committee
makes all the decisions, but we are often
blinded by what we think is cool or un-cool. I
think our new slogan should be: “By a big ass
marketing agency for the mainstream media!”
When you travel as much as you do, does it
stay exciting to meet different cultures and
check out different places, or are you “over it”
and just want to hang at home?
The very best thing about my job is the
people. We went on a trip to Sri Lanka just a
34
few months after the tsunami disaster. What
struck me the most about that place was how
happy the people could be without having
any material things.
How many years do you want to stay in the
top level of the sport?
I am 22 years old and have not even been
kiting for four years. I am just getting started
in my career as a kiteboarder. If it was all over
tomorrow, it would be like walking out in the
middle of a movie.
Just a few short years ago you were the new
up and comer. Then you kind of faded from the
media a bit. Where are you now?
The media is always hungry for new faces
and young riders that are going to take the
sport by storm. Look at the riders that are still
killing it though: Mauricio Abreu, Jaime
Herraiz, Martin Vari, Will James, Andre Phillip,
Mark Shinn, Jeff Tobias, Aaron Hadlow and
Gianni Aragno. How can you promote a rider
that’s been around for a year and placed well
in one contest?
In your opinion, who is the best rider that
doesn’t get the respect he deserves?
Leeshai Miller.
.
Sky Solbach
AGE:22
HEIGHT: 6’3”
WEIGHT: 205
STANCE: 48cm
YEARS RIDING: 4
FAVORITE SPOTS: Oregon
Coast
FAVORITE CONDITIONS:
Cold
and big
FAVORITE MOVES:
Anything
with style
BOARD: Sky Pro 135x41
BINDINGS: Straps
KITE: North Rhino 6
BARS: North
LINES: 27m
HARNESS: North M Waist
WETSUIT: Ion
PRO
TIPS
Remember to be
respectful and help
people out.
n
Try and ride as
many new spots
as you can.
n
SPONSORS: North, Fanatic, Ion
Don’t believe the
hype on the beach
Jack Johnson album, - spend your time
Bad Religion, Lauryn on the water.
Sky’s iPOD
n
About 20 GB: the new
Hill, Yonder Mountain
Always offer
assistance to
James Taylor, Onehum, another rider no
matter what.
and The Shins.
String
Band,
Nickel
Creek, Michael Franti,
n
S
DEPARTMENT
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1. Matt Cotton gets some hurricane swell. Photo: Matt Cohen
2. Adam Koch schools the Mexican military on kiteboarding Photo: Clark Merritt
3. Congratulations to Chris and Julie Gilbert and their new baby. Photo: Gilbert
4. Bo Mueller about to session Oka each, Quebec. Photo: Lobo
5. Jimmy Redmond and Garrett McNamara in the LF booth at ASR. Photo: Ryan Riccitelli
6. Buster Tronolone getting some pow. Photo: Chris Tronolone
7. Bobby Bosch chills before a session at a secret spot in Hawaii. Photo: Kim Kern
8. Cameron Dietrich and Poul Schiebel talking shop. Photo: Kim Kern
9. Chris Wyman celebrates his bachelor party in San Carlos. Photo: Clark Merritt
10. This...left us speechless. Photo: Bok
11. South Haven grom, Erik Merrill representing at 11 years old. Photo: Shanna DeVries-Merrill
12. Emi Marino is one of our senior writers. Photo: Matt Cotton
13. Leshai Miller gaps the rail. Photo: Buster Tronolone
14. Mark Doyle - International man of mystery. Photo: Kim Kern
15. Metal Mulisha girls and Corky Cullen showing love to KBMAG.com. Photo: Alex Rovira
16. Chasta dreams of Tahiti barrels on a trip to Norway. Photo: Boulgakow
17. Quincy Dein enjoys a Kihei, sunset session. Photo: Kegan Conway
18. Some of the PKRA’s hottest professional riders. Photo: Buster Tronolone
19. Papa Tronolone and Ruben Lenten wrestling at the Spit. Photo: Buster Tronolone
send your digi stuff to editor @kbmag.com
38
39
Ania Grzelinska tweaks a nice raley.
The build crew put in hours of work.
Aaron Hadlow charges the rail, throwing every trick in the book.
Prologue
I remember it like it was yesterday; we all
flew into Paros Island, Greece, for the fourth
stop of the PKRA World Tour. When it was
all over, most of the riders were heading
back home or back on the road. A few of us
decided to chill for awhile and build one of
the biggest rails I’ve ever seen. We
managed to get Aaron Hadlow, Leeshai
Miller, and Damian Leroy to postpone their
trips to Israel to take part in the project. We
gave Leeshai and Aaron the chance to draw
up the plans for this truly legendary rail.
Story and Photographs . Buster Tronolone
Labor
Building this rail was a Greek story in
itself. We worked for four days straight.
40
When it was all said and done with, and she
stood standing upright, shining on the
beach, no one knew what to say! One of
the boys quickly blurted out, “Let’s hit it!”
Ya—easier said than done.
Our newly constructed rail stood five
meters high and 30 meters in length. The
best part about it—or should I say worst
part, was there were two sections.
After gathering as many people as
possible, it was time to put the beast in the
water.
All together we had 20 guys help carry
the thing. Leeshai, Aaron and Damian
wanted to practice on the first section
before adding the other section to create
the gap.
The Show
Chris Tronolone, Shanti Berg and I
posted up with our cameras to document all
the filth. It was nuts! In a few moments, we
were seeing Aaron pulling three’s off the
end of the five meter high slider.
After Aaron, Leshai, Damian and the
crew killed the first section for about an
hour, the boys wanted to add the second
section creating the gap.
Here we go again—20 guys quickly
rallied to carry the second section into the
water. At this point, everyone was
anticipating the carnage. No one knew what
might unfold. Excitement was in the air, and
it was great! After about three hours of
riding and shooting, the boys proved
39
themselves on the water. Each of them
successfully made the gap, adding
variation after variation to their moves.
At the end of the day, we all looked at
each other and smiled. This was just
another day of work.
You can check out all the action from
Paros at www.tronolone.com or at
www.kbmag.com and see the mayhem
for yourself.
Special thanks to the Paros Kite Pro
Center, www.paroskiteprocenter.gr, for
putting up the money to build this
massive rail. Thanks also to the Hotel
Holiday Sun for putting us up for the
entire time, or should I say for putting
up with us.
Last but not least, thanks to Leeshai
Miller, Aaron Hadlow, and Damian
Leroy for putting their bodies on the
line.
At 23, Buster Tronolone has probably shot more
film of professional athletes than most seasoned
videographers will ever see. While most
cinematographers rely on light meters and the help
of an assistant, Buster is a one man show who
relies on his instincts and years of training by his
big brother Chris. Be sure to check out their latest
release, Unhooked 2. www.tronolone.com
Damian Leroy makes a frontside boardslide over the gap look easy.
42
B
DEPARTMENT
%$&.<$5'
Located in one of the most
picturesque and tropical areas of
South Florida, “Stiltsville” is not
your average kiteboarding spot.
Stiltsville is an area about three
miles out in the Atlantic Ocean,
off Miami Beach’s Florida coast.
It is accessible only by boat, or
for the experienced rider, your
kite! Boats anchor up to the
approximately 1000-foot long
sandbar where kiters, including
beginners, can launch and walk
upwind. The water is usually
warm, flat and shallow. On the
weekends this tropical paradise
and sandbar attracts tons of
boats, usually loaded with
weekend booze cruisers and sun
seekers. Spectators are generally
appreciative of the kiteboarding
entertainment and antics of local
pro kiteboarders Andy Hurdman
and Damian Leroy, who have
been known to get the crowds
going with their big airs and
smooth riding.
What is the official site name?
Stiltsville.
What is the best time of year to hit this spot?
Fall (October) to Winter (February) is
usually the most windy season for South
Florida, with lighter but still kiteable winds in
the Spring. Summer is not the best time to
visit if you want to kite; the heat keeps the
air very still.
How do I get there?
Stiltsville is most easily accessed by
boat. From I-95 head south to Miami, and
exit at Coconut Grove where the boat ramp
is located.
Experienced riders can do a relatively
easy three mile downwinder from Crandon
Park, located on Key Biscayne, to get to
Stiltsville.
44
FLORIDA
GETTING STARTED
Local Schools
Miami Kiteboarding Location: Miami, FL
www.miamikiteboarding.com
(305) 345-9975
BigKiteMiami.com - Location: Matheson
Hammock Park/Miami, FL
www.bigkitemiami.com (866) 924-5483
KitesurfUSA –
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
www.kitesurfusa.com (954) 816-0944
ining
e perfect tra
Stiltsville is th
s
ck
tri
er
at
tw
ground for fla Lens: Matt Cotton
tsville
Location: Stil
East Coast Kiteboarding Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
www.eastcoastkiteboarding.com
(954) 295-5778
Local Shops
Water-Play/Miami, FL
www.water-play.com
(305) 860-0888
By Emanuela Marino
Hamish McDona
ld puts on a sho
w for
the party boat
s.
Location: Stiltsvill
e Lens: Matt Co
tton
South Florid
a
’s Andy H
Location:
urdman
Stiltsville Le
ns: Matt Co
tton
marks his
territory.
Local Association
FKSA www.fksa.org
Best internet site to
check the wind
Check Stiltsville wind conditions by going
to www.NOOABouys.com. Click on the
Fowey Buoy (FWY).
Usual wind direction
Usually southeast, but keep in mind
Stiltsville is open to all wind directions!
Winter winds in South Florida range
consistently anywhere from 12-20 knots.
Where should I stay?
Anywhere in South Florida, including
Miami, the upper Keys, and Fort
Lauderdale are not too far away from
Stiltsville. If you want to stay really close,
look for hotels in Coconut Grove, but
understand they may be a little pricey.
Stiltsville is legendary for the kiting and the partying.
Location: Stiltsville Lens: Matt Cotton
What are the best conditions to get lucky?
“You have scored if you get to ride when
a front rolls through,” says pro rider Andy
Hurdman.
These fronts have strong and steady
southeast winds that turn northeast as they
leave, giving riders the best of both worlds.
What conditions should I avoid?
Riders should be aware of approaching
squalls and immediately take proper action.
Squalls tend to come in fast bringing
extremely gusty conditions. In a matter of
minutes, winds can triple to dangerous
speeds; it is in these types of conditions that
riders can get seriously hurt.
What gear should I be sure to pack?
Bring your entire quiver as wind in South
Florida can greatly vary.
Booties are also a good idea if you plan to
walk upwind of the sandbar.
What is the water temp like?
The water is usually warm. Floridians can
wear board shorts and bathing suits almost
year round. However, winter fronts can bring
colder conditions; to be comfortable, bring
your shorty or 3/2 fullsuit.
What is the launch?
Launching at Stiltsville can be tricky.
Usually a boat launch is required and should
be performed with the help of an
experienced rider. Otherwise, riders can
walk upwind and launch in the water on the
flats.
Where are some of the best places to eat?
On your boat! Because Stiltsville is
located offshore, dinning options are
obviously limited. Bring your lunch and
plenty of water. Once you reach land, plan to
stop at Coconut Grove for dinner and drinks.
Coconut Grove is a groovy place to play and
indulge in your island senses. Settled in
1834 by Bahamian seamen, this enchanting,
lush tropical village is considered the oldest
and most important settlement in Florida
because of its location on the edge of
Biscayne Bay. Today, it provides easy
access to Miami and is an eclectic collection
of casual restaurants, fine dining and shops.
What else is there to do if I get skunked!
There is tons of stuff to do in Miami,
especially in Coconut Grove. If you are really
itching to ride, go up to Fort Lauderdale
(about one hour north on 95) to the SkiRixen Cable Park where local kiteboarders
are known to cross train on non windy days.
Ski-Rixen Cable Park is open six days a
week and you can ride your own kiteboard.
For more information: www.skirixenusa.com
or call (954) 429-0215
Is there anything else I need to know about
riding this spot?
Because Stiltsville is located on flats with
surrounding channels in the open Atlantic,
riders should be aware of the strong
currents that run through theses channels.
Always keep an eye out for approaching
weather and stay a safe distance away from
the anchored boats. With water everywhere,
the sun can be extremely strong. Bring
protection including sunscreen and a rash
guard.
Are there any safety issues or rules I need to
know about Stiltsville?
There are no rules or requirements to ride
at Stiltsville, but use your common sense
and ride responsibly. There have been
accidents with riders hitting anchored boats,
resulting in serious injury. Always be sure to
keep a safe distance from the boats! If you
are attempting tricks, allow yourself a safe
buffer zone in case you crash and don’t
make it.
Are there any interesting bits of trivia about
this spot?
Stiltsville is a historic area comprised of
houses that are built on stilts in very shallow
water. The area was built during prohibition,
Al Capone, and rampant gambling. The law
at that time was that gambling was allowed,
provided that it was located offshore.
Stiltsville is an enclave of these structures
that were built for this purpose. It now
serves as a great place to gather and watch
the beautiful Florida sunsets.
45
B
DEPARTMENT
%$&.<$5'
California
SanDiego
DiegoKiting
Kiting
San
San Diego
Kiting
The nickname for Enchanted
Cove in Mission Bay is
appropriately named “Stinkies”
because of random sewage spills
in the bay. Stinkies definitely is
not your typical kiteboarding
spot. The wind rarely blows over
12 knots, the launch is
surrounded by dirt that stains
your kites, and you have to watch
out for the random buried fire pits
and broken glass. Despite all this,
Stinkies is home to a very
dedicated group of local riders
and is one of the only flat water
locations suitable for learning in
San Diego, California. The kites
here may be big, but the egos are
small. The dedication of the
locals is proof that light wind
kiting can be really fun — even if
you get a little frustrated from
time to time.
Enchanted Cove, Mission Bay
What is the spots nick name?
Stinkies
Summer winds are the most consistent
(consistently 10-12 knots).
What is the best internet site to check the
wind?
Check the Mission Bay Wind Sensor at
ikitesurf.com
How Do I get there?
From the I-5, exit Sea World Drive. Go
46
iego
in San D
p riders
to
e
th
f
is one o Tom
g
eckels
Jake Ja ission Bay Lens: Bi
n: M
Locatio
GETTING STARTED
Local Schools
West Coast Kiteboarding:
www.westcoastkiteboarding.com
619-813-2230
Manta Wind & Water Sports
www.mantawatersports.com
858-270-7222
Stinkies
h
as a lo
Locatio
yal cre
n: Missio
w of Arc
n Bay
Lens: Ry
an Ricc
itelli
lovers
Cali Kites
www.calikites.com
619-522-9574
Local Shops
Cali Kites 619-522-9574
XDream Sportz 858-481-9283
Kite Country 619-221-4421
Windsport 858-488-7656
Light wind tester Jard Polonitza claiming his spot.
By Paul Lang
east. Turn right on East Mission Bay Drive.
Turn left onto Fiesta Island.
Stinkies is the first cove you come to on
the island.
Look for the inflated kites next to the
road. The Boys Scouts have a camp across
from the launch.
Stronger than average thermals, created
by a large temperature difference between
the ocean and the desert inland, are usually
the best conditions.
Santa Ana winds! The wind that makes it
to the beach is extremely gusty.
Location: Mission Bay Lens: Ryan Riccitelli
Your biggest gear! You will rarely get to
ride anything smaller than a 16 meter here.
Most people are usually on 20 meter kites or
larger. This is a spot where a 25 can be your
bread and butter kite.
The water is usually warm. You can wear
board shorts from June through September.
What is the Launch?
Side on to side off, dirt beach.
Anywhere in San Diego is not far away,
but look for hotels that are close to Sea
World (it’s right down the road). Camping is
also available at Campland, just a few
minutes away. 800-4-BAY-FUN.
Check out Theo’s in Pacific Beach for
killer sandwiches and pizza. 858-273-6300.
If you want to eat and then party all night,
go to Pacific Beach Bar and Grill 858-2721242. DaKine’s has some of the best plate
lunches around. (858) 274-8494.
There is tons of stuff to do on Mission
Bay. You can rent a bike, take the family to
Sea World, go sailing, or rent a jet ski and go
wakeskating. The surf is really good on the
coast and is always a great light wind
diversion.
riding this spot?
Booties are a good idea. Watch out for
broken glass, old nails, and, at a low tide,
shells. When you launch your kite, get right
into the water. Do not fool around flying your
kite on land. When walking back upwind,
keep your kite over the water. Stinkies can
get crowded on a windy day, so don’t forget
to look around before you jump or turn.
know about Mission Bay?
Don’t fly your kite over the road, and stay
well clear of any youth aquatic activities that
may be happening in the cove.
This site is regulation free. Please help it
stay that way by kiting responsibly.
What is the usual wind direction?
West to northwest.
Are there any interesting bits of trivia about
this spot?
Stinkies was the first kiteboarding spot to
emerge in San Diego and was pioneered by
Gary Martin, Whitney Gould, Jard Polonitza,
Ryan Riccitelli and Fred.
Riders such as Lou Wainman, Elliot
Leboe, and Felix Pivec have also sessioned
this spot.
47
Welcome to the great outdoors.
Sarah ponders the expedition.
Location: Greenland Lens: Paul Landry
Dave warms up prior to departure.
snowkiting family breaks
greenland ice cap crossing record
Story by Sarah McNair-Landry
he hum of the motors suppressed our conversation
but Eric, Paul, David and I talked louder and faster.
We were on a noisy Russian Illyushin cargo plane
bound for southern Chile. We’d just spent three
months in Antarctica, had yet to take our
first shower and were already planning our
next expedition. Crazy!
The cold, wind blowing blowing across the glacier exemplifies the frigid.
conditions the team was exposed to. Location: Greenland Lens: Paul Landry
David and Paul (my father) had just
finished
crossing
the
Antarctic
continent. Eric (my brother) and I had
also finished a similar expedition. We
started on the Ronne Ice Shelf. At 20
and 18 years old, we became the
youngest people to ski unsupported to
the South Pole. As the plane got closer
to Chile, the natural discussions of a
future expedition started to unfold.
Before this beast of a plane touched
down in Chile, we had committed to
another polar expedition. Where: the
Greenland Ice Cap. Why: superb kiting
conditions. Our objective: a double
crossing, east to west and back to the
east coast.
In addition, we wanted to challenge
two world records: the fastest crossing
48
– eight days; and the longest kiting
distance traveled in a 24 hour period –
170 miles.
Preparation
The first few months of any
expedition are spent in front of
computers. There were many issues to
sort out: money, sponsorship, logistics,
transportation, permits, insurance,
communication,
websites,
food,
equipment, etc. The most important
decision though, was our choice of
kites. Not wanting to be influenced by
sponsorship and free gear, we decided
to purchase all of our kites. Eric chose
the Concept Air: 2.0 First, 3.5 and 11.0
Freestyle, and 5.0 and 7.0 Leader; all on
handles, except the 11.0. David chose
the Ozone: 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 10.0 and 14.0
Frenzy; all on bars. Paul chose the
Flexifoil: 2.5 and 3.5 Bullet, 4.9, 6.6, 8.5
and 10.5 Blade; all on handles. I chose
the Flysurfer: 2.0 Rookie, 4.5 and 7.0
Extacy, 10.0 Speed, 13.0 and 17.0
Psycho; all on bars.
Greenland
As the helicopter disappeared into
the blue sky, the noise gradually
diminished and was replaced by
silence. The Greenland Ice Cap at last!
The temperature was awesome – we
were in shorts and T-shirts. Imagine:
four people, 22 kites, half a ton of
supplies, 30 days, and a space the size
of Texas and California covered in snow.
As we drifted to sleep on the first
49
Eric, Paul, Sarah and David
snap a self-portrait.
Preparing for an early morning launch.
night in our cozy little tent, we could
hear the wind strengthen. Eric stuck his
head out the tent. “It’s from the wrong
direction for travel but good enough to
play.” One after another, we crawled out
of our warm sleeping bags and readied
ourselves for a kiting session. With 24
hours of light, time was irrelevant. The
wind would dictate our daily schedule
for the next 30 days.
We played all night long, stopping
only to film and photograph our brightly
colored kites looping through the sky.
We were rewarded by magnificent views
as the sun skimmed the ice cap – a 5
hour long sunset and sunrise merged
into one.
To the west, the ice cap undulated as
50
The crew acclimating to the conditions.
far as the eye could see.
To the east, the glaciers flowed
around the mountains and down to the
ocean
where
gigantic
icebergs
majestically drifted out of sight.
We spent several days waiting for the
wind to change direction. On the third
day, the wind shifted to the north.
Excited, we quickly consumed vast
quantities of granola and hot chocolate
in anticipation of a long kiting session,
dismantled the tent and prepared our
kites.
Eric launched his kite first and took
the lead. On May 20 at 2:00 p.m., we
began our journey to Greenland’s west
coast. We had eight days to beat the
record.
David seizing the moment.
The wide open, frozen landscape spans most of Greenland.
Only two hours after our departure,
the wind dropped. No wind, no kiting!
Without a word, we slowly changed
from kiting footwear to Nordic ski boots
and skied off at a snail’s pace. After four
hours of skiing, the wind picked up and
stayed for seven hours. At 4:00 a.m., we
packed our kites, tired but satisfied of
our progress. We’d gained 60 miles.
Waiting for Wind
Two days went by without a breeze.
Moral was at an all time low and
continued to fall with every passing
hour. We took turns crawling out of the
tent to check the wind. Nothing. We
warded off boredom as best as we
could – card games, reading,
discussions, sleep, card games,
discussions, a few hours of skiing. We
were so desperate for wind that we
started a wind dance club.
At noon on our third windless day, the
wind slowly increased. With 48 hours
and 170 miles, we were not very
confident that we could beat the record.
We started with our largest kites, but in
these light winds, we had to
aggressively weave them through the
sky
to
generate
any
forward
momentum.
We worked hard for each mile. After
more than 20 hours and 125 miles, the
wind disappeared. We had 45 miles left
before touching land. Exhausted, we
decided to sleep for three hours.
It was difficult to wake up after only a
few hours of sleep. There was no wind
so we departed on skis. After four
hours, Eric said there was enough wind.
The winds were a mixed blessing as
they brought in low clouds, wet snow
and reduced visibility.
Navigation and staying together was
a serious challenge. Eric, in the lead,
had the compass strapped to his wrist.
Paul was close behind, checking the
GPS every 15 minutes.
I took up the rear. Everyone bunched
up together in order not to lose sight of
each other. After three hours, the wet
snow accumulation on our kites and
lines forced us to stop kiting. We put our
kites away 14 miles from land.
Dangerous Descent
We knew that the glacier would soon
begin its rapid descent towards sea
level, its smooth surface changing to
jumbled up ice and crevasse fields.
As we began our descent, we
followed a smooth valley which weaved
through the mess that surrounded us.
As we lost elevation, we were
confronted with more and more pools of
water. Spring had arrived and the edge
of the ice cap was melting, forming
lakes and small streams. After
numerous detours and zigzags, it
became apparent that we had to seek
higher ground. While crossing on thin
ice, big Dave broke through the ice and
went down to his knees in cold water.
51
Travel File
Access to the Greenland Ice Cap is
either from Tasiilaq on the east coast or
Kangerlussuaq on the west coast.
Greenland
Air
flies
daily
to
Kangerlussuaq. Kangerlussuaq Tourism
runs a small and friendly hostel and they
will also transport you to the edge of the
ice cap at “Point 660” – two hours by 4wheel drive. You can also purchase
camping gas from them.
Sarah turns her tent into a happy little home as she winds.
down from the day’s events. Location: Greenland Lens: Paul Landry
Cruising power on the Glacier.
Surreal surroundings in Greenland.
Paul laughed at his misfortune but a few
minutes later, he disappeared up to his
neck. His skis were stuck under the ice
so he couldn’t get out. With half the
team wet, we pushed on. Visibility was
poor, and it was challenging to navigate
through the maze of crevasses and
rough ice. Two hours, five hours, seven
hours.! David glimpsed land one mile
away; 30 more minutes of skiing. Tired,
exhausted and happy, we touched land
at 12:40 p.m. on May 27. The crossing
was completed and we had established
a new world record: seven days (six
days and 23 hours to be exact).
Celebration
There were no calls to family or
friends, no interviews and only one or
52
two photos. Our priority was to set up
the tent and quickly jump in our
sleeping bags for many hours of much
needed sleep. In the morning, we
descended to Kangerlussuaq, a small
Greenlandic town on the west coast, for
rest and lots of Danish beer. We picked
up a re-supply of food and camping
gas. Thirty six hours later, we were back
on the glacier, skiing through the maze
of crevasses towards the smooth snow
surface of the ice cap. The mood was
relaxed as we had 15 days for the return
crossing. We knew there would be many
afternoons devoted to playing with our
22 kites. As we descended off the ice
cap on June 14, the helicopter returned
to pick us up the following morning, and
we began our long journey home.
The crossing is approximately 350
miles. Plan to finish at the Green Speed
Ridge (N65 46 736 W38 32 869) on
the east coast where Air Alpha will pick
you up by helicopter and fly you to
Tasiilaq –an 18 minute flight. In Tasiilaq,
most expeditions stay at Hotel Nansen.
From
Tasiilaq, an eight minute
helicopter flight is required to get to
Kulusuk. There, you can get flights to
Iceland or back to Kangerlussuaq. You
must obtain a permit from the Danish
Polar Center for all activity on the ice
cap.
Contacts:
Greenland Air: www.greenlandair.gl
Kangerlussuaq Tourism:
www.kangtour.gl or
kangtour@kangtour.gl
Air Alpha: lauritsb@airalpha.com
Hotel Nansen: nansen@greennet.gl
Danish Polar Center: www.dpc.dk
Guided expeditions: Sarah, Eric and Paul
guide expeditions on the ice cap.
www.polarconsultants.com
Kiterace: www.greenlandchallenge.com
(Eric and Paul are helping organize this
event)
General Info: The official Greenland
tourism site: www.greenland.com
The official Greenland vacation planning
site: www.greenlandguide.gl
In its fourth year, the 2006 Kiteboarder
Calendar is a must for every
kiteboarder’s wall. Featuring 13-months
of the best action and soul riding images
from The Kiteboarder Magazine’s senior
and contributing photographers, the high
quality, 12”x12” calendar retails for just
$12.99. Take advantage of The
Kiteboarder’s subscription and calendar
offer, or get it at any one of our retail
sponsors. Quantities are limited so get
one before supply runs out!
www.kbcalendar.com
www.murrays.com
Gene Phoenix
Location: Australia Lens: Jim Semlor
Konrad Bright
Location: County Line, CA Lens: Dick Gustafson
Sam Bell
Location: Cape Hatteras, NC Lens: Real Kiteboarding
Bruce Eliashoff
Location: Santa Cruz, CA Lens: Kim Kern
54
53
Guillaume “Chasta” Chastagnol
Location: Tahiti Lens: Boulgakow
Felix Pivec
Location: Africa Lens: Trent Pederson
John Romais
Location: Hawaii Lens: Kim Kern
Dimitri Maramenides
56
Location: North Carolina Lens: Courtesy Dimitri Maramenides
CJ Jones
Location: Australia Lens: Jim Semlor Carolina
Sky Solbach
Location: Hawaii Lens: Stephen Whitesell
Clinton Bolton and Bri Chmel
Location: Hood River Lens: Lance Koudele
Mark Doyle
Location: Oregon Lens: Jim Semlor
58
59
Kristin Boese
Location: Coche, Venezuela Lens: Brendt
Brian Lake
Location: San Francisco, CA Lens: Kim Kern
Jon Dodds
Location: Dominican Republic Lens: Kenny Bain
60
61
Rebel British Knight
kites Canada Launches Girls’
X-Treme Team
Sir Richard Branson’s enjoys a rare moment of peace and quiet prior to his
kiting adventure across the Howe Sound.
Location: Howe Sound Lens: Jim Semlor
wry smile spread across Sir Richard
Branson’s face as the cool glacial wind
whipped alongside the 55-foot Yacht,
Kumugwe. After a two-hour ride filled with
the usual media mayhem that surrounds
the $6 billion dollar man, I was the last
person on board with Branson as we quietly
motored through majestic Howe Sound.
We stood at the back of the boat with
blazing sun and perfect 17 knot winds Branson’s smile was evidence that he had
been waiting for this moment all day. Out on
the bay, pro kiters Bri Chmel, Morgan
Skipperdene and Daphnee Laliberte – dubbed
‘Branson’s Angels’ – launched their kites and
prepared the stage for an event that could change
the face of kiteboarding.
Yet out on the water with no media, no
questions and no distractions, the quietness finally
gave Branson a moment of space to sink into the
element that attracted him to kiteboarding in the first
place.
“I love kiteboarding the way I fell in love with
ballooning. You’re as free as the wind,” laughed
Branson as he grabbed his board. “It’s wonderful to be
part of a sport where propulsion is completely
dependent on the elements and where you’re away from
all the worries of life - the mobile phones and so forth and you have the time to spend with yourself in nature.”
Ironic given that 200 yards away a throng of media and
Virgin’s top marketing team were waiting for Branson to kite
to shore to kick off the launch party event for Virgin Mobile in
Canada and the announcement of a new women’s X-Treme
team.
Aside from the hype, though, for 15 minutes it was going to
be kiteboarding that gave the rebel billionaire his escape from the
technology and media that drives his empire. The pure wind and
water – with no cell phone – is what he chases personally.
It was a different story on shore, where the whole world was
Story and Photographs
by Jim Semlor
64
65
Daphnee Laliberte, Morgan
Skiperdene and Bri Chmel put
on a show at center stage for
the media.
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin
kite led the downwind ride
home with the ‘Branson
Angels’ following close. On
shore, the media stage was
set for a grand entrance
and press conference to
announce the formation of
the Virgin Women’s X-Treme
team.
Squamish
waiting to see Branson cruise in with his kite.
The event served its purpose, mimicking
Branson’s rappelling adventure for the 1996
opening of the Virgin Megastore in Vancouver
and the 21st Birthday Party of Virgin Atlantic
Airways with Branson making a grand entrance
holding Pamela Anderson. Hype in this case is
good, considering this event gave the sport of
kiteboarding a huge dose of mainstream media
exposure and sponsorship money.
The assembled kiteboarding world was also
20 QUESTIONS
By Kyle Touhey
anxious to hear about his $100,000 sponsorship
of four women X-Treme athletes – including a
Canadian female kiteboarder. In addition,
Branson announced his plans to start other
teams in the States, Great Britain and Australia.
He hopes to have the teams compete against
each other. His backing marks the first major
out-of-industry corporate sponsor for female
kiteboarders. Something, Branson said, that has
been long overdue.
“Virgin is synonymous with taking on new
www.windguru.com – detailed wind forecasts
www.skypilotkiteboarding.com – live controllable
spit webcam
What is the spots nickname?
The Spit
How Do I get there?
Fly into Vancouver, BC. Head north on HW 99
about 45 minutes toward Whistler. Follow the
windsurfing signs to the gravel roads once in
Squamish.
May through the end of September.
What is the usual wind direction?
The winds blow side-offshore SW.
What is the best internet site/resource to check
the wind?
www.Ikitesurf.com – forecast/wind sensor
This spot works the best with summer
thermals so if it’s sunny - it’ll be windy!
The Spit at Squamish, BC, Canada.
66
Rainy and overcast skies.
challenges and therefore I felt it should be synonymous, not only
with my own personal extreme sports, but helping others with their
extreme sports too,” explained Branson. “Women are often
overlooked in extreme sports and therefore I felt it made sense to
sponsor and look for a number of extreme women athletes in a
number of extreme sports in Canada.”
Back on the water it was now Branson’s turn to kite. After a
decade of putting himself in the media spotlight, the 55-year-old
also showed he was adept at grabbing the moments when he gets
to leave it all behind and delve into the extreme lifestyle that
the water while assistants launch the kites from
the carpeted area on top. Because of the sideoff winds, kiters will get pulled safely away from
any rocks.
Expect anything between an 8m to 14m kite.
A good 3 to 4mm wetsuit is a must and booties
or sandals are a good idea for walking over the
rocks. Don’t forget a cooler of beer for making
friends with the locals after a session.
Who are the local schools?
Skypilot Kiteboarding offers PWC assisted
and IKO certified lessons for all level riders.
www.skypilotkiteboarding.com
Cold all year! A river of glacier run-off water
from Whistler meets the ocean right at the site.
Who are the local Shops?
The nearest shop is Airtime Boardsports in
Vancouver. www.airtimeboardsports.com
What is the Launch?
Walk down sloping bank off of a rocky spit to
What is the name of the Local Association
Squamish Windsports Society
follows his mantra of “having fun since you only live once.”
“The kites look amazing against the cliffs,” said Branson as he
appeared confident, yet nervous about his first kiting experience in
waters somewhat colder than his paradise on Necker Island.
“I was lucky enough to get into kiteboarding because of the
tiny little island we have, Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands,
where the winds are perfect for kiteboarding most months of the
year,” he said.
“Kiteboarding in Canada is more challenging than kiting in the
Caribbean, in that you have to be very careful when landing on the
shore due to the lack of sand and the rocky beaches. But,
www.squamishwindsurfing.org
Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Company
offers comfortable rooms with high speed
internet, along with the convenience of a pub
downstairs. Summer rates are $105/dbl. 1-800919-ALES
August Jack Motor Inn also offers
economical rooms at $75 per night during high
season. 888-892-3502.
Squamish boasts plenty of camping – the
most well know is at the base of “The Chief,”
famous hiking and climbing mountain http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/park
pgs/stawamus.htm ... but you can always set up
a tent or van right near the site for free.
The best place for grinds is the Howe Sound
Inn and Brewery (end of the main street). They
have fine dining and a pub with food and locally
brewed beers. Be sure also to hit up the 99’er
Diner in Britannia just south of Squamish for
Breakfast. For nightlife, the best bet is to make
the half-hour drive up to Whistler and hit up
some of the world-class bars and clubs.
Squamish offers a slew of outdoor activities.
If there is no wind (rare in the summer), make
67
Straight out of his hometown in
Carlsbad, California, Ryan Riccitelli
drops bombs and exposes the truth of
what is really going down in the Action
Sports community.
Turbolauncher inventor Mark Godley and crew put together a boat launch.
otherwise, the winds here are wonderfully consistent.”
His trio of ‘Angel’ kiters was up in minutes with the use of
Turbolaunchers. Branson struggled, giving in to a short body drag
before he dove his Virgin-logo imprinted Naish Torch through the
window and wobbled to a plane on his new Jamie Pro Board.
Within two reaches he was tuned and riding solid — impressive
since his water time is sparse and he has only been kiting less
than 20 times. The extreme billionaire who was the first to cross
both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via hot air balloon faced kiting
with the same fearless attitude – an attitude that appears to have
served him well in life and business.
“I do enjoy most kinds of extreme sports.I love to test myself to
the limits and see what I’m capable of,” said Branson. “Today was
no different. Always live life to the fullest.”
Branson’s media gift to kiteboarding wasn’t the only turning
point during the weekend in Squamish. Being able to kite to the
press conference was an important goal for Virgin marketing, and
one made possible by the entrance of the Turbolauncher.
Two days of testing with boat-assisted launches proved that a
water launch from the middle of the Howe Sound was going to be
best accomplished with the Turbolaunchers.
“Everybody worked hard to perfect the timing and I want to give
special thanks to Kyle Tuohey, Mike Harding, and Skypilot
Kiteboarding for their logistical support,” said Turbolauncher
inventor Mark Godley. “We got four kites and riders going in less
than seven minutes – roughly 90% less time than the average set
up time normally needed. Even Sir Richard was impressed enough
to offer me a personal endorsement!”
Godley, a Vancouver physician and avid kiteboarder, invented
the Turbolauncher followed by the Line Manager a little over a year
ago. After testing around the world, the latest generation of
Turbolaunchers have proven to make launching capable in
crowded or limited beach access areas, which was the very
premise that drove Godley to inventing the kiting tool.
“My concept was to come up with a way of keeping lines
organized as if they were attached to the kite. I remembered as a
child the way I had to roll fishing line onto my reel,” Godley said. “I
went to the hardware store, got some PVC and a spool, and
experimented with ways to get the lines to come off easily. And so,
the Turbolauncher was born. Soon, you may see Line Managers
integrated into bar systems because the tool is so utilitarian and
convenient.”
Branson is currently in search for his Virgin Mobile X-Treme Teams. His company
seeks female athletes in kiteboarding, free skiing, BMX, snowboarding, motocross,
mountain biking, surfing, wakeboarding or skateboarding.
The Canadian deadline closed on Sept. 30, however to look at the X-Treme team
info, log on to www.virgin.com/mobile/extreme. The Canadian team of four will be
selected in November, and they will receive $100,000 in sponsorship money, clothing
and a Virgin Mobile phone with a year’s service.
Squamish
20 QUESTIONS
sure to bring your mountain bike, climbing gear,
dirt bike, whitewater kayak, or just a good pair of
hiking shoes.
riding this spot?
Ride upwind and you can take advantage of
the strong river current to boost huge airs. A $10
day fee or annual pass gets access to the site
68
and jet-ski rescue. Because launch can get
crowded, riders must be on their game to help
launch and land other kites.
know Squamish?
There is a rescue staff equipped with PWC’s
included with the $10 site-use fee. Newbies are
recommended to let the rescue staff know to
keep an eye out.
Are there any interesting bits of trivia about this
spot?
Squamish was recently given the title of
“Outdoor Sports Capital of Canada.” The town is
a booming area for young sports enthusiasts and
will also be host to some events for the
upcoming 2010 Vancouver/Whistler Winter
Olympics.
Often Imitated, Never Duplicated,
ASNews.net brings you all of the latest
breaking Action Sports News and live
interviews with the who’s who of the
Action Sports industry.
Why listen to manufacturered press
releases, when you can hear it straight
from the people who actually LIVE IT!
Born and raised on the West Coast,
Riccitelli and his news team delivers a
one-hour FREE podcast, which is
featured on itunes.com, ipodder.com
and podfeed.net under the keyword,
Action Sports. You can also listen to the
FREE streaming MP3 at ASNews.net.
Be sure to check out the kiteboarding
instructional segments! After all, the
crew at ASNews.net makes The
Kiteboarder Magazine, the world’s
sickest kite mag.
P
352*5(66,21
DEPARTMENT
TRICKY
TOESIDE
INDY BACKROLL
Rider: Guillaume “Chasta” Chastagnol
Words: James Brown
Photo: Boulgakow
Last issue we got some complaints
that the sequences were to easy. The
issue before that, they were too hard.
This issue, we wanted to raise the bar
and show two sequences that you will
never pull. If you do start pulling this
stuff, please send up an email at
editor@kbmag.com
180
1. Approach the kicker with speed on your toeside edge and
position the kite at about 60 degrees.
2. As you approach the kicker bend your knees, then spring
up and throw your head back.
3. Do an indy grab, and keep looking over your shoulder to
continue rotating.
4. Release the grab and steer with both hands if needed.
5. As you start the third rotation, let go of the bar with your
back hand to open up your body and slow your rotation.
6. Land on your toeside edge and pat yourself on the back.
TIPS:
Since you will be in the air for a long time, keep your kite stable
by holding the bar close to the middle so you don’t over steer.
Holding the grab will help keep your body rotating throughout
the move.
If you find your forward momentum slowing down, pull harder on
your front hand. If that doesn’t bring your kite forward, try
steering with both hands.
Always keep an eye on your landing area so you can make
adjustments to your kite position or rotation before you land.
TIPS:
Don’t land it wrapped; try to pass the handle twice.
Move the kite lower and lower.
Cover your feet or else they might get cold!
1. Come in super hot. For this move, the kite needs to be higher than normal
for a regular GOOD mobe.
2. Release hard and up to generate a straight up pop.
3. Pull as hard and quick as you can to initiate the mobe.
4. Start reaching for the handle before you even start to come down.
MOBE 7
Rider: Aaron Hadlow
Words: Greg Norman Jr.
Photo: Buster Tronolone
The Mobe 7 is one hell of a trick. Most likely no one
at your local riding grounds will be stomping this trick
in their daily session. So why shouldn’t it be you who
brings this flashy, hectic trick to your crew?
First of all, have big floaty mobe 5’s down and be
able to land wrapped mobes on you trick list.
5. Grab the handle and look hard over your shoulder to keep the rotation going.
6. Reach around with your back hand and grab the bar as soon as possible.
7. Pull hard on the bar to your lead hip.
8. Start spotting your landing. If you didn’t have enough air you will be “hopefully” sticking a mobe 5 right here.
9. Pull with your back hand on the bar to pull yourself around to land wrapped.
10. Have the majority of your weight over your toes on your back foot to avoid being pulled out of the wrap.
11. Reach around and grab the handle with your other hand and ride that away! Don’t be claiming it because most likely if you land this, your fellow
riders are already jealous as hell of your skills.
P
352'8&7 :$7&+
DEPARTMENT
2
1
5
CAUTION
6
CABRINHA
1
SPITEFIRE III
The Spitfire III features a reduced diameter
leading edge and “speed struts”. It comes stock
with a 5-line system with a new attachment point,
but can be flown 4-line. The 5th line is factory
tuned for easy out-the-bag setup without
modifications. The “Triple stitched seams” make
the Spitfire III ready to take beatings! The 7/8”
diameter, tapered carbon bar comes with a large,
frictionless, stainless steel-lined hole and
spinning leash. Retro graphics with the signature
Caution trademark flames contribute to the
increased wind range, lift and hang time.
Sizes: 4,6,8,10,12,14,16, 20
MSRP: starting at $899 complete
www.cautionkites.com
SWITCHBLADE
The Switchblade expands upon Cabrinha’s
move to all “bow” kites. It has a more moderate
aspect ratio and a slightly rounder arc than the
Crossbow. This translates into it being less
aggressive than its counterpart, accounting for
slightly less lift but increased stability, especially
in gusty and unpredictable wind. The Switchblade
offers a wide wind range, immediate power and
de-power on demand, a simple re-launch system,
and is powerlock compatible with Carbon CS.
Sizes: 5,7,9,12,16
MSRP:Starting at $1199
www.cabrinhakites.com
SLINGSHOT
2
S3 GPS
The first GPS device designed specifically to
give windsport athletes real-time performance
feedback. Its oversized display and convenient
bar-clip mounting hardware allows it to be easily
read in the most extreme conditions. The
proprietary, windsport specific filtering algorithms
allow the S3 to respond instantaneously to small
changes in speed.
This allows the rider to immediately gauge the
effect of even small changes in stance and trim.
The Velocitek S3 trains you to ride fast and clean.
This gives you a smooth style and the power to
launch massive air.
The S3 was designed specifically for use in a
saltwater marine environment and features a
bombproof polycarbonate enclosure that is 100%
Waterproof to 75 ft.
4
Sizes: one size
MSRP: $199 complete
www.velocitekspeed.com
Slingshot’s SRT board was created specifically
for hardcore down the line kitesurfing where the
power of the wave is more important than the
power of the kite. It has a round tail, tri fin
configuration with durable sanded epoxy
construction to withstand the power of the wave.
It can be ridden with or without straps.
Sizes 5’5” and 5’11”
MSRP: $750 complete
www.sskiteboarding.com
EH
3
7
LITEWAVE
3
SRT WAVE BOARD
VELOCITEK
GEAR
5
Rasta Wave
A moderate AR kite, the Rasta is the latest
improvement to EH’s Wave kite. The Rasta has
super responsive turning, is stable with control
throughout the wind window, and is easy to water
relaunch with or without a 5th line. All EH Kites
come with 4-line leashless carbon bars and an
optional 5th line re-launch system upgrade. For
the unhooked rider, EH has developed the 5th line
bar and handlepass leash.
Sizes: 7,9,11,15
MSRP: Starting at $801 complete
www.ehkiteboarding.com
4
9
8
10
6
STEALTH 137
Litewave’s new Stealth 137 is for light to
moderate winds. Ideal for beginners to experts,
the new twintip is named after the Stealth fighter
jet because of the angular look on the deck. It
incorporates step-cap construction that makes
for thin rails and progressive flex in the tips. The
rocker has been reduced for maximum early
planing ability. As in all Litewave boards, the
concaved bottom enhances grip and provides a
smooth ride in chop.
Sizes: 137x44
MSRP: $629
www.litewavedesigns.com
NORTH
7
RHINO 06
The Rhino 06 is designed for expert riders and
those who really want to push their limits. North’s
new patent pending “CamBattens” technology is
a result of addressing potential performance
changes associated with a smaller LE diameter.
“CamBattens” enable the R6 profile to be deeper
and cleaner, creating less drag and better speed
through the wind window, along with increased lift
and hang time. Performance improvements are
especially noticeable in the larger sizes, due to a
revamped panel layout and optic.
Sizes: 7,9,10,12,14,16,18, 20
MSRP: $1299.95
www.northkites.com
RRD
8
TYPE WAVE 2
The Type Wave 2 from RRD is a 5-strut kite
that not only excels in the waves, but also on
snow. Due to a medium aspect ratio, large wind
range and bomber construction, the Type Wave 2
is ideal for all water, mountain, and park-style
riding. RRD’s on-the fly 5th line depowerability of
the Wave 2 bar offers easy relaunch from the
snow and added security in gusty mountain wind
13
11
conditions. Wide wingtips make the Wave 2 fast
and responsive for powered moves and wave
riding. The increased level of turning speed allows
the rider to get going in even the lightest wind
while the Dual Pump inflation system minimizes
inflation time to get you on the snow or water
faster.
Sizes: 8,10,12,15
MSRP: $1199 complete
www.cabaldc.com
WINDWING
9
RAPTURE 2
The Rapture 2 is not a “bow” kite but a flatter,
high-projected area wing resulting from years of
R&D. Windwing’s new patented innovation called
the Dynamic Structural Influence System (DSIS)
gives the Rapture 2 a stiff engineering structure
that holds the shape of the wing, especially under
increased aerodynamic loads.
Windwing says this translates to higher jumps,
more power, greater efficiency and increased
control. The kite also features a huge wind range,
a simple bridle system, easy traditional and
reverse relaunch capabilities, and total depower
while still maintaining steering control when the
bar is pushed completely out.
Sizes: 6, 9,12,16.5
MSRP: Starting at $630 kite only
www.windexpress.com
NAISH 10
TORCH
Bigger wing tips, a refined profile, and a new
LE design make the 06 Torch incredibly fast
turning yet stable and smooth for powered
freestyle moves. The gain in turning speed is
especially noticeable in the bigger sizes. The
improved bar features an optimized center hole
for less bar pressure when cranking turns along
with a new Trim Loop (QRTL) designed for added
safety, easy release, and reconnection without
12
bringing the kite down. Rounding out the package
is the convenience of Naish’s Octopus inflation
system, cool new graphics, and a better kitebag.
Sizes: 6, 8,10,12,14,16,18, 20
www.naishkites.com
CABAL 11
ROUSH CARBON
All materials in the new Roush Carbon
skimboards were chosen to match or exceed the
flex characteristics, weight and feel of a custom
Roush creation. The outlines are round pins. The
bottom contour and rocker are shaped with a
small amount of tail kick for cranking turns. The
slight concave between your feet allows for better
speed and glide. Custom graphics are available
upon request.
Sizes:
50” and 52.5”
MSRP:
$425, $439
www.cabaldc.com
GLOBERIDER
SONIC
12
Mat Pendle says that the Globerider Sonic
combines the benefits associated with the new
“bow” or flat design kites, with the feel of
traditional 4-line kites. Designed with a minimal
bridal system, the front lines connect to
Globerider’s KPO so that when you depower, the
front lines move forward, and when you power up
the kite by pulling on the bar, the front lines go
backward. This makes the kite steer directly,
similar to a 4-line kite. The Sonic bar is super
simple with light bar pressure, and has no pulleys.
For unhooked riding, connect your kite leash to
the chicken loop. If you let go of the bar, the
power is killed and the kite will fall into relaunch
position.
Sizes: 8,11,14
www.litewavedesigns.com
14
OCEAN RODEO
13
SESSIONS HARNESS
Ocean Rodeo builds upon its reputation for
tough construction and attention to detail with the
release of the new Sessions harness. This unique
waist harness can easily be converted to a seat
harness which features patent pending “lock and
hold” leg holsters, allowing riders a huge range of
adjustments on harness height to fit individual
riding preferences. Optional internal neoprene
shorts integrate the leg strap system for
convenience and style. For sketchy situations, the
back handle hold features a quick release system.
Sizes: S (28”-32” waist) M (32”-36” Waist)
and L (Bigger than 36”)
MSRP: Sessions Harness $120 - $150,
neoprene shorts $40-$50
www.oceanrodeo.com
JIMMY LEWIS 14
SURF (production model)
Jimmy’s new Surf kiteboard features his
original “dominatrix” single to double concave
bottom and can be ridden strapless or with
footstraps. The Surf will carry you through those
flat wave sections without needing the power of
the kite for help, like a true surfboard should.
Durable epoxy sandwich construction allows this
board to take the hits. The thruster design comes
complete with surf deck, 3 fins, 2 Symmetrical JL
foot straps, a JL triple density tail pad, and a JL
single density deck pad.
Sizes: 5’8”x 18.5”, 6’x 20”
MSRP: $799 complete
www.realkiteboarding.com
Do you have a new product you would like featured? Drop
us a note at editor@kbmag.com and we’ll get back to you
with the necessary requirements.
T
DEPARTMENT
$1$/<=( 7+,6
GEAR
SLINGSHOT FUEL
With six years of progressive R&D behind it, the new 2006 Fuel has
convertible 4/5-line performance to meet a variety of conditions and
riding styles. The Fuel meets the needs of advanced riders looking
to learn ‘new school’ tricks, ride in the surf, or carve and boost big
air in the snow. A few minor adjustments will take your kite from
water to snow in no time.
TIPS: Detach your Oneline from the leading edge and attach it
to the re-launch attachment (Simple ATL) on the trailing edge for
instant snow relaunch.
More dedicated snowkiters can purchase the All Terrain Launch
(ATL) for a more simple yet advanced relaunch system with the
benefit of still being able to use the fifth line safety and trim.
2005
Sizes 5,7,9,11,13,15,17
NAISH KITEBOARDING: ELEMENT
Naish has come out with a new instant depower safety
system to offer complete piece of mind when snowkiting. The
panel layout of the 06 Element has also been revised to make the kite
lighter, faster turning, and more responsive. All Element kites come with
a high quality backpack, designed to carry a two kite quiver, board, food
and extra clothes for the long haul.
TIPS: Keep your lines hooked up to the bridle and roll it all up together when
packing the kite. That way, the bridle is less likely to get tangled and you don’t
have to waste time hooking up lines.
Attach your leash to your board to keep the kite from blowing
away if you are taking a short break. Make sure the board is
upside down to create drag, so it doesn’t take off with your board too!
By MARINA CHANG
Sizes: 5, 7, 10, 12 and 14
MSRP: Starting at $919.95 complete
www.naishkites.com
OZONE FRENZY
KITESLED
The KiteSled is a radical new design of sled that is going to open up a new world
of polar and back country exploration. Peter Lynn’s new patent pending KiteSled
allows the user to be seated in a recumbent position and kite to new levels of
performance while carrying up to 440 lbs. of weight.
There is a footbar that permits the specially designed skis to be turned at will,
and steered upwind when required. The carrying capacity of the sled is directly
above the skis, which allows the user to take on much more power and speed
across ice and snow, than is possible with traditional methods of kiting. NZ Patent
Application No. 54,1684, 5 Aug ‘05.
TIPS: A seat harness works best. It lowers the center of pull, making the
KiteSled more stable and it won’t ride up under your armpits. Don’t worry; because
you are sitting down, it won’t give you a wedgie.
Try to balance the weight of gear loaded over the skis both front to back and on
both sides.
Ride with your kite much lower in the window than when on skis or a board. You
won’t be jumping, so this technique will keep you in the seat and allow you to hold
a lot more power while using gravity in your favor for edging upwind.
MSRP: TBD
www.peltonwindsports.com
PEPPER
The Pepper is Peter Lynn’s new open-celled foil
for the rider on a budget looking for the first step
into snow or land kiting. Its medium aspect and
auto-stable profile delivers solid, consistent pull
without any surprises. The Pepper comes
packaged with top-grade spectra lines and
handles. It also flies excellent on Peter Lynn’s 2line bar which includes a wrist safety leash.
TIPS: To set up on a 2-line bar, larkshead the
brake-line pigtails to the power-line pigtails on the
bridle.
The Pepper has much more power per square
meter than traditional C-shaped kites: a 4m will pull
like an 8 or 9m LEI.
When snowkiting, you typically go down one or
two sizes than what you would normally use on
water.
Sizes: 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5
www.peltonwindsports.com
Designed with a total kill safety system, super smooth de-power, and
outstanding stability, the Frenzy offers you complete versatility in all
conditions, on all surfaces. The 4-line open-foil design has proven itself
simple to use and easy to self-launch with no pre-inflation required. The
Frenzy comes with 4 x 25m ‘Pro Kite’ lines with 794 lbs. breaking strain;
colored red for easy identification on snow. Its new technical mountain
backpack can hold an ice axe, snowboard/skis and still have room for
your other gear or food for a full day of snowkiting.
TIPS: The ‘Reload and Ride’ Safety System has been tested to release
with one hand up to a 772 lbs. load and reattaches in seconds. To selfland, you just pull on the handle and the kite lands in front of you.
If the kite lands nose down, the Frenzy can be easily reverse launched by
simply pulling on the red safety brake line. For unhooked riding,
attach your leash to the loop on this same red line for safety.
Sizes:
MSRP:
5, 7.5, 10, 12, and 14.
Starting at $850 complete.
ZEAL OPTICS DETONATOR PPX.GOGGLES
The Detonator PPX Goggles are the world’s first
Photochromatic and Polarized goggle lens with a
specially designed light
enhancing lens tint. The
automatic UV activated lens
adjusts from 33% to 16%
light transmission,
accommodating a wide range
of light conditions. The goggles incorporate a passive
anti-fog ventilation system which keep your lens’
continually refreshed. An anti-fog agent is in-molded
into the inner lens and won’t rub off, giving you
permanent anti-fog protection. Helmet compatible, the
Detonator PPX goggles are best for medium to large
faces, include a bonus carrying case and cleaning bag,
and come with a lifetime warranty.
MSRP: $150 retail
www.zealoptics.com
SLINGSHOT SNOW SHOVEL
The Slingshot Snow Shovel is a
lightweight, compact, back country shovel
designed to assist riders for setting up,
launching, securing their kite, and building
kickers. Drive it into the snow, and use it to
secure your bar when laying out lines to
prevent the bar from dragging, then
load a pile of snow onto your kite’s
canopy to keep it from blowing away.
In hard pack conditions, remove the
shovel blade to expose the Slingshot Snow
Spike for optimal kite security.
MSRP: $50 www.sskiteboarding.com
KICKER SNOWKITE GLOVES
Keep your hands protected and warm with these
stretchy, durable gloves. The Kicker
Snowkite Gloves were
designed with pre-curved
grip and reinforced areas
specifically to meet the
needs of snowkiters. A
Rubberex palm material and low profile design can
assure you a no slip grip while riding on the snow.
MSRP: $40
ULTRA NECTAR CLOTHING KITE JACKET
www.ozonesnowkites.com
ANTIGRAVITY BOARDS: LEVITATION
With seven years of snowkiting experience, AntiGravity Boards has
produced a new snowkite board called the Levitation. The board has been
designed and tested to be used specifically for snowkiting. The width and
extra scoop allows for powder riding, while the length is good for blazing fast
transitions.
TIPS: When snowkiting, you usually launch the kite first and then strap your
board on. Step-in bindings are easier to get in and out of than strap-in
bindings.
Just like your skis or snowboard, it’s a good idea to wax your board with
regular hot wax to give you better glide on the snow. Be sure to get the wax
that’s appropriate to your conditions (temperature).
Size: 137cm
MSRP: $479
www.antigravityboards.com
ACCESSORIES
Ultra Nectar has rolled out a new line of snowkiting
specific apparel for 2006. Check out the Kite Jacket
which features a water-proof breathable nylon
shell, tape sealed construction, moisture
wicking mesh and taffeta linings,
an asymmetrical waterproof
full front zipper, a two way
front zipper for harness
hook access, articulated
sleeves, front hand warmer pockets,
underarm and core vents, a knife pocket on the chest
and YKK zippers. These guys are core snowkiters and
have thought of everything you need to snowkite in
comfort.
Sizes: Men S to XXL, Women XS to XL
MSRP: $240
www.ultranectar.com
,QIODWDEOH5HODXQFK7LSV
If you drop your kite face down without a reverse-launch
system, it is nearly impossible to relaunch without having
someone to flip your kite for you, or depowering your kite and
self-launching with the weighted wingtip method. Reverselaunching is accomplished by pulling or sheeting the trailing
edge so that the kite will lift off the snow high enough to turn the
kite 180 degrees and get it back into the air. It is possible to buy
a retrofit kit or make your own 5th line that attaches to the
trailing edge to make reverse-launching easy. It takes a little
time to figure out how to relaunch with this system, since the kite
is starting out completely upside-down and straight downwind.
$&$'(0\
By James Brown
2005-06
TOUR
DATES
Dec. 3-4 Ozone Snowkite Freeride (Skyline, UT) sales@windzup.com
Dec. 9-10 Snowkite Round-up
(Montana)
Montanakitesports@yahoo.com
Dec. 10-11 Ozone Snowkite Freeride
- (Lake Tahoe, CA)
sales@windzup.com
Jan. 14-16 Ozone Snowkite Freeride
– (Lake Winnipesaukee, NH)
sales@windzup.com
Feb 4-5: Kites on Ice (Madison WI)
Rcookbob@aol.com
Feb 10-12: KiteFreeze (Minneapolis,
MN) tighe@windancing.com
Feb 17-20th: Montana
SnowkiteRodeo (Georgetown Lake,
Montana)
Montanakitesports@yahoo.com
Feb 25-26: Kite Crossing (Mille Lacs,
Minnesota) tighe@windancing.com
Feb. 25 -26 Slingshot Teton Snowkite
Summit (Jackson Hole)
aaron@sskites.com
Feb. 25-26: Kitestorm - (Burlington,
VT) sales@windzup.com
March 11-12: Therapy Sessions
(Lake Dillon, Colorado)
design@outreachmedia.com
March 25-26: Ozone Snowkite
Masters - (Skyline, UT)
sales@windzup.com
April 8-9: Kite Explosion – (Mt. St.
Helen), OR sales@windzup.com
April 18-28: Kitexpedition – (Bagley
Ice Field), AK sales@windzup.com
76
Since the beginning of snowkiting, there
has been heated debate over which types of
kites are better for the snow. There used to
be only two basic choices; bridled foils and
inflatables. In recent years, Peter Lynn has
added foils that don’t need a bridle. As the
sport has matured and kite designs
improved, it is time to take a closer look at
the subtleties of each type. I will break each
type down into pros, cons and ideal
applications.
Foils
(includes kites with and without bridles)
Pros:
Easy to set up – Unfold the kite, lay out
your lines, throw some snow on the trailing
edge and it’s ready to fly.
Easy to pack up – Bridle foils: you can
wind up your lines, leave the lines attached
to the kite and fold up the kite. This actually
helps keep the bridle from getting tangled.
Simple – Non-bridle foils don’t have a
bridle to get tangled, caught on objects or
damaged.
Depowering – Their range is huge,
especially on non-bridle foils, which is good
for gusty wind.
Small and lightweight– Foils take little
space for traveling and storage. This is good
for traveling in the backcountry. Note that
non-bridle foils have tent-like spars in the
wingtips that can be removed and
disassembled to shorten the length.
Cons:
Slower turning – Foils traditionally turn
slower than most inflatables, however, their
turning speed has and is improving all the
time. This can actually be a benefit for big
jumps, because you won’t have a tendency
to over steer.
Collapsing – Foils have a tendency to
collapse in lulls and at the edge of the
window. The newer models are designed to
be a lot more stable.
Launching – Sometimes it is tricky to
launch non-bridle foils without getting a
bowtie (twisting of the kite). Often, this is due
to under inflation or launching too far into the
side of the window.
Ideal Applications:
Best used for cruising, backcountry,
long/high jumps and gusty wind.
Professional kiters that use bridle foils:
Guillaume “Chasta” Chastagnol, Brian
Schenck, James Brown
Brands that make bridle foils:
Ozone, Naish, Flysurfer
Professional kiters that use non-bridle foils:
Tim Wallace, Blake Pelton, Paul “Motz”
Macaj
Brands that make non-bridle foils:
Peter Lynn
Inflatables
Pros:
Fast turning –Good for working the kite
to generate power and for sending the kite
for jumps.
Good lift – Good for jumping high off flat
terrain.
Stable – Will not collapse in lulls or at the
edge of the window.
Availability – You may already have
inflatable kites for water, so you don’t have
to buy new kites to ride.
Cons:
Requires pumping – You must carry a
pump with you to inflate. For backcountry,
‘Chasta’ in one word: unstoppable.
Lens: Boulgakow
this is one more thing to pack. Cold
temperatures can cause a pump to break
and make a kite harder to pump.
Wear and tear – Bladders and nozzles
can become brittle in extreme cold
temperatures and may become damaged
easily. Snow can also wear out the fabric on
the leading edge.
Lift – According to Chasta, inflatables
can get too much upward lift in long jumps
and gusty wind, creating an unwanted
elevator effect.
Ideal Applications:
Best to use big sizes in light wind and for
flat terrain if you want to jump high.
Professional kiters that use this type of kite:
Alex Peterson, Aaron Sales, Jason
Slezak
Brands that make this style of kite:
Slingshot, North, Liquid Force, RRD,
Best, Caution, EH, Globerider, Windwing,
Naish, Ocean Rodeo, i.e. basically any LEI
brand.
Editor’s note: The new flat or “bow” type
kites have not been tested in the snow by
the author yet and therefore are not
included in this article.
POWDER
There are so many snowkite events this year
that we are starting to see some overlap on
some weekends. If you are planning to travel to
some of the events, you may need to pick and
choose. Check at www.kbmag.com for an
updated schedule of events. Be on the lookout
for the new US Snowkite sanctioning body that is
in the works.
Nathan Borer, Aaron Saude and Denis Foo
Kune in Minnesota are working hard to build a
permanent snowkite park at Swede Lake for this
winter. It will have fun boxes, sliders and kickers.
Hell ya! They are planning to have an event the
second week of February. Check in at
www.mnkiting.com for updated info.
Snowkiting at the Olympics? Not yet at least,
but that’s not stopping Alex Peterson and Aaron
Sales from hooking up with Europe’s top
snowkiters for a 30-minute snowkite exhibition in
Torino, Italy during the Olympics. Ten of the
world’s top snowkiters have been selected to
promote freestyle snowkiting just outside
Olympic Village for thousands of spectators and
TV cameras.
Snowkiting pioneer Paul “Motz” Macaj is
putting the finishing touches on his debut
snowkite film called The Next Chapter. You can
download the trailer at
www.kitesnowboarder.com. You can order
there also, or go to www.sideoff.com.
The crew at Semnoz, who organize the
Corona Extra tour in Europe, are in the editing
stage of their latest film which will highlight last
seasons action. www.snowkite.fr or
www.mach12.fr.
The Ozone Free Ride Tour will be in full force
starting December with UltraNectar, Zeal Optics,
Ground Industries and The Kiteboarder
Magazine backing it. The tour kicks off in Skyline,
Utah, which has proven to be a focal point for
snowkiting. It has great wind, sits at 10,000 feet
and you can drive directly to the location
because it is plowed year round. Word has it
that there are plans to build an over the top
snow park there with snow movers and cats.
Island Surf and Sail is setting up a teaching
camp in New Hampshire along with Storm
Boarding and snowkiting pioneer Rachel Miller.
Kitty Hawk Kites will also be setting up teaching
camps this winter in Breckenridge, CO, with
locals James Brown and Paul Motz. Also, there
are many back country trips being planned in
Alaska and other more remote locations.
Snowkiting is really starting to take off in
Canada. Their long winter offers ideal
conditions. A shop in Montreal said they sold
close to 300 snowkites last year alone.
UltraNectar rolled out their new snowkiting
apparel line at Surf Expo in September. The
clothing brand manufactures high quality
clothing specific to our sport. Their new
snowkiting jackets include waterproof,
breathable, taped seam construction with YKK
zippers, along with a two way front zipper for
harness hook access and a knife pocket on the
chest. They also released an entire snowkiting
layering line as well as lighter weight soft shell
wind blocker pieces. Specific bib pants and soft
shell tops complete the new winter collection
that will make your snowkiting experience way
more enjoyable. Available starting in November,
UltraNectar will only be making a limited
number of pieces for this winter season.
77
Scott shows off some
old skool moves.
Lens: Scott Semen
Name: Scott Cox
Nickname “Scooter”
Home Town: Nipomo Ca
Currently San Francisco Ca
DOB: 4/02/84
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 155Lbs.
Years Kiting: 4
Occupation: Kiteboard Instructor (3 years) Student (21 Years)
Favorite riding spots: Alameda Beach, San Francisco, after sunset— it’s the
place where magic happens; also any central coast spot in California
Favorite Shop: Kite Wind Surf, in Alameda, Ca
Sponsors: Anyone hiring dedicated team riders? I am currently a shop rider
at KWS. I can’t thank Jeff and Emily enough.
Wisdom: As the equipment gets safer, the sport gets more dangerous.
First Quiver: I had a C-Quad that Kinsley Wong would not let me use, so I
borrowed the more refined, F-one, STW 7m. I was shackled in with a 6 foot
directional board.This was in 2002.
Scott contemplates whether to
stay in college or live the
kiteboarding dream.
Lens: Graf
By Ryan Riccitelli
CRABBOY
78
A
$&$'(0<
DEPARTMENT
SENSE
Remember the first time you saw a
kite?
Lens: Jim Semlor
By Matt Nuzzo
REAL Kiteboarding
”I am going to take a hostage if I don’t get to kiteboard
soon!! The wind has sucked this summer in Connecticut,
and I am dying to ride,” were Simon’s first comments to me
when we ran into each other at a wedding in New Jersey
this summer. He was tripping out like a crack head without his
crack. I asked him why he did not kiteboard the day before. He
said because he was working. It blew southwest 15-20 until dark
the day before and Simon was working. Having to work on a
perfect day of kiteboarding is NO excuse!
Becoming a kiteboarder sometimes feels
like you are trying to do the impossible when
trying to balance work, family and the dream of
boosting 20-foot jumps. Any conditions
specific sport like kiteboarding or surfing
depends a lot on factors that are out of your
control. The key element to your progression is
to set yourself up for success before the wind
blows, so when it does, you can take the
session. Follow these four points to becoming
a kiteboarder and your wishes will come true.
The one precursor to this equation is to make
sure that you have taken lessons and bought
gear.
When the conditions are right, go
kiteboarding.
This is the biggest variable when becoming
a kiteboarder. If you wait for a free weekend
where you don’t have any weddings or golf
tournaments or birthday parties, you will never
get to take a session. Murphy’s Law will have it
that on your available weekend to kiteboard, it
won’t be windy. It’s very simple. When it is
windy, you need to go kiteboard. You need to
postpone meetings or be late for dinner. If you
think this is a joke, then you will always be
watching your bros kick your butt on the water.
There is no way around putting your time on
the water. Coming from someone that puts in a
lot of hours working, I have gotten used to
most of my kiteboarding sessions ending when
it is dark. I might only get to ride for half an
80
hour before it gets too dark to see, but it is a
far better choice than not riding at all.
Bring your kiteboarding gear with you
everywhere.
Some of the best sessions that I have had
have been when I least expected them. If you
take a proactive approach and keep your travel
bag with your gear in the trunk of your car, then
you can take a session at a moments notice.
Kiteboarding gear is so small and discrete, that
keeping it in your trunk is not a big deal. Many
people travel past great kiting areas on their
way to work or other events. Don’t miss a killer
opportunity by NOT bringing your gear.
You can take this a step further when you
travel by taking an extra travel bag along with
you on the plane. It’s a really simple concept.
Be prepared! If it is not windy, the gear will sit
in the trunk. If it is windy then you can get lit.
There is nothing more satisfying than a good,
surprise session. Just remember, “You can’t
plan to fail. You can only fail to plan.” If you
have been working hard all day or week and
you get to go kiteboarding because you have
your gear with you, the session will be all that
more satisfying.
Understand the weather.
When you participate in a conditions
specific sport, you need to be able to know
when those conditions are going to be right.
With kiteboarding you need to have wind, the
right wind direction, no storms or squalls, the regularly, you will start to be able to decipher
right air temperature and the free time. There are
when will be a good time to blow out of work
a lot of ducks that need to be lined up to get a
early on Friday to go kiteboarding, and when it
good session. Some people live in areas that get
would be best to finish out your day. I know that
consistent trade winds or consistent thermals.
Simon would have blown off work early on
You still have to understand the weather to
Friday had he seen the forecast for Sandy Hook
know when those conditions are setting up.
reading SW 15 to 20 for that afternoon.
Educating yourself on the internet is the
easiest starting point to better understanding
Repeat number one and other random
wind. There are two weather sites that will assist thoughts.
in you becoming a kiteboarder. The first is
This is not a joke. Kiteboarding is an easy
www.ikitesurf.com. This website has live wind
sport to learn, but you have to put your time on
meters at strategic locations all over the the water. If you take sporadic lessons and then
country. They also do
the next time you fly a kite
daily and long-range
“Most Importantly, when is a year later on vacation,
forecasts that are
you will never learn to kite.
conditions are right for
relatively accurate. For
In addition, make sure that
the most part they put
kiteboarding, you need after your first few lessons,
the live wind meters at
you buy gear. Your
to use them.”
sites that are good for
investment
will
help
kiteboarding, so you
motivate you to get your
can see what the wind is doing from the office.
butt on the water. The repetition of flying your
These meters will also let you look back to see
kites, even if the wind is too light, will allow you
what the wind was doing when you had a good
to get comfortable with your gear. You also need
or bad session. This site is designed for the
to make sure that you have the right gear to go.
entry level wind junkie, but it also has advanced
A lot of people will get one kite, and they will be
functions for you wannabe meteorologists.
bummed when their kite is too big or too small.
The other site that you can use is
If you have a couple of kite sizes you will
www.wunderground.com. This site has accurate
drastically increase the number of days that you
regional and marine weather. It is not as specific
get on the water. A trainer kite is always a good
to an area as ikitesurf.com, but it will allow you
item to throw in the trunk help improve your
to see weather trends. If you check these sites
skills.
Most importantly, when the conditions are
right for kiteboarding you need to use them. It
does not matter your level or where you are
going, if you have your own equipment you can
go when the conditions are right. Tell the boss (I
am referring to your significant other too) that
now is the time for kiteboarding and everything
can wait.
After I saw Simon a few weeks ago I sent him
an email that outlined these four points. He must
have listened to my advice because not too long
after I received the text below back as a
response:
“Yo Matty - After a summer of
frustration I finally got the ride I was looking for.
I probably got in 10 miles or more of riding on
Sunday with Jeff. I finally understand all the
hype with a downwinder, and I learned where to
position the kite etc. I went toeside at one point
completely by accident, and I did a few little
jumps. I went upwind both ways and had some
really good near miss wipeouts and kite
crashes. It was the best session I have ever had.
My addiction to kiteboarding is worse than ever
now. It is amazing what one good day can do.”
Matt Nuzzo coaches for REAL kiteboarding in Cape
Hatteras,
NC.
For
more
info
check
out
www.realkiteboarding.com . Be sure to check out Real
Kiteboarding’s
shop.
Zero to Hero DVD at your local kiteboarding
Davey Blair takes a closer look at the
construction
Whitey about to chomp in South
Africa
Brendan ‘Hollywood’ Richards chums
for big fish in Santa Cruz
Lens: Lance Koudele
Lens: Paul Javier
Lens: Courtesy of Brendan Richards
the best resource for schools,
retailers and associations in the
U.S. and Caribbean.
Xdream Sportz
California
Action Watersports
Board Sports
(858)481-9283
(318) 827-2233
(510)THE-WAVE
CaliKites
(619) 522-9575
Captain Kirk’s
(310) 833-3397
Channel Coast Kiteboarding
(805) 276-2901
Xstreamline Sports
Sandy Point Progressive Sports
(386) 756-7564
Action Sports Maui
(808) 871-5857
Sea & Sky Sports
(850) 598-3735
Aloha Kiteboarding Academy
(808) 637-5483
Ski Rixen
(954) 429-0215
Caveman Kitesurfing
(310) 518-1972
(808) 389-4004
Xtreme Big Air
(805) 773-9200
Tampa Bay Kiteboarding
(727) 798-2484
Extreme Sports Maui
(808) 871-7954
Colorado
Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport
(808) 871-4981
Colorado Kite Force
(970) 485-3300
Hawaiian Watersports (808) 262-KITE
Larson’s Ski and Sport
(303) 423-0654
Fuze Kiteboarding
(303) 683-5033
PKS
(970) 376-3159
Connecticut
Tri State Kites
(800) 510-0865
Florida
7 Kiteboarding
(305) 664-4055
Air Assault Kiteboarding
(484) 639-2530
Helm Sports
(650)344-2711
As the Wind Blows
(850) 982-9463
Inflight Surf and Sail
(562) 493-3661
Big Kite Miami
(305) 303- 4107
Kite Country
(619) 226-4421
Butter Kiteboarding
(321) 303.4099
Kite Wave
(213) 344-6034
Kites Etc.
(949) 673-0450
Delray Beach Watersports Rental
(561) 279-0008
Kitesurfari
(562) 596-6451
KiteWindSurf
(510) 522-WIND
Nothing like getting yarded fully lit
through the surf.
Live2Kite
(415) 722-7884
Location: Narrow Neck Australia Lens: Jim Semlor
Malibu Kitesurfing
(310) 430-KITE
Manta Wind & Water Sports
(858) 270-7222
Mission Bay Aquatic Center
(858) 488-1000
I guess the rider didn’t land this one
Lens: Anonymous
(310) 457-6897
East Coast Kiteboarding
(954) 295-5778
Murrays
(800) 786-7245
Extreme Kites
(904) 461-9415
OOTO Kite School
(650) 960-1721
Florida Kiting
(561) 373-4445
Santa Barbara Kiteboarding Company
(805) 560-6138
Ft. Lauderdale Kitesurfing Co.
(954) 410-5419
Sky Kitesurfing School
Hydrotherapy
(925) 455-4008
(800) 223-5443
West Coast Kiteboarding
(619) 813-2230
Lens: Stephen Whitesell
Greg ‘Tekko’ Gnecco almost gets hit
as he captures a disaster.
Lens: media@realkiteboarding.com
Wind over Water Kiteboarding
(650) 218-6023
Windsport
(619) 488-4642
Windsurf Diablo
(510) 778-6350
82
305.394.9696
www.airassaultonline.com
Monkey Air
Vela
Leeshai Miller throws a new school,
powered board off.
Lessons, Trips
Gear, Excursions in
Key West, Florida
(850) 249-9463
Island Style Wind & Watersports
(941) 954-1009
Island Surf and Sail
(954) 927-7002
Kite Surf the Earth
(888) 819-5483
Kite World
(321) 725-8336
KiteMare
(877) 829-0015
KitesurfUSA
(954) 816-0944
Miami Kiteboarding Inc.
(305) 345-9974
(808) 637-5483
Kiteboard Center
(808) 276-2667
Kiteboard Maui
(808) 870-2554
Kiteboarding.com
(866) 488-5483
Kitesurf Maui
(808) 873-0015
Waterplay
(800) 841-1225
Maui Kiteboarding Lessons
(808) 242-8015
Watersports West
(888) 401-5080
Naish Hawaii
(808) 262-6068
Xrated Kiteboarding
(888) 401-5080
Off Da Lip
(808) 255-6255
High Tide Surf Shop
(912) 786-6556
Vela Maui
(800) 223-5443
Seatasea
(319) 743-7922
Hawaii
Lake Tahoe Kiteboarding
(877) 769-5483
Kite High
the best resource for schools,
retailers and associations in the
U.S. and Caribbean.
Illinois
Groud Zero
(208) 265-6714
South Valley Kite Sports
(208) 721-0526
Chicago Kiteboarder
(312) 804-5482
All Surf Industries
(503) 239-8973
Big Air Windsurfing
(541) 348-2213
Big Winds
(888) 509-4210
IL-Chicago Kitesurfing Group
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/kitesurf-chicago/
IL-Kitesurfing Chicago
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/kitesurf-chicago/
TX-Central Texas Kiteboarding Association
www.centexkiteboarding.com
CA-California Kiteboarding Assoc.
http://www.calkite.org/
CA-Central Coast (CA) Kiteboarding Assoc.
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/CCKA/
CA-San Diego Kiteboarding Assoc.
http://www.sdka.org/
CA-San Francisco Kiteboarding Assoc.
http://www.sfkitesurfing.com/
CA-Sherman Island Kiteboarding Assoc.
http://www.calkite.org/siko.htm
CA-Southern California Kiteboarding Assoc.
http://www.scka.org/
CO-Rocky Mountain Kiteboard Association
http://www.TocoSports.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rmka
FL-Florida Kitesurfing Association
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/FKSA/
FL-BKSA - Tampa Bay Kitesurfing Association
http://www.tbksa.org/
GA-TIKA - Tybee Island
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/tikakiteboarding
HI-Hawaii Kiteboarding Association
http://www.hawaiikiteboardingassociation.org/
MN-Minesota Wind Info and Forum Group
http://www.windancing.com/
OR-Columbia Gorge Kiteboarding
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CCKA
VA-Virginia Kiteboarders Association
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VAKB/
WA-Seattle Kitesurfing Association
http://www.seattlekitesurfing.org/index.htm
(888) 546-6176
(508) 364-6162
Floras Lake Windsurfing
(541) 348-9912
(508) 430-0437
Gorge Surf Shop
(508) 398-1333
Hood River Waterplay
Dr Gravity’s Kite Shop
Inland Sea
(800) 957-4978
(541) 386-WIND
Skyhigh Kiteboarding School
(508) 259-2728
Kite-Line
Wind, Snow and H20
Lincoln City Surf Shop (541) 996-7433
(888) 714-9849
(508) 775-7756
Maryland
H2AIR Productions
New Wind
(541) 387-2440
Pacific Wave
(503) 861-0866
Michigan
Broneah Kiteboarding (231) 392-2212
Storm Warning
(800) 492-6309
Detroit Kiteboarding
(248) 245-5016
Puerto Rico
Kitesurfing Puerto Rico
Grand Bay Kite Co
(231) 929-0607
(302) 227-1105
Great Lakes Kiteboarding
(586) 822-6511
(787) 728-8716
Rhode Island
Northwind Sports
(401) 254-4295
MacInaw Kite Co.
(800) 622-4655
South Carolina
Half Moon Outfitters
(843) 881-9472
Minnesota
Board Sports
(218) 833-8200
South Dakota
Pro Peak Sports
(605) 341-5445
Scuba Center Wind/Kite
(612) 925-4818
Mississippi
Get Air
Texas
Air Padre Kiteboarding
(956) 299-WIND
(228) 209-1204
Kitesurf Texas
NorthCarolina
Blowing in the Wind
(910) 763-1730
(361) 937-5000
Corpus Christi Kitesurfing Inc.
(361) 960-4359
Kiteboarding Hatteras (252) 995-5000
Kitemare
(727) 741-5483
Kitty Hawk Kiteboarding Centers
(877) FLY-THIS
Mongani Sky Pirates
(361) 992-9623
Real Kiteboarding
Pro Kitesurf
(361) 883-1473
REGIONAL
Great Lakes Wind info and Forum gGroup
http://www.lakawa.com/
MAKA- MidAtlantic Kitesurfing Association
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/M-A-K-A/
Midwest Kiteboarding Assoc.
http://www.midwestkiteboarding.com
NE Kiters Association
http://www.neka.us/
United States Kitesurfing Assoc.
http://www.maui.net/~hotwind/uska.html
(866) REAL-KITE
Ride Hatteras
(252) 995-6755
S. Padre Island Kiteboarding
(956) 245-8343
Powerline Sports
(603) 474-1122
S. Padre Kiteboarding
(956) 761-1434
New Jersey
Island Surf and Sail
(609) 494-5553
Windsurf and Paddle Sports
(713) 291-9199
Nevada
Kitesurf Vegas
Windsports
(702) 493-9245
(702) 220-4340
New York
Myers Kitesurfing
(716) 751-6511
(801) 576-6460
Kitewise
646) 734-3027
Utah
Southeast Expeditions (877) 943-8548
Windsurf Ohio
2nd Wind Sports
Oregon
Air-Time
INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATIONS
Professional Air Sports Association (PASA)
www.pasakiteboarding.org
International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO)
www.ikorg.com
Real Kiteboarding
www.realkiteboarding.com
Kiteboarding International Training Evaluation System
www.kiteboardcenter.com
Zero Gravity Kiteboarding
(361) 949-0266
Cloud 9 Soaring Ctr
Ohio
Red Sky Surf And Snow
(419) 536-3204
Virgina
North by Northwest Surf Co
(360) 452-5144
(440) 951-5253
(541) 386-4464
(541) 387 3910
Washington
Seattle Kiteboarding Center
(206) 779-3272
Urban Surf
(206)545-9463
Kiteboarding pioneer Lou Wainman has been off
the radar for the last few years, choosing to stay
out of the limelight of professional kiteboarding.
We caught up with Lou this last September and
did a live interview which is featured on
ASnews.net, Podcast #2. In the interview, Lou
talks about what he has been up to and
reflects back on the first days of riding on
Maui. Lou also talks about the equipment he
has been working on and tells us what it was
like competing in one of the world’s first
kiteboarding competitions, in Leucate, France,
in 1999. Lou is not the most outspoken guy
when it comes to dealing with the media. His
nickname is appropriately—three-word Lou. I
asked Lou to send me some tips to give our
readers. Rather than pollute this with my
editorial pen, I decided to run it exactly as
it was sent to me.
Associations
Brian’s Windsurfing/Kitesurfing
(541) 386-1423
Cleanline Surf
Massachusets
Cape Cod Kite School
Essential Riding Tips from Lou Wainman
Wiley’s Water Ski Shop
(206) 762-1300
Fish Creek Kite Company
(920) 868-3769
Wisconsin
Coontail Watersports (715) 385-0250
North Winds Kiteboarding
(414) 698-7012
Kite-Riders
(608) 273-1817
Southport Rigging Company
(262) 652-5434
If you would like to see your shop listed, please
email kitepages@kbmag.com
Hey Rye,
Here are 5 tips to think about in
Kiteboarding, for your Mag.
1. Know things.
2. Buy the best equipment
out there.
3. Ride, ride, ride and then
ride some more.
4. Be cool with everybody
and everything!
5. Be helpful and funny!
Be sure to check out ASnews.net,
Podcast #2 for a live 20-minute
Photo by Kim Kern
interview with Lou Wainman.
Electric Kiting:
Avoid Lighting Up Your Next Session
By Rick Iossi and Paul Lang
The wind is up, so you fake a cough and
blow off work for the afternoon. 20 minutes
later, you are killing it at the local spot. Ripping
along, you suddenly get an unexpected little
jolt from your bar.
The shock may be intermittent or
continuous. It could feel annoying or downright
painful. You might even just hear a little “ZAP”
when you jump. No, you’re not just imagining
things because you are so excited about that
trick you just learned.
These things are signs of potential imminent
lightning, and you need to get that huge
lightning rod (your kite) out of the sky as
quickly as possible!
Case Study
During the recent Velocity Games in Texas,
Mother Nature decided to enter herself into
one of the heats. She definitely lit up the event.
Shannon Best, whose heat was invaded by
Mother Nature, described the sensation as
painful, but he was not going to be the first off
the water. However, the little zaps from his bar
became more intense. Other riders were
experiencing the same thing, and everybody
got wise and quickly landed their kites. Shortly
thereafter, a nice squall cloud moved through
full of gusty winds and lightning.
Contributing Factors
There are a few factors that can cause
these static electricity discharges. Your kite
lines can conduct electricity when wet. There
also can be a naturally occurring voltage
gradient from the ground up to the sky.
The voltage gradient tries to even itself out
the easiest way, either through lightning or by
sending electrons through your lines and body.
Don’t bother with gloves or booties; their value
as insulation is minimal at best. If you ever get
those funny little zaps from your bar, get off the
water immediately!
Avoiding the Problem
The best way to avoid experimenting with
energy like Ben Franklin is to avoid lightning.
Check the forecasts, always be aware of the
current and future weather, and know the
weather patterns for your riding area.
A bolt of lightning can strike more than 10
miles from a storm cloud and contain 100
million electrical volts.
If you see lightning and then hear thunder
within 30 seconds, you need to land and
secure your kite in a big hurry and move to a
safe shelter.
Wait 30 minutes after all lightning and
thunder activity has stopped (the 30/30 Rule)
before resuming any activity in the open. When
you hear that thunder within 30 seconds, the
lightning bolt is within six miles. Strikes out to
10 miles have been documented so don’t
screw around with this one.
A pain in the butt? Maybe, but almost 70
people are struck each year in the USA. A
large part of kiteboarding safety is developing
hazard awareness and avoidance.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 $5.95 USA

Transcription

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