The Kiteboarder Magazine June 2010 by The Kiteboarder Magazine

THEKITEBOARDER.COM

Children of the The local crew shines at Cabo Verde during the biggest swell of the decade.

Point

2010 TKB Annual

Instructional

Guide 22 The Collegiate Kiteboarding

Contingency

Hot New Products to Check Out!

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2 th eki t e b o a r d e r . c om

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6 t h eki t e b o a r d e r . c om

Features

A goal of the IKA is to unify the competition side of kiteboarding, but the two major tours are currently as divided as ever. Photo Roberto Foresti

Kevin Langeree, last year’s the PKRA Woeld Champion, playsgood withwipeout. the Zach Kleppe entertains crowd with a particularly camera at the first event of the 2010 PKRA season. Things are rapidly changing in the kiteboarding competition scene, hopefully for the better. Photo Roberto Foresti

of tHe iKA:

Densely populated areas seem to be experiencing the majority of multi-use challenges. Photo Katina Arnott

Need

The stated goal of the IKA is to unify and bring together all major national associations and create a rule book, world ranking system, and judging and race directing standards. Almost immediately after the IKA was recognized by ISAF, the Kiteboard Pro World Tour (KPWT) joined the IKA, while the other major tour, the Matt Sexton, who will beRiders graduating from college himself about the time this issue is in Professional Kiteboard Association (PKRA) opposed joining. According to the print, is the main man behind the creation of the Collegiate Kiteboarding Association. IKA, thePhoto result ofMcMahon this was that KPWT gained events while PKRA lost events. PKRA Dallas and IKA sat down to work out their differences, eventually coming to a working agreement. At the same time, the relationship between IKA and KPWT fell apart (more on this below). Before this season began, IKA issued a statement that any riders who participated in a KPWT event would be ruled ineligible and therefore not allowed to compete in any IKA sanctioned events, including PKRA events.

ollege

The MattKPWt Sexton Interview vs. iKA: IKA, PKRA, KPWT, IKF, ISAF:

ContingenCy t By Paul Lang

The relationship between the IKA and the KPWT seems to have completely fallen apart. According to Richard Gowers of the IKA, “KPWT failed to fulfill its contract and had IKA sanction withdrawn. It was KPWT seeking separation by breaking the IKA sanctioning agreement; riders as well as organizers have to decide if they support the KPWT or the rest of the kiteboarding competition scene.” However, according to KPWT’s Frederic Gravoille, “Due to severe breaches of here is no getting around fact that right the nowIKA thewas average contract andthe no belief in what tryingkiteboarder to achieve, the KPWT chose is a middle-aged male. Kiteboarding, whileanot extremely that difficult to learn, has to support and work with federation is looking towards a democratic a relatively highand cost positive to get started, andfor thatthe hassport been of keeping a certain youthful future Kiteboarding.” The other federation Frederic element from taking hold in kiteboarding for years. However, there is a movement in this refers to is the International Kiteboarding Federation (IKF), which was founded country right now that is working hard to change that and to expose kiteboarding to a new by the same people who are behind KPWT. younger crowd. That movement is the Collegiate Kiteboarding Association (CKA), and the

What does it all mean?

main person behind the start of it is Matt Sexton, a student at Eckerd College in Florida. The CKA has grown to now include Collegiate Kiteboarding Clubs at 25 schools around the country and there are CKA events on both the east and west coasts. In the U.S., the CKA is the only kiteboarding tour in the country and is responsible for getting hundreds of collegeaged people started in kiteboarding. CKA events have a reputation for being a good time, no matter what the weather delivers. In Florida, a cold spell caused organizers to bring in artificial snow and hold that state’s first snowkiting event, while in San Diego, a lack of wind turned the event into an impromptu surf contest followed by riding a beachfront artificial wave. We like what’s going on with the CKA, and so TKB sat down with Matt Sexton to let him talk about how it all started and where the CKA is heading.

KrA,

f, isAf:

all Mean?

Photographer Bryan Elkus light’s up Nick Bains’s Hatteras night session. Photo Bryan Elkus

A Brief History

By Paul Lang

Like it or not, this crowd at a recent IKA meeting is working to “legitimize” your sport. Photo Courtesy IKA

The College Contingency:

WHAt ABout tHe olymPics?

With the development of an international framework for competitions, many people think that kiteboarding course racing is heading for the Olympics, and this will be a huge benefit for kiteboarding. IKA’s Richard Gowers said, “The Olympics showcase the pinnacle of every sport; it brings more publicity and positive coverage than anything else. Equipment for the Olympics is usually for light wind, so it will encourage the development of equipment that works in a pretty wide range. Also, becoming an Olympic sport opens up a lot of funding from the governments for riders.” Mauricio Toscano from the PKRA, when asked about kiteboarding as an Olympic Sport, said, “The benefit of being in the Olympics for kiteboarding would be more exposure for the sport. However, if it was only racing similar to other sailing classes it would probably be minimal exposure. If one day there is a way to incorporate kiteboarding freestyle into the Olympics, it could generate huge exposure for the sport as it has done for snowboarding with their half pipe event.” We tend to agree with Mauricio. While it would be cool to see kiteboarding in the Olympics, course racing is not the best discipline to show the world what the sport is capable of. Don’t forget that windsurfing racing is in the Olympics, and when was the last time you saw any exposure of that?

WHAt Does tHis All meAn? Does Anyone cAre?

According to the IKA, because of their efforts, there will be a unified world ranking system based on points accumulated by all riders collected from various events – overall and one for each discipline. The PKRA will decide the Freestyle World Title. There will be freestyle tour titles from the new Asian and European tours, giving up-and-coming competitors a clear pathway from their national events to the world-level events. There will also be World and Continental Championships in Speed and Course Racing. When asked how being associated with the IKA benefits the PKRA, Mauricio Toscano said, “It’s difficult to say at the moment, but I believe now that some of the things the IKA are doing, like standardizing competition formats and rules throughout the world, are beneficial for the sport of kiteboarding.” By creating rule books (racing and freestyle) and judging and race directing standards, the IKA is doing a good thing by helping to standardize kiteboarding competitions. They plan on offering judge courses and, eventually, a certification program for judges. Whether this helps the sport outside of major competitions has yet to be seen, but there can be no argument that kiteboarding needs more regional and national competitions. If a framework exists to make it easier for a small organizer to create an event that is consistent with the standards of the large events, riders, sponsors, and spectators will have a better idea what to expect out of an event.

Apparently, the issue at the heart of the IKA ban on KPWT riders is KPWT’s claim to be a “World Tour,” a term that the IKA claims is rightfully theirs. IKA claims that they have exclusive use of the terms world tour, world champion, etc. within kiteboarding. There is currently a lawsuit, filed by KPWT against IKA, claiming, “The prohibition of the use of the respective terms (world tour, world champion, etc.) has no legal basis. In particular, neither ISAF nor IKA We are against the fact that the IKA is threatening to ban riders have world-wide or European trade mark protection in relation to these terms from its sanctioned events, and we cannot see how this benefits that could exclude any other parties from its use.” We were told by an IKA the sport in any way. They should continue to work to promote the representative that if the KPWT dropped the usage of the terms world tour and sport and to make events more consistent. Hopefully, the IKA will world champion, they would not uphold the ban against their riders. However, bring a level of organization and communication that so far has the KPWT currently has major problems of their own, as their first event of the been lacking from kiteboarding, but only time will tell what impact, year, located in Jamaica, was cancelled after the local organizer completely if any, the IKA will have to the average kiteboarder. dropped the ball and only 15 riders showed up. hen the F-One wave team got news through an internet

Association (IKA) has so zation since its inception in er surrounding it and other ns has reached a fever pitch kiteboarders, the staff of this very hard time seeing through ch of these organizations is is our attempt to make sense gtchu, onMitu, has affected a andonly Djo aredirectly now sidered heroes in their poor ders, but what does this all mean metown of Santa Maria, Cabo Verde.

The Matt Sexton Interview

oto Band Originale

forecast that a massive swell was going to hit Cabo Verde,th e k ite bo ar de r .co m they all jumped onto the first available plane to the island of Sal, located less than 400 miles off the west coast of Africa. They would score the swell of the decade, but they were just visitors here. The swell gave the local crew, who grew up poor and learned to ride on donated gear, their chance to shine.

Children of the Point:

The local crew shines at Cabo Verde.

Children of the

Point

s the lightest of the local riders, Matchu ually starts each session first, while e others watch and wait for their turns. hoto Giles Calvet

By Gilles Calvet Translated by Nico Ostermann and Sylvie Johnson

One of them was Raphael Salles. He had travelled to Sal a couple of times in 1986 and 1987 for its warm waters and perfect wind conditions as his winter windsurfing training ground. He was fine tuning his prototype course racing board, back and along the west coast, and during one of his Thetacking ImporTance of forth Lessons We’ve covered this issue past, and it’sbreaking important enough training sessions hein the spotted waves. Raphael told a few people about the that we are going over it again. If you are interested in getting into waves, but the Cabo archipelago quickly sunk back into obscurity. No one kiteboarding, you need to take aVerde lesson. If you kiteboard already and have a friend who wants towith learn, you need topoor encouragedesert-like that friend seemed interested these islands except maybe for a handful to take a lesson. Kiteboarding equipment can be very dangerous if it isn’t used properly, not only to the person the kite,we but towere people searching for hypothetical waves on of hardcore windsurfers. In flying 1993, who happen to be in the area. the west coast, and when we found them, we were rewarded. As we’ve said before, you need to think of lessons as cheap insurance. Sure they may cost money, but lessons are much cheaper

Afterthanthree weeks waiting, reward anything we could have destroying that newof $1,500 kite and wayour cheaper than a trip surpassed to the emergency room. I was in Baja one time for a kiteboarding trip, imagined: gorgeous right tube, smoothed and one guyashowed up with brand new gear, a 12-pack of beer, and by 20-knot trade winds, just for Raoul no clue on how to flymyself, a kite because had decided that he didn’t Lequertier and forheno less than twelve consecutive days. Since then, this need a lesson. When he launched his kite, it was in the air for about world-class wave has fed magazines five seconds before he crashed it into amany fence, ripping it completely with incredible photos, but it has also While swearing, he packed up his tattered kite, threw it in beeninhishalf. the source ofwayinspiration for the creation of the local kitesurfing team. Today, car, and drove all the back home to California, leaving the on thetalk beachabout for us to enjoy at the end of the day. By not taking you beer can’t Punta Preta without mentioning Mitu Monteiro, Djo, Matchu, lessons, that guy didn’t save money, he wasted it by destroying a and brand many more local They new kite. Do yourself and riders. everyone else a favorbelong and take a to a league of their own and are lesson if you want to learn to kiteboard. directly connected to this spot: They are the children of the point.

TKB Annual Instructional Guide:

GeT The mosT from a Lesson: For most of them, has been bed • Get a trainer kite andlife an instructional videono before your of roses. I watched them grow up here. Fly the trainer kite until you cannot stand doing it anymore Sincelesson. my very first trip in 1993, I have not missed one winter in Cabo Verde and watch the video over and over. Videos and trainer kites can’t a lesson, but willby help the wholeside processwith feel more wherereplace I have lived their allfamiliar my gear, which consisted of one when you show up to learn. surfboard, camera gear,forand a instructor. surf housing. We shared food and shelter, and • If you aremy a female, consider looking a female Girls usuallyme learn their better from other girls. they taught language. They started out with not much: four bare brick to a known windy place for your lesson. walls• Consider with atraveling dirt floor andcanconch-shell No location anywhere in the world guarantee wind, butroof. there Their toys were made of rusted metal are many places that are very likely to have good conditions for tins and broken balls.

Something for every level of rider.

learning at certain times of the year. Yes, it will cost more, but you can learn more in three days under the right conditions than you

can learn in six months under the wrong conditions. They• Ask began by loading and transporting the tourist windsurfers’ equipment when a lot of questions. Make sure you understand everything they could, and passion for Watersports was born on Santa Maria Beach. your instructor tells their you. • As soon as you decide that are going take awindsurfing lesson, Slowly, they began toyou work fortothe schools, then the kiteboarding start paying attention to the wind. Check sites such as ikitesurf. schools. long, they were to get out for short sessions at the end of com toBefore find out when and where the wind blowsable in your area. Constantly think about what direction the wind is coming from. schedules. sessions Many people who may be interested in kiteboarding are turned away from the sport their work Having good wind awarenessThese will be a huge help on the were day of enough to make them the best riders on because of the initially large investment that it takes to get going as a kiteboarder. the beach. your lesson. Rapidly, both local and traveling surfers, windsurfers, and kiteboarders Buying brand new equipment, you can expect to pay in the range of about $1,600• Have a humble attitude during your lesson. You are not going Boggio a air Cabo Verde watersports pioneer) began $2,000 as a minimum for your first set of gear. On top of that, you should also expect(particularly to to be blastingJerome across the water and flyingPascua, 40 feet into the on pay $300-$600 for lessons to get started. Basically, you are looking at about a minimum yournotice first day. and gave them a used board, a kite, or a wetsuit. Then, whether to take of around $2,000 to have the gear and knowledge to get on the water. walking or hitch-hiking with their gear in tow, they started to defy the Queen of That sounds like a lot of money, but the beautiful thing about kiteboarding is that the wind is free. You the North Atlantic: The Black Point, their own Punta Preta! could ride for two or more seasons with that initial investment and never spend another dollar on gear.

2010 tKB Annual

InStruCtIOnAl

GuIde

3 8 th e ki t ebo ar de r . c o m

For this year’s Annual Instructional Special, we’ve made sure to include a little something for everyone. Whether you are just thinking about learning to kiteboard of if you have been kiting for a few years already, you’ll find something in here for you. Even if you’ve been riding for years, there is always something new to try, and there are few things more rewarding than learning a new skill on the water, whether it’s kiting upwind for the first time, landing your first jump, or slashing the top off of your first wave with nothing holding you to your board except wax and will power. Whatever your skill level, keep pushing yourself to try new things and you will amaze yourself with what you can learn to do. Hopefully, you’ll find a few tips over the next few pages to help you do that.

42 t h e k it e boa r d e r .c om

When you compare the costs of kiteboarding to other sports such as snowboarding (minimum $500 for gear and clothes, $75 or more per day of riding for a lift ticket, plus gas to get up the mountain) and wakeboarding ($500 for a board, $50,000 for a decent boat, plus gas for every session), kiteboarding suddenly doesn’t seem very expensive at all. Once you have your gear, the only cost you have to go kiteboarding is the gas it takes you to get to the beach. If you are on a budget, you can look for used or last year’s closeout gear and potentially be up and riding for less than $1,200.

D e pa r t m e n t s

The co$T$

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of Kiteboarding

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THEKITEBOARDER.COM

Children of the The Local Crew Shines at Cabo Verde on the biggest swell of the decade.

Point

2010 TKB annual

InSTruCTIonaL

guide 22 The CollegiaTe KiTeboarding

ContingenCy

Hot New Products to CHeCk out!

Mitu Monteiro might be a familiar name in kiteboarding, but to people in his home town of Santa Maria on the Cabo Verde island of Sal, he is a hometown hero. Mitu is inspiring other locals to take up kiteboarding to take advantage of the amazing conditions Cabo Verde has offer. Photo Gilles Calvet

24 Events

Pismo Beach Expo delivers a day later.

32 Close Up

North’s Tommy Fields and Best’s Kris Kinn profiled.

70 Analyze This

TKB’s verdict on ten new 2010 products.

80 Designer’s Corner

Designer’s introduce four new kite and board releases.

85 Workbench

How to fix a spaghetti mess.

t hekit eboarder.c o m 7

THINK

pushing the limit

here’s the helmet, leash, chest protector, shin guards, mouth guard, hook knife, and life jacket? Those are the questions people seem to start asking every time a photo of some rider pushing the limits of kiteboarding shows up online or in a magazine. Almost every single time I’ve seen a progressive rail or kicker shot posted online, the negative comments bashing the rider’s lack of safety and common sense seem to come pouring in. A few issues ago, we were attacked on KiteForum.com for our cover featuring Ian Alldredge deep in an Indo tube. Someone thought it looked like the windsurfer that was also in the photo was too close and Shades that Ian was cutting him off. We were of Green kiTesurf accused of promoting unsafe behavior Movie while the windsurfer was clearly in the channel, nowhere near Ian. There seems to be a certain segment within kiteboarding that won’t be happy until every photo and video ever released about kiteboarding Snow Place like Home only shows riders happily and mellowly el nino: cruising by clad in full protective gear. I Blessing or curse? off to tHe reScue: believe this is mostly because people Helping Kiters in need new ProductS fear these types of images promote for 2010 unsafe behavior to the general public or Is Ian Alldredge pushing the limits or encourage others to act irresponsibly. acting irresponsibly on the cover of our I have nothing against people who want February 2010 issue? Photo Jason Wolcott to wear helmets or other protective gear while they ride. Actually, I applaud those who do and everyone else who takes kiteboarding safety seriously. However, I also get excited every time I see videos or photos of riders pushing kiteboarding into new and exciting areas. There is nothing contradictory or ironic about being both pro safety and pro progression. As long as a rider’s actions don’t endanger other riders or bystanders, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with putting one’s own physical well-being on the line for the sake of finding out just how far the boundaries can be pushed. On the subject of helmets, yes it is true that it’s very difficult to find photos of 7:52:32 peopleAM wearing helmets in this magazine, but that’s not because we are against them. All riders, both professional and amateur, each make their own personal decision when it comes to wearing a helmet when they ride, and most choose not to. Send us a unique, compelling, or progressive image that happens to feature a rider wearing a helmet, and we’ll have no problem running it. There’s no doubt that more widespread use of helmets could help prevent injuries and even deaths, but we’re not going to judge anyone for their personal choice whether to wear one or not. What many people seem to fail to understand is that kiteboarding needs riders who are going to push the sport forward. If we want the sport to grow or even just to continue, it has to progress. For those of you who like to attack other riders for “unsafe” behavior that only puts that one rider at risk and no one else, let me ask you this: What harm is it to you? If a rider is hitting a sketchy rail that has never been attempted before, how does that harm anyone else? Kiteboarding is still a young sport, and we are not going to find out what is and isn’t possible to do behind a kite without riders who are willing to push the limits. Simply put, kiteboarding will not move past where it is now if everyone just plays it safe all the time. With that said, kiters who put other riders or bystanders at risk with their riding should get a stern talking to from the rest of their local crew and they should be chased off the beach if their actions continue. That includes not just the hot-shot riders who jump too close to the beach, but also riders who launch in sketchy situations or fly kites way too big for the conditions. These are the actions that need to be called out as unsafe. However you choose to ride and however hard you choose to push yourself, you should never put anyone else at risk with your actions. The next time you see someone furthering the concept about what can be done in kiteboarding, think twice before you judge the rider as unsafe and irresponsible. Is anyone else put at risk by his or her actions? If not, that rider should be applauded, not attacked for being willing to put their body on the line for the sake of kiteboarding.

THEKITEBOARDER.COM

The Making of a

8/19/09

8 t h eki t e b o a r d e r . c om

t hekit eboarder.c o m 9

Executive Editor RYAN RICCITELLI ryan@thekiteboarder.com

CONTENT EDITOR/PUBLISHER MARINA CHANG marina@ thekiteboarder.com

EDITOR Paul Lang paul@thekiteboarder.com

ART DIRECTOR SHANA GORONDY

TECHNICAL EDITOR GARY MARTIN

EDITOR AT LARGE ALEXIS ROVIRA

Director Web Strategy Peter Grendler

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHY DALLAS McMahon

SENIOR WRITERS

Marina Chang, Paul Lang, James Brown, Gary Martin

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS

Neil Hutchinson, Joe Bidawid, Paul Menta, Kevin “Top Hat” Senn, Henry Dupont IV, Bill Lee, Paul Lang, Stefan Ruether, Ruca Chang, Mira Kwon, Rick Iossi, Toby Brauer, Jeff Howard, Dave Loop

CONTRIBUTORS

Gilles Calvet (translation Nico Ostermann, Sylvie Johnson), Paul Menta, John Mapel, Michael Campanaro, Brendan Richards, Jeremy Lund, Raphael Salles, Peter Stiewe, Martial Camblong

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

Paul Lang, Dallas McMahon, Kim Kern, Carol Bolstad, Nikki Riccitelli

PHOTOGRAPHY

Roberto Foresti, Katherine Kimball, Corran Addison, Kb4Girls, James Ropner, xtremewinds.com, Andrew Schwarz, James Ropner, www.jdphotofairy.com Helen Trotman, Nils Knoop, Cascade Kiteboarding, Zach Goepel, Tony Bolstad, Carol Bolstad, Ginette Buffone, Dave Tran, Miguel Willis, Band Originale, Gilles Calvet, Dan Schwarz, Toby Bromwich, Caution Kiteboarding, Ryan Riccitelli, David DeVries, ImagesbyDoc, Lance Koudele, Tracy Kraft, Jody MacDonald, Shal Jacobovitz, Zinou Guiri / www.adrenalinekitesurf.com, Cynthia “Cynbad” Brown, Liz Bortoletto, Reto Leuenberger, Aiste Ridikaite, Nigel Kenny, Doug “the kite caddy”, Roberto Stortoni, Mrs. Litewave, Sebastian Riveros

Thanks to all editorial and photography contributors for supporting this magazine!

Visit us on:

www.thekiteboarder.com www.twitter.com/the_kiteboarder www.facebook.com/thekiteboarder www.theringmedia.com

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Kevin Langeree, last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the PKRA World Champion, playsgood with wipeout. the Zach Kleppe entertains crowd with a particularly camera at the first event of the 2010 PKRA season. Things are rapidly changing in the kiteboarding competition scene, hopefully for the better. Photo Roberto Foresti

Densely populated areas seem to be experiencing the majority of multi-use challenges. Photo Katina Arnott

IKA, PKRA,

By Marina Chang

KPWT, IKF, ISAF: What does it all Mean? By Paul Lang

The International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) has so far been a controversial organization since its inception in 2008, but the gossip and chatter surrounding it and other large kiteboarding organizations has reached a fever pitch over the last few months. Most kiteboarders, the staff of this magazine included, has had a very hard time seeing through the accusations and claims each of these organizations is putting forward, so this article is our attempt to make sense of it all. So far, everything going on has only directly affected a small number of competition riders, but what does this all mean for the rest of us? 1 2 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

A goal of the IKA is to unify the competition side of kiteboarding, but the two major tours are currently as divided as ever. Photo Roberto Foresti

A Brief History

of the IKA:

The IKA was formed in 2008 by a group of speed kiters in an attempt to get the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to recognize the kiters’ records as legitimate speed-sailing records. The ISAF recognized all disciplines of kiteboarding as a class of sailing, and the IKA was appointed to be the head of kiteboarding under ISAF. Originally formed as a rider’s association, the IKA changed in 2009 to be an association of national associations and industry and tour representatives. Currently, there are almost 20 national kiteboarding associations affiliated with the IKA with another 15 expected to join this year. The stated goal of the IKA is to unify and bring together all major national associations and create a rule book, world ranking system, and judging and race directing standards. Almost immediately after the IKA was recognized by ISAF, the Kiteboard Pro World Tour (KPWT) joined the IKA, while the other major tour, the Professional Kiteboard Riders Association (PKRA) opposed joining. According to the IKA, the result of this was that KPWT gained events while PKRA lost events. PKRA and IKA sat down to work out their differences, eventually coming to a working agreement. At the same time, the relationship between IKA and KPWT fell apart (more on this below). Before this season began, IKA issued a statement that any riders who participated in a KPWT event would be ruled ineligible and therefore not allowed to compete in any IKA sanctioned events, including PKRA events.

KPWT vs. IKA:

Like it or not, this crowd at a recent IKA meeting is working to “legitimize” your sport. Photo Courtesy IKA

What About the Olympics?

What Does this All Mean? Does Anyone Care?

411

Need

More than 145 participants and hundreds of spectators turn out to paddle and kite for regional cancer programs.

KB4C steps it up

A notch

By TKB Staff | Photos Katherine Kimball

Kiteboarding 4 Cancer (KB4C) and SUP 4 Cancer (SUP4C) will take place this year from July 9-11 at the Event Site in Hood River, Oregon. In its fourth year, this is one of kiteboarding’s most well-attended and supported events in North America full of good vibes, good people, and good times, all for an excellent cause! The event will again feature a six-hour endurance race, live music, the Full Sail Brew Garden, Children’s Healing Art Project Lounge, raffle, and silent and live auctions. Due to feedback and popularity from last year, organizers have designated a separate day for the Standup Paddle (SUP) Races including endurance, relay, full contact, and blind monkey races, in addition to SUP demos and instructional clinics. New for 2010 is a call for art for a month-long citywide art show in Hood River from May 28 through July 11. Artists of all mediums are invited to submit up to three pieces via email which incorporate some aspect of the exhibit theme, “The healing power of wind and water” by May 10 and will be notified of acceptance results by May 15. KB4C is additionally starting survivorship camps this year for young adults age 18-40 with cancer. These camps aim to foster self-confidence and strengthen survivorship through kiteboarding, standup paddling, and other outdoor adventure skills. Last year, KB4C and SUP4Cancer raised $61,000 for regional cancer programs and has raised over $150,000 since its inception. This year’s beneficiaries include John Wayne Cancer Foundation, The Next Door’s Inc. (Hood River) Breast Cancer Prevention & Detection program, Children’s Healing Art Project, Child Life @ Children’s Hospital Seattle, and KB4C’s Survivorship Camps. For more info, see www.KB4C.org or Tonia@kb4c.org. Other Gorge events this summer: • Bridge of the Gods: June 18-20 • Slider Jam: July 15-17 • KB4Girls: Sept 4 1 4 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

The Children’s Healing Project (CHAP) brings the healing power of art to kids and their families in crisis with cancer.

SUP4Cancer will be held on the less windy forecasted day.

k c a Sm Recently in California, the Coast Guard received a report of a kitesurfing kite in the water and immediately initiated a nine-hour search mission involving two 47-foot motor lifeboats and three helicopter sorties. Hours after suspending the search, the Coast Guard was able to track down the kiter. The kiter stated that he had gear failure and was being pulled out to sea when he cut himself free of the kite and began to swim to shore. He did not contact authorities (had a spotter friend on beach) as he was concerned about the possible costs he would incur if rescued. The Coast Guard wants kiters to know that all U.S. Coast Guard services are free of charge and that it’s important for all those who are in need of assistance to not hesitate to call the Coast Guard if they are in distress.

Girls having fun at the KB4Girls Australia

GIRLS ONLY, NO BOYS ALLOWED event.

By Marina Chang | Photo courtesy KB4Girls

For Kristin’s camp dates and locations, check out www.kb4girls.com. Tonia’s upcoming camps include Women’s SUP Baja Expeditions in September and October 2010, Advanced Kiteboarding Expedition in Peru in November 2010, Advanced Kiteboarding Camp in La Ventana, Baja Mexico, in February 2011, and a Beginner Kiteboarding Camp in La Ventana in March 2011. For more info, email her at tonia@cascadekiteboarding.com Julien pushes the limited kitesurfing Lachine Rapids, a category four river in Canada.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

By TKB Staff | Photo Corran Addison

OF A PRO ATHLETE AND DESIGNER If you’ve ever been curious about the development of a product, what working in the kiteboarding industry is truly like, or the day-to-day life of a pro kiteboarder, now’s your chance to get a glimpse of the lifestyle through the eyes of Liquid Force kite designer and pro athlete Julien Fillion. Through his new “Waterman’s Profile” website which has been optimized for the latest web 3.0 features, you will able to follow Julien’s travels, via a global position system, as he searches for epic big wave surfing, kitesurfing, and and stand up paddle boarding destinations. You will also get sneak peeks of new kite designs that he is working on and testing in the field. You can follow Julien at http://julienfillion.com or subscribe to his RSS feed at http://julienfillion.com/?cat=3&feed=rss2

Photo Andrew Schwarz

Seeing more girls riding at your local beach? While men are most definitely the main demographic in kiteboarding, there is no doubt that more women are getting into it. Helping to facilitate this effort are two women that have impacted our sport since the beginning, pro riders Kristin Boese and Tonia Farman. This year, Kirstin launched KB4Girls and is conducting clinics worldwide and Tonia just completed her Girls Clinics in La Ventana with more on the way. Their goals are mutual: To bring together female kiters of all ages and levels to have fun together and build kite-friendships and communities, to give tips and tricks that help girls improve their kiting easily, to educate about equipment and safety, and to possibly motivate more female kiteboarders to compete in national and international competitions.

To assist the Coast Guard in similar cases, the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area command has initiated a program called Operation Paddle Smart which provides stickers to boaters for the purpose of identifying the owners of the equipment and assisting in the initial investigation of a possible search and rescue case. The Coast Guard strongly encourages all mariners, commercial and recreational, to report any and all lost gear to the Coast Guard be it a paddle, oars, sails, kites, safety equipment, etc. Also, it is helpful to put your name and contact information on any gear that may be lost overboard or in the surf. Once spotted, all of these items could lead to an exhaustive, and possibly unnecessary, search by the Coast Guard and local law enforcement officials. A prior report of the gear missing or identifying information on the gear can mean the difference between an effective search and rescue effort, a missing persons report, or simply, a way to return the gear to the rightful owner. Don’t abuse the service!

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Mavridoglou

Evan was all smiles at the Pismo Beach Kite and SUP expo. Photo Paul Lang

How would you describe what you do at Live2Kite and Deep Blue Sports? How is Live2Kite different than other retail shops? Being part of both retail and distribution gives me the chance to understand what’s really important to both consumers and retailers. This way we can shape our products and offerings to better address what our customers need, and help our dealer network be more successful. Live2Kite is one of the few examples of a dot-com becoming a retail chain. Now with two large shops in Marin County and Alameda and a strong online presence, Live2Kite covers kiteboarding, snowkiting, stand up paddleboarding, and recently longboarding and apparel. What did you do before working in the kite industry? I spent 15 years in business and supply chain consulting, focusing on high tech and retail verticals and worked on business transformation initiatives on Fortune 500 companies. How did you end up working in the kiteboarding industry? Since I started kiteboarding with my wife in 1999, we always felt that our local area (San Francisco) was missing better products and better service around kiteboarding. There was a need to create a unique offering focusing on the kiters and their needs, instead of what’s good for the product companies. That’s how Live2Kite.com was created. Why did you decide to become an importer/ distributor as well as a shop? While North America had many brands already represented, some of the new school brands, which were tremendously successful in other parts of the world, were still missing. Four years ago Deep Blue Sports Distribution was created. Today Deep Blue Sports distributes some of the coolest windsport brands in 18 countries (Mystic Boarding, RRD kites and 1 6 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

Company: Live2Kite Retail Stores /Deep Blue Sports Distribution (Mystic, RRD, Brunotti) Job Title: The Man in the Office Years in Industry: 9 Words of Wisdom: If you are up for working endless hours, being around the coolest people, and barely making a living, this is the best industry to be in! We love every moment of it. Years Kiteboarding: Since 1999 Kite: Whatever demo kite is still left at the shop! Usually prototypes from last or next season. Right now I am riding the brand new RRD Religion kites since it’s all about waves this time of the year in California. Boards/Accessories: RRD Poison LTD 134, Underground Freewave surfboard, RRD K-Race 50 Race board, Mystic Shadow Harness, Mystic Empire Wetsuit.

boards, Brunotti boards, and more). Deep Blue Sports is rapidly becoming one of the most influential kiteboarding distribution companies in the US. What is your typical day at the office like? My day starts around 6:30 a.m. when I catch my international suppliers and contacts and answer my first 20 to 30 emails to make sure factory ordering, sea/air shipments, and customs are on time. After two hours and four coffees it’s mostly taking care of our dealers, reps, pro-riders, and marketing. I am very fortunate to have an amazing team who loves the sport and what they do! Most of my days are 12-14 hours long, but there are always two hours here or there that I get to try new products or ride with friends at my local spots (under the Golden Gate Bridge at Crissy Field or at Stinson Beach). What do you see as the biggest challenge to the kiteboarding industry as a whole? Kiteboarding is still in its infancy. Maintaining the aggressive growth of the sport and managing it right will be important. There is tremendous potential but it will take time for the industry to mature and be considered mainstream which will bring the right recognition, media, sponsorships, and widespread exposure. What advice do you have for someone that wants to work in the kite industry? If making your addiction becomes your job is your calling, don’t think twice. Kiteboarding is more of a family than an industry. Bring a positive attitude and very quickly your Facebook will be full with new friends and destinations to ride!

k c a Sm

If you’ve ever dreamed about a board with your own graphic design, now’s your chance to put your graphic skills to the test. Nobile is looking for a new graphic for their 50Fifty twin tip. Get creative and crazy – the only design parameter is the graphic must use the Nobile logo and 50Fifty. Nobile’s “Pimp Your Board” promotion ends May 31 and the winner will receive a 50Fifty. www.nobilekiteboarding.com KiteFix Solutions is proud to announce a new partnership with Best Kiteboarding. Now, all Best kites will come equipped with a repair kit supplied by KiteFix which will allow a rider to fix a canopy tear tear up to 12” long or make multiple bladder repairs, on the spot, and never miss another session. Ian Huschle, President and CEO of BEST stated: “We want to do everything we can to make sure our customers get the most time and enjoyment possible on the water. So we’re extremely happy with the on-the beach repair solution offered by KiteFix. Naturally we hope our customers will never need it! But if they do, we know we’ve got them covered.”

Photo courtesy of xtremewinds

INSIDE JOB

Evan

In the April 2010 Five Family-Friendly Caribbean Vacations Feature, it was written that Dare2Fly was the only IKO center in Aruba. Xtreme Winds owners Helena and Ferndando Dulce just received their IKO Center status around press time, so now there are two IKO-affiliated schools on the island! www.xtremewinds.com

Delta Driven in 2010! – quicker turning – quicker across-the-window – quicker relaunching

com

NA COURSE

RACING RESULTS: Men:

1. Adam Koch, Ozone 2. Bruno Sroka, Cabrinha 3. Damien LeRoy, Cabrinha 4. Sean Farley Gomez, North

Women:

CKA Completes

KOCH TAKES

1. Steph Bridge, North 2. Melissa Gil, Cabrinha 3. Sandy Parker, RRD

By Paul Lang

Surf Results:

West Coast Circuit

NORTH AMERICAN RACE TITLE

By Marina Chang | Photo James Ropner

1. Patrick Rebstock The 2010 North American Kiteboarding Course Racing (Cal Poly) Championship was held this Spring in beautiful 2. Kurt Miller (UCSB) Bucerias, 20 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 3. Mikey Benaron (UCSB) The Championship was a part of the huge Regatta 4. Reed Brady (Cuesta) Copa Mexico, which was strongly supported by the local government as a way to kick start the area’s Freestyle Results: slumping tourism. Unfortunately, the wind died for 1. Trey Sedalik the last two days of the event, so only nine of the 2. Luke Nagashima scheduled 12 races were completed. Most racers 3. Brandon Cordina were using the latest kiteboarding course racing 4. Kurt Miller (UCSB) boards. These boards are so efficient that racing can realistically happen in anything over six knots of wind. The racing was very close, with only one point separating first place from third, but it was Adam Koch’s consistency that put him on top for the series for the men, with Steph Bridge leading the women. The kiteboarding awards ceremony was held concurrently with the ceremony for the MEXORC Regatta, a major sailboat regatta featuring some of the premier yachts in the sailboat racing world. Kiteboarding course racing may still be small, but it was a nice step forward to see it included in this large and prestigious sailing event. Many of the competitors used this event to train for the upcoming Kiteboarding Course Racing World Championship, which will have been completed in Corpus Christi, TX, by the time this issue hits newsstands. Check www.thekiteboarder.com for results.

The final stop of the CKA West Coast Collegiate Tour was held in early April in Santa Barbara, CA. Sunny skies and solid winds were expected and the forecast did not disappoint competing riders from five California-based colleges. For the wave competition, Patrick Rebstock claimed the victory with his heavy turns and aerial moves including air reverses, alley-oops, and stylish grabs while Kurt Miller followed closely on his heels due his impeccable unhooked forehand riding, wave selection, and overall style. Mikey Benaron came in third with consistent high wave scores followed by Reed Brady in fourth. The freestyle heats saw a fierce battle for first between Reed Brady of Cuesta and Patrick Rebstock of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In the end, Rebstock’s technicality and overall performance proved to win the judges over as he took first place in the finals. Thanks to IVKC (Zach Goepel), Cal Poly (Andy Crafts), USD (Will Caldwell), Brian Walters, and Matt Sexton for hosting the West Coast tour events and making this circuit a reality. Keep your eyes and ears open for a West Coast CKA kite hangout day at Pismo Beach with kiting, drinking, food, and good times as well as an East Coast versus West Coast tour final to be held in Corpus Christi, TX, Hood River, OR, or Hatteras sometime before the end of June. www.collegiatekiteboarding.com

WWW.OCEANEXTREMESPORTS.COM 1-866-790-SURF

CKA RESULTS:

Rider: Sebastian Cattelan Photo: Rachid Roussafi

Genetrix is proud to announce the North American debut of two brand new kites: the 2010 Hydra V4 and the 2010 Origin. The Hydra V4 is our flat kite concept proven on the European market since 2004, the next generation of the same kite that powered Sebastien Cattelan when he shattered the 50 knot barrier in 2008. The Origin is Genetrixâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest creation -- guaranteed to take your freestyle to the next level.

High performance |Freeride Massive depower High stability in strong wind Single point inflation system Widest wind range on the market No middle strut, ultra flat and aerodynamic Sensational upwind ability Great low end power High end Teijin canopy fabric construction 7m | 9m | 12m | 14m

Wave | Freestyle

Join e t th p us a und-u o ite r 9th, SPI k t s 1 May 2010

Auto-relaunch Single point inflation system Wide wind range and depower Quick turning responsiveness Multi-point tuning High end Teijin canopy fabric construction 5m | 7m | 9m | 11m | 13m | 15m

GENETRIXKITESURF.COM US distributor ZoneXcess LLC (888) 250-7962

shop talk

Hawaii

owners: Rick and Carol Naish Manager: Rolly Naish l Website: www.naish.com/history.htm

Photos: www.jdphotofairy.com

Is Naish Hawaii the retail store for Naish International? Naish Hawaii is not the retail store for Naish international. We are a Naish dealer with a large inventory of Naish products, but also sell merchandise from other suppliers. We call our shop “The Original” as we started the business in 1979 when Robby was 15 years old. Naish International was launched in 1994. The business was originally started in a warehouse focusing on building prototype, custom, and production windsurfing boards for Mistral. Equipment rentals and vacation packages were added to cover some of the overhead. Naish custom t-shirts were added to the product line, and wholesaled to other retail shops. In 1982 the shop on Hamakua Drive was leased and the production and retail centers were separated. The shop expended its inventory and rental and lesson program. We have gone through many stages; at one time we had several shops and a factory here in Kailua which produced up to a thousand custom windsurfing boards annually. When did you bring in kiteboarding and how did your windsurfing customers take to the new sport? In the late ‘90s many of the local windsurfers turned to kiting. We began building custom kiteboards here in the shop and designed many of the early Naish production kiteboards. Most of our employees jumped to kiteboarding on the light wind days, while still enjoying windsurfing in the more extreme conditions. In the windsurfing community there were mixed feelings. While many switched permanently to kiting, others stuck fiercely to windsurfing and the old camaraderie at the beach park ended. Today the windsurfer group is small but still quite active. Naish launched its SUP program in 2009 and significantly expanded upon it in 2010. Do you see more riders gravitating toward SUP when the wind is light instead of kiting? We are finding that the SUP is a wonderful addition to the Naish product 2 0 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

Kailua Bay is a great place to kite – just stay out of the swimming zone!

line for both our kite and windsurf customers. It is a new way to play on the water when the wind is too light (all too often!) for their other toys. It is also bringing in a new group of people to watersports. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing kite retailers? I’d say internet sales and cheap (and inferior) products flooding the market. No one wants to pay retail on a kite but they do want a full service shop when they have a problem. Too often we have a person come in with a kite purchased on eBay or an online only shop asking if we can help show them how to rig their gear, fix it, or if they can exchange their kite for another as they got the wrong size. Internet shops get the sale for the kite while we get the sale for the tube of Aquaseal. So, we also have to have an internet shop to compete. What is the kiteboarding scene like in your area? What make it special in your view? Oahu has many wonderful kiting areas. Kailua is ideal for beginner/ intermediate riders with side-onshore winds, a sandy beach, and offshore reef. The North Shore has much stronger wind. Mokuleia has a good group of excellent kiters. When the wind shifts to “Kona,” the south shore is excellent with many good launch areas.

Photo Paul Lang

Naish

k c a Sm Cabrinha is pleased to announce the 2010 Cabrinha Race Series. In its fifth season, the series, hosted by the prestigious St. Francis Yacht Club, has established itself as ground zero for kiteboard racing worldwide and has been a proven test ground for many competitor’s R&D regarding boards and fins. The 2010 Cabrinha Race Series will be held from April-September with thirteen scheduled nights of racing consisting on average of three races per evening. Signups can be handled online at www.stfyc.com. Prizes/awards, including trips to Brazil, Cabrinha gear, and the winner’s name on the prestigious perpetual trophy will be provided at the conclusion of the series. There are also miniseries consisting of four race nights each. At the conclusion of each, awards are provided and a free raffle is conducted. The Cabrinha Race Series is sponsored by the St. Francis Yacht Club, Ozone Travel, and Captain Kirk’s.

Any challenges facing your local riding area? The local, socially conscious kiteboarders have tried to work with the city and state to maintain access to the launching area at Kailua beach. They have developed rules for safe kiting on a mixed-use beach and have been allowed to post signage at the park. Our biggest challenges are the “hotshots” blazing through the swimmers area, jumping over people, and annoying the whole community. What tips can you offer kiteboarders who want to learn your area? Naish Hawaii offered kite lessons for several years but stopped when our insurance company of nearly 20 years dropped kiteboarding from our coverage. We refer our customers to reliable instructors who stress safe and responsible kiting. Any other tips you want to share? Stay in Kailua. There are plenty of cute apartments and cottages as well as mega-mansions, like President Obama rents when he visits the island. Live like the locals with great restaurants and shopping and enjoy our friendly community!

Rick Naish (left) and Harold Iggy (Naish board shaper) cutting out a blank for a board.

t hekit eboarder.c o m 2 1

te let

We are convinced that Dimitri Maramenides travels around the world looking for things to jump over. Photo Helen Trotman

What Our Readers Have To Say Pilot, Turn South

I’m reading your latest mag while flying over the Rockies on the way to a week of snowboarding with my oldest pals. Your mag makes me want to tell the pilot to turn south for a kite trip instead. Hey, in the back of the magazine under dealer listings we aren’t listed. Would you mind including us please? Thanks, Dave Nunn, Windance Boardshop Dave, in these times of heightened airline security, we would suggest not making any demands on the pilots, even if you can see whitecaps on the water below. We’ll add you to the directory, and if there are any shops out there that we are missing, please let us know! -Ed.

Light Wind Recommendations

Dear TKB, I live in Florida and have been kiting for a little over a year. Most of the time the wind is very light here. I am looking for a good light wind kite and board. What would you recommend for an intermediate kiter who weighs about 190 pounds? Will you be doing any stories on light wind kiting equipment? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Geoff B Geoff, it’s been our experience that the secret to light wind riding is not in the kite, but in the board. As long as you have a kite in the 14-16m range, you can make it work in truly bottom-of-the-barrel conditions with the right board. Wide boards with very little rocker and relatively straight rails seem to work best on both directionals and twin-tips for the light stuff. We’ve been really impressed with the light wind potential of race boards, as they can get you upwind in as little as six knots of wind. –Ed

letter of the month Ripping at 66

I’d like to enter a picture of my wife, Janie Fuller, which was taken this March in South Padre Island, TX at the North Flats. In this photo she’s riding a 5m North Rebel. Janie is soon to be 66 years old and rips on both flat water and in the waves. She would be so STOKED to be in your excellent magazine. Warren Fuller Warren, thanks for sending us the photo. We love to see people of all ages getting out on the water and having a good time. Tell your wife to turn to page 86. –Ed.

Got somthing on your mind? Submit your letter and you could win a killer t-shirt from Windcult Kiteboarding! E-mail PAUL@THEKITEBOARDER.COM

2 2 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

Even though the wind didn’t blow, hundreds of riders from all over the West Coast still showed up to see the latest gear and take home a few raffle prizes.

Ty said, “Just the opportunity to talk directly to industry reps about gear is almost as invaluable as trying it out. Of course, we all wanted to ride as well but the opportunity to see and compare so many brands in one place, talk directly to brand representatives, and get questions answered on the spot, as well as hanging out with friends and maybe meeting some new ones is what made me trek down south.” Ty almost won himself another board from Liquid Force the following day. For the final raffle, LF Brand Manager Gary Siskar along with rep Gregg Gnecco came up with a great idea. Instead of drawing a winning ticket for a board, three tickets were drawn and those winners competed by pumping up three 12m Liquid Force kites. Unfortunately, Ty got a little too eager and broke his kite pump, clearing the way for another lucky winner to take home the prize.

Of course, the wi nd blew the day aft er the Expo ended!

PISMO EXPO DELIVERS A DAY LATER By Marina Chang | Photos Paul Lang

’ve lived on the Central Coast of California, home of the annual Pismo Beach Expo, since 1986 and have chased the wind for the last fifteen years. The prime kiteboarding season for the Central Coast typically kicks off in January and runs through June with March, April, and May serving up the most windy days. In the past three years, March has delivered twenty to twenty-five riding days, but this year, many say due to El Nino, we only got eighteen. Unfortunately, three of the windless days fell on the weekend of the Eighth Annual Pismo Beach Kite and SUP Expo, March 19-21. With 21 exhibitors and a forecast that was changing daily, more than 200 riders still showed up in hopes that the wind gods would show mercy and bring kiting weather. Good vibes prevailed as although riders did not get the wind they had hoped for, they did get to try out the newest SUP boards from Global Surf Industries (GSI), Naish, RRD, and Amundson. Others walked the event site to check out the new gear and talk to industry reps. Jack Moore, a new kiter from Ventura, came up with a group of 30 kiters from his area, all of whom stayed at

the local campground. He said although the forecast was not good, they were still stoked to go to Pismo for the opportunity to spend time with friends and family, check out the new gear, and be involved in an event for something that they all love. In the market for new kites and a board, Jack spoke with several brands and due to the advice from friends, his own research, and availability of local retailer support, went with Best and Underground for his next set up. “Kinsley (founder of the event) was extremely helpful to me and I cannot say enough about what a great guy he is. His stoke for the sport and positive energy was very influential when making my final decision on what gear I would get for this season.” Ty Brewer from Monterey was the lucky winner of a SU2 twin tip at the raffle held during the Saturday night BBQ and bonfire sponsored by Monster Energy and the Central Coast Collegiate Kiteboarding Club. Stoked, as he had come to the Expo to find an upgrade to his first beginner board, Ty found the event valuable even though he didn’t get a chance to ride anything.

Thanks to the following brands for supporting the Pismo Beach Kite and SUP Expo:

The Pismo Beach Kite and SUP Expo is a good event that we hope keeps growing with the support of the industry and riders. Even if the forecast is not favorable, there is still SUP gear to try and you have the chance to talk directly with industry reps and see new innovations and changes made to existing products. Next year, organizers hope to add trainer kite clinics for those interested in getting into the sport, more pro rider clinics, a possible board building clinic, and jet skis to test boards out in case of light winds. Be sure to check out www. thekiteboarder.com for the latest updates or become a fan of our Pismo Beach Kite and SUP Expo page or become a fan of The Kiteboarder on Facebook.

Of course, as luck would have it, the wind made an appearance the day after the event was over, giving those who stayed in town an extra day a nice reward for their patience. This year’s weather at the Expo was just further proof that you can’t force the weather to do what you want it to. All you can do it stay flexible and positive while hoping for the best! Special thanks to Kinsley ThomasWong, Jamie Thomas Wong, and their family for all their help and support of this event; Andy Crafts, Ben Icard, and the Central Coast Collegiate Kiteboarding Club for helping with set up and providing an excellent BBQ and entertainment on the bonfire Saturday night; Peter Dohi for the bonfire wood; Luv2Camp rentals for the event site registration trailer; Stacked Sandwiches for staff food; the City of Pismo Beach; Elemental Herbs and Monster Energy for sponsoring the Collegiate BBQ fundraiser.

Grand Prize Raffle Winners: • • •

LF Board: Storm Dunker, Alisa Viejo Underground Board: Marko Bartscherer, San Diego SU2 Board: Ty Brewer, Monterey

Airush (repped by Murrays retailer), Best, Caution, Cabrinha, Epic, F-One, Firewire Surfboards, Genetrix, Global Surf Industries, Hyperflex, HQ Kites, Kitegearboxx.com, EH Kiteboarding (repped by Kitegearboxx and Seven Sins Kiteboarding retailers), Liquid Force, Mystic, Naish, North, Ocean Rodeo, RRD, Surf Shades, Slingshot, SU2 Kiteboards, Underground, Wainman Hawaii (repped by Kite Naked retailer) 2 4 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

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hekit eboarder.c o m 2 5 email: tinfo@velawindsurf.com

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Send

it 7 9

4 1. Brendan Richards and the infamous Secret Agent. Photo Paul Lang 2. No Whining! Just Kite! We like it! Photo Paul Lang 3. This crew of competitors at the North American Kiteboard Course Racing Championships represents the top level of kiteboard racing. Photo Paul Lang 4. Underground’s Adrian Roper shows Will Hise and John Cuchna his latest boards at the Pismo Kite Expo. Photo Paul Lang 5. The Bay Area Kitesurf crew still managed to have a good time at the Pismo Kite Expo, despite the lack of wind. Photo Paul Lang 6. Pismo’s cold nights kept everyone close to the fire on Saturday night. Photo Paul Lang 2 6 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

7. The CKA kids got a little creative with this pole at the Pismo Kite Expo. Photo Paul Lang 8. “Scuba Steve” Brady made an appearance at the CKA Santa Barbara after party. Photo Zach Goepel 9. Raquel Arroyo gets a little help bringing her gear upwind after the wind shut down in Puerto Vallarta. Photo Paul Lang 10. When it’s blowing 40 knots at Rufus in the Gorge, the best place to be is hiding behind the truck. Photo Carol Bolstad 11. Alexis Rovira takes a break while snowkiting on a frozen lake in upstate New York. Photo Ginette Buffone 12. These kites are definitely safe from being stolen. Photo Paul Lang

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21 22 13. Bruno Sroka shows off his winnings from his second place finish in the North American Kiteboard Course Racing Championships. Photo Paul Lang 14. The Kite Naked crew in front of the Rabbit hole at the Pismo Kite Expo. Photo Paul Lang 15. Dimitri Maramenides scores one last session as a single man just two hours before his wedding. Photo Helen Trotman 16. Carol Bolstad shows just how much fun you can have wakesurfing. Photo Tony Bolstad 17. Gilo Fernandez had an old and torn Slingshot Fuel, so he made a sick pair of board shorts out of them. Photo Paul Lang

18. Gary Siskar enjoying his luxury accommodations on the Liquid Force RV during the LF Pure Fun Tour. Photo Nils Knoop 19. This group had a blast in La Ventana at Tonia Farmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All-Girls Baja Kite Camp. Photo Cascade Kiteboarding 20. The Liquid Force crew enjoys the high life after the Kite Expo. The Miller High Life that is! Photo Nils Knoop 21. The end of another beautiful day spent on the water. Photo Paul Lang 22. Dimitri Maramenides and Helen Trotman, now happily married. Photo Courtesy Mr. and Mrs. Maramenides If you have a photo that you would like featured in The Kiteboarder Magazine, please e-mail paul@thekiteboarder.com t hekit eboard er.c o m 2 7

The

College

2 8 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

The Matt Sexton Interview

Contingency t By Paul Lang

here is no getting around the fact that right now the average kiteboarder is a middle-aged male. Kiteboarding, while not extremely difficult to learn, has

a relatively high cost to get started, and that has been keeping a certain youthful element from taking hold in kiteboarding for years. However, there is a movement in this country right now that is working hard to change that and to expose kiteboarding to a new younger crowd. That movement is the Collegiate Kiteboarding Association (CKA), and the main person behind the start of it is Matt Sexton, a student at Eckerd College in Florida.

The CKA has grown to now include Collegiate Kiteboarding Clubs at 25 schools around the country and there are CKA events on both the east and west coasts. In the U.S., the CKA is the only kiteboarding tour in the country and is responsible for getting hundreds of collegeaged people started in kiteboarding. CKA events have a reputation for being a good time, no matter what the weather delivers. In Florida, a cold spell caused organizers to bring in artificial snow and hold that stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first snowkiting event, while in San Diego, a lack of wind turned the event into an impromptu surf contest followed by riding a beachfront artificial wave. We like whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on with the CKA, and so TKB sat down with Matt Sexton to let him talk about how it all started and where the CKA is heading.

Matt Sexton, who will be graduating from college himself about the time this issue is in print, is the main man behind the creation of the Collegiate Kiteboarding Association. Photo Dallas McMahon

t hekit eboard er.c o m 2 9

How did you start kiteboarding? Why did you want to do it? I grew up wakeboarding, sailing, and windsurfing. Kiting was something that I thought would take the best aspects of all these sports and combine them into one activity. Long Island Sound, where I grew up, wasn’t exactly a kiteboarders paradise. When I was sixteen, my grandmother hooked me up with a kite lesson in Delray Beach, Florida, from a local instructor who happened to be Andy Defilippis from Transcend Apparel. I was up and riding my first day and then moved back up north for a few years. When I turned 20, I enrolled at Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg and drove south in a Ford Bronco with three wakeboards and a kite. Truthfully, I was more interested in wakeboarding than kiting, but when I met locals like Billy Parker and Alex Fox and saw what was possible with a kite, that was all I did from then on. What made you want to start a kiteboarding club at Eckerd? I had some money after working at a sailing school up north for a couple years, so I was able to afford a kite and a board, but I didn’t want to enjoy the sport alone. I taught a few friends from Eckerd the basics and then they went and got legit lessons, but I was still the only one with gear and it was getting trashed quickly. During freshman orientation, I heard about a student-governed clubs program that could provide funds and an infrastructure for activities that weren’t readily available at the school. I wrote a constitution, applied for some funds, and by spring we were chartered and could afford a full quiver of kites. The original crew was just myself, Oli Berlic, Alex Moore, and Chase Kosterlitz and it has grown to now include more than 50 students. What is your local kiteboarding scene like? It’s the sh*t. Saint Pete and the people that kite here made it possible for me to get into the sport so quickly and helped me and my friends progress. Within a fifteen minute drive you can ride any wind direction and have a choice between waves and downwinders or butter-flat waist-deep water. Saint Pete/Tampa has one of the biggest local kite scenes out of anywhere in the U.S. There are dozens of places to ride and people do a pretty good job of self-regulating the scene. On top of all that, the skill level of the average rider here is through the roof and we have McCormick’s Cable Park right inside Tampa to cross train when the wind is off. The scene is definitely on the older side, but most of my friends here that are wakeboarders have started to pick up kiting and we are starting to see a lot more of the younger crowd pushing the freestyle/wakestye type of riding.

Matt focuses on the rail at the SCK compound in Corpus Christi. Photo Dallas McMahon

3 0 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

The first CKA event was held in Florida in 2007, but the CKA has grown to include events on both coasts, like this one in San Diego. Photo Paul Lang

Was it difficult to get the school to be approving of kiteboarding? Yes and no. Eckerd is a small liberal arts school with a developed waterfront program and the only Coast Guard-approved collegiate Search and Rescue program in the country. They’re no strangers to liability and have a very good risk management department that has helped us with red tape on more than one occasion. However, getting the funding was much trickier. It’s hard to explain to a person sitting at a desk in an office why they should give us several thousand dollars just to have enough equipment for three to five people. Tell us about Triton Watersports. What did it start as and what has it grown into? It was something that just came to be out of necessity. We had a long list of people that wanted to learn to kite, but our local kite school had disbanded and there was a high demand for certified instruction. I had previously helped manage one of the largest youth sailing programs in the country, so I took the infrastructure from that and reformed it to be suitable for kiting. I and six other friends got certified by Christophe Ribot from IKO and a few of us also got PASA certifications from Paul Menta. We taught about 75 lessons in our first season and have fluctuated up and down from that number since. Teaching kiting after a year really burns you out though and you start to see how many sessions you lost because you were trying to make a buck, so we turned the main focus of the company into event and media production and used it to help found the Collegiate Kiteboarding Association. We still teach lessons today and we pride ourselves in having an awesome lineup of certified and insured kiters that instruct, but we prefer to continue helping to develop the sport through other channels. What else are you involved in outside of kiteboarding? A lot. Eckerd allowed me to develop a non-conventional major that was more relevant to what I was trying to accomplish by going to school. I’ll be graduating in May with a degree in Culture and Entrepreneurial Processes. That still sounds funny to me, but I focused a lot on social entrepreneurship and developing culture within the business realm. At the moment I’m working on a sustainable art project that we’re hoping to develop into its own brand and I’ve got a few other socially-oriented projects that will hopefully keep paying the bills after I graduate. In addition to all that, I also wakeboard, surf, snowboard, and paddleboard as much as possible. How did you form the Collegiate Kiteboarding Association? Did you have any idea that it would grow into what it is now? Definitely not. The first ever CKA National Championships was held on Smathers Beach in Key West during Spring Break 2007. We had riders from two schools and alumni from another five to help fill out the brackets. Next thing I knew, emails were flooding my inbox

Matt charges at Rufus in the Gorge. Photo Paul Lang

about how to get involved with the CKA and how to form a college club. We had no significant financial sponsorships and everything was done and paid for in house. If we needed event insurance and the school couldn’t get it, we taught a few kite lessons and paid for it. If we needed some video or graphic design work we called up Ben Sampson and Paul Sheetz who were video and graphic design students at FSU and USF. Everyone pulled their own weight and helped make things happen. Now that things have grown nationwide, we’ve had to do a lot to beef up our legitimacy. We’ve formed the CKA as its own legal LLC and we’ve started writing some sponsorship proposals to help the tour grow into what it should be. It’s not fair to say that I formed the Collegiate Kiteboarding Association because too many people were involved in making it happen. I just helped bring everyone together and figured out how to get the bills paid. The CKA is currently the only kiteboarding tour in the US. Why do you think that is? Why aren’t there more kiteboarding events and competitions in this country? It’s a sticky situation. Every event we throw has to be permitted and insured. We definitely pulled off some ghetto things back in the day, but now things have to be 100% legit. The fact that the CKA is not about money and sponsorships to the riders is what makes it possible right now. People come out for fun and for bragging rights, not for a prize purse or to be seen. Most of the events that are going on around the country right now are usually being thrown by a shop or some local riders who want to promote their scene or some sort of cause. It’s great that they’re taking the initiative and the events are fun as hell, but the days of traveling to an event, paying an $80-$100 dollar entry fee and then getting a pat on the back or a store credit when you finish on the podium need to end. The U.S. is so preoccupied with liability and permitting that it makes it so difficult to throw a legit event that really makes the sport look good. I think as we get out of this recession and some more outof-industry corporate sponsors start bringing money to the table, things will change and we’ll see a huge rejuvenation in the U.S. kiteboarding scene. How many schools now have college kiteboarding clubs? There are roughly 25 clubs right now that are founded and actively developing, and we’re getting inquiries on a regular basis for people trying to start up more. It’s the best way possible to start to establish a national infrastructure for the sport and I love watching it grow. Do you see the CKA as being able to grow into a US national kiteboarding tour for riders outside of college students? Absolutely. The whole PKRA, KPWT, and IKA thing is great and internationally they are the driving forces for our sport, but it’s just not practical for 90% of kiteboarding participants to travel around t hekit eboarder.c o m 3 1

the world and participate. The CKA right now is the only association in the U.S. that is trying to help riders progress to a competitive level. If we can get the right team together and create a solid U.S. pro-am style tour, I guarantee that the CKA will be one of the primary feeder programs for it. The CKA won’t grow into it itself though; it needs to be created on its own and they can help build each other.

Matt Sexton and Zach Kleppe scout the flats in Corpus Christi for a good place to put the rail. Photo Dallas McMahon

Do you think there should be some form of national organization focused on preserving access and developing instruction, or is maintaining access strictly a local issue that doesn’t need meddling from another group of people? That’s a tough subject. I like the idea of PASA and IKO, but as far as their credibility goes I find very little. Granted, I’m a level two instructor for both organizations, but I no longer renew my memberships and I don’t intend to. US Sailing is a great national organization with a very developed instructional program. When I became a sailing instructor with them I was instantly backed with $1,000,000 in liability coverage through their organization. The course was $600 and the coverage was included so long as I kept my membership up to date. I paid very similar amounts for my kiting certificates but on top of that I have to pay annual insurance premiums that are around a thousand dollars that don’t even require that I have the certificate in the first place. I think that if a national organization is to be founded then it needs to be done in a selfless and highly developed manner that includes a good teaching infrastructure and an included liability policy. At the moment, nothing like this exists that is really effective, therefore self-policing is a must. People need to be a bit more proactive about it though. Often times the more experienced riders are the ones that freak people out and raise the red flags to people on the beach, however these are usually the hardest people to confront. If you see somebody jeopardizing your local spot you need to do something about it or be ready to find someplace new to ride, because it will get banned. Take the recent closure of kiteboarding at Hobie Beach, Miami, as a perfect example. How effective are college clubs in getting people into kiteboarding? At the moment, not as effective as I’d like to see them. There’s a huge barrier to entry with the sport of kiteboarding. Generally speaking, you need to have money, you need to have an ideal location, and you need to have someone who knows what they’re doing and are willing to take the time to teach you. The clubs do an amazing job of exposing the sport to a previously unknown audience, but we’re still working on more efficient ways to help people start participating. Having seen so many people pick up the sport, what do think are the problems that hold people back from learning to kiteboard? Money and accessibility. Realistically if you come to our school we could get you set up with a midlow grade kite, board, harness, and a couple hours of lessons for around $2000. To the average person, that’s ridiculously expensive. Within the industry, that’s a great deal since some complete kites are retailing at almost the same price, but that’s keeping many people out of the sport. When you show up to the average kiteboarding beach, it’s obvious that the average kiteboarder is a middle-aged male. What do you think needs to happen to get more young people into kiteboarding? Companies need to offer more entry level packages that don’t go obsolete once a rider starts wanting to progress. You can get some sick SLE and hybrid kites that are great for learning, but once you want to unhook or learn some freestyle they’re garbage. That needs to change and it’s apparent that it already somewhat has, but 3 2 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

Smile, you’re in the Gorge! Photo Paul Lang

“The CKA right now is

the only association in the U.S. that is trying to help riders progress to a competitive level.

”

Matt is a great organizer, but he can still get on the water and throw down with the best of them. Photo Paul Lang

the image of the sport needs to change as well. There needs to be a much higher rate of mainstream exposure and the image of the sport needs to look a lot cooler. What is keeping the sport from looking cool in your opinion? How do people in other sports perceive kiteboarders? How do you think we can get more mainstream exposure for the sport? There are a few different things that come to mind. Moto-X wasn’t the multi-million dollar industry that it is today back when it was guys just cruising around the track trying to finish first. Once guys started throwing super high risk, massive jumps with all sorts of variations of tricks, stadiums started getting filled. Just look at the Nuclear Cowboys tour now, it’s a ridiculous spectacle that is just pumping money back into the Moto-X scene. We need competitions and events that are more geared towards public exposure with a really crowd-appealing format, not a bunch of guys cruising around some buoys with seven-foot long boards. Secondly, the perception that we’re giving the general public and participants of other sports right now is so outdated. To think that kiting has barely been a sport for ten years is mind blowing. The advancements between 2005 and 2010 kites is huge, yet the majority of the movies and the styles of riding that people are seeing is the same thing that was prevalent in the earliest years of the sport. More people need to start taking the initiative to broadcast the sport for the masses for the purpose of exposing the cool parts of the sport, not to promote themselves and the whole “look what I can do” mentality. I’m working with some friends right now to put together a really well-rounded full-length movie that we’re hoping to drop in the next year or two that will show exactly what I’m talking about; some gnarly, provocative sh*t that will keep people pressing play time and time again. Lastly, general media in the U.S. for the most part has no idea what kiteboarding is. When I studied in Spain and mentioned to a local in the land-locked town of Salamanca that I was a kiteboarder, he was blown away and told me I should go to Tarifa. He had never seen the sport first

hand, but it looked very cool on TV and in the newspapers. I mention that I’m a kiteboarder to someone in the same scenario here in the U.S. and they can’t even grasp the concept. I’m either labeled as a windsurfer or some sort of paraglider/sailor. I’m tired of that. Where do you think kiteboarding is heading right now? What do you think of the course racing movement? I have mixed feelings. Course racing is something that is cool for the people that are into it, but at the moment it’s becoming more of a tech race than a skill race. I always thought that one– design racing in sailing and windsurfing was cool, because at the end of the race you really knew who the most skilled racer was because everyone was using the same equipment. Course racing is all over the map right now in terms of gear and for that reason I find very little credibility in it. I also don’t like the fact that people are so obsessed with having kiteboarding be accepted by already-established sports. Kiteboarding is not sailing or wakeboarding. It’s an extension of them for sure, but the fact that course racing could get into the Olympics before a wellformatted freestyle competition is bullsh*t to me. I guarantee that if you take a pro wakeboarder, sailor, or surfer and show them how we’re trying to emulate their sport they might think it’s cool and maybe even flattering, but show that same person a megaloop in 40 knots and it’ll drop their jaw. The sport needs to become more well-rounded and then it will develop its own identity. Until then everyone’s just going to keep trying to make it look like something else. What are your kiteboarding plans for the near future? Pretty extensive, I want to experience everything that the sport has to offer and I want to continue to help it grow. I currently have some pretty good support from the industry and would like to use those relationships to travel and keep doing things that I haven’t experienced yet. I tried snowkiting last year and that was some of the most fun I’ve ever had, but I really want to get some sessions in good clean big waves, and spend more time on different kinds of kickers and sliders behind the kite. The most important thing to me is to keep having fun and spreadin’ the love of the sport. Is there anyone you would like to give shout-outs to? There are so many people: Neil Hutchinson, Young Hobbs, Oli B, Shmoore, Young Fox, Fred Abington, BP, all the CKA homies, Slingshot, Dakine, Otherside Boardsports, McCormicks Cable Park, and The Kiteboarder. I couldn’t have done anything without those people.

For more information on the CKA, check out

http://www.collegiatekiteboarding.org/ or http://www.facebook.com/pages/CKA-CollegiateKiteboarding-Association/19527070125 t hekit eboarder.c o m 3 3

Tommy Fields

Age: 18 Height: 5’ 9” Weight: 145 Years kiting: 3 Favorite Spots: Taiba Lagoon, Tigertail Beach, Hood River Favorite Conditions: Warm flat water and 10m wind Favorite Moves: Front Mobe to Blind and Switch Back Mobe to Wrapped Sponsors: North Kiteboarding, Anarchy Optics, Ion Essentials, Backdrop Wake, and Sharkless Boardsports

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GEAR SET-UP

Boards: North 131 Team Series Kites: North Vegas Lines: 25m for everyday freestyle and 20m for kiteloops Harness: North Styler

Tommy spent three months last fall training in Brazil, and it looks like the time paid off. Photo Dave Tran

By Paul Lang

Formerly a competitive wakeboarder, Tommy Fields began kiteboarding just three years ago, moving from Indiana to Islamorada in 2008 to train. Last fall, he spent three months training in Brazil and competed in his first KPWT event, finishing 17th. Now a student at the University of Miami, Tommy has been spending his time pushing his freestyle riding. When, where, and why did you start kiteboarding? Before I started kiteboarding, I wakeboarded for seven years and competed on the INT tour. One summer when I was learning more difficult moves, I got hurt a lot, and kept having to go to the doctor for my ankles and wrists. Then, I saw people kiteboarding on Lake Superior in Michigan, and decided that it was the sport for me. Have any other sports or disciplines helped influence your kiteboarding? I get a lot of influence from my wakeboarding background, but I also get a lot of new ideas from watching snowboarding videos too. Sure, it may not be exactly the same, but watching wakeboarding and snowboarding videos gives me new ideas that I can start with and then add my own style to. What do most wakeboarders think about kiteboarding? A lot of my friends think that it’s really cool because of all of the different possibilities. Instead of being stuck in a pond you can go out in the ocean and ride all sorts of conditions, from butterflat lagoons to big waves. Almost everyone that I’ve talked to has said that they really want to learn. What standout features do you most appreciate about your current gear? I really like the fifth-line set-up on the new bar. The fifth-line is attached to a ring that is through the chicken loop, so when you are trying handle passes and crashing, the leash acts like a suicide leash. If you need to release to the fifth-line to completely depower the kite, all you have to do is pull the quick release on the chicken loop. It can also be set up to depower to the fifth-line straight away if you feel safer doing so. I also really like the way the new Vegas feels on the freestyle setting What do you think can be done to draw more young riders into kiteboarding? I think to draw 3 4 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

1. Always make sure that the water’s deep enough and there aren’t any hidden rocks or other things underwater before doing tricks. 2. The key to improving is not only just riding everyday. Doing things outside of kiteboarding such as wakeboarding and working out will make everything much easier. 3. Always fully commit when you are learning new tricks. If you visualize how to do the trick in your head and then fully go for it, you will progress a lot faster. 4. Remember that kiteboarding is about having fun. If you’re not enjoying yourself, take a break and come back later. more riders into the sport we need to push more contests for younger riders. The CKA contest tour has done a great job in promoting kiteboarding to college kids in Florida and now California, and hopefully one day it will expand to other states as well and the contests will become more organized. Also, putting on demos that have support from outof-industry sponsors will also help generate interest. If we have a demo/beach party sponsored by Red Bull or some major non-kiteboarding company, tons of people will come and be introduced to our sport that otherwise wouldn’t know about kiteboarding. What do you think about competitions? I really like doing competitions because of the atmosphere and getting to ride with and meet new people. I competed on my first KPWT stop when I was in Brazil last fall and had a lot of fun. I definitely want to do more KPWT or PKRA events in the next few months. What is something about you that you do outside of kiteboarding that most people wouldn’t know? I just started college at the University of Miami in the Business program, and it’s been a really fun experience so far. Miami is unlike anywhere else in the world, and I’ve met a ton of really cool people from all over the world. There’ve been a lot of crazy nights down here in Miami as well. What is your worst wipe out/scariest kiteboarding experience? When I was learning slim chances in the Florida Keys, I broke my nose and ended up having to fly home to Indiana to get it fixed. The wind was pretty light and I was underpowered on a 13m, and I came down and hit my nose with my knee. I rode in covered in blood and went to the hospital in

Before he started kiting, Tommy competed on the INT wakeboarding tour. Photo Dave Tran

Miami, where they did nothing but tell me that my nose was broken, and that it needed to be fixed. My advice when learning new moves is to stay within your comfort zone and once you get the movement down you can start adding power and style. What is your most memorable kiteboarding experience? My most memorable experience was riding in the Taiba lagoon for the first time last September. When I first heard about kiteboarding, I watched tons of videos of riders from Brazil that got me hooked. I knew that I had to go and ride the lagoons for myself. Spending three months in Brazil last fall was an amazing experience that was full of great times with friends. I progressed a lot, and had some crazy experiences along the way. Some nights were spent chasing donkeys, another with our buggy going up in flames, and one involved our car being impounded by the military police. Every day in Brazil brought fun new experiences. What are your must-haves that you can’t live without? Without my Macbook Pro I’d be dead. No Internet, Dreamweaver, or Photoshop, and life would be over. I’m not very good with cold weather either, so I count on my wetsuits to keep me warm. Any words of wisdom you want to share with our readers? Anything can become a reality. You can do whatever you set your mind to, so don’t let doubts or things that other people say hold you back. You can achieve anything as long as you set your mind to it, and just because it’s not the accepted path of life or the common thing to do doesn’t matter as long as you know that that’s what you want to do with your life.

Wings + Waves corpus christi

Whether you are up for an adrenaline rush or a warm wade in the gentle gulf surf, Corpus Christi has the beaches plus a whole lot more. Our surf is home to both outdoor enthusiasts and fresh from the gulf seafood. Build a sandcastle, collect seashells or just lay back and read a book. Load your family and friends into the car and take the short drive to Corpus Christi, “The National Beach of Texas.”

UPPER

Fins + Feathers •The bays, lagunas and gulf waters that surround Corpus Christi are home to the best fishing in our country. Wet your line and taste the freshness. • There are more than 500 species of migratory birds that commute through Corpus Christi throughout the year. We’ve been named “America’s Birdiest City” year after year. Kayaks + Kites • Experience the quiet solitude of paddling a kayak through the back bays, that surround Corpus Christi. Marvel at the wildlife that calls South Texas home. • Fly high on a kiteboard and find out why Corpus Christi is the home to surfing, kiteboarding and windsurfing competitions throughout the year.

+ +

1.800.766.BEACH

Dolphins + Decks •The Texas State Aquarium is home to Dolphin Bay, an active exhibit that’s fun for visitors of all ages. • The USS Lexington is an interactive history lesson on The Greatest Generation. Walk the decks and relive the past.

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Text ‘BEACH’ to 41513

VisitCorpusChristiTx.org t hekit eboarder.c o m 3 5

Kris was the only female from the U.S. to compete on the KPWT tour last year. Photo Miguel Willis

Kris Kinn Age: 30 Height: 5’7” Weight: 140 Years kiting: 5 Favorite Spots: Hatteras, Cape Town, and Paros, Greece Favorite Conditions: 20 knots side-shore, flat water, or a left break Favorite Moves: Everything to blind Sponsors: Best, Stribog, Rouge Wave, Lift, Triggernaut, Magic Swell

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GEAR SET-UP

Boards: 133 Stribog Pro Model Kites: Best Yargas 5, 7, 9, and 11 for freestyle/waves; Right now, Sandy all about strapless and racing. 9 and 11 Waroos for course racing Lines: 22misHarness: Mauiriding Magic Hana Photo Josh Anon

Kris has spent the last few years traveling the world to teach kiteboarding, train, and compete. Photo Miguel Willis.

By TKB Staff

Originally from Buffalo New York, Kris Kinn has been kiting for five years. For the past three years, she has been traveling the word teaching kiteboarding and training, and last year she was the only female from the U.S. to compete on the KPWT tour, finishing second overall. When, where, and why did you start kiteboarding? I was first introduced to the sport in 1999 when a group of my windsurfing friends from Buffalo were teaching themselves, but I never had the opportunity to learn until the summer of 2005. I just thought it looked so amazing and powerful, plus all the guys were doing it, so I had to try. After I started flying kites with my good friend and local shop owner Bill Myers, I was hooked! He took me down the East Coast to Dewey Beach and Cape Hatteras where I did my first downwinder at Planet of the Apes. Have any other sports or disciplines helped influence your kiteboarding? Definitely. I was a gymnast until I was fifteen and I also competed on the diving team in high school and college, so I think I’m very comfortable rotating in the air, and I’m not afraid to crash. I also loved to snowboard and wakeboard before I started kiting.

1. Keep your body in shape with well-rounded exercises besides kiting. 2. Stretching is very important; you’ll notice a difference right away and be less likely to injure yourself. 3. Stick to natural progression and don’t train for something you’re not ready for. Take it one step at a time. 4. When you are ready to train for handle passes, if it’s not coming together, don’t hold on. Let go of the bar! What is your favorite style of riding and why? I enjoy freestyle the most, because I love the variety of moves. There is nothing like the feeling of stomping a trick you‘ve been crashing over and over again. Why are there so few Americans competing in the international tours? I think it comes down to sponsorship really. It is not easy to travel overseas when the events are a month apart. If you have to fly home after every event or put yourself up somewhere to train in between it is expensive. Unfortunately, competition riders are becoming less and less valued so there is little support. Fortunately, I was lucky to have instructed in a few places to save up before the tour, and I also travel with a tent for cheap accommodations.

What is something about you that you do outside of kiteboarding that most people wouldn’t know? I went to school for Geology, and I love analyzing rocks. Also, I now work as a deckhand on a 120’ motor yacht during the off season. What is your worst wipe out/scariest kiteboarding experience? When I was learning the s-bend to blind, I got the leash wrapped around my neck and it pulled me underwater for a bit before spinning me out. Luckily, I was fine besides a nasty burn on my neck that looked a lot worse than it was. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the kiteboarding industry? The biggest challenge will be getting everybody working together for the progression of the sport, and not simply for personal gain, which in the end would be beneficial to everyone.

What do you do off the water to help you on the water? I do Pilates and yoga, which work very well because you can do them anywhere. I also love to have a gym for free weight training, but most of the time that isn’t an option when I’m traveling so much.

Why do you think the major competition tours don’t get very much attention in the US? That’s a good question, because the first thing I would do when I picked up a magazine was flip through to see the dates, locations, and names in the ranking for every event. With other extreme sports, competition is huge and everybody knows when, where, and who is going to be there. It is a shame that most people can’t name the top five riders on either tour. Maybe we can change this with some more coverage in The Kiteboarder magazine.

What is your most memorable kiteboarding experience? That would have to be coming home after two years of traveling and kiting at my local spot with all the guys who inspired me to get into this amazing sport.

What trick or style are you currently working on? I compete in all three disciplines, and each one presents challenges. In freestyle I’m working on my air passes, which require strength and timing. For course racing, the board control has been difficult, and wave riding can be intimidating when the conditions vary so much.

How do you think competitions could be adjusted to attract more riders/spectators/followers? Well, more prize money will attract more riders; that one is simple. I think more local promotion would attract spectators, and more media coverage in magazines, forums, and online news sites for kiting would attract more followers.

Any words of wisdom you want to share with our readers? Don’t forget to enjoy the sport, whether it’s your first lesson or your hundredth failed attempt at the same trick! Be kind to your fellow kiter, you never know when you may need a hand or launch.

What standout features do you most appreciate about your current gear? The 2010 Waroos go upwind like crazy and will be amazing kites for racing this year! The Yargas are simple four-line C-kites that rip for freestyle. They are so stable!

3 6 t h ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

What are your must-haves that you can’t live without? Movies and chocolate! My laptop is pretty important too.

t hekit eboard er.c o m 3 7

Matchu, Mitu, and Djo are now considered heroes in their poor hometown of Santa Maria, Cabo Verde. Photo Band Originale

Children of the As the lightest of the local riders, Matchu usually starts each session first, while the others watch and wait for their turns. Photo Gilles Calvet

Point By Gilles Calvet Translated by Nico Ostermann and Sylvie Johnson

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hen the F-One wave team got news through an internet forecast that a massive swell was going to hit Cabo Verde, they all jumped onto the first available plane to the island of Sal, located less than 400 miles off the west coast of Africa. They would score the swell of the decade, but they were just visitors here. The swell gave the local crew, who grew up poor and learned to ride on donated gear, their chance to shine.

It all started back in February 1993 when, after three long weeks of endless waiting during which our patience was tested, a largely unknown wave –Punta Preta – finally showed us its potential. At the time, there were no internet waveforecasting sites to follow or Twitter updates that would explain the lack of swell or give us a hint of when, if ever, it would arrive. Nevertheless, we believed in the rare rumors of unbelievable waves that had been spread by a few lucky ones who had been here before us. One of them was Raphael Salles. He had travelled to Sal a couple of times in 1986 and 1987 for its warm waters and perfect wind conditions as his winter windsurfing training ground. He was fine tuning his prototype course racing board, tacking back and forth along the west coast, and during one of his training sessions he spotted breaking waves. Raphael told a few people about the waves, but the Cabo Verde archipelago quickly sunk back into obscurity. No one seemed interested with these poor desert-like islands except maybe for a handful of hardcore windsurfers. In 1993, we were searching for hypothetical waves on the west coast, and when we found them, we were rewarded. After three weeks of waiting, our reward surpassed anything we could have imagined: a gorgeous right tube, smoothed by 20-knot trade winds, just for Raoul Lequertier and myself, for no less than twelve consecutive days. Since then, this world-class wave has fed many magazines with incredible photos, but it has also been the source of inspiration for the creation of the local kitesurfing team. Today, you can’t talk about Punta Preta without mentioning Mitu Monteiro, Djo Silva, Matchu Lopes Almeida, and many more local riders. They belong to a league of their own and are directly connected to this spot: They are the children of the point. For most of them, life has been no bed of roses. I watched them grow up here. Since my very first trip in 1993, I have not missed one winter in Cabo Verde where I have lived by their side with all my gear, which consisted of one surfboard, my camera gear, and a surf housing. We shared food and shelter, and they taught me their language. They started out with not much: four bare brick walls with a dirt floor and conch-shell roof. Their toys were made of rusted metal tins and broken balls. They began by loading and transporting the tourist windsurfers’ equipment when they could, and their passion for watersports was born on Santa Maria Beach. Slowly, they began to work for the windsurfing schools, then the kiteboarding schools. Before long, they were able to get out for short sessions at the end of their work schedules. These sessions were enough to make them the best riders on the beach. Rapidly, both local and traveling surfers, windsurfers, and kiteboarders (particularly Jerome Boggio Pascua, a Cabo Verde watersports pioneer) began to take notice and gave them a used board, a kite, or a wetsuit. Then, whether walking or hitch-hiking with their gear in tow, they started to defy the Queen of the North Atlantic: The Black Point, their own Punta Preta!

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Santa Maria may be a poor town, but that doesn’t mean the people here don’t know how to have a good time. Photo Band Originale

Mitu’s exposure in kiteboarding magazines and movies has made him a local celebrity in Cabo Verde. Photo Gilles Calvet

Santa Maria Boys Take Control

The launch at Punta Preta is just a little rocky. Photo Band Originale

of the Point

With each passing session, each member of the local crew earned their spots one step at a time. During the early years, a broken mast or a torn kite meant endless months of patience before being able to ride again. Many ripped kites and broken masts later, they are still here, humble, unhurried, smiling, and always welcoming to visitors whether on land or in the water. They try to show up every day, as long as the wind and waves are “au rendez-vous.” Typically, sixteen-year old Matchu opens the riding session, since he is the lightest of them all. He can get going with an 8m kite in only in 12 knots of wind. The others watch him quietly. If Matchu can stay upwind, then Djo and Mitu know what kite size they need to start pumping. As the spot comes alive, curiously the waves seem to always get better and the wind smoother and Djo and Mitu take turns pushing each other. With each explosive move from Djo, Mitu gives us a slashed lip and a grabbed air. To a powerful bottom turn followed by a table top, Mitu responds with a snap under the lip followed with a deep tube ride. To a strapped Djo, Mitu needs only wax on his strapless board. In Cabo Verde, Mitu is now a household name and local hero. He has been featured in the F-One videos, and is a quiet and meticulous person who has succeeded through strength and patience to make his dream a reality: To live from and by his passion for watersports. Mitu, Djo, and Matchu are not only pushing and inspiring each other, but they are also a huge inspiration to the local children in Santa Maria. You can be sure that there will be children here in this poor town that will follow in their footsteps, dancing atop of the big waves armed with a kite.

Tired of crowds? They don’t exist here. Photo Giles Calvet

Raphael Salles, one of the first windsurfers to discover the waves here, finds himself on a wave too big to fit on this page. Photo Giles Calvet

When Raphael called me for this last minute trip, I was already packed, since I had already seen the forecast for this swell. I still don’t know how Raphael managed to magically gather all his team of riders, cameramen, and kite designer Sylvain Peretti so quickly, but we all arrived in town one day before the swell arrived.

Of all the times I have been to Cabo Verde since 1993, this swell was the largest, no question about it. However, as we all know, large and massive swell does not always mean perfect conditions. For the first two days, huge foamy waves rolled in every 15 minutes making the filming hardly enjoyable and mostly unsuccessful. We used a crane to shoot, posted about 20 meters above the point break area. With each passing day, the wind turned a bit more offshore and the swell became more organized. The fourth day, Wednesday February 10, was the most intense and rare day I have experienced anywhere. Upon our arrival to the spot, everything was perfectly aligned: The blue sky, beautiful swell, and the wind direction. As usual, Matchu went in the water first, followed

by Mitu. : All of a sudden, almost magically the point really started to shine as the waves cleaned up even more, leaving clean faces and barreling waves. In the end, Alex Caizergues, who rode the biggest wave of this historic winter in Punta Preta, summed it up perfectly: “It’s a pleasure and an honor to share this point with Mitu and his posse.” That day, I swam for six hours shooting photos: three in the morning and three in the afternoon. I shot about 1200 pictures, and I believe a dozen of them came out really nicely. I really want to thank Mother Nature for this epic day, Mitu and the rest of the team for their great performance, and also Jerome, who lent me the board on which I also caught the best wave of the set, just a few hours before flying back home, which gave me the desire to write these few words. t hekit eboarder.c o m 4 1

Kiteboarding may seem like an intimidating sport to learn, but anyone can learn to ride under the watchful eye of a professional kiteboarding instructor. Photo Ryan Riccitelli

2010 TKB Annual

Instructional

Guide 4 2 th ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

The Importance of Lessons We’ve covered this issue in the past, and it’s important enough that we are going over it again. If you are interested in getting into kiteboarding, you need to take a lesson. If you kiteboard already and have a friend who wants to learn, you need to encourage that friend to take a lesson. Kiteboarding equipment can be very dangerous if it isn’t used properly, not only to the person flying the kite, but to people who happen to be in the area. As we’ve said before, you need to think of lessons as cheap insurance. Sure they may cost money, but lessons are much cheaper than destroying that new $1,500 kite and way cheaper than a trip to the emergency room. I was in Baja one time for a kiteboarding trip, and one guy showed up with brand new gear, a 12-pack of beer, and no clue on how to fly a kite because he had decided that he didn’t need a lesson. When he launched his kite, it was in the air for about five seconds before he crashed it into a fence, ripping it completely in half. While swearing, he packed up his tattered kite, threw it in his car, and drove all the way back home to California, leaving the beer on the beach for us to enjoy at the end of the day. By not taking lessons, that guy didn’t save money, he wasted it by destroying a brand new kite. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and take a lesson if you want to learn to kiteboard.

Get the Most from a Lesson: • G et a trainer kite and an instructional video before your lesson. Fly the trainer kite until you cannot stand doing it anymore and watch the video over and over. Videos and trainer kites can’t replace a lesson, but will help the whole process feel more familiar when you show up to learn. • If you are a female, consider looking for a female instructor. Girls usually learn better from other girls. • Consider traveling to a known windy place for your lesson. No location anywhere in the world can guarantee wind, but there are many places that are very likely to have good conditions for learning at certain times of the year. Yes, it will cost more, but you can learn more in three days under the right conditions than you can learn in six months under the wrong conditions. • Ask a lot of questions. Make sure you understand everything your instructor tells you.

Many people who may be interested in kiteboarding are turned away from the sport because of the initially large investment that it takes to get going as a kiteboarder. Buying brand new equipment, you can expect to pay in the range of about $1,600$2,000 as a minimum for your first set of gear. On top of that, you should also expect to pay $300-$600 for lessons to get started. Basically, you are looking at about a minimum of around $2,000 to have the gear and knowledge to get on the water. That sounds like a lot of money, but the beautiful thing about kiteboarding is that the wind is free. You could ride for two or more seasons with that initial investment and never spend another dollar on gear. When you compare the costs of kiteboarding to other sports such as snowboarding (minimum $500 for gear and clothes, $75 or more per day of riding for a lift ticket, plus gas to get up the mountain) and wakeboarding ($500 for a board, $50,000 for a decent boat, plus gas for every session), kiteboarding suddenly doesn’t seem very expensive at all. Once you have your gear, the only cost you have to go kiteboarding is the gas it takes you to get to the beach. If you are on a budget, you can look for used or last year’s closeout gear and potentially be up and riding for less than $1,200.

The CO$T$ of Kiteboarding

• As soon as you decide that you are going to take a lesson, start paying attention to the wind. Check sites such as ikitesurf.com to find out when and where the wind blows in your area. Constantly think about what direction the wind is coming from. Having good wind awareness will be a huge help on the day of your lesson. • Have a humble attitude during your lesson. You are not going to be blasting across the water and flying 40 feet into the air on your first day.

A kiteboarding lesson will arm you with the knowledge you need to safely become a kiteboarder. Photo Paul Lang

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During your kite lesson, you will learn everything you need to know to stay safe throughout the learning process. Photo Bryan Elkus

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What Will I Learn from

a Lesson? By TKB Staff

Now that you’ve signed up for a lesson, it’s time to start looking forward to it. When people see kiteboarding for the first time, it’s easy to think that there isn’t really that much to it. You just put that parachute thing up in the air and get pulled around on a board, right? Well, there’s a little more to it than that. If you’ve decided that you are going to take a lesson, have a look at the list below to get an idea of what to expect. If you still think you can learn on your own, look at the topics below to get an idea about what knowledge you’ll be missing if you decide that you can manage on your own. Wind Awareness: If you are going to become a kiteboarder, you have to start thinking like a kiteboarder. This means you have to start thinking about the wind all the time and be able to know everything about it. Your instructor should tell you about local weather patterns and what local conditions could be dangerous. You need to be able to know not only where the wind is coming from but also how strong and how steady it is. Safety: You’ll be learning about safety all throughout your lesson. You will learn to stay away from solid objects and how to choose a proper riding location, as well as how to safely and completely depower your kite. Pay close attention anytime your instructor talks about safety, because what he or she says could literally save your life. Gear: Not only will you learn how to properly set up kiteboarding gear, but you’ll also learn how to find the right gear for when you are ready to buy your own kite, harness, and board. One of the great benefits of taking a lesson is that you get to play with the school’s kites, so try different ones if possible to see what you like the best.

The Window: Your instructor will teach you about the wind window and you will learn where the kite can fly and where in the sky it does and does not have power. Launching and Landing: You will learn how to safely launch and land a kite and how to fly it in the air without being drug all over the place. Kite Flying: You will learn how to control the kite in the air, including how to steer it and control the amount of power. You are almost guaranteed to hear the term, “Like a bicycle, not like a steering wheel” in reference to how to steer the kite. Activating the Safety: If your instructor does not show you how to release the kite onto its safety, insist that he or she shows you. Your kite’s safety release is your last line of defense against being injured, so take it upon yourself to understand exactly how it works. Relaunching: You will crash the kite. A lot. Knowing the correct technique to relaunching a kite will take a lot of the frustration out of learning to kiteboard. Body Dragging: It doesn’t sound so pleasant, but this step of the learning process is exactly what the name implies. You launch the kite, go in the water, and it drags you around.

Even if you can already ride, an intermediate or advanced lesson can help you keep pushing your boundaries. Photo Paul Lang

I can already kite. Why would I need a lesson? Lessons aren’t only for beginners. Most schools also offer intermediate and advanced lessons and these can be a huge help if you have a certain move or aspect of your riding that you want to improve. Many kiteboarders can be fairly independent types who don’t like to admit needing to take a lesson. If that’s the case, don’t think about it as a lesson. Think about it as a personal training or coaching session. The point of this is to learn how to control the kite while moving through the water, without having to learn how to deal with a board as well. You will not be at the mercy of the kite though. Your goal here is to learn control and to be able to direct where the kite pulls you in the water. If you can’t do that without the board, how can you expect to do it with the board? Getting up on the Board: Finally! Once you can body drag successfully, it’s time to try the board. If you have good kite control, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to get up on the board. Staying up is another thing, but you will progress quickly if you listen to your instructor and don’t get frustrated.

Learning to ride upwind, ride toeside, or get basic jumps dialed in are areas that a lot of beginning and intermediate riders could use help with. Instead of making the same mistakes over and over for weeks, months, or even years, you can hire a kiteboarding coach to point out your mistakes and offer tips to correct them. If you find yourself hitting a wall in terms of your own progression, it might be time to book yourself an advanced lesson and find a coach that will help push your riding to the next level. Other topics that work great for intermediate and advanced lessons include kiting in the waves, learning unhooked moves, riding strapless, and learning grabs. These are all topics that you can muddle through learning on your own, or you can hire a professional to watch and advise you along the way, which will greatly speed up your progression.

Riding: Now we’re having fun! It might take a few days, but almost everyone can learn to kiteboard. As your kite flying skills improve even further As your kite flying skills improve even further, you’ll find that it gets easier and easier to ride the board. Congratulations, you’re a Kiteboarder! t hekit eboarder.c o m 4 5

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The Basics of

Choosing Gear By Paul Menta

Buying gear for the first time can be very frustrating as it seems everyone wants to give you advice, but it all seems to be different. I have seen people make some big mistakes over the years when getting their gear. Let’s save you some time and money and go over a few basics about what you should keep in mind. Buying gear before taking lessons: This is the biggest no-no on the list. It’s easy to get excited and want to purchase equipment as soon as you are interested in kiteboarding, but if you have not learned to ride the board at least one way, you are not qualified to make a choice on what’s going to work best for you. A huge value in lessons is that you get to use the right gear for the conditions with a professional. Even if you are not ready to buy, it is a good idea to shop around and talk to people to see what options are available. Once you can get up on the board you should have enough skills and knowledge to choose the equipment that will work best for you. 4 6 th ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

Should I buy a beginner kite? Many people ask this question, but the truth is that all current kites are great to ride. They all ride differently and you need to sort out what options will work best for your needs. There are kites marketed as great for light wind, waves, jumping, all around, high performance, racing, and more. When looking for a kite, there is no substitute to actually trying the kite yourself. As a beginner, look for kites that tout stability and easily relaunch as main features - you don’t necessarily need a kite specifically marketed to beginners. Sizes: Kites come in different sizes, and since most beginners usually start off by purchasing one kite, choosing the right size is critical. The best way to do this is to talk to other riders in your area and the local shops or schools. If there aren’t other riders in your area to talk with, check out your area’s wind history (www.ikitesurf.com is a perfect site for this). Most kite manufacturers publish wind speed charts to tell you what size you should use in what wind. The most popular kite sizes sold are in the 9-12m range, but you may need a larger or smaller kite based on where you plan to ride.

There are a lot of options out there when it comes to choosing gear, so do your homework to make sure you purchase the gear that will work best for you. Photo Paul Lang

Boards: Choosing the right board can make or break your learning experience. You may be tempted to get a cool-looking small board, but when you are first starting, you should look for a slightly larger board. When the winds are light or you have one kite and need more range, a wider or bigger board will help you every time. Larger boards require less power to get up and stay up, and they are much more forgiving to a beginnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uneven power delivery from the kite. The idea is to ride as much as you can, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t choose a board that is going to hold you back! Weight: Your body weight will have an effect on the equipment you end up choosing. A larger person will obviously require more power to ride in the same conditions as a smaller person. Compared to a 150 pound rider, a 200 pound rider will usually be on a kite one size larger and ride a larger board.

now compared to a few years ago. If you are going to wear a wetsuit or other clothing when you ride, make sure the harness will still fit. Safety: Every kite made today includes a safety system. They all work, but they all work differently. Your safety system could save your life if you get into trouble, but only if you know how to use it! Make sure someone shows you how to operate all the releases on your kite, so you know what to do before you get into a real emergency situation. Ask your dealer to go over the systems and practice using them. Never guess or assume how something works without being sure! Paul Menta is the owner of The Kite House with locations in Key West, Miami, Costa Rica, Turks and Caicos, Ecuador, and Grand Cayman.

Harnesses: There are waist harnesses and seat harnesses available, as well as impact vests. The only way to see if you like a harness and how it fits is to try one on in a local shop. There are many more woman-specific harnesses on the market t hekit eboard er.c o m 4 7

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Pulling

If I threw a ball at your head, would your hands go up to block it or would you have to think about it? If you got into serious trouble while kiteboarding, would you immediately and instinctively activate your quick release, or would you have to think about what to do?

the Trigger By Paul Menta

The reason you can block something thrown at you, tie your shoes, or even turn a door knob without thinking about how to do it is because it’s a trained response to something you have done many times in the past. As you first learn how to kiteboard, you find yourself getting a sore neck from staring up at the kite the entire time, but as the hours go by, you start to feel where the kite is and are able to react without having to look at the kite or think about your actions. It’s safe to say that if you do something again and again you will learn what to expect and the task becomes easier each time you repeat it. You are more important than your kite, and that’s a fact you need to repeat to yourself over and over. Practice activating you emergency release so when you are confronted with a real emergency situation you will be able to act without having to think about it. Being able to do so could literally save your life. Here are a few easy ways to build up muscle memory when it comes to activating your safety system: • W ith your kite on the ground, take a close look at how your kite’s safety system works and activate any and all quick releases on your system to see how they come apart and how they go back together. It’s important to be able to put your quick release back together in the water, so practice doing it until you can easily do it without looking. The first thing I do with any new kite is pop the releases on the beach without the kite in the air just to make sure everything works properly. • A fter finishing a session or on a light wind day, make sure you have plenty of room around you and then activate your safety release. The more times you do this, the more comfortable you will feel about doing it during a real situation. You will also be able to see how your kite reacts to being released to the safety so you know what to expect. • W hile riding, take a hand off the bar and rest it on your emergency release to familiarize yourself with the motion. Practice doing this with both hands. Before every session, reach down and feel the release to give yourself a reference point and to keep the action fresh in your head. 4 8 th ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

• Don’t develop the stance that you are too cool or too experienced to practice using the safety features of your kite. There are plenty of experienced riders on the water who have no idea what will happen when they activate their own safety release, and this will cause them to hesitate when they get into a situation when they need to immediately depower their kite. Paul Menta is the owner of The Kite House with locations in Key West, Miami, Costa Rica, Turks and Caicos, Ecuador, and Grand Cayman.

Practice using your kite’s safety system so that you know exactly what to expect should you ever need to use it. Photo Imagesbydoc.com

Leash Option 1: Most control systems come with

Where’s the

By Paul Lang

Leash go? Almost all current control systems feature multiple leash connection point options, and this can be confusing for some riders, especially beginners. Making the matter even less clear is the fact that the safety systems work differently from manufacturer to manufacturer. Below are the three most common options for connecting your leash to your kite, but you should consult your kite’s operating manual or contact your local shop or your kite’s manufacturer if you are unclear on how you should connect your leash.

However you decide to attach your leash, make sure you know how your kite will react when you use it. On a light wind day, release your kite onto your leash so you know exactly what to expect if you ever get yourself into trouble. The middle of a dangerous situation is not the time that you should be wondering to yourself about how your leash is going to work.

attachments to hook your leash up to a center or outside line. If you connect your leash this way, make sure you connect it to the ring that pulls a line through the other ring, not the ring that the line passes through. When you release onto this leash, the bar will slide up one line and the kite will be waving like a flag at the end of the line. This type of leash has been around since almost the beginning of kiteboarding and has been proven to be a very reliable safety. Pro: Time tested and very safe leash connection point, will definitely allow for complete depower on virtually every kite ever made. Con: Does not allow the rider to easily spin the bar and releasing on this type of leash can easily lead to tangled lines.

Leash Option 2: If your harness loop has a metal

ring such as the one shown here, this is probably where the manufacturer intends you to put the leash. This ring is usually either attached to the fifth line (if the kite has one) or pulls on one or both of the center lines. Pro: Allows for the rider to easily unspin the bar while riding and usually allows for complete depower if you release the kite onto this leash. Con: Every manufacturer’s system works differently, so you cannot simply hook your leash up here and assume it will act the same as the last kite you rode.

Leash Option 3: This is what is known as a suicide

leash, where the leash is connected directly to the harness loop. On most kites, this connection is for advanced riders only who understand the risks of such a leash. Pro: By not depowering the kite to 100%, crashes can be much quicker to recover from; in fact the kite may even stay flying when using this leash. Con: On many kites, this connection does not allow for complete depower. Check with your kite’s manufacturer if you think this is the proper connection for you but are unsure. t hekit eboard er.c o m 4 9

With a little practice, you’ll find yourself gracefully floating through the air before you know it. Photo Paul Lang

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By Paul Lang

Jump and Spin! For many people, jumping is what kiteboarding is all about, and that’s what they want to do more than anything else in the sport. Jumping is not very difficult to do, but you will have a lot more fun learning how to do it if you wait until you can confidently ride in both directions and can at least hold your ground upwind. 1. Start off with good board speed and ease off your edge as you bring your kite up to about 60°. 2. While edging your board rapidly upwind, pull with your back hand to direct your kite up to the top of the window.

3. As your kite reaches overhead, stand tall and push off of your back foot to pop your board off the

• I f you are traveling horizontally but not going very high, you need to edge harder before you take off from the water.

4. Pull your knees up as you leave the water. Pulling your knees up helps stabilize you in the air

• I f you only go up a few feet and then plummet like a rock, you are probably pulling too hard with your back hand as you redirect the kite.

5. At the apex of your jump, pull the kite back overhead to slow your descent.

tips

• T iming is everything, and it takes time to learn. Keep at it.

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water while you sheet in with your bar. The timing here is critical and it takes a lot of trial and error to get right. and letting your legs dangle doesn’t look good. Let the kite fly past overhead in the opposite direction that you were traveling.

6. As you approach the water, extend your legs and pull slightly harder with your front hand. You want to land traveling downwind with the kite on its way back into the power zone to give you power to ride away.

Wherever your head goes, the rest of your body will follow. Photos Paul Lang

• I f you want to do multiple rotations, decide how many you are going to do before you take off. Keep your body compact until your last rotation. Rotating blindly until you hit the water again doesn’t usually end smoothly.

tips

• U se the power of your kite to give you more or less time in the sky. If you feel like you are going to over-rotate slightly, sheet out to shorten your time in the air. If you are just slightly under-rotating, sheeting in might just give you the extra moment you need to get the rest of the way around.

Spin. Like a Record Baby

Once you are able to land at least most of your jumps, you are ready to start spinning. Like most things in life, the secret to spins is all in your head, but we don’t mean your brain. We mean that round hairy mass on top of your body. Rotations begin and end with your head. Whatever way you move your head, the rest of your body will follow. To Spin Forward: 1. As you leave the water, rotate your head forward by putting your forward ear to your forward shoulder and pull your knees up close to your body. 2. The harder you motion with your head and the tighter you pull your knees in the faster you will rotate. You can slow down or speed up the rotation by extending your legs or pulling them in tighter.

To Spin Back: 1. As you leave the water, initiate the spin by tucking your chin to your forward shoulder. Pull your knees up to speed up the rotation, and to avoid those silly dangle-legs. 2. Speed up or slow down the rotation by pulling the board up or extending it away. 3. Spot your landing and keep your eyes focused on it. You want to slow your spin on a back rotation slightly sooner so you can land with the board aiming downwind. Paul Lang is the Editor of this magazine and usually lets his legs dangle when he jumps.

3. Assuming you are going for just one rotation, spot your landing as you come around and stare at it. Slow your rotation and prepare for the landing by extending your legs. t hekit eboarder.c o m 5 1

Edging and

Controlling

Speed

By John Mapel

These days, I hear more and more people talk about how they want a lot of depower in their kite so they can have more control. I often respond by remarking that a rider shouldn’t just rely on the kite’s depower capability, but should also work on strengthening his or her foundations. Speed and power control is a combination of body positioning, board riding skills, and kite technique. Whether you are trying to hold it down in overpowered conditions or drive upwind, here are some tips for having better control over your riding. Body position: Proper body position is the key ingredient for good power control and resistance against the kite. I like to tell my students to think about playing tug of war when edging. The winning team doesn’t bend over! It’s all about keeping your hips forward, your shoulders back, and your head looking in the direction you want to go. Proper weight distribution over the board can be achieved

by keeping your front leg straight and your back leg slightly bent. Imagine creating a straight line through your body from your front heel to the back of your head. By doing these things, your body position over the board will fall into place automatically and you will be able to edge harder and have better control of your kite’s power.

Gear: Making sure your kite is properly adjusted and tuned is important in your ability to control power and speed, as it can have a huge effect on your ability to keep good body position. You should be able to sheet out the bar and depower the kite without compromising your stance. For this very reason, I prefer to fly kites that are designed with a short throw on the bar system to depower the kite at arm’s length. Many kites with a longer throw on the bar system include a stopper ball on the depower line that can be set so the bar will stay within reach if you let go of it. Having to bend over to depower the kite defeats the purpose of being able to control it, because you end up losing your edge and resistance against the kite. Make sure that you can depower the kite by pushing out just with your arms and not breaking at the waist. A properly tuned kite gives you an advantage in power control and in being able to “hold it down” in high wind. In most cases, you should have your bar tuned so that all lines are equal length at the kite. When flying in overpowered conditions, you can experiment with alternate tunings by either shortening the front lines or lengthening the rears, depending on where your tuning options are. Many bar systems have different sets of knots on the leader lines, allowing you to adjust the line lengths. The kite pigtails often have multiple knot attachment points. By shorting the front lines in comparison to the rears, it is easier to drive the kite to the edge of the wind window outside of the power zone. This will give you a bit more top end, as well as make it easier to edge upwind in overpowered conditions. Getting Upwind and Controlling Speed: With a properly tuned kite and correct body position, controlling speed and getting upwind will be much easier to achieve. It’s a combination of kite control and edging with the board. Start by riding with good speed and keeping a decent edge. Keep your kite low (I keep mine about five feet above the water line) and sheet out the bar just a bit. Progressively dig your board harder into the water, almost like gradually pressing the brake pedal with your back foot. At this point, you should notice the kite shoot forward into the wind as the window shifts with you. You will also feel yourself slowing down as you progress more and more upwind. As you practice this technique, you should realize that if you edge too hard you will stop completely, and if not hard enough you won’t be forcing the kite outside of the window or traveling upwind. This is a valuable technique to master for intermediate level riding, and will allow you to have more control while relying less on your kite’s depower. John Mapel is a co-owner of All Out Kiteboarding in Georgia. Erik Volpe shows the proper technique for controlling speed and getting upwind. Photo Lance Koudele

2010

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Riding toeside may feel awkward at first, but you’ll get it down if you focus on having good body position. Photo Paul Lang

Riding Toeside By Paul Lang

Even for many seasoned riders, riding toeside seems to be an elusive skill, not because it’s hard to do, but because it’s hard to do well. Being able to ride toeside will make it easier for you to change directions and will add another element to your bag of tricks. The more time you spend riding toeside, the easier it is for you to land your moves toeside. In the waves, riding toeside is an essential skill, especially with a directional board. Riding toeside feels awkward at first, but focus on maintaining good body position and you will soon be blasting along comfortably on your toeside edge.

• Most people put too much weight on their back foot when riding toeside, which slows your board down and makes it unstable. Practice seeing how much weight you can put on your front foot while riding toeside without the nose of the board catching on the water. Just like riding heelside, you want to be riding on the edge of the board, not the tail. • Keep your body straight when riding toeside. As you edge away from the kite, focus on pushing your hips towards the water, not your shoulders. Also, push with your toes and the balls of your feet as you edge.

tips

• Practice riding toeside in both directions. Riding toeside switch is difficult at first, but just focus on having good body position and you will feel comfortable in no time. • Keep your head and shoulders facing the direction you are traveling. This is easier to do if you let go of the bar with your forward hand. • Keep your front leg relatively straight and your back leg bent, just like riding heelside. • Smile! This is Fun! t hekit eboarder.c o m 5 3

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Getting to the Outside

By Brendan Richards

Strapless Surfing Strapless riding is a great way to challenge yourself and have fun on even the flattest of days. One of the biggest challenges when riding strapless can be getting out past the waves. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s common for experienced kitesurfers to forget how irritating the simple process of getting through the impact zone can be for new kiters. Few words can describe the frustration of being taken out by the first wave only to be cleaned out and sent back to the beach by subsequent waves, a scenario exponentially irritating for the experienced kiter venturing into strapless territory for the first time. The obvious drawback to strapless kiting is your inability to air out and jump clear over sets, and as a result you are left with two options; turn around and run away with a chicken jibe, or hit the wave directly by climbing up and over the whitewater. Here are some helpful hints to help you face off and take each set head on.

FOR STARTERS

Pick a day with small waves and good wind, go through the motions on small waves, and figure out what works best for you, then scale it up to bigger waves. Most injuries and broken boards occur from trying to hit the wave when the lip is throwing. The timing of the wave may be unpredictable and being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be like hitting a brick wall.

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STRATEGY

The first element of getting past the impact zone is timing. You should size up each wave well in advance of contact with the whitewater. In the event the wave has not yet broken, (step 1) determine if you can speed up and make it up and over the clean face. If the wave is close to throwing, (step 3) you should slow down because hitting the wave right as it is breaking is much more dangerous because the lip is throwing down on top of you and the energy of the wave is at its peak. If the wave has broken (steps 6+), you might consider slowing down so as to allow the wave to shed some of its energy and turbulence, making for a much more easier ramp to climb over. As the surf gets larger, timing becomes increasingly important and having a confident chicken gibe in your back pocket is a good idea

as well.

If you want to be able to conquer gnarly conditions without straps like Josh “Cornfed” Nehf, you need to first learn how to get out past the waves without losing your board. Photo David DeVries

• If you find yourself down in the water with your board between you and the wave, use your kite to get away from your board.

tips

• If you are in trouble, point your kite in the direction that the wave is coming from. This will pull you through the wave and keep the kite in the sky. • When getting out, you want to go as slow as you can without sinking your board. This gives you the most control as you hit the wave and minimizes the impact on your knees and legs.

TECHNIQUE

As you approach the wave you should scrub some speed. A frequent first-time mistake is bearing off or hitting the wave straight on with speed. This adds uncertainty as you bounce off the whitewater with an unanticipated trajectory and generally causes instantaneous separation from your board for new strapless riders. The best technique is to slow down by applying back foot pressure and heading the board a few degrees into the wind (step 3). The kite should be roughly positioned at 45° in the window during the approach and by the time you make contact with the wave the kite should be almost directly overhead. As you begin to climb over the whitewater you should have scrubbed most of your forward speed so that the wave is almost rolling underneath you, with the overhead pull of your kite making the upward transition a

little smoother (step 5). By applying more pressure to your rear foot you can help the tip of the board ride up over the whitewater and allow the wave to roll under you. You want to engage the wave (step 6) with your legs fully extended, allowing your legs to suck up or absorb the energy and turbulence of the wave. Without straps, you have to use your knees, the force of the wave, and just the right amount of kite power to get you and your board through to the back side of the wave. The larger the wave, the more challenging it can be to absorb the turbulence of the wave and maintain the connection between you and your board. As you reach the top of the wave (step 9) you want to start thinking about shifting your weight to your front foot and using your forward hand to initiate a downward power stroke. At this point you have very little forward momentum because you ditched most of your speed in your approach and lost whatever forward movement was left to the wave. You will want to weight your forward foot, point your board downwind and power up your kite to get back up to speed and get ready to size up the next wave. Brendan Richards rides for Caution Kiteboarding.

Photos Courtesy Caution Kiteboarding

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Once you unhook, you will be able to move your body in ways that just aren’t possible to do hooked in. Photo Paul Lang

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By Mike Campanaro

unhook!

Many kiteboarders are reluctant to unhook, for fear that the kite will be too powerful and they won’t be able to control it without the use of their harness. The truth about unhooking is that it’s not nearly as difficult as most people think it is, and with a little practice unhooking can add a whole new dimension to your riding. Before you unhook, you need to first trim your kite so that it does not back stall when you have the bar pulled down against the chicken loop. With your kite straight overhead, pull your bar all the way down. If the kite starts to back up into the window, you need to shorten your front lines until the kite will sit calmly at the edge of the window with the bar pulled all the way in.

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To unhook:

Sam Light shows us just how much style unhooking can bring to your riding. Photo Toby Bromwich

1. Make sure your donkey stick is not engaged. 2. Ease up on your edge so that some line tension is released. This is the secret to being able to easily hold on to the kite while unhooked. The more downwind you are riding, the lower the pressure on your arms will be when you unhook. 3. Pull down on the bar until the harness loop falls away from your hook. 4. Keep your hands centered and your elbows close to your body. Don’t let the kite pull your arms away because you will most likely end up being pulled off your board or catch an edge. Maintain good body position by forcing your shoulders away from the kite and keeping your hips pushed towards the kite.

To hook back in: 1. Ride downwind slightly to release line tension. 2. Pull the bar down below your harness hook and guide it back on the hook. This can be difficult if your chicken loop is really small or floppy. If you are having trouble hooking back in, you can also grab onto the chicken loop and let go of the bar for a few moments. This will depower your kite and make it very easy to pull the chicken loop back on to your harness hook. Watch your fingers if you hook back in this way. If you hold your kite high in the window, you will find it much easier to kill the power in the kite and hook back in.

Jumping Unhooked The unhooked load and pop technique is very similar to when you are hooked in except now you will have a little more freedom when you are in the air. For some people, it’s actually easier to load and pop unhooked since the kite is not pulling you from your waist: 1. Keep your hands close together in the center of the bar so that your kite stays in one place. 2. Keep your kite at about ten o’clock and unhook. Keep your elbows in to your sides, hips forward, and shoulders facing forward. 3. Edge hard into the wind and pop off your back foot. This motion is very similar to doing an ollie on a skateboard. 4. Keep your body in control by keeping your elbows close to your body. 5. As you are coming down for your landing, point your board downwind and bend your knees to soften your landing. After you land, hook back in and ride away. Once you are comfortable with unhooking, try your first unhooked back roll. This will probably be the easiest trick to go for if you have already mastered it hooked in: 1. Keep your kite low, ease off your edge, and unhook. 2. Keep your bar close with your elbows in at your sides. 3. Edge hard and pop off the water. 4. Once you leave the water, look back over your front shoulder and let the rest of your body follow. As you come around through your rotation, spot your landing and tuck your knees towards your body. You can speed up the rotation by tucking your knees into your chest. You can slow down your rotation by slightly straightening your legs. 5. Point your board slightly downwind and come in for your landing. Bend your knees and anticipate the impact. Hook back in and ride away. Remember that you do not need to stay as compact as when you are hooked in. This will make you feel like you have a lot more freedom and a lot more style. Have fun! Mike Campanaro is a co-owner of All Out Kiteboarding in Georgia. t hekit eboard er.c o m 5 9

With a whole lot of commitment, you too can learn to throw mega loops like Jon Van Malsen if you learn the necessary steps. Photo Dan Schwarz

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Take it to the Next Level: An Introduction to

Kite Loops By Jeremy Lund

Although an accidental kite loop can be quite dramatic, one done purposefully can be exhilarating. Kite loops are a useful tool in many aspects of kiting. They can be used to enhance a big air, create massive pop, or even used to pull you aggressively down the line of a big wave. When attempting a kite loop for the first time there are many things to consider, including kite size, kite type, board size, wind speed, and proper progression.

Equipment Choice and Riding Conditions:

When you decide that it’s time to learn kite loops, it’s important to first make sure that you are on the right gear and in the proper conditions. Kite Size: You will want to start with one kite size smaller than what you would normally use. This will keep you at a safe power level. In addition, a smaller kite loops faster and this will help get the kite back to the riding/landing position. Kite Type: Although you can perform loops with any kite, C and Delta shapes will often give you a much smoother loop compared to a bow or flat kite. Board Type: Whether you will be using kite loops for freestyle or wave riding it will be easiest to learn them on a twin tip. It is recommended to use a smaller board to help control your speed. Riding Conditions: Before you go blazing down the line or traveling to new altitudes, it is important to learn in the right conditions. Ideally you will want to learn the first stages of kite looping in light-medium wind in flat water. Once you get used to looping the kite, higher winds will be preferred. Higher winds are ideal because the kite will loop faster and the lines will stay tight. However, overpowered kite loops are not forgiving, so you must be well practiced and 100% committed before attempting a loop in really high wind.

• When it comes to learning any aerial kite loop, make sure to jump high enough so that the kite has time to complete the loop.

tips

• A lack of commitment is the most common mistake. Halfway through the loop is a bad time to decide you’re not ready! Make sure you get the kite all the way around no matter what. Even if you are going to crash, this will save you and your gear! • Although low to medium wind is a good time to practice surface loops and down loops, it not a good time to learn a mega loop. Maximum power along with a smaller kite is what makes this move possible. A lack of wind will cause slack in the lines just before landing leading to a rather painful crash.

Steps to Learning: First Goal: Surface Down Loop: This is a useful tool that will take your wave riding to the next level. Hold the kite at 45°. Point the board slightly downwind and pull the bar hard with your front hand to dive the kite. Continue turning the kite until it does a full loop returning the kite to 45°. While the kite is returning to the edge of the window, you will notice that it hesitates. To help it climb, edge hard while sheeting out. To get the kite through the loop as quickly as possible, sheet in on the down stroke of the loop and sheet out slightly on the up stroke. Practice these steps until you are comfortable performing the loop without looking at the kite or bar. Once you are well practiced with an underpowered kite you will want to experiment with a normal-size kite. Second Goal: Surface Back Loop: To perform a surface back loop follow the same steps as a down loop, except this time pull hard with your back hand. During this exercise you will notice more power due to a faster build up of apparent wind. Most of the power will come during the first 20% of the loop as you accelerate downwind, so remember to commit. Again, you will want to practice this until it can be done without looking at the bar or kite. Third Goal: Aerial Down Loop Transition: Begin with the kite slightly above 45° and pop your board off the water (you should know how to do a load and pop jump first). At the apex of your jump, sheet in and let go with your back hand while pulling hard with your front. Land heel side and ride away in the opposite direction as the kite makes its way back up to 45°. With each attempt, work on jumping higher and engaging the loop sooner. Start on an underpowered kite and switch to a normal size as you progress. Fourth Goal: Kite Loop/Mega Loop: This is the most exhilarating of all the loops and should only be attempted by expert kiters. For this trick it is crucial to pick the right day. Look for 17-25 knots of wind and choose a kite one size smaller than what you would usually ride in the same conditions. Practice goals one through three. Once you feel dialed in, go for a sent jump, and sheet in and pull hard with your back hand as you near the apex of your jump. Commit to getting the kite all the way around and back up to the top of the window. Remember to sheet out slightly on the upstroke of the loop. Just prior to landing, sheet in and pull with your front hand to dive the kite forward and bring it back in front of you. If done correctly, this will give you a fast yet floaty landing. If you think that the landing will not go well, just focus on getting the kite to the top of the window. To progress, try looping the kite sooner so that you are looping the kite on the way up as opposed to on the way down from the jump. Jeremy Lund is the CEO of New Wave Kiteboarding and is a team rider for Wainman Hawaii.

t hekit eboarder.c o m 6 1

Fleury on the Water For those of you who haven’t been in kiteboarding very long, Bertrand Fleury’s name may be unfamiliar. Originally from France, when Bertrand saw High, one of the first kiteboarding movies, he packed his bags and moved to Maui to ride with the people he saw on film. He didn’t speak any English when he arrived, but his riding immediately made him stand out at Kite Beach. One of the pioneers of the kite loop, Bertrand has focused the last few years on riding waves, but we were stoked to get a batch of images of him tearing it up at Kite Beach, just like in the good old days. Photo Tracy Kraft 6 2 th ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

t hekit eboarder.c o m 6 3

T he St a rt Without a doubt, the most exciting time in a kiteboarding race for both competitors and spectators is the start. As kites and bodies jockey for position, contact between kites is common. When the gun goes off, riders accelerate and spread out to chase each other around the course, riding boards that have evolved to look more like windsurf boards than kiteboards. Photo Paul Lang

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T h e En glish ma n With his aggressive wakestyle riding, Sam Light is quickly making a name for himself. Shown here in Australia, Sam grew up on Hayling Island on the south coast of England and is known not only for his riding, but for being able to fix up one mean cup of tea. Photo Toby Bromwich

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LIQUID FORCE

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New Products to check out

GENETRIX KITEBOARDING

MOB Board short

Fit, function, and style all in one board short! The Liquid Force MOB utilizes Liquid stretch fabric technology that combines maximum 4-way flexibility for limitless freedom of motion, rash-free comfort, lightweight durability, and fast drying. The exclusive Liquid Force team fit gives the right amount of hang without the sag! A lycra fly closure and side zip pocket round off this perfect board short. You will never want to take these off! Sizes: 28” to 38” waist colors: Black, green, and blue MSRP: $59.99 www.liquidforcekites.com

X-WY Boards Short

The X-WY Storm is the only short on the market designed specifically for extreme sports. Constructed of heavy-duty nylon and fully lined with removable hip pads, the Storm offers unbeatable protection for kiteboarding, wakeboarding, jet skiing, and all downhill sports. It features an adjustable closure system made with a stretchable band and velcro for a perfect fit, while an Elasthane Spandex flexible knee pad allows freer movement. The X-WY Storm will not ride up or catch below the knee during big air or freestyle sessions. When worn over a wetsuit, the shorts also offers excellent protection from damage caused by rocky beaches. sizes: S to XXXL Colors: White/black, white/red, white/yellow MSRP: $129.95 www.genetrixkitesurf.com/gntrx/xwy-buynow.html

Surf Shades LLC

Surf Shades

Surf Shades Polarized Sunglasses are perfect for kiteboarding. The patented leash and collar makes Surf Shades safe, secure, and comfortable in all conditions. You can see more clearly, eliminate glare, and protect your eyes from spray. Surf Shades come with a one-year guarantee against loss in the water and are made with a polycarbonate frame and top quality polycarbonate lenses from Japan. The frame is padded and the leash is removable for all day use. Colors: Black or silver frame with grey, brown, or yellow lenses MSRP: Polarized $69.99 - $79.99, Non-Polarized - $39.99 - $49.99 www.surfshades.net

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The F-One SK8 makes its comeback in their 2010 product line! Ideal for carving, the SK8 is a wave oriented twin-tip that is playful and responsive. Intended for powerful carving, the SK8’s comfort in choppy waters and strong winds is just something you will have to feel for yourself to experience. The new SK8 is equipped with F-One’s 3D molded Platinum Pads and Straps for the best comfort, the Strap Lock 2 for easy mount and setup, and four G10 fins. SIZES: 132x38 and 134x39cm Colors: White, light blue MSRP: $749 www.f-onekites.com 6 8 th ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

MYSTIC WOMEN

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Mystic continues its focus on technical innovation and stylish wetsuits with the Mystic Women Hypnotize series. The featured item in this issue is the Mystic Women Hypnotize 5/3 Steamer. Shaped specifically for the female body shape, and with the use of 100% stretch/flexible neoprene, this wetsuit fits like a glove yet is easy to get on and off. Ideal for colder water or for the girls that need extra warmth, even during the in-between months. SIZES: XS to XL Color: Black with pink accents MSRP: TBD www.mysticboarding.com

KGBSWAG

S-Bend T-Shirt

Stand out at the beach and show everyone your love of kiteboarding with this very soft 100% cotton, lightweight (4.5 oz), fitted t-shirt from Nor Cal based KGBswag. This bright and clean four-color graphic features an unhooked kiter mid trick, and adds a new look to an already diverse clothing and product line. The shirt is available for men and women in four colors. SIZES: S to XL Colors: (Men) Black, green, yellow, and light blue (Women) Azalea, black, green, and light blue MSRP: $19.95-$20.95 www.KGBswag.com

Women Rez WakeVest USCG

The Mystic Women Rez Wakevest is a US Coast Guard approved vest specifically designed for women. This neoprene vest offers tons of floatation and impact protection for wakeboarding or kiteboarding with a seat harness. Be sure to check out Mystic’s new women’s collection. From board shorts to harnesses to wetsuits, all products are specifically designed, shaped, and styled to meet the specific needs of women riders. SIZES: XS to XL Color: Black with pink accents MSRP: $119.95 www.mysticboarding.com

SLINGSHOT SPORTS

Golf Bag

Built with the attention to detail that Slingshot is known for, this golf bag has many extra features that other bags don’t offer. For your packing and handling comfort, this bag features side and end-to-end carry handles, piggy back straps, a two-way outside zip pocket, two-way full zip, compression straps, a handy easy access outside pocket, and durable performance wheels. Slingshot’s Golf Bag will fit up to 152cm length boards and has protective rails located on the base, a padded board sleeve, and fully padded interior. Avoid excess baggage fees and keep it under 50 lbs.! SIZES: 152 cm x 62 cm x 20 cm Color: Black/Grey www.slingshotsports.com

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analyze this

Best kahoona

TESTED: 11.5m AVAILABLE SIZES: 5.5, 7.5, 9.5, 11.5, 13.5m TESTED IN: Pismo Beach & San Diego, CA/13-18 knots and medium surf

FROM THE MANUFACTURER

The newly improved Kahoona blends exceptional performance and handling with advanced safety features that make it the perfect kite for advancing your riding level, regardless of your preferred riding style.

THE KITEBOARDER REPORT

Tester Comments: “The Kahoona is a very stable and predictable kite with good predictable turning speed, good drift for wave riding, and an easy relaunch.” –Gary Martin, 175 lbs., Surf Kiter.

Out of the Box: Compared to the previous Kahoona, there are many obvious changes to the Kahoona V2. The graphics are much improved, the bridle connection points have moved, and the leading edge construction has been updated. Like the previous version, the Kahoona is a fourstrut kite with a large strut-less middle canopy. Once pumped up, the leading edge and struts are obviously stiffer than the 2009 Kahoona. The Kahoona does not come with a one-pump system.

“This kite is great for new riders, wave-specific riders, or intermediate riders wanting to improve unhooked kiting ability.” –Kinsley Thomas Wong, 155 lbs, Freestyle/Unhooked/Big Air Kiter

Our test kite came with the Best Red-Line Bar, which is about to be updated. The bar features full carbon construction, 700-pound rated lines, an above-the-bar depower strap, and a push-away quick release. The included kite bag is a little small, so you have to fold the Kahoona up carefully if you expect it to easily fit back into the bag. The Kahoona’s bridle features one pulley and two rings per side and each wear-point is easily replaceable.

Consumer Review:

On the Water: In the sky, the Kahoona is a stable kite. Placed anywhere along the edge of the window, the Kahoona required minimal attention to fly and showed no signs of stalling. The Kahoona’s turning has a very direct and snappy feel to it and the kite pulls consistently through turns and finishes loops without the tendency to stall. Bar pressure on the Kahoona is in the upper-medium range, but is not excessive by any means.

Dee at kiteboardingreview.com “The build quality has gone way up, same as the new Waroo and NXG. The new LE seams and pads look perfect; last year’s Kahoona could look a little ‘ropey’, like a price point kite, but there’s no hint of that on the V2.” Read the full review at www.kiteboardingreview. com/best/161-best-kahoona-v2-2010

Because the Kahoona sits back in the window, this hurts its upwind ability, but not excessively. The range from the Kahoona is amazing on both low and high sides and one 200-pound tester was able to ride the 11.5 when other riders were on 14m kites. Depower is incredible, almost excessive. As you ease the bar out, the power goes away very quickly without much travel on the bar. You can actually depower the Kahoona so far that the entire canopy luffs, so you have to be careful to not let go of the bar when unspinning it, otherwise the kite will completely depower. Jumps on the Kahoona are very floaty and easy to control. The Kahoona remains stable even when unhooked and is almost effortless to relaunch from the water.

• The Kahoona is a nice, simple, no-gimmick kite that you can easily set up and ride right out of the bag. The lack of bridle adjustments takes the guess work out of how the kite should be set up. • The stability of the Kahoona is fantastic. It is very easy to fly at the edge of the window and drifts downwind very well while riding waves.

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CONS:

• No One-Pump system available on the Kahoona, which some riders may see as a pro in terms of simplicity. • The Kahoona sits further back in the window than other Best kites, so it doesn’t go upwind as well as the 2010 Nemesis NXG or Waroo.

THE VERDICT:

This is a great kite for beginners, kite surfers, unhooked riders, or anyone else who wants an easy-to-use, stable, predictable, and easy-to-relaunch kite. The Kahoona is a very forgiving kite and therefore is great to learn new moves on. Some riders will not be happy with the lack of a one-pump system. If you want the highest possible performance in upwind ability and jumping, you may want to look at the Nemesis NXG.

8 Pump the Kahoona up very hard,

up to 10-11 psi according to Best.

8 M ake sure you sheet the

Tips

PROS:

bar in as you take off for jumps to get an extra boost. Since you can so easily control the power from the Kahoona, you can instantly have more power at your disposal by sheeting in just a few inches.

Globetrix TESTED: 9m AVAILABLE SIZES: 5.5, 7, 9, 12, 15m TESTED IN: Pismo Beach, CA/16-18 knots and medium surf

FROM THE MANUFACTURER

For 2010, the Trix has been totally redesigned. It is more swept back, more like a medium aspect ratio delta. The central profile is the same, but the drag on the tips is lower, making the kite fly faster and generate more power.

THE KITEBOARDER REPORT

Out of the Box: The first thing that stood out to us on the Trix is the number of adjustments that can be made on its bridle. This kite should please every rider who likes to tune and adjust gear. The Trix is a five-strut kite that inflates with a one-pump system. The leading edge, which is very swept back, uses the same bomber construction that we saw on the Sonic.

Tester Comments: “Great kite for freestyle riding! Kiteloops, downloops, and powered tricks are easy on this kite. It turns so fast and the loops are forgiving even if you miss the timing a little.” –Phil Midler, 175 lbs., Freestyle Kiter. “This is a very nice kite that would suit anyone who likes freestyle, freeriding, kitelooping, or unhooking as well as a great kite for new riders.” –Kinsley Thomas Wong, 155 lbs, Freestyle/ Unhooked/Big Air Kiter.

Consumer Review: Leapin Len at Kiteforum.com “The GK Trix is outstanding. The 12 feels like a C-kite as far as responsiveness to rider input and it has complete depower. The construction is far more durable than any other kite out there and it’s got a nice compact bridle system that is completely adjustable so you can vary the bar pressure depending on your style…” Read the full review at http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic. php?t=2363317&p=642571

Tips

8 Learn how the quick release

works and how it goes back together before you take this kite in the water. Every tester who rode this kite agrees that the system is easy to use once figured out, but it’s not very intuitive at first.

8 Go to http://www.globespirit.com

and watch the videos about the bar and bridle adjustments to better understand how to tune this kite.

The Trix uses the same bar as the GK Sonic which features a nice molded grip and multiple leash attachment points. The bar’s throw is quickly adjustable which allows you to move the above-bar depower strap closer to the rider for those who have shorter arms. The quick release is easy to activate, but difficult to put back together until you understand how it works. Make sure you know how to reassemble it on land, as you are unlikely to learn how to do it in the water. On the Water: As tested, the GK Trix had medium bar pressure and quick (but not super fast) turning, but these aspects of the kite can be tuned to the rider’s liking through the adjustable bridle. Steering feels very direct and the kite doesn’t lose power through sharp turns or loops. When you dive the Trix, the power is punchy and comes on fast. It depowers quickly, but the kite’s forgiveness definitely decreases at its upper range. We found the Trix to be very easy to relaunch. Unhooked, the Trix performs very well and it never has the tendency to back-stall. In the waves, the Trix feels nimble and responsive, and has great downwind drift. Because the Trix sits back slightly in the window, it’s doesn’t have top upwind performance. For kiteloops and low and fast moves, the Trix is a great kite, and also performs well for big air jumps. The Trix does not have great low-end power, but really comes alive once powered up.

PROS:

• V ery good performance kite for unhooked riding and kite looping. • The Trix is a good wave-riding kite.

CONS:

• The GK Trix does not have fantastic low-end power. • Bridle settings and safety quick release both take some time to understand. This kite is very adjustable, which is great for people who like to tune and tweak and bad for those after simplicity.

THE VERDICT:

The GK Trix is a great kite for freestyle riding, especially if you like to be able to change settings to change up how your kite flies. Be prepared to spend some time to learn the intricacies of how to adjust everything on this kite. The Trix is easy to relaunch and has great downwind drift for riding waves. If you are after top upwind and jumping performance, you may want to check out the GK Sonic.

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naish Charger

TESTED: 11m AVAILABLE SIZES: 3.5, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13m TESTED IN: Pismo Beach, CA/ 12-18 knots and medium surf

Tester Comments:

FROM THE MANUFACTURER

The Charger incorporates Geo Tech seam shaping into a Delta outline to redefine stability, low-end power, and ease of relaunch. The Charger is a kite for all-terrain riders who require effortless water relaunch and added low-end lift. Its unique design coupled with Naish’s proven quality in construction and the world’s number one control system make it an ideal choice for all freeride kiters.

THE KITEBOARDER REPORT

“The Charger is great for new riders, wave-specific riders, or intermediate riders wanting to improve unhooked kiting ability.” –Kinsley Thomas Wong, 155 lbs, Freestyle/ Unhooked/Big Air Kiter.

Out of the Box: Naish calls the Charger a Delta Kite, but since they’ve applied the Naish Geo Tech to it, it looks different compared to other delta designs. We thought that one-pump had become standard on new kites, but the Charger is one of three kites in this month’s test to not include a single-point inflation system. We didn’t mind pumping up the individual bladders, but the addition of one-way valves would have been appreciated.

“The ease of relaunching was nice while the light bar pressure took a little to get used to. The kite turned smoothly and responded well to changes in wind speed, never falling out of the sky even in the lightest lulls.” –Andy Kraft, 200 lbs., Freestyle Kiter.

Once inflated, the Charger seemed very rigid. The short bridle is very simple and has just one pulley per side. The high-wear area of the bridle is easily replaceable and the rear line attachments are adjustable to tune bar pressure and turning speed.

Consumer Review:

The Charger comes with the same control system as the rest of the Naish kites, and it is a clean and well-thought out system. We especially like the soft rubber bar ends. The Naish bar features a push-away quick release, below-bar depower, and a nicely flared large aluminum center hole.

On the Water: When we first started flying the Charger, we were surprised by how well it flew in light wind. It never hinted towards stalling, and even in light wind it turned with ease. The Charger’s bar pressure is very light, which some testers loved and others disliked. The Charger’s depower is very smooth and the kite sits back from the edge of the window.

Pro Merc from Seabreeze.com.au I have ridden the 9m Charger a few times and it is one of the better delta kites out there; it’s like a jack of all trades and will suit anyone for pretty much everything. It has all the good delta characteristics of good bottom end, big range, fast turning, and very good relaunch, but does have a much lighter bar pressure than other deltas, which I liked a lot.” Read the full review at http://www.seabreeze.com. au/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=58447

When it came time to relaunch the Charger, it couldn’t have been easier. It feels like it’s easier to relaunch the kite than it is to keep it on the water. In the surf, the Charger performed very well, drifting downwind with the rider and responding to inputs even while extremely depowered. Even though this kite looks different compared to other delta kites, it’s kept the usual delta characteristic of being a great all-around kite.

• This is a very stable kite, even when unhooked or turning downwind on a wave. • The Charger’s incredibly easy relaunch makes it super friendly to learn (and progress) with.

CONS:

• The ultra-light bar pressure can take some getting used to for some riders. • No one-pump system, but this could be a pro for simplicity-obsessed riders. We would have liked to have seen one-way valves on the bladders.

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THE VERDICT:

For people looking for a kite to learn and progress on, the Charger is a great kite. Naish reduced the price by skipping the one-pump design (which will disappoint some riders), but still kept the build quality high. The easy relaunching, stability, and predictable flying makes the Charger a great kite that won’t hold you back. Its ability to drift downwind with a rider also makes it a good kite in the surf. Riders who like more bar pressure or the best jumping performance should look at the Naish Helix.

Tips

PROS:

8 Use the stopper ball on the

depower line to keep the bar from getting too far away from you if you let go.

8 Experiment with the steering line attachments on the kite to dial in bar pressure to your preference.

northrebel

TESTED: 10, 12m AVAILABLE SIZES: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16m TESTED IN: Pismo Beach, CA/15-21 knots and medium surf

FROM THE MANUFACTURER

From flat-water freedom to tearing the bag out of any size surf, the 2010 Rebel is the all-terrain freeride/wave kite of your dreams. Smooth, lively, and responsive steering, even when depowered, makes it the ideal kite for surfing and a blast to ride in any conditions.

THE KITEBOARDER REPORT

Out of the Box: Right out of the bag, the first thing we noticed about the Rebel was the attention to detail on the kite. The Rebel definitely comes with all the bells and whistles. This is a five-line fivestrut kite with a one-pump system. Make sure you close the dump valve before you start inflating. This is easy to forget on the Rebel because the valve is located near one of the wingtips. The Rebel has battens on the leading and trailing edges and features a unique floating center strut. The center strut is not attached directly to the canopy, but floats below it and is attached to the canopy by a piece of material. The rear line bridles feature a bungee that pulls the bridle up to the kite when there’s no tension on the lines which, according to North, prevents the rear lines from catching on the kite when relaunching. There are no tuning options on the bridle.

Tester Comments: “The North Rebel will offer trouble-free kiting for riders of all levels. The stability of the kite, coupled with the safety of the fifth line makes for a great kite to progress with and have fun on.” –Andy Kraft, 200 lbs., Freestyle Kiter. “The Rebel is effortless to fly because of its stability and the fifth line adds a reassuring level of safety, but watch out for the famous fifth-line bowtie if the Rebel goes down in the surf.” –Paul Lang, 200 lbs., Surf Kiter.

Consumer Review:

Tips

WA Surf at Kiteboardingreview.com “The kite seems to fly through the window better than last year. When you are working your kite in light winds it no longer stops and pivots but now flies and turns with speed and in a fluid motion that allows you to get a bit more bottom end power out of your Rebel…” Read the full review at http://www.kiteboardingreview. com/north/127-north-rebel-2010

8 As with most modern kites, make sure you pump the Rebel up nice and hard.

8 Don’t forget to close the dump valve before you start inflating the kite. We did this twice.

The Rebel comes with North’s well-known fifth-element bar, which features a push-away quick release, above-bar trim, and a very simple and clean layout. You can either attach your leash directly to the fifth line or you can put the harness loop through the fifth-line ring and then attach your leash for a suicide connection that still allows full depower if you activate the quick release. The lines feel larger and rougher than others, and are rated for a 600 lb. breaking strength. On the Water: The Rebel is an extremely stable kite, especially straight overhead. We tried to make the Rebel overfly and stall, but every time the lines began to slack, the Rebel would back up and remain rock solid. This is a big plus for beginners or people who fly in gusty winds. The Rebel turns smoothly and predictably, but there is a slight lag time for it to respond when initiating turns, at the beginning of a power stroke for example. The Rebel’s bar pressure is medium and the kite doesn’t seem to lose much power through turns. Impressively, the Rebel still handles very well even when extremely depowered. Upwind performance is very good, especially for a kite this stable and the Rebel offers plenty of jumping performance. In the waves, the Rebel drifts downwind very well and remains stable, but is a little slow to start turns when the kite has little power. Because of its stability, the Rebel is very forgiving, allowing the kite to remain flying even if you make huge mistakes.

PROS:

• Excellent stability, especially directly overhead at the top of the window. • Clean and simple control system with the known safety of the fifth-line.

CONS:

• Battens on the leading and trailing edges make the Rebel a little tricky to fold up properly. • There is a slight lag time for the kite to respond when starting turns without much power in the kite.

THE VERDICT:

The Rebel is a good user-friendly kite that will suit a lot of people. The lack of bridle adjustments takes the guess work out of setting the kite up. The rock-solid stability, predictable handling, easy relaunch, and very wide wind range will appeal to beginners and experienced riders alike. This kite has enough performance to suit most riders, but if you are looking for the ultimate freestyle kite, you may want to check out the North Vegas.

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nobile T5

TESTED: 10m AVAILABLE SIZES: 5, 7,9, 10, 12, 14m TESTED IN: Oceano, CA, 12-22 knots/medium choppy surf

FROM THE MANUFACTURER

The Nobile 555 kite range may have a new name, look, and bridle configuration, but the new Nobile T5 retains all of the characteristics that made its predecessor a test winner, whilst improving its versatility and appeal as a high-performance freeride kite. Through further development of Nobile’s Natural Arc Technology, Nobile has reconfigured the SLE geometry to allow for the complete separation of the front and rear bridle sections, removing the connecting pulley.

THE KITEBOARDER REPORT

The Nobile bar features an above-bar depower, adjustable stopper, push-away quick release, and a very unique harness loop. The harness loop is made from rigid plastic and is a little on the small side. Be aware that the harness loop separates from the rest of the control system when you activate the quick release, which means it could be lost if you pulled your release without the donkey stick engaged. On the Water: In the sky, the T5 has light-medium bar pressure and the power comes on very smoothly when you dive the kite. As you get a gust of wind, you can feel the bar pressure slightly increase, which gives you a good feeling of the amount of power in the kite. The T-5 is a stable kite and it sits back in the window, which makes it not the best performer for getting upwind. Turning is quick once initiated, but there seems to be a slight lag at the beginning of turns. According to our testers, the T5 was well-behaved and never did anything unexpected. This kite was very easy to relaunch, even in the surf. Unhooked performance was average, not the best, but again, the kite didn’t do anything unexpected and showed itself to be very forgiving. For a stable freeride kite, the Nobile T5 had surprisingly good jumping performance.

PROS:

• The Nobile T5 is simple and easy to deal with making it great as a grab-and-go no-fuss kite without having to worry about figuring things out or adjusting settings. • Good all-around performance that will please beginner-intermediate riders.

CONS:

• The unique molded plastic harness loop is a little on the small side and takes some getting used to, especially if you like to unhook. We found the donkey stick to be stiff and slightly awkward. • The Nobile T5 has a slight lag when initiating turns.

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THE VERDICT:

The T5 is a very good all-around kite. It’s stable in the sky, easy to relaunch, and is a kite that most riders will feel immediately comfortable on. The very beefy construction (the T5 has probably the strongest-looking leading edge we’ve ever seen) should be able to stand up to a lot of abuse. This is a great kite for beginners and riders who want a simple freeride kite that works well without doing anything unexpected. If you are after top jumping and/or upwind performance, you may want to look at the Nobile NHP.

Tester Comments: “The T5 is a great all-around kite that riders of all levels will immediately feel comfortable on with good low end, wind range, stability, and smooth power delivery.” –Marina Chang, 130 lbs., Freestyle/Surf Kiter. “The Nobile T5 is a great kite for beginner to intermediate riding and boosting and handles decently in the waves. Good bar pressure and response makes it very easy to feel the kite in the air.” –Michael Perdone, 175 lbs., Freestyle Kiter.

Consumer Review: Robin Goodlad at Powerkiteshop.com “This is a great first-time kiteboarding kite! Easy to setup! Easy to get going! Big wind range and no real problems with any of the flying sessions…” Read the full review at http://www. powerkiteshop.com/nobile-555-kite-2008.htm

8 Like most modern kites,

the Nobile T5 performs better and is easier to relaunch when pumped up hard.

Tips

Out of the Box: The T-5 from Nobile is a clean-looking kite with a few unique features. The first things that jumped out at us were the unique one-pump connections. The T5 has small rubber tubes that connect rigid plastic pieces on each bladder, unlike any other single-point inflation we have ever seen. The leading edge is very swept back and the bridle is short and compact. The rear-line connection points are adjustable to tune bar pressure and turning speed. The T5 is a three strut kite and the construction on the leading edge gives the impression that the LE is bulletproof.

8 Use the stopper to limit

the amount of depower so you can keep the bar close and prevent the kite from depowering completely if you let go of the bar momentarily.

Slingshot Key HD

TESTED: 10m AVAILABLE SIZES: 7, 10, 13m TESTED IN: Pismo Beach, CA/15-18 knots and medium surf

FROM THE MANUFACTURER

The Slingshot KEY HD is the newest kite in the Slingshot lineup featuring the Hybrid Delta canopy. Benefits to the freeride-minded rider are unmatched range, superb upwind ability, easy water relaunch, instant 100% depower, and safety in a clean uncomplicated package.

THE KITEBOARDER REPORT

Tester Comments: “I got the chance to test the 10m Key with about ten other riders of intermediate to pro level experience, all varying in weight from 130 to 200 lbs. No one expected very much, but all came back with big smiles on their faces, including me! It was a very fun and easy-to-use kite that we all felt immediately comfortable on.” –Marina Chang, 130 lbs., Surf/Freestyle Kiter. “The Key is the least intimidating kite I have ever flown. It’s a very controllable and safe-feeling kite that beginners will find very easy to use.” –Paul Lang, 200 lbs., Surf Kiter.

Consumer Review: Jrfiol at Kiteforum.com I finally got to try the 13M Key. The wind had died down a bit, but was still 14-16 knots. I can honestly say that the kite is real solid. It’s not the fastest kite, but is really easy to deal with… Read the full review at http://www. kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2363295&start=20

Out of the Box: Slingshot is offering the Key in a package with the Ignition Board, and we were impressed by the quality of this set up, especially as a beginner package. The Key is what Slingshot calls a Hybrid Delta Shape and it is a five-strut one-pump kite. For a pricepoint kite, the Key still has all of the usual Slingshot durability features and it does not feel like a cheap kite at all. The bridle is relatively short and is adjustable to adjust the amount of bar pressure and depower. The Key ships with the brand new Keychain control bar, which is very clean. The bar features a below-the-bar depower, push-away quick release, and a rubber grip that some testers loved and others didn’t especially like. We found the depower line challenging to trim if the kite is set at full power. Slingshot said this will work itself out after a few sessions as the line wears to better seat in the cleat. On the Water: The Key is an extremely stable kite that feels very light and responsive in the sky. When you dive the Key into the power zone, the power comes on very smoothly. Bar pressure is light, but a feature that we really liked is that the bar pressure seems to increase slightly when you get a gust, allowing the rider to easily feel the power of the kite without being overwhelmed. The Key is a very fun kite with an easy going nature on the water. Super comfortable and non-intimidating to ride, this kite simply does what you ask of it without any bad habits that we could notice. The Key has plenty of upwind and jumping performance for the intermediate and above rider. In the waves, the Key does not float downwind with the rider very well, but it works fine in the surf as long as you keep the kite powered. Relaunching was very easy, even after sending it through the wash cycle of the Pismo beach break.

PROS:

• T he Key is a very fun user-friendly kite that is very non-intimidating. • When packaged with the Ignition Board, this set up represents an excellent value.

Tips

8 D epower the kite slightly so there

are a few inches of line to grab if you want to depower it more. Otherwise it’s nearly impossible to pull the trim line in while on the water.

8 In the waves, keep some power in the kite by moving it from one side of the window to the other as you turn on the wave.

CONS:

• The depower line is difficult to trim when adjusted to full power. Keep at least one inch of trim until you get a few sessions in. • While turning towards the kite surfing waves, the Key does not float downwind with the rider well.

THE VERDICT:

The Key is a great kite for beginning kiteboarders, especially those who are easily intimidated when learning how to fly a kite. It is very stable, has a lot of depower, and has an easy-going feel.The good upwind performance, simple and clean control system, smooth power delivery and boosting ability also make it a great kite for riders of all levels. If you like to ride fast and feel a lot of power, you may want to look at the Fuel or RPM.

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Wainman Hawaii boss

TESTED: 12m AVAILABLE SIZES: Rabbit Gang sizes include 5, 7, 9, 12, 15m TESTED IN: Pismo Beach,CA/15-18 knots and medium surf

FROM THE MANUFACTURER

This is the 12-gauge that shoots with the power of a 15 while rotating with the ease of a 9. Surely the first choice for larger riders in light to medium wind conditions and a great kite to have for everyone else who wants to have fun on light-wind days. For the right person, it should be considered a serious and solid player when the wind gets stronger.

THE KITEBOARDER REPORT

Out of the Box: Wainman Hawaii strives for simplicity and cleanliness in their designs, and they have achieved that with the Boss. The Boss is a three-strut kite with no one-pump system. The leading edge is larger than most 12m kites and is incredibly rigid once inflated. The Boss’s short and simple bridle is adjustable to change how far upwind the kite flies and is well-labeled and easy to adjust. The Boss ships with an extra harness loop, spare chicken loop, and mini-fifth line that can be rigged onto the bar for another safety option. The control bar features 24m lines (17m + 7m extensions), an above-bar depower, and push-away quick release. The Boss comes with a removable ring attached to the harness loop which most riders would assume is the correct place to attach their leash, but this will not provide for 100% depower and you will be separated from your kite if you activate the quick release. Beginners should attach their leash to the attachment on one of the front lines or set up the bar with the mini-fifth line (Wainman refers to this line as Double Depower).

On the Water: Once in the sky, the stability of the Boss is immediately noticeable. This kite never feels like it’s going to stall, even unhooked. The Boss never seems to distort or flutter and is an amazingly smooth-feeling kite. The Boss has great low-end power, but the power is very easy to control.

Bar pressure on the Boss is on the light side of medium and turning feels very similar to a C-Kite, where the kite’s power delivery remains smooth through the entire turn. In the waves, the Boss drifts downwind with the rider, yet is always ready to quickly respond to inputs. The Boss sits back a little deeper in the window than most kites, but you can still get upwind easily if you ride with power and use your edging skills. Jumping and looping the Boss is a pleasure, as it always responds very predictably and never gives any indication of stalling. Relaunching the Boss is almost automatic and takes very little input from the rider to be flying again.

• T he Wainman Hawaii kites are simplicity at its best. Everything has been designed to be simple, clean, and easy to use. • The stability and predictability of the Boss are both amazing. This may be the most stable kite we’ve ever tested.

CONS:

• I t’s not obvious (especially to beginners) where the leash should be connected. • Some riders will not be happy that there is no one-pump option on the Wainman Hawaii kites.

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“The Boss feels very light and responsive and the attention to detail really shows from the graphics down to the smallest details of the package; very well thought out!” –Gary Martin, 175 lbs., Surf Kiter. “The Boss is a refreshingly doodad-free piece of equipment. Riders who appreciate simplicity and clean control systems will love the Boss.” –Paul Lang, 200 lbs., Surf Kiter

Consumer Review: Ice at kitecrowd.com “Just bought the Boss and the Smoke and wow what awesome kites. I’ve only flown the Boss, but if the Smoke is anything like it then I am stoked. These things are grunty as hell. Power delivery is so smooth and the kite is quick as hell Read the full review at http://forum.kitecrowd.com/ kitesurfing/wainman-kites-147240-2.html

THE VERDICT:

The Wainman Hawaii Boss is a fantastic all-around kite. Everything about the kite is elegantly simple and the Boss is a great performer. The stability and stupidly-easy relaunch make this a great kite for beginners while the predictability, direct turning, great performance, and no-nonsense design will appeal to many intermediate and advanced riders. The Boss doesn’t jump as high or fly as far upwind as some other kites, and the lack of a one-pump system will turn some riders away. If you are looking for a great all-around kite that excels for a range of conditions and riding styles, the Boss fits that bill very well.

8 Pump up the Boss very

Tips

PROS:

Tester Comments:

hard. When you set the kite on the beach, the middle of the leading edge should sit about six inches above the sand.

8 Move the ring that comes attached to the harness loop to the chicken loop. This will be the appropriate spot for most kiters to attach their leash.

Cautiontrepass FROM THE MANUFACTURER

This is a new design for the existing Trespass line. This board essentially delivers the performance of the Trespass 5’5” to our larger riders. The 5’10” has a little more volume with the same speed and drive while offering a little more glide for down-the-line riding.

THE KITEBOARDER REPORT:

Out of the Box: The 5’10” Trespass looks and feels like a regular surfboard. The Trespass is built using a traditional PU construction, and our test board was not light. The widest part of the board (18.25”) is near the front foot strap and we were happy to see Future fin boxes installed, which gives the end user access to a number of different fins to try. The supplied thruster fins are very unique, with the tips of the outside fins canted out. On the Water: The 5’10” is a very fast, smooth, and snappy surfboard. Once up and moving, the weight of the board could not really be felt and the board felt very stable. This is a very snappy board that is surprisingly maneuverable and is very easy to speed up to get around sections. The Trespass rides through the chop very well and is most at home on the face of a wave, where you can feel free to ride it just as if you were paddle-surfing, with no power from your kite.

THE VERDICT:

The Trespass 5’10” is a great board if you want to really surf waves with your kite. This is a larger board, so you can utilize the power of the wave, instead of the power of your kite. The unique Speed Wing fins really seem to work well and this board is very easy to speed up or slow down to stay on the critical section of the wave. This board is no lightweight, but according to Caution the next batch of boards will be lighter. This shred stick is for you if you are looking for a larger board that can stay on a wave face without relying on power from the kite. If you want a high-speed directional for blasting around in the waves at full power, look elsewhere.

Tester Comment: “The Trespass comes with excellent fins! This thruster set up gives the board more drive when going slow and allows the board to be ridden flatter than with standard thruster fins.” –Gary Martin, 175 lbs., Surf Kiter.

Tips

TESTED: 5’10”AVAILABLE SIZES: Trespass Line includes 5’5”, 5’10”, 6’0” TESTED IN: Pismo Beach, CA/15-18 knots and medium surf

8 D on’t be afraid to ride this board strapless. It is very stable underfoot and is a great board to get used to moving your feet around on. 8 F ocus on being on the right section of the wave and using the power of the wave with this board, instead of relying on the power of your kite to blast around in the surf.

naishCustom Wave Fish TESTED: 5’8” AVAILABLE SIZES: 5’4”, 5’8”, 6’0” TESTED IN: Pismo Beach, CA/18-22 knots and medium surf

The Custom Range offers the industry’s highest performance shapes, the leading premium construction technology, and the most expansive selection. The Fish Range is super buttery-smooth fun. The Fish 5’8” is one board that does everything with easy handling and smooth carving.

THE KITEBOARDER REPORT:

Out of the Box: The bright yellow graphics on this board mean you will never have trouble finding it in the surf! The 5’8” Naish Custom Wave Fish is a good looking board, with a mild swallow tail and the widest point of the board (18.25”) just behind the front foot strap. Naish calls this board a fish, but it really doesn’t look like a traditional fish surfboard. The Fish’s rocker is fairly flat, especially in the rear half of the board. This board is constructed using an epoxy/EPS/PVC sandwich, and it is no lightweight. The Fish comes installed with quad DFS fin boxes, which are conveniently compatible with FCS fins. On the Water: The Naish Fish is a very quick-to-plane board that rides very smoothly, even in super choppy water. This board’s stability makes it a great board to ride strapless or to learn jibing on, in fact we had a difficult time getting our testers to put the straps on for a test! The front pad isn’t quite big enough when riding strapless, but you can remedy this with a little wax on the forward part of the board.

The Fish goes upwind like crazy. On the surface of a wave it really livens up, and you are able to get a lot of drive out of the quad fins. Like we said, this board is a little heavy, but the weight was never noticeable while riding.

THE VERDICT:

This board will be very comfortable for all levels of kitesurfers, and is a great all-around board for kiting in the waves. If you are after an ultra-lightweight board or a board the pivots more (i.e. a thruster), you may want to look elsewhere. We were especially impressed by how easy the Fish was to ride strapless, even in the onshore chop of Pismo Beach.

Tester Comment: “The Naish 5’8” Fish is a good all-around surfboard for kiting. With a fairly flat rocker, the board planes quite easily even for bigger guys like myself. The board tracks very well even at speed and exhibits no squirreliness whatsoever.” –Mike “Hammer” Mack, 240 lbs., Surf Kiter.

Tips

FROM THE MANUFACTURER

8 R emember that quads are set up with the larger fins in front. We initially set up our test board wrong, although no one would admit to it. 8 Put a little wax on the board in front of the front pad, especially if you ride the board strapless.

t hekit eboard er.c o m 7 7

slingshotignition TESTED: 140 cm AVAILABLE SIZES: 140x42, 150x44.5 TESTED IN: Pismo Beach, CA/15-18 knots and medium surf

Progression and evolution are key elements to building confidence and ultimate success in learning how to kiteboard. Having the right tool at the right price is equally important. Slingshot showcases the new and improved IGNITION series twin tip board to complete the formula. Benefits of the user-friendly outline, quality overall design, affordable price when combined with the KEY kite, and our commitment to superior customer service make the IGNITION twin tip board the perfect answer for freeriders.

THE KITEBOARDER REPORT

Out of the Box: The Ignition board is available in a package with the Slingshot Key HD kite, which is also reviewed in this issue. This is Slingshot’s entry-level board, but there’s nothing cheap about how this board looks or feels. The Ignition features a step-down sidewall construction, 1.75” fins, and graphics that, as we’ve admitted to liking in the past, allow you to see parts of the board’s core. Weight seems about average and the included pads and adjustable straps round out a nice package. On the Water: The Ignition is fast to get up on a plane and is easy to control. Even when edging hard and riding overpowered, the board never did anything unexpected and the board never slid out or chattered. The fairly large fins mean that the board takes a little effort to slide through a 180 for transitions.

This board’s stiffness is noticeable on the water, so you’ll want to use your legs as shock absorbers in choppy water. The adjustable straps are easy to adjust, even in the water, just be sure to tuck the excess in the pocket on the side of the strap so it doesn’t get caught on your toes.

THE VERDICT:

The Ignition is a perfect starter board that a new rider will be able to use for their first few seasons, or until they desire a faster or higher-performance board. The Ignition and Key HD package that Slingshot is pushing this year is a great package for new kiters, and we suspect that they’ll have a lot of success with this. The Ignition’s performance is completely acceptable for even an intermediate rider, just be aware that it is stiffer than many boards currently on the market.

Tester Comment:

“The Ignition is a good beginner board that a new rider won’t outgrow in their first season of kiting. This board doesn’t throw any surprises at the rider, which is what a new kiter needs” –Paul Lang, 200 lbs., Surf Kiter.

Tips

FROM THE MANUFACTURER

8 Tuck the strap laces into the sides of the straps so they don’t catch on your toes. 8 B end your knees a lot when hitting chop or riding over waves as this board’s stiffness doesn’t absorb very much of the energy.

Lightwind Specific

Zephyr 17m Ozone’s new light wind specific kite is designed for gentle breezes and delivers the same superior handling, power, feel and control as you’ve come to expect from Ozone. • Tight radius turn = great pop/fun. • No Pulleys for direct handling and safety. • Easy relaunch. • Huge wind range, 6 - 20 knots. (No Shit!) • One pump. • Below bar 100% flag out safety system.

You Ride

They Watch

You Laugh

They Cry

www.flyozoneusa.com

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Best describes the Bularoo as the kite that the 2010 Waroo would’ve been, had it stayed a pure SLE. Photo Jody MacDonald

Designer Profile:

Name: Peter Stiewe Age: 39 Location: South Africa/Portugal Job Title: Managing Director R&D, Kite design Designing: Kiteboarding products

Product name: Bularoo V2 Product category: SLE Sizes available: 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15m Release date: Available Now

Wayne Griswold, m www.emeraldcoastkiteboarding.co

The Bularoo was first introduced in 2007 as Best Kiteboarding’s All-Terrain SLE kite. In 2009, no Bularoo was offered. Why did Best bring this kite back in 2010? The Bularoo fills the gap in the line-up for riders who want a pure SLE design. It does everything that the previous Bularoo and Waroo kites did, but better, due to the 2010 construction package. Now that the 2010 Waroo is a hybrid delta, there’s space in the line up to bring back the Bularoo. It also lets us address the needs of the land and snow kiters who want an ultra-stable bulletproof SLE kite. Will former Bularoo riders notice many significant changes? It’s been more than three years since the Bularoo was first developed and a lot has happened since then. The Bularoo V2 is a development of the 2009 Waroo kite DNA, not the 2007 Bularoo DNA, so it’s a very different kite from a design and manufacture viewpoint. It has the new external EZ-pump system, a new bridle, different CFT, significantly different tip-to-tip and chord shaping, a revised aspect ratio, improved LE bridle patch design and layout, and a completely new LE seam construction. It still provides high depower, fast turning, easy relaunch, bulletproof build, and great hangtime. It’s best to think of it as the kite that the 2010 Waroo would have been if it had stayed a pure SLE.

tested

o SLE feel, the new Bularoo V2 For any kiter looking for that classic Waro External EZ Pump system is and e bridl VP3 new The . them for is the kite Bularoo, plus the new Surf-Tough probably the biggest change for the new le in the water, snow, or land. durab r supe construction makes this kite you dial in your desired riding help us the Also, the A-B-C rear bridle settings will for all-around freestyle riding, and gave well ed work AA that felt We . t to adap preference can kiter any that kite e is a very predictabl lightest bar pressure. The new Bularoo rials. Big thumbs up on mate best the using built bag, the of easily. It’s a great kite right out t crew! the Bularoo V2 from the Emerald Coas

8 0 th ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

Why would a rider prefer the Bularoo over the Waroo, NXG or Kahoona? If your kite of choice has always been the Waroo, then the Bularoo is the natural choice for 2010. It blends the handling and performance of our classic SLE kite designs with the build quality and riding feel that riders expect from our 2010 range. It’s a huge step up from the 09 Waroo in terms of build quality and precision, with a sharper and tighter all round feel. Compared to the NXG it’s much more forgiving in a tight spot, delivering controlled power and allowing you to progress your riding more quickly and safely. Though the Bularoo and Kahoona both deliver very similar performance, their handling, power delivery and turning styles are very different; even with your eyes closed they feel like completely different kites. SLE and delta kites are very different. Riders often have a preference for one specific style of kite, and for that reason we make all different styles including the Bularoo. Anyone who wants an SLE kite with insane build quality and great performance should check it out. What are some of the other key product features and performance characteristics? It’s an SLE design, so it has a high projected area for great upwind and great depower which translates into very good hang time as well. The external EZ-pump system is great, especially if you ride in the snow. The new bridle geometry has made the kite rock-solid in all wind conditions and at both ends of the wind range. It’s a great kite to pushing the limits on. What are the safety options on the control bar? The Bularoo V2 can be used with pretty much any bar. It works perfectly with the new Red-line Performance Bar, so you can switch between front-line leash or suicide leash modes, and you have options on the back lines as well with dual OSR handles. Can you provide any tuning tips that will help riders tweak this kite for specific conditions? If you want to hit the surf, set the rear bridle to AC, which will give you best drift and a good balance of drive and flow in the turns. If you just want to go for crazy big air and kiteloops then run it at AA; that gives you the fastest turning and the smoothest depower. If you are a crazy freestyle rider and want it for unhooked riding and popping against then maybe even try a BC back line setting; that’ll give you crazy grunt and solid back line pressure. What is your warranty policy on this product? Fair and reasonable. Regardless of what the fault is or how old the kite is, if it’s fair and reasonable to expect us to repair or replace the kite then that’s what we will do. What differentiates your product from your competitors? There really isn’t anything else in the SLE market that has the pedigree of the Bularoo; it’s developed from the DNA of our best selling LEI of all time, the Waroo. Like the tagline says, it’s “All Roo, No bull…”

f-one

The Trax is F-One’s highest performing twin tip. For 2010, they worked on improving the board’s upwind ability, planning, and overall comfort, especially in choppy conditions. Photo Shal Jacobovitz

The TRAX 5 is in its fifth year. With 12 board choices in the F-One 2010 line, where does this board fit in the product mix? For the past five years, the TRAX has been on the cutting edge of F-One technology and is our highest performing freestyle twin tip. What was your biggest challenge during the prototype phase? Improving the TRAX 4 without taking anything away. We played a lot with the shape and worked very closely with our factory on the technology. What changes will previous Trax owners notice most about the 2010 model? We were able to improve planning and upwind ability as well as the board’s control and overall comfort, especially in choppy conditions. Why would a rider prefer the Trax 5 over other freestyle boards in the F-One line such as the Acid or Sk8 twin tips? The Trax has a wide range of use from light to high winds while the Acid is built more to pop and land your tricks. The SK8 is made for high winds and choppy conditions and is also a great twin tip for playing in the waves and carving. If you could choose one standout performance or new construction feature to highlight, what would it be? The Twist Carbon Control is a new way of building kiteboards. We were the first company to produce full woodcore snowboard-type twin tips and now we’re moving onto the next step. When all the work on the shape is finished, we do a new battery of tests with different fiberglasses and carbon layups as well as working with different shapes for cross on the deck. This is only possible because we have a close relationship with our supplier and are able to make all the prototypes needed for the R&D phase. We also take advantage of the extensive snowboard technology they offer with regards to the flex and twist control. What are some of the other key product features and performance characteristics? Weight, strengh, flex, and twist control are important but accessories like pads, straps and fins are key features too. We put a lot of attention into the comfort of our pads and straps with a double foam density on the pads. F-One is constantly refining our strap designs and mount system.

What style/level of rider will most enjoy this product and in what conditions? Average to advanced riders will benefit the most from the TRAX in light to strong conditions. Riders will immediately feel at home after a few minutes on the TRAX 5. It’s the type of board that from the moment you hit the water, makes you feel comfortable and want to try new moves.

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Designer Profile:

Name: Raphael Salles Age: 46 Location: Montpellier, France Job Title: Boss – R&D Manager Designing: 32 years kite & windsurf Kiteboarding: 12 years

What is your warranty policy on this product? One year standard industry policy. What differentiates your product from your competitors? We believe the depth of our extensive shaping and board building experience and years of fine tuning makes the difference.in all F-One boards, both twin tips and surf directionals.

tested

Product name: Trax 5 Product Category: Freestyle Twin Tip Sizes Available: 132x38, 134x39, 136x40, 138x41cm Release Date: Available Now

Juan Pavan, http://www.tksmiami.c

year, all I can say is the TRAX V is a As a new dealer for F-One for the past t performance, and comfort. It has grea perfect balance between technology, and can generate great ride, th smoo and soft very a s offer upwind ability, m comfort in high winds. Its 3D botto speed while maintaining excellent al V gives later new the e whil d boar the of shapes improved the direct drive more aggressively. rol, allowing you to go faster and ride riders a looser feeling with total cont more efficient pop than last and r bette much s offer on ibuti Additionally, the new flex distr to the line. ge is for F-One to add smaller sizes year’s model. The only thing I’d chan t hekit eboarder.c o m 8 1

Genetrix

Collaborating with Airbus engineers, the Hydra v4 was designed for speed, power and control, and especially excels in difficult conditions. Photo Zinou Guiri /www.adrenaline-kitesurf.com

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Designer Profile:

Name: Martial Camblong Age: 43 Location: Biarritz & Leucate, France Job Title: Founder, Boss Designing: 12 years Kiteboarding: Since 1997

The original Hydra helped Seb Cattelan be the first to break the 50 knot speed barrier. Now in its fourth generation, what kind of rider and in what conditions will get the most out of the Hydra V.4? The Hydra has always been a revolutionary flat kite with the biggest wind range on the market and exceptional safety. The latest generation Hydra V4 is built for speed, power, and control in difficult conditions. This is a kite designed for the rider that wants to go out in extreme wind conditions and still feel comfortable and safe. What was your biggest challenge during the prototype phase? The development of the Hydra came through years of cumulative prototyping and teamwork with help from engineers at Airbus. With the Hydra V4 our only challenge was to improve the original performance while adding user-friendly features such as one-pump and a refined bar.

Product name: Hydra V4 Product category: Bow Sizes available: 7, 9, 12, 14m Release date: Available Now

Tim Pumpa, www.jtkitesurfing.com.au

As a next generation design, what changes will previous Hydra owners notice most about the 2010 model? Aside from one-pump, we have a new Dacron panel for better weight distribution and balance to the kite, a new profile, new bridle length, and a refined bar and quick release. We’ve also refined our SPS (Supported Profile System), which has multiple points of attachment that support the canopy and create stability.

tested

The Hydra V4 is an evolution of the previous model and is a high-depower, air high-performance kite. The Hydra excels as a speed kite and offers big it and hang time. Its flat shape and unique front and rear bridle system makes aspect great Another s. condition gusty in ble controlla and stable y incredibl two of the Hydra is its impressive wind range, meaning you only need one or riders and kites in your quiver. It is a versatile kite that caters to intermediate to advanced kites perform the the kites attributes consistently apply to the entire range. I have found the pivotal in breaking best straight out the bag with no extra tuning required. The V4 has been recently. achieved I which record the Australian GPS speed 8 2 th ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

Why would a rider prefer the Hydra over Genetrix’s other kite, the Origin? The Hydra is a kite made for free ride, speed, ultimate control, and hang time. Because the Hydra has more power per square meter, riders who like to race and those who often encounter challenging and gusty wind conditions would likely reach for a Hydra. In contrast, the Origin is all about freestyle and waves. If you could choose one standout performance or new construction feature to highlight, what would it be? The unique bridle system creates ultimate control over the canopy, not unlike a foil kite. This creates an unbelievable amount of control, depower, and stability. In fact, the Hydra is the only inflatable kite with bridles supporting the trailing edge. The resulting stability and profile control make it perfect in gusty conditions. For instance, when Sébastien smashed the 50 knot record, he was flying a 9m Hydra V3 in 45 knots of wind when the other riders had to make do with smaller kites. There is literally nothing else like a Hydra on the market, which is why it is now the kite of choice at the Luderitz Speed Challenge in Namibia. What are some of the other key product features and performance characteristics? The highest quality construction and materials, including canopy fabric from Teijin Fibers in Japan. The canopy is reinforced with a Dacron band at each strut. What are the safety features on the control bar? Letting go of the bar completely depowers the kite because of the bridle design. A clean and efficient quick release, which conveniently incorporates the swivel and a below-the-bar leash attachment complete the package. Can you provide any tuning tips that will help riders tweak this kite for specific conditions?You can use the rear line adjustment straps on the bar to tune on the fly without interrupting your session. What is your warranty policy on this product? One year for defects in manufacturing or materials. We want to ensure we maintain the same great reputation we’ve developed in Europe over the last five years for quality and customer satisfaction. What differentiates your product from your competitors? We believe the Hydra V4 is the most sophisticated design on the market which translates into world-beating performance, with exceptional stability and control at the same time.

e Kite s Pag Need

California

Action Watersports (310) 827-2233 Airtime Kiteboarding (818) 554-7573 Aquan Watersport (650)593-6060 Australian Kitesurf Academy (714) 955-7832 Bay Area Kitesurf (415) 573-2619 Board Sports (510) THE-WAVE Board Sports (415) 929-SURF CaliKites (619) 522-9575 Captain Kirk’s (310) 833-3397 Delta Windsurf Company (831) 429-6051 Helm Sports (650 )344-2711

CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA CA

HOW SAFE IS YOUR INSTRUCTOR?

Is your instructor or school insured? Have they been through an internationally recognized, certified instruction program? While insurance and certification don’t guarantee you quality, safe instruction, they can help you better qualify your choices. Introducing the TKB Certified Schools program. Look for the symbols by the listings! For complete info or to be recognized as a TKB Certified School, see www.thekiteboarder.com and click on the TKB Certified School graphic.

The Kiteboarder Certified Schools

LEGEND

d Certifie TKB Certified

Insurance

0THER OTHER

IKO

Pasa

Inflight Surf and Sail (562) 493-3661 CA Kite Country (619) 226-4421 CA Kitegearboxx.com (888) 411-0732 CA Kitesurfari (714) 964-5483 CA Kite Naked (209) 304-2200 CA KiteWindSurf (510) 522-WIND CA Live2Kite (415) 722-7884 CA Long Beach Windsurf Center (562) 433-1014 CA Mako Surf Skate Snow (949) 367-1300 CA Malibu Kitesurfing (310) 430-KITE CA Manta Wind & Water Sports (858) 270-7222 CA Monkey Air (310) 457-6896 CA Murrays (800) 786-7245 x23 CA Offshore Surf Co. (760) 729-4934 CA Kite School (650) 960-1721 CA Solutions (805) 773-5991 CA Soul Performance (310) 370-1428 CA Sky Kitesurfing School (925) 455-4008 CA VELA (800) 223-5443 CA Wind over Water Kiteboarding (650) 218-6023 CA Kite Island (925) 212-2915 CA Xdream Sportz (858) 481-9283 CA Xstreamline Sports (310) 518-1972 CA Xtreme Big Air (805) 773-9200 CA

Colorado

Colorado Kite Force (970) 485-3300 GAYLAN’S (720) 887-0900 GG Wind Kiteboarding (970) 389-0683 Into the Wind (303) 449-5906 Larson’s Ski and Sport (303) 423-0654 Fuze Kiteboarding (303) 683-5033 PKS (970) 376-3159 Snowkite Steamboat (970) 819-2997

CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO

Connecticut

Orbit Marine Sports (203) 333-3483 Tri State Kites (800) 510-0865

CT CT

Florida

7 Kiteboarding (305) 664-4055 Ace Performer (239) 489-3513 Bloodline Boardshop (321) 254-4668 Big Kite Miami (305) 303-4107 East Coast Kiteboarding (954) 295-5778 Emerald Coast Kiteboarding (850) 235-2444 Extreme Kites (904) 461-9415 Extreme Sports (321) 779-4228 Jupiter Kiteboarding (561) 373-4445 Key West Kiteboarding (305) 407-6748 Kiteboarding Tampa Bay (813) 389-3683 Ft. Lauderdale Kitesurfing Co. (954) 410-5419 Island Style Wind & Watersports (941) 954-1009 Island Surf and Sail (954) 927-7002 Kiteboarding Tampa Bay (813) 389-3683 Kite Surf the Earth (888) 819-5483 Kite World (321) 725-8336 KGB Kiteboarding (904) 434-8987 1st Coast Kiting (904) 424-2721 Learn 2 Fly (386) 986-9637 Liquid Surf & Sail (850) 664-5731 KiteMare (877) 829-0015 Miami Kiteboarding Inc. (305) 345-9974 Otherside Boardsports (305) 853-9728 The Kite Shop (305) 361-0168 Sandy Point Progressive Sports (386) 756-7564 Ski Rixen (954) 429-0215 Tampa Bay Kiteboarding (727) 798-2484

Triton Kiteboarding (727) 453-9577 Water Monkey Kiteboarding (727) 481-3637 Watersports West (888) 401-5080 XL Kites (866) 955-4837 Xrated Kiteboarding (888) 401-5080

FL FL FL FL

FL FL FL FL FL FL

FL FL FL FL FL FL FL FL FL FL FL FL FL FL

FL FL FL

Georgia

All Out Kiteboarding (912) 234-8260 GA High Tide Surf Shop (912) 786-6556 GA Locus Kiteboarding (404) 509-4229 GA Hanag20 Kiteboarding (912) 223-7856 GA

Hawaii

Action Sports Maui (808) 871-5857 HI Caveman Kitesurfing (808) 389-4004 HI Extreme Sports Maui (808) 871-7954 HI Hawaiian Island Surf & Sport (808) 871-4981 HI Hawaiian Watersports (808) 262-KITE HI Kailua Sailboards (808) 262-2555 HI Kite High (808) 637-5483 HI Kiteboarding School of Maui (808) 873-0015 HI Maui Kiteboarding Lessons (808) 242-8015 HI Naish Maui Pro Center (808) 871-1500 HI Naish Hawaii (808) 262-6068 HI Off Da Lip (808) 255-6255 Second Wind (808) 877-7467 Vela Maui (800) 223-5443

HI HI HI

Idaho

Groud Zero (208) 265-6714 Fly Sun Valley (208) 726-3332

ID ID

Massachusetts

Air Support Kiteboarding (866) Kite-Cod Kitesite.net (508) 398-1333 Skyhigh Kiteboarding School (508) 259-2728

MA MA MA

Maryland

Illinois

Windward Sports (773) 472-6868

Chicago Kiteboarder (312) 804-5482

H2AIR Productions (302) 227-1105

t hekit eboarder.c o m 8 3

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Michigan

Broneah Kiteboarding (231) 392-2212 Detroit Kiteboarding (248) 245-5016 Grand Bay Kite Co. (231) 929-0607 Great Lakes Kiteboarding (586) 822-6511 MacInaw Kite Co. (800) 622-4655 Tawas Board Riders (989) 362-9906 Motor City Kiteboarding (586) 943-5172 Sharkless Kiteboarding (269) 639-SURF Uncle Doug’s Kiteboarding (810) 985-3732

New Jersey

MI MI MI

MN MN MN MN

Mississippi

Get Air (228) 209-1204 Gulfport Boardsports (228) 596-1936

MS MS

Montana

Underground Kitesports (406) 546-2709

NC NC NC

NC NC NC NC NC

New Hampshire

Powerline Sports (888) 987-WIND

NJ NJ NJ

New York

Best Kiteboarding Center (631) 691-0793 Curtis Sport Connection (716) 627-2247 Island Riders (631) 583-3019 Main Beach Surf & Sports (631) 537-2716 Myers (716) 751-6511 Skywalk Kiteboarding (631) 324-4450 Windsurfing Hamptons (613) 283-9463 Rick’s Surf Shop (631 )581-9424

8 4 th ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

Thomasons Sports Kites (580) 796-2359

OR OR OR

Kitesurfing Puerto Rico (787) 728-8716 Kitesurfing (787) 374-5329

PR PR

Northwind Sports (401) 254-4295

NY NY NY NY NY   NY

OH OH

OR OR OR OR

OR OR OR OR OR OR

South Carolina

Half Moon Outfitters (843) 881-9472 Catch Some Air (843) 388-9300

SC SC

South Dakota

Pro Peak Sports (605) 341-5445

Texas

Air Padre Kiteboarding (956) 299-WIND Pro Kitesurf (361) 883-1473 South Coast Kiteboarding (361) 949-3278 S. Padre Island Kiteboarding (956) 245-8343 S. Padre Kiteboarding (956) 761-1434

Warming Hut Ski & Board (972) 234-6088 TX XL Kites, Dallas (817) 676-7842 TX XLKites, Houston (877) 955-4837 TX XL Kites, Padre Island (866) 957-2373 TX Zero Gravity Kiteboarding (361) 949-0266 TX

Utah

TX TX

Cloud 9 Soaring Center (801) 576-6460 Y UT Kiteutah.com (435) 462-5303 CM UT

Virginia RI

Oregon

2nd Wind Sports (541) 386-4464 Air-Time (541) 387-3910 All Surf Industries (503) 239-8973 Big Winds (888) 509-4210 Brian’s Windsurfing/ Kitesurfing (541) 386-1423 Cleanline Surf (888) 546-6176 Floras Lake Windsurfing (541) 348-9912 Gorge Surf Shop (800) 957-4978 Hood River Waterplay (541) 386-WIND Kite-Line (888) 714-9849

Rhode Island

Ohio

Red Sky Surf & Snow (419) 536-3204 River Sports (440) 333-8138

Puerto Rico

Oklahoma

North Carolina

Blowing in the Wind (910) 763-1730 Cape Fear Kiteboarding (910) 201-4002 Kiteboarding Hatteras (252) 995-5000 Kitty Hawk Kiteboarding Centers (877) FLY-THIS Outer Banks Kiting Certified (252) 305-6839 Real Kiteboarding (866) 732-5548 Wind Toys USA (910) 328-5483 Wind Toys II (252) 393-1300

Nevada

Kitesurf Vegas (702) 493-9245 Windsports (702) 220-4340

Minnesota

Scuba Center Wind/Kite (612) 925-4818 North Star Kiteboarding (612) 940-6639 Midwest Mountaineering (612) 339-3433 LAKAWA Kiteboarding (651) 428-4121

Extreme Windsurfing (610) 807-9493 Green Hat Kiteboarding (718) 577-1256 Heritage Surf & Sport (609) 263-3033 Island Surf and Sail (609) 494-5553

Kite the Gorge (541) 490-4926 Lincoln City Surf Shop (541) 996-7433 New Wind (541) 387-2440 Pacific Wave (503) 861-0866 Windance Boardshop (541) 386-2131

4/9/10

Southeast Expeditions (877) 943-8548 CMY VA

Washington K

North by Northwest Surf Co. (360) 452-5144 WA Seattle Kiteboarding Center (206) 779-3272 WA Urban Surf (206) 545-9463 WA Wiley’s Water Ski Shop (206) 762-1300 WA Wind Flow (877) 211-3524 WA Evo (206) 973-4470 Bellingham Kiteboarding (360) 441-7577

E FOR C N A D R INSUWIND AN TS ALL ERSPOR WAT Kiteb o Wind arding, SUP, sur f i Su Wate n rskii g, Wakeb r f ing ng a nd m oarding , ore. en na Cagxt 28 ct: Da ce.com Conta 89.4762 e rtsinsuran 1.866.8agen@spo Dana.c

Wisconsin

Adventure Kiteboarding (414) 760-1493 Coontail Watersports (715) 385-0250

WI WI

Kite-Riders (608) 273-1817 Southport Rigging Company (262) 652-5434 The Board Shop (262) 248-1703

WI WI

Wyoming Hoback Sports (307) 733-5335

1:06:52

k worch ben

How to Fix a Spaghetti Mess Words and photos by Dave Nunn/www.windance.com

Whether a line or chicken loop breaks, or if you pull the safety trigger on the water or land, dealing with the aftermath of a huge spaghetti mess is a not-so-fun part of kiteboarding. Even if you had a kitemare, but were able to swim in and finish your session on a spare bar, you still have to deal with the nightmare of untangling the jumbled rat’s nest chaos of your lines. Believe it or not, there’s a right way and a wrong way to unscramble your lines. Here are some tips to save you time and frustration.

SMALL LOOPS are bad and take forever to untangle. Gently pull at the small loops until they become big loops.

Pull each line through LEFT to RIGHT through the mess.

Fixing the Mess:

Nothing some good music and a cold beer can’t fix! Patience is important. Take your time and be cool-headed. Trying to untangle your lines on the beach while it is windy and your lines are blowing around is not a good idea. Do it later when you’re chillin’ back at home.

Go home, put on some music, relax for a few minutes, and get a comfortable stool and a cold drink.

Then pull more of the same line RIGHT to LEFT.

BIG LOOPS are good. You must keep the mess in big loops. Take your wad of lines and spread them out as big as you can.

Keep going until you have one line completely done then, start on another. Remember, patience is key and there are no shortcuts to this process! When you Pick ONE LINE at a time and pull it through the mess. finish, give yourself a big thumbs up! t hekit eboarder.c o m 8 5

Local Tor Stark slays the top of this Waddell Creek wave. Photo Shal Jacobovitz

Localhomies

winning photo Submit your photos of â&#x20AC;&#x153;local homiesâ&#x20AC;? riding at your home spot and you could win a killer T-shirt from Transcend Kiteboarding! E-mail paul@thekiteboarder.com

Local Homies is all about everyday, local riders sharing the stoke at their home kiting spots.

Leon Gardner boosts a huge one-footer in La Ventana. Photo Cynbad Brown

8 6 th ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

Born in Paraguay, when Victor Ruotti moved to Wisconsin as an exchange student, he figured no big deal; that must be close to California so he could still surf. When he found out about snowkiting though, he was ready to stay. Photo Liz Bortoletto

At 66 years old, Janie Fuller still rips in both waves and flat water. Photo Reto Leuenberger

Nat Lincoln gets a nice grab off of this La Ventana kicker. Photo Cynbad Brown

Litewave Dave boosts at his local spot of Folsom Lake with his son cheering him on. Photo Mrs. Litewave

Little Javier Gimenez Pena is only eight years old, but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already tearing it up in Fuerteventura. Photo Roberto Stortoni

It just wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be the Local Homies section without a GoPro self portrait! Sebastian Riveros cruises on the Rio Negro in Argentina. Photo Sebastian Riveros

Steve Miller scores a wave on a recent El Norte day in La Ventana. Photo Aiste Ridikaite

t hekit eboard er.c o m 8 7

Blake Harrington gets extra style points for this dismount at Waddell Creek. Photo Shal Jacobovitz

TOP

THE

rd a Y le sa

CRASHES IN FRONT OF THE

LENS

G ot a great w ipe o u t shot ? Email: paul@thekiteboarder.com

This photo is proof that Sam Light doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t land every move he goes for. Photo Nigel Kenny

Kinsley Thomas Wong slides past the camera in Pismo Beach. Photo Paul Lang

Andrew Koch gets his kite out of a private yard after it went down on the other side of the fence in Puerto Vallarta. Photo Paul Lang After a two-hour swim against the current, Stephen Fowler still had to deal with overhead waves breaking onto a shallow razor-sharp reef. Photo Doug the Kite Caddy

8 8 th ek i t e b o a r d e r . c om

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s much more efficient to go over waves than through them. Photo Paul Lang

Javier Gimenez Pena, just eight years old, goes for the classic accidental one-footer. Photo Roberto Stortoni

A league of its own! ReBeL

Wave/freeride

RAnge of use: s i zes : 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 14 / 16

RideR Jérémie Eloy Photo Stephan Fournet SPot Madagascar check out

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