Emilio - I sailed with the kiters at Hilton Head today. A couple of the heavier guys rode 12M bow kites, but most everybody was on 7 to 9Ms. you woulda loved it - 25mph out of the west with an opposing current. Great ramps and big air. Here's the disgusting part - air temp in the mid-50s and water temp right at 60. With the binoculars, I could see a crowd of kiters over on Tybee too. More tomorrow.
Last week we had a good session on Thu 26th (very last 1:30hr of the day) and then glorious hunking Sunday 28th. If you miss it, I can describe it into words. Brian, Bogdan, John, Fridge and myself went to Lanier and braved the elements. It was blowing 25 to 32mph all day long. Imagine this, when I was rigging up and getting all the gear on me, I put some stuff on the grass (Old Fed) and my snikers, harness and gloves started to move downwind.... thanks to Martin, who caught my harness on its way to the water, while I was chasing down my snikers...That alone - I guess - tells you how bad it was blowing.
I went first in the water and rigged a 12m North Rebel. It was maybe a bit too big for the prevailing condition, but what the hell!!! I was not in the mood to rig smaller. I went out and had a 1:30 hr session. The depowering strap was pulled in all the way and some times I had the bar as far as I could. I was clearlly overpowered most of the time. By the time I came to shore to rest, the remaining part of the crew went out on the water on 9m (Slingshot turbodiesel and 9m Best Waroos). Some of them looked overpowered, wind was picking up. I decided to rig the Sonic 8m. Oh... my GOD, what fun this little kite it is. It is like driving an automatic car vs any other kite I have, or have ever flown (think manual shift). The Sonics are soooo stess free, fun kites to fly. I have one of the best ever sessions of my life on 30+mph, and never even felt intimidated. I was chatting with Brian on the grass while my kite (Sonic 8m) was in the air, big smile in my face, no butterflies in the stomach. Not even the worst gust took me off balance while on the grass. Nothing like letting the bar out couple of inches and dumping all the power - piece of mind. I hope I can send some pics later.
Emilio - I sailed with the kiters at Hilton Head today. A couple of the heavier guys rode 12M bow kites, but most everybody was on 7 to 9Ms. you woulda loved it - 25mph out of the west with an opposing current. Great ramps and big air. Here's the disgusting part - air temp in the mid-50s and water temp right at 60. With the binoculars, I could see a crowd of kiters over on Tybee too. More tomorrow.
Hi Tim.
Reports from Lanier:
Last week we had a good session on Thu 26th (very last 1:30hr of the day) and then glorious hunking Sunday 28th. If you miss it, I can describe it into words. Brian, Bogdan, John, Fridge and myself went to Lanier and braved the elements. It was blowing 25 to 32mph all day long. Imagine this, when I was rigging up and getting all the gear on me, I put some stuff on the grass (Old Fed) and my snikers, harness and gloves started to move downwind.... thanks to Martin, who caught my harness on its way to the water, while I was chasing down my snikers...That alone - I guess - tells you how bad it was blowing.
I went first in the water and rigged a 12m North Rebel. It was maybe a bit too big for the prevailing condition, but what the hell!!! I was not in the mood to rig smaller. I went out and had a 1:30 hr session. The depowering strap was pulled in all the way and some times I had the bar as far as I could. I was clearlly overpowered most of the time. By the time I came to shore to rest, the remaining part of the crew went out on the water on 9m (Slingshot turbodiesel and 9m Best Waroos). Some of them looked overpowered, wind was picking up. I decided to rig the Sonic 8m. Oh... my GOD, what fun this little kite it is. It is like driving an automatic car vs any other kite I have, or have ever flown (think manual shift). The Sonics are soooo stess free, fun kites to fly. I have one of the best ever sessions of my life on 30+mph, and never even felt intimidated. I was chatting with Brian on the grass while my kite (Sonic 8m) was in the air, big smile in my face, no butterflies in the stomach. Not even the worst gust took me off balance while on the grass. Nothing like letting the bar out couple of inches and dumping all the power - piece of mind. I hope I can send some pics later.
Best Rgds,
Emilio.
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