I have spent some pretty good days now on my 8m kite, we got lucky and got a streak of good wind during the weekend, which meant there were some waves to be had as well out on the reef. This however is mostly for the brave (stupid?) ones, as the best waves comes when the reef starts becoming naked and exposed at low tide. Which is not so great if you fall, and get dragged over it. I ventured out a couple of times, but a lot of the times I chickened out and went back in to practice on my freestyle tricks instead. The backloop is almost there now, my legs are getting more bruised by the day from all the crashing in the water! :-)
The surf club is really convenient and I really start to appreciate it. I haven’t pumped my kite by hand a single time since I got here, as they have a hose with compressed air you can use. It is quite easy to over-pump your kite though, which I did twice, which results in that the valves open when you crash it in the water, which in turn means you’re up for a good swim back, with a deflated kite.
As time passes by, it seems like there’s less and less beginners in the way as well, which is great. That way you don’t have to spend 20 minutes to get past everyone going out, which was quite a hassle in the beginning when there were over 100 kites in the bay and I was underpowered on my 8.
Not only the pro’s hang on the beach, the coming ones do so too. The other day I helped a Filipino kid to get his chewing gum tattoo right and was rewarded a chewing gum for the trouble. He, and other kids hang out on the beach, play with the gear, and talk to the foreigners. And then the little older kids, like one about maybe 12 years old, already know how to kite. Shit, when he’s 18 he will be the world champion, I’m sure!
And yes, in the end I have given in and bought a 12m kite. I actually planned on doing this if the wind proved not strong enough for my 8m. It is really great to have here, especially now that I am almost a light-wind expert, being forced to surf on my 8m when most people ride their 12's. I have been out in as light winds as 5 m/s now and I can do it, like today, I was alone with a handful others that also could make it work. It is a struggle though, 5-10 minutes of gaining altitude, then a jump, and you're back at square one again. Great to be able to get out though, it beats hanging out at the beach bar with the frustrated bunch, talking about how shitty the wind forecasts are :-)
Ready for action!
Hanging out at the ocean republic surf club.
You can see that this is going to be a great day…
Strong wind that day! Check out my hair.. :-)
Finally, some photos of me while kiteing. Thanks Ruben! It is always a hustle to get photos as everyone want to be out on the water on the good days. Got about 2-3 meters of air here.
I had some more air…
Good pull in the 8m that day
I like the spray that remains on the surface after taking off
An epic day…
Doing these sharp turns create some nice spray. I love doing this!
The road just behind the beach by ocean republic
David got some air too
Take a look at the spray when he takes off…
Ruben taking a rest.
David lost his board, not a bad shot, don’t you think?
My turn to take a rest.
The road leading down from my hotel to the beach
Japolitaly, something as innovative as a japanese-italian restaurant! You can see the beach just utside the windows. Perfect for a snack at mid-day.
Someone having a bad kite-day… It happens almost every day around here.
The surf club is really convenient and I really start to appreciate it. I haven’t pumped my kite by hand a single time since I got here, as they have a hose with compressed air you can use. It is quite easy to over-pump your kite though, which I did twice, which results in that the valves open when you crash it in the water, which in turn means you’re up for a good swim back, with a deflated kite.
As time passes by, it seems like there’s less and less beginners in the way as well, which is great. That way you don’t have to spend 20 minutes to get past everyone going out, which was quite a hassle in the beginning when there were over 100 kites in the bay and I was underpowered on my 8.
Not only the pro’s hang on the beach, the coming ones do so too. The other day I helped a Filipino kid to get his chewing gum tattoo right and was rewarded a chewing gum for the trouble. He, and other kids hang out on the beach, play with the gear, and talk to the foreigners. And then the little older kids, like one about maybe 12 years old, already know how to kite. Shit, when he’s 18 he will be the world champion, I’m sure!
And yes, in the end I have given in and bought a 12m kite. I actually planned on doing this if the wind proved not strong enough for my 8m. It is really great to have here, especially now that I am almost a light-wind expert, being forced to surf on my 8m when most people ride their 12's. I have been out in as light winds as 5 m/s now and I can do it, like today, I was alone with a handful others that also could make it work. It is a struggle though, 5-10 minutes of gaining altitude, then a jump, and you're back at square one again. Great to be able to get out though, it beats hanging out at the beach bar with the frustrated bunch, talking about how shitty the wind forecasts are :-)
Ready for action!
Hanging out at the ocean republic surf club.
You can see that this is going to be a great day…
Strong wind that day! Check out my hair.. :-)
Finally, some photos of me while kiteing. Thanks Ruben! It is always a hustle to get photos as everyone want to be out on the water on the good days. Got about 2-3 meters of air here.
I had some more air…
Good pull in the 8m that day
I like the spray that remains on the surface after taking off
An epic day…
Doing these sharp turns create some nice spray. I love doing this!
The road just behind the beach by ocean republic
David got some air too
Take a look at the spray when he takes off…
Ruben taking a rest.
David lost his board, not a bad shot, don’t you think?
My turn to take a rest.
The road leading down from my hotel to the beach
Japolitaly, something as innovative as a japanese-italian restaurant! You can see the beach just utside the windows. Perfect for a snack at mid-day.
Someone having a bad kite-day… It happens almost every day around here.
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