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Nov 27, 2009
Parking Lot Kiteboarding Repair Kit
There may be nothing more frustrating than broken gear. If you have never had any gear problems, you have not been kiting for very long. Kite gear only seems to break on the epic days, and the only way to avoid sitting on the beach is to fix the problem. I do about half of my kiting south of the boarder, very far from the nearest kite shop. If I break gear in Baja and cannot fix it, it ruins a whole trip instead of a single session.
Over the years I’ve learned what is important to have and what can be left behind. Here’s a look at the items in my kiting tool box that can fix almost any broken gear short of a shredded kite. Get a tool box that has small divided sections built into it. If you can’t keep your spare parts neat, you’ll never even be able to remember what you have.
- Spare screws for your footstraps and fins.
- Extra bladder plugs, one-pump hoses, and zip ties.
- Spare parts for your bar. Some items on your bar will never wear out, but keep spares anyway. If something breaks you might loose parts.
- 1/4-20 and 10-24 taps. You can use these to clean threads on almost any board and fin.
- Baby powder and line for installing bladders.
- Spare bladders. I only carry two spare bladders: one the size of the largest rib in my biggest kite and one the size of the smallest rib of my biggest kite. With these I can replace any rib of any of my kites. You can also carry a replacement leading edge bladder for your bread and butter kite, but I find I can usually repair them instead of replacing them.
- Extra fins, especially if you ride a surfboard.
- Spare kite leash. I don’t know why, but I loose these all the time.
- Replacement pump hose.
- A complete spare bar. I always have a spare bar with me and this is your most likely piece of gear to have problems.
- FCS installation kit and spare plugs. This item may seem excessive, but I can use it to repair fin plugs that have been ripped out of my board.
- Duct tape. It fixes everything. Don’t put it on your kite unless you absolutely have to.
- Spare straps for your harness.
- Sail repair tape. Good sail repair tape can temporarily fix tears up to about three feet long.
- Bladder repair material.
- Solarez. This stuff is available at any surf shop and is a great product that anyone can use to repair dings and chips on your board.
- Superglue. If you have it, you will find a use for it.
- Basic tools. You only need a few tools to work on kite gear. You should have screwdrivers, scissors, a razor knife, pliers, and vise grips. Also carry spare fin keys for your surfboard.
- Spare spectra line. Carry enough spectra to replace the leader lines on your bar.
- Spare chicken loop. This might be the piece of kite gear that fails the most.
- Spare lines.
The best way to fix gear is to never have it break in the first place. Take care of your gear and inspect it often. If you see a problem, don’t use it until it’s fixed. Build yourself a repair kit and always have it in your car – it doesn’t do you any good sitting in the garage at home. With the right repair kit, you can fix problems that would send other riders home for the day.
From http://www.prokitetour.com/
Today would go down in kiteboarding history as the day the PKRA World Championship crown is passed on to two of the most promising kiteboarders in the world. Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED), after many years of battle, finally was crowned the PKRA World Champion in an unprecedented event that saw many upsets and triumphs. Bruna Kajiya (Flexifoil, BRA) would also end the 2009 season with a bang, capturing the women’s World Championship title from Spain’s Gisela Pulido (Airush) after years of reigning the women’s division.
The triumphant second day of the Teri Kite Pro 2009 started right on time with a 12:30 start, but the day would prove different from yesterday. Clear blue skies dominated the scene and was warmer than yesterday’s temperature. It was an extremely action-packed day even though the wind never picked up strength compared to the other day.
At exactly 10:00 am, there was a start for the long distance race which was won by Torrin Bright (Ozone, New Zealand) while the ladies’ division was won by Angela Peral (North, Spain).
The day wrapped up at 5:30 pm at the beach. Although the official prize awarding is not until Saturday or Sunday, today’s game results already decided the overall Tour winners:
Men:
Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED) – World Champion
Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) – 2nd overall
Aaron Hadlow (Flexifoil, UK) – 3rd overall
Women:
Bruna Kajiya – (Flexifoil, BRA) – World Champion
Joanna Litwin – (Nobile, POL) – 2nd overall
Karolina Winkowska – 3rd overall
Highlights
Highlighting today’s events, A renewed Marc Jacobs (Airush, New Zealand) came out firing in Heat #22a, riding super powered moves knocking out Thomas Paris (North, FRA). Ironically, Jacobs lost to Sebastien Garat (RRD, FRA) in the 26th heat ending his bid for any podium spot this year while Garat lost to Aussie Andy Yates (Slingshot) in the 28th heat via a narrow win.
Local bet Tom Hebert defeated Mario Rodwald (North, GER) in the 28th heat also after a tight game but Hebert’s win would only proved futile after Aussie rider Yates knocked out his hope for a podium spot in the 30th heat. Meanwhile, Cesar Portas (North, ESP) knocked out team mate Reno Romeu (North, BRA) in a game of switch tricks in the 29th heat.
Reigning 2008 world champion Aaron Hadlow (Flexifoil, UK) defeated Dmclaux in the 29th heat, then Portas in the 30th heat to start his climb up the ladder. The UK champ then overpowered Yates in the 31st heat to keep his title bid alive and then adding Alberto Rondina (Cabrinha, ITA) to the list of would-be hopefuls. It took an ever-determined Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED) to stop the charging Hadlow in the 33rd heat. Zoon won the heat with more powerful tricks and height advantage, landing a regular and switch slim, front mobe, front mobe to blind, shifty 3, mobe 5, hasselhof, an s-bend to blind and a double s-bend.
Zoon however, would succumb to the riding powers of title contender Kevin Langeree (Naish, NED) in the second to the last heat of the day. Zoon landed a regular and switch slim, mobe, 313, front mobe, blind judge with air pass, grab kgb, hasselhof, front mobe to blind, and a double s-bend. Langeree went all the way with a regular and switch kgb, grab 313, mobe, grab mobe, mobe to wrap, double back mobe, blind judge with air pass, grab s-bend, grab kgb, double s-bend and a blind judge. It was a close heat but the judges ruled a 3-0 decision in favor of Langeree for variety and tech grab moves.
In the men’s final round, Alex Pastor (Naish, ESP) landed a regular and switch slim/kgb, mobe, front mobe to blind, kgb to blind, and hasselhof but Langeree landed a grab 313, regular and switch front mobe/kgb, double s-bend, front mobe to blind,, grab s-bend, and a blind judge with air pass. Langeree took the first round with more technical moves (grabbed) moves.
In the second men’s final, Langeree landed a mobe to wrapped, kgb, grab back to blind air pass, front mobe to blind and a kgb but crashed a double back mobe, kgb to blind, a front mobe 5 attempt and a blind judge 5.
In the women’s 18th heat event, Gisela Pulido (Airush, ESP) was well and truly beaten in the heat with Karolina Winkowska landing some powerful moves. In a show of support and true sportsmanship, Gisela’s dad was already packing up her gear before the heat was even finished while the Spanish rider had to be rescued and brought back to the beach.
Congratulations to the new PKRA World Champions!
Nov 21, 2009
Nov 19, 2009
Nov 13, 2009
Nov 12, 2009
Mimic This...
Nov 11, 2009
KPWT Brasil
The KPWT Superkite Brasil has hosted 4 disciplines over the 6 days of competition and seen some superb action on the water.
This morning started early on the wave spot, Pico das Almas to finish the double elimination competition.
The wind insisted the riders go out on their 9meter kites and the waves were a little choppy.
This didn’t stop Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA)! He looked pumped today and wanted to push hard for his overall ranking in this discipline and hopefully take the title for 2009.
He defeated three Brazilians, Bruno Bordovsky (BRA, RRD), Ian Owczarzaw (BRA, Mormaii) and took second place from Gustavo Foerster (BRA, NAISH) to challenge Jan Marcos Riveras (DOM REP, STARKITES) for the top spot on the podium. He fought all the way with smooth bottom turns, good airs and pushed hard at the lip to take Jan Marcos to another final.
Jan Marcos did not want to let his title go here in Brazil after winning this event in 2008 and took Jesse all the way. He looked to settle himself nicely and selected some good waves to gather enough score and edged Jesse back down to the second spot on the podium.
The ladies competition saw Jalou Langeree (HOL, NAISH) against Gisela Pulido (SPA, AIRUSH) for the podium spot. Jalou rode well and edged Gisela off the podium to take on Kirsty Jones (UK, NORTH) for second position.
Kirsty was not going to give her spot away to easily and showed why she is the World Champion in this discipline ending Jalou’s hopes.
Kirsty went on to challenge Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE). The wind had dropped off a little and both riders did their best to score as much as possible. The judges were scoring the 2 best waves over 8minute heats and Kari selected well. She held onto her top spot on the podium and has now really put herself in a great position to challenge Kirsty for the overall title in this discipline.
The race director then rushed those who were competing in the course racing discipline back to Duro beach. A skippers meeting was held at 12h00 for the 22 riders that were competing here in Brazil. The course was set out in a simple triangle formation with the start and finish at the same buoy.
3 races were completed before 3pm.
Conditions were not ideal for racing as it was quite choppy, but the wind was at a good speed averaging 18 knots and the riders pushed themselves as hard as they could.
Some megastar riders were in the entry list and showed the locals what an exciting discipline racing is. Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA), Lukasz Ceran (POL, GAASTRA), Abel Lago (SPA, RRD), Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE), Nayara Licariao (BRA, BEST) were amongst those who took to the course.
Men Double Wave Master
1. Jan Marcos Riveras (DOM REP, STARKITES)
2. Jesse Richman (HAW, CABRINHA)
3. Gustavo Foerster (BRA, NAISH)
Women Double Wave Master
1. Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE)
2. Kirsty Jones (UK, NORTH)
3. Jalou Langeree (HOL, NAISH)
Race One:
Men
1. Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA)
2. Pedro Carvalho (BRA, BEST)
3. Julien Kerner (FRA, TAKOON)
Women
1. Nayara Licariao (BRA, BEST)
2. Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE)
3. Kriss Kinn (US, BEST)
Race Two:
Men
1. Pedro Carvalho (BRA, BEST)
2. Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA)
3. Julien Kerner (FRA, TAKOON)
Women
1. Nayara Licariao (BRA, BEST)
2. Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE)
3. Kriss Kinn (US, BEST)
Race Three
Men
1. Pedro Carvalho (BRA, BEST)
2. Abel Lago (SPA, RRD)
3. Bruno Sroka (FRA, CABRINHA)
Women
1. Kari Schibevaag (NOR, OZONE)
2. Nayara Licariao (BRA, BEST)
3. Kriss Kinn (US, BEST)
Visit http://www.kpwt-events.com/2009/brasil to know everything about the 2009 KPWT Superkite Brazil
Podium photos
Top 10 Things Your Kiteboarding Instructor May Not Have Taught You
Getting qualified, experienced instruction is a must for anybody getting into kiteboarding. Lessons not only teach you the fundamentals of the sport to get you on your way to becoming an independent kiter, but will also save you hours of frustration. To be realistic, there’s only so much your instructor can cover in a 9 to 12 hour beginner course. As an instructor who has taught thousands of students over the last 10 years, I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things that your instructor may not have taught you, but that you should definitely know.
1. Always know your “what if’s.”
When kiteboarding, always try to be one step ahead of the game and ask yourself, “If x, y or z happens, what am I going to do?” When things go wrong in our sport, it happens very quickly and sometimes you do not even have time to think; you just have to react and react correctly.
2. Don’t trust wind meters.
When using a wind meter you are only measuring the wind speed at one particular time and only in one static position, e.g. you may be in an area where the wind is being affected by obstacles and reading stronger, or even lighter than the wind actually is. Also, wind meters go bad. They can have some sand stuck in them or a bad impeller. If you took three different wind meters of different ages and measured the same wind at one time you would have three different readings. L earn the signs yourself for the beaufort scale. Don’t rely on technology for something you can learn easily.
3. Beware of photographers & hot chicks.
When a camera, pretty female or crowd shows up on the beach, there are likely to be more accidents or mishaps. People like to show off. It might not be you but others will push their limits to the max and may be focused on what they are doing and not thinking about their surroundings. I would say the likelihood of any kind of an accident or crossed lines increases by about 50% in these situations.
4. Respect others, be polite & be an ambassador.
The general public and media love to watch and question us. In our rapidly increasing sport, we do not want to leave a bad impression on anyone. It is up to all kiteboarders of every level to represent our sport correctly. Don’t curse out another kiteboarder. Yes, there is sometimes a need to talk to someone who is being dangerous or acting stupidly, but the first person you curse out will be the only person around next time you have a breakdown two miles out. Kiteboarders need each other.
5.Never assume you have right of way.
Kiteboarding normally follows the same right of way rules as sailboats and other watercraft. This works well in a perfect world but not everyone knows them. You could be cruising on a starboard tack with another kite or boat coming at you and you may have the right of way, but that does mean the other person knows that you do. Always avoid collisions/entanglements at all costs, despite who has right of way. Also, some beaches have their own local set of rules. Be prepared to take evasive action if necessary.
Do not be afraid to ask a question even if you think others may view it as a stupid one. You will always be learning no matter your level; try to learn as much as possible from others. All questions are good questions – no one was born with a kite in their hands.
7. Never rush anything.
Take your time: Patience pays whether it is from setting up or nailing a new trick. When you’ve just gotten off work and only have an hour left of sunlight and its blowing a perfect 20 knots, do not rush things. If you rush, it quite often ends up with your lines in a mess, connected incorrectly, or a tangled bridle. If you’re having trouble nailing a trick or even just going upwind, get off the water for a minute and take a deep breath. Getting frustrated will only make your day on the water miserable.
8. Know your limits.
There is a massive difference between a steady side-shore 15 knots with flat water and onshore gusty 20 to 30 knots with a good shore break. Just because you see others kiting, does mean that you can or should. No one is invincible and we all have different limits. Know yours and respect them. U sually, if you are second guessing it, don’t do it.
9. Beware of static electricity.
Thanks to Ben Franklin, we are all frightened by lightning, but also beware of static electricity. Storms can be numerous miles away with no signs of lightning, but static electricity can build up in your lines and give you quite a shock, especially when landing a jump. When you see storms approaching, get off the water.
10. Don’t try to be a premature instructor.
Just because you have been kiteboarding for six months doing some good jumps and and tricks does not mean that you are qualified to be an instructor. To be an instructor it takes experience that only time can bring. As an instructor, others will look up to you and trust you. What you teach them will form the foundation of their kiteboarding. If it is not formed correctly and thoroughly, it can end very badly.
BONUS TIP: Beware of kiteboarding hungover and/or with lack of sleep.
Kiting is like any other physically and mentally challenging sport and without proper mental and physical rest, you are much more likely to make a mistake which can hurt you. Same goes for your mental state. When you are kiting, you cannot be thinking about whether you left the stove on, or if you were right in that argument last night. Your head needs to clear.
Nov 8, 2009
35 min of happyness from Ben Wilson
The four of them jumped on a serious swell and some early season wind, resulting in some great kitesurfing barrels. The trip was well documented and the three day swell that the boys lucked into has been accumulated into a 35 minute long movie.
Nov 2, 2009
The Kiteboarder Dec09 Issue Now Available
Hot off the press, TKB’s December2009 issue is now available at your local retailer, kite shop or by subscription. This issue:
Launch: Learn to shoot photos of yourself like a pro with the GoPro camera.
Product Watch: 12 new products to check out!
Instructional: Strapless Toeside Jibe Made Easy
Enjoy! Download The Kiteboarder back issues at Check out all the back issues of http://thekiteboarder.com/PDFS/
www.thekiteboarder.com
Luderitz Speed Challenge 2009
[source kitemovement]