Hey Guys,

I know the surf in Perth sucks compared to the other places that Ben Wilson doing training camps but if we can get enough guys keen to sign up to do a training camp we could entice him over here.

The other option is - does anybody know of experienced guys that can do a couple of training sessions in Perth. Maybe even get some of the kite sellers to demo some equipment.

Cheers
Rich

Hi Rich,

Funny you should bring this up. I have been mulling over the idea of a wave and surf demo session. We have three excellent wave kites now betwen the Ozone Instinct Light II, the Airush DNA and the Eclipse Kima Wave. and to a lesser extent the Airush Vapor II, Flow FT, Ozone Instinct Sport II and Eclipse Nano.

Couple these kites with the Airush Converse 6'4", 6', Choptop and Hammer twin tip and you have a license to shred.

If anyone is keen, I'm happy to put something together maybe with some coaching too if we get enough people interested to make it worth while.

Whaddaya think?

I would be keen for a surf session...

just started on the surfboard and keen to build my skills, specially in the old gybing department...

I reckon it would be a goer...

I could defo be up for that, im new to Perth and am keen to get into the surfboard thing after mainly riding the flats in Egypt most summers.

Floreat to Scarbs looked like good fun today for a bit......damn ear infection! Next time, although i need a surfboard first.

Kitehard, you seem to be the man in the know, what size board would you reccommend for getting into the waves. Im only 5'7 and weigh 68kg. Ive always liked shorter boards, hence my nobile 555 125 although wanting to go for more powered tricks and the waters being a bit more chopped up round here, I think i'd go bigger if i change my twinny anytime soon. But back to the surfboard, what size? Also, are they tough enough to throw in jumps off waves?


Cheers

Baz

Absolutely keen!!! After about 9 months of flying, taking it in the surf is where I'd like my next move to be. And after todays effort......I could do with some coaching.

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BMAN said...


Kitehard, you seem to be the man in the know,

Hi BMAN,

I don't know about that mate. I'd be one of many who know a few things. I just put voice to some of the stuff I have experience with.

I reckon the 6' Converse would be a weapon and a half for you for general conditions, such a sweet ride. They are tough, and will handle jumping off a wave so long as you land the jumps "feather light". I do jump mine but if I can't land it soft as a feather I kick it off so as not to break it.

The new 09's are quite strong but I have to buy a new one if I break it, so would prefer to keep it for wave RIDING not jumping. A Hammer 138 or Choptop would be better for boosting and wave riding. Grab one of our demo's if/when we put on a demo day in the waves.

Good winds,

Hi Darren,

Count me in, I come from surfing backround, being doing it for years but considering the time, not that good.

If you want to take the raines, go for it. Tell us when, were and I'll be there, as long as it is on the weekend and I get a passout from the boss.

Oh yeah, did the bridle mod to my 9m and 12m, tied a couple of knots on the line for the 12m and used a couple of those round bobbins with the hole through. Only problem is that it shortens the line by about 8cm rather than 6cm, I may get a couple of different sizes to play with.

Cheers
Rich

Cheers Kitehard, gives me something to think about. Would a 5'6 version be ok aswell? Then again, not if you wanted to free surf it aswell which the converses are designed for right? Could be a good winter toy aswell then for improving my general stand up.

Im not sure if i can really afford to buy new at the mo, will have to see, dont suppose you have any second hand ones for sale?


cheers

Baz

Let me hijack this thread with a question.

I am also keen on getting into waves. I bought a $100 surfboard from the quokka and took it out on flat water for the first time yesterday. I had no problems getting up and tacking in and out, i could even stay upwind to my own suprise.

Now, how do you turn around? I could change from port tack to starboard by going heel to toe, but does this mean i have to stay toeside for the entire tack or is there an easy way to swap over your feet. If so, how? I have practically no surf experience. I tried to swap my feet a few times but nup. I didnt really know where to stand and which foot to move first. Any help?

Also, does anyone know any areas in the metro area (pref south) where there are small waves and not too crowded for getting the hang of it?

I am keen. I have a very poor understanding of wave riding right now! I can do it but not very well. Would love to add strapless riding to my skill set.

Hey Guys,

It looks like there would be enough guys to do a training session or two, know we need a trainer.

Kitehard has offered and another person may have another guy keen to do a training camp.

Who is going to take ownership of the training camp, I just put the idea out and don't have the inclination to organize a piss up at Little Creatures.

The ball is in whose ever court wants it. Tell me when and where and how much?

Cheers
Rich

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mattyjee said...

Let me hijack this thread with a question.

I am also keen on getting into waves. I bought a $100 surfboard from the quokka and took it out on flat water for the first time yesterday. I had no problems getting up and tacking in and out, i could even stay upwind to my own suprise.

Now, how do you turn around? I could change from port tack to starboard by going heel to toe, but does this mean i have to stay toeside for the entire tack or is there an easy way to swap over your feet. If so, how? I have practically no surf experience. I tried to swap my feet a few times but nup. I didnt really know where to stand and which foot to move first. Any help?

Also, does anyone know any areas in the metro area (pref south) where there are small waves and not too crowded for getting the hang of it?

Hey Mattyjee,
there is a move known on this forum as the jingo jango, where you swap over to switch on the turn so you dont' have to ride toe side all the way on the tack. Someone explained it really well on this forum last season. I can't explain it very well ,but if you could find that thread its all in there.

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mattyjee said...

Let me hijack this thread with a question.

Now, how do you turn around? I could change from port tack to starboard by going heel to toe, but does this mean i have to stay toeside for the entire tack or is there an easy way to swap over your feet. If so, how? I have practically no surf experience. I tried to swap my feet a few times but nup. I didnt really know where to stand and which foot to move first. Any help?

Hey Mattyjee,

Gybing a board is easy if you get the right sequence and kite position to aid in the footwork. I'm going to assume you are riding either a strapless board or have the standard two strap option. Either way, you need to co-ordinate the movement of your feet with the change from one side of the wind window with the kite to the other.

Firstly, take your back foot out of the back footstrap and position it just forward of the back strap, then loosen your front foot in the front footstrap so it will come out easily when the time comes. Now you should be prepared for the gybe.

When you are ready, try and find the flatest bit of water in between the chop and start to bring your kite up slowly from 10.30 up to 12.00 (sorry to all those analogically challenged ). At the same time start a slow to medium carve turn downwind by adding a little toe pressure with your front foot. As your kite passes 12.00, shift your back foot to in front of the opening of the front footstrap on the new tack and shuffle your existing front foot to where your back foot was a second ago. This has to be a quick shuffle movement.

This should put your old back foot almost into the front of the opening of the front strap and should leave your old front foot just in front of the back strap on the centre line of the board for trimming and balance. Having done that, quickly dive the kite to produce a bit of power in your new direction and get you planing a bit faster in the new direction and complete the turn.

Then just snug your front foot into the front strap first and when you have enough speed, insert you back foot into the back strap and lean out cranking upwind!

The whole move should be executed fairly quickly as the more time you spend with your feet out of position and running downwind, the more likely you are to drop off the plane and sink or lose your balance or power. The kite should move across in one fluid movement and your footwork needs to match the kites position at each sep of the way to maintain balance and trim.

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Also, does anyone know any areas in the metro area (pref south) where there are small waves and not too crowded for getting the hang of it?

Mate, every beach in Summer has small waves in Perth . I'd try Cottesloe if I were you. Stay well upwind in the beginning and when you feel ready and confident, try a downwinder from Cott to Trigg. Watch the waves around Swanbourne and City beach as they can be a tad gnarly for the uninitiated.

Have fun trying. It's even easier unstrapped, you just have to keep your legs bent a bit more to absorb bumps as the board wont stay on your feet without straps.

@Sci

It looks like we might be able to get enough people together to have a free wave clinic one afternoon.

Guys and ladies??? What do you want to learn? How is this for a simple format.

Gybing
Tacking? (a bit more advanced)
Trimming on a wave.
Small unstrapped airs on the way out through the surf.
Coordinating turns and kite movement on a wave.
Kite selection and setup.
Board types and suitability.
Unhooked wave riding.

I was thinking maybe just an informal afternoon preferrably a weekday as weekends are so busy for us at Pinnaroo, this way I can make it no charge. Probably best once daylight savings hits so we can get a decent go at it.

I'll bring some kites and boards specifically designed for wave riding for anyone who wants to try them out.

Are there any other takers?

Good winds,

I'll come and play....

Where can we do it?

im super keen to progress with my unstrapped wave riding.

i think just downwind from city beach would be the best bet, and we can all downwinder it to trigg once the sesh is complete.

Count me in too. I've got a 6' surfboard I've ridden twice. Would like to get more aquinted with it for sure !

'roast

I'm in!! Just let me know the date.

will attend

Sounds good kitehard, but you can charge if you want. Those empty spots north of scarborough
www.google.com:443/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=-31.885957,115.753992&spn=0.008855,0.012639&t=h&z=16 or floreat
maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=-31.921333,115.75352&spn=0.008851,0.012639&t=h&z=16 would be good.

Links to some articles:

Choosing a surfboard: http://www.ikiteboarding.com/kiteboarding/articles/choosing-a-surfboard.aspx

Gybing:
www.ikiteboarding.com/kiteboarding/articles/how-to-jibe-a-directional.aspx

I'm amazed by what some of the Perth riders can do unstrapped on surfboards, very, very impressive to watch.

Keen for a training/demo session as well.

Yep sounds good to me - weekday is fine but I'm happy to pay

I'm interested in :

tacking
kite selection and set up and
how to get in more than 2 turns without surfing under my kite

Hi Guys,

Sounds like there is plenty of interest so lets get it on!

How about this, If you feel so inclined, you can make a donation of whatever you like. How about a cold case of Red Backs or Little Creatures Bright Ale, or Coopers Sparkling Ale that we can all enjoy at the end of it? If you want to heap cash onto me, I guess that'd be ok too

This way there's no pressure, I get to have a ride too, get to showcase some wicked new surf specific kites and boards, we all get to have some fun, maybe learn some new stuff and finish it off by drinking a couple of cold beers

Sounds like a great afternoon of kiting to me! Now all we need to do is pick a date. When does WDST kick in?

Good winds,

I'm pretty keen too. Only ever been on the twin tip at Pinaroo but bought an Airush Converse over winter and keen to have a crack with some expert tutorialage !!! A downwinder afterwards sounds like a top idea too !!!!

Daylight saving starts 26th October guys ......

Now we are having beer afterwards I'll be there

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Slack said...

Now we are having beer afterwards I'll be there

I will try to get there but probably arrive a bit late

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marno said...

I'm pretty keen too. Only ever been on the twin tip at Pinaroo but bought an Airush Converse over winter and keen to have a crack with some expert tutorialage !!! A downwinder afterwards sounds like a top idea too !!!!

Daylight saving starts 26th October guys ......

Oh thats great, now I have to find an expert! ..... and by the way things are going, a PA system.

Good winds,

Cheers for the tips Kitehard,

Yeah, i was riding strapless. I was trying to turn around first and then switch feet from toe to heel. Next time i'll try doing them together. I've only had about 20 minutes practice so i'm sure i'll get there soon. Only problem is i'm not sure what i need to be practicing.

Anyway, wave clinic sounds good. I'd be in if it was run.

Cheers.

PS. Can someone tell me what "riding switch" means. Does this mean riding in your non-preferred stance (ie natural/goofy)?

Hunter S My Old man has the Original painting of the picture in your Aveator. Where did you find that picture??

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KiteAction said...

Hunter S My Old man has the Original painting of the picture in your Aveator. Where did you find that picture??

I just did a google search. Pretty cool you're old man having that

It on the second page of The Doomed Generation

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/art/reading_room/127.the_doomed_generation.1.htm

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mattyjee said...

PS. Can someone tell me what "riding switch" means. Does this mean riding in your non-preferred stance (ie natural/goofy)?

Yes. ^^^
Riding switch = non-preferred stance (riding).
......Which is what all kite-newbies do half the time....
even if they don't know it.
lol.
When they first start learning on the big twin-tip at the kite-dragging school, they are riding switch on one of their tacks.
Either on starboard or port ??
Only purely ambidextrous newbies can kitesurf on either stance with equal ease....
but these dudes are rare.
A sport like kitesurfing really lends itself to being a totally balanced physical activity for the body.
Absolute yin and yang.
But along came that crap style of wavekiting.....
the twisted-bowel, lopsided kook-ride that robs you of all equilibrium.

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waveslave said...

mattyjee said...

PS. Can someone tell me what "riding switch" means. Does this mean riding in your non-preferred stance (ie natural/goofy)?

Yes. ^^^
Riding switch = non-preferred stance (riding).
......Which is what all kite-newbies do half the time....
even if they don't know it.
lol.
When they first start learning on the big twin-tip at the kite-dragging school, they are riding switch on one of their tacks.
Either on starboard or port ??
Only purely ambidextrous newbies can kitesurf on either stance with equal ease....
but these dudes are rare.
A sport like kitesurfing really lends itself to being a totally balanced physical activity for the body.
Absolute yin and yang.
But along came that crap style of wavekiting.....
the twisted-bowel, lopsided kook-ride that robs you of all equilibrium.

LOL

Your the bloke who said bows are gay right?