Day 21 of the 2016 season: Classic OBX - Kite endurance sessions to close out the fabulous 2 weeks of watersports

My Birthday wish came true and we all had a great day in the wind and on the water.




Gear: 13M Z and 11M Z kites
TOW: 12:00-4:30 13M and 5:00-6:30 11M
Wind: Classic OBX south winds
Water: Slight chop on outside and nearly slicks on the insides
Weather: Warmest day of the trip, mid-70s and sunny
Highlights: The 13M is one hell of a boosting machine. I think I'm ready for the boost contests.

Day 20 of the 2016 season: Marginal winds most of the time but good enough for 13M Z to work.

The day started out with slowly building south winds. Paul got out on his 17M Turbine around 10. I waited until it picked up a bit more. So by 2 o'clock I was on the water with my 13M in marginal conditions. It remained marginal most of the day. I took a break at 5:0 as it got lighter. It appeared to pick up later so I went back out for some sunset riding. This time it was steadier above marginal conditions.

Gear: 13M Z kite and 140 TT
TOW: 2:00-5:00 and 7:00-8:30
Wind: Mostly marginally SE to S backing to SE. Picked up at 5 to overpowered conditions.
Water: Flat in the near shore slicks and typical chop further out
Weather: Sunny hazy lower 70s
Highlights: Boosting in light winds with the 13M Z kite

Day 19 of the 2016 season: 2 days off and back to the el Norte winds, Windsurfing and Kiting

Another excellent morning session riding the 5.7 and 100 liter board, flat water, easy powered up conditions, was able to pull off a few full planning outside jibes and inside duck jibes.
Afternoon kite session with 11M kite continued on flat water. Trying some new stuff, opposite toeside and still working on opposite toeside to heelside ollies.

Wind Data 4-20-16

Gear: 5.7, 100 liter board and 11M Z kite
TOW: WS 9:00-10:30, KB 12:00-2:30
Wind: NNE to 25 mph
Water: basically flat all day
Weather: Sunny, 60s
Highlights: Classic morning NNE flat water WS session.
Afternoon 11M session: attempting several opposite toeside riding and pulling off one good toeside to heel side Ollie.

Day 18 of the 2015 season: Windest day of the week played the wait game exchanging kite/windsurf sessions with Craig

Most of today was out of control conditions for me whether it be kiting or WS.
Took some brief runs with the 3.5 Windsurfing and 6.5 Kite.
Craig had better success then I did on both activities.

Gear: 3.5M sail, 85 liter board and 6.5M Solo kite with 140 TT
TOW: KS 10:00-11:00 oped very gust conditions, WS 4:00-5:00 oped very gusty conditions,  KS 5:00-6:00 winds finally lightening up but still gusty,
Wind: 20-35 plus
Water: flat to choppy
Weather: mostly sunny, mid to lower 50s
Highlights: All sessions today were extremely challenging and a good workout

Day 17 of the 2016 season: An Epic early morning flat water 4.5 WS session, followed by 9.0M and a 6.5M session (Liquid Rush)

WS Speed data

Wind forecast holding true, Identical to yesterday.


Gear:  Morning session WS 4.5 and 100 liter board, Mid-afternoon  9.0M session and 6.5M evening kite session
TOW: WS 9:00-10:00, KS 11:00-12-00 and KS 5:00-6:30
Wind: 20-35 plus
Water: flat to choppy
Weather: mostly sunny, mid to lower 50s
Highlights: Another Epic WS morning session with 4.5 and 100 liter board - I love these WS sessions

Day 16 of the 2016 season: Relentless north winds keep on blowing (Liquid Rush)

An epic morning WS session with the 5.0 and 100 liter board. Flat water with the side off NE morning winds. Got a 1.5 hour session with Larry before the wind direction changed and the chop formed.
Got back to  kite boarding by 2:00 for a 1.5 hour 6.5M session.


Gear: WS 5.0 and 100 liter board (WS 10:30-12:00), KS 6.5   (KS 2:00-3:30)
TOW: WS 10:30-12:00, KS 2:00-3:30
Wind: NNE 20-35 plus gusty
Water: flat to choppy
Weather: mostly sunny cooler mid to lower 50s
Highlights: epic WS session on flat water and steady early winds.

Day 15 of the 2016 season: Raging winds continue (Liquid Rush)

The raging winds soften up a bit for a brief morning session on the 9M along with the most of the crew. Eventually rigging down to the 6.5 for the afternoon and sunset riding sessions.
Enjoyed the sunset session with the waterman legend Paul Goodwin.

Gear: 6.5 Solo 140 TT
Weather: Sunny near 60
TOW: 10:00-12:00, 2:00-4:00 and sunset ride 7:00-8:30
Wind: N 25-35
Water: choppy to flat
Highlights: Got a good feel for the 6.5 in lighter conditions

Day 14 of the 2016 season: EPIC day Windsurfing and Kiteboarding (Liquid Rush)

Today marks the start of a 5 day forecast of N-NNE winds in the 20-30 mph range.
Started out WS in the slightly side off winds - rigged too big and finally got it right with the 3.5 sail.
Eventually changing over to the small kite when the chop got bigger and made the WS difficult heading out thru the chop. Although the rides in were fun...
Most of the crew had a double header WS then KB all with small gear.
Did a downwinder to Salvo with Dan, Chris, Craig and John...whew what a work out today.

Gear: 4.5, 4.0, 3.5 84 liter then 6.5 Solo kite and 140 TT
TOW:   1030 - 5:00
Water Conditions:  flat to choppy
Weather: 50s Sunny
Wind:  25-40 NNE
Highlights: Downwinder to Salvo

Day 13 of the 2015 season: Marathon non-stop OBX Kite session

Gear: 11M Z kite and140 TT
TOW:   3:00 - 6:00
Water Conditions:  Classic south wind OBX sound side day
Weather:   mostly sunny with lower 60s as the temperature
Wind:  S 12-20
Highlights: Fun non-stop powered up session kiting with the kite crew

Day 12 of the 2016 season: Early morning 1.5 hour 13M session as forecasted (Liquid Rush)

The whole kite crew made it out despite the cold 42 degree morning start.
Rick, 14M, Craig, Chris, Dan on 12s and even Paul made it out on his 17M.
John on 7M WS kit and Chris on 6.5 Ezzy doing some good runs. And eventually Mick made out WS on the big gear later in the day.

Gear:  13M Z kite and TT
TOW:   10:00- 11:30
Water Conditions:   Flat and shallow - nice and buttery smooth
Weather:   Cold - mid-40s but sunny
Wind:  N-NNE- NNW to 20 - Lighter winds but shifty direction
Highlights: Not much - trying to stay upwind

Day 11 of the 2016 season: OBX First Day - Gale Force Winds (Sounds Fabulous)

Craig, Jerry on 4.0 to 3.5s, Chris on 3.7 and me on 6.5 kite.

Very gusty conditions not a good test for new kite - it felt good

during the kitable moments when locked in a park position.

Other then that it was mere survival kiting for me.

Gear:   First use of LF Solo 6.5
TOW:   11:00 - 1:00
Water Conditions:  Gnarly as it gets
Weather:   Mid-50s mostly sunny
Wind:  Gusty W to 50
Highlights: Survival kiting with new 6.5 LF Solo kite

Day 33 of the 2015 season: Last OBX session - Windsurfing sunrise session and Kiteboard mid-morning session

Last day of our fabulous 2.5 week OBX vacation . Got 11 for 16 days of TOW, not bad at all. Mostly warm weather with a few days of drysuit wearing weather. A good mix of southerly winds and northerly winds. Temperatures ranged from 45-75 degrees.  Even got a marginally kiteboarding session on the ocean down by Buxton. As a bonus I also got several good SUP sessions in on the calmer days sound side.

Up early his morning at sunrise to catch the early morning wind forecast. Rigged the 5.7 with the 101 liter board.
On the water by 7:30 just after sunrise, joined by Larry on his 5.5. We sailed in above marginally conditions that lasted for an hour before winds lightened up.
Came in and cooked breakfast blueberry buckwheat pancakes for the boys. Wanted to make sure they have enough for energy for the day ahead. After breakfast rigged the 11M kite and headed back out just as the wind picked up. Buttery smoothness with shallow water right in front of our house - didn't have to go far for this session. Kited in gusty conditions probably the most gustiness I every kited in.
An excellent closing day of another excellent OBX 2015 trip.



Dawn patrol gear - a great sunrise session

TOW:  1.0 hours Windsurfing 7:30- 830. 2.0 hours Kiteboarding 9:30-11:30
Gear:  5.7 Ezzy sail with 100 liter RRD board and 11M kite with140 Mako board
Water Conditions:   Classic OBX north wind sound side conditions
Weather:    Upper 50s, sunny
Wind:  12-25 from the North - gusty, punchy wind speeds
Highlight:   Sunrise windsurf session and mid-morning kite session
Schooled:  Got  a good one in - Toeside to heelside 180 ollie. Need to fly the kite high and unstick the board in some chop.




Real wind data 4-24-15

Day 32 of the 2015 season: North winds produced a flat water paradise for kiteboarding

Found out why some kiters head 1.3 miles NW of  Liquid Rush. The north winds produce a flat water paradise in 4-12 inches of water. Can't beat that if you' re a flat water fan.


TOW:  1.5 hours 10:00-11:30 Kiteboarding
Gear:  11M kite with140 Mako board
Water Conditions:   Classic OBX north wind sound side conditions
Weather:    Upper 50s, sunny
Wind:  12-25 from the North
Highlight:   Flat water paradise
Schooled:  Downwind carvings

Butter smoothness

Day 31 0f the 2015 season: Excellent Birthday Gifts of SUPing, Kiteboarding and WIndsurfing in near Epic sound side conditions

Calm wind/water this morning made for SUPing, got an hour at a good 3 mile an hour pace. As soon as I got in from SUPing the wind switch turned on. Rigged the kite and from 1:00-4:00 kited until it was to windy for the 11M kite. Decided to rig the 5.0 with the 100 liter board and ripped it up on that from 4:30-6:00. Eventually the wind ramped up and told me it's Miller time in the hot tube.

TOW:  11:30-12:30 SUP 3 miles, 1:00-4:00 Kiteboarding, 4:30-6:00 Windsurfing
Gear:  11M kite with140 Mako board, 5.0 sail with 100 liter board
Water Conditions:   Classic OBX sound side conditions
Weather:    70s, sunny
Wind:  12-25 SW
Highlight:  3 watersport day: 3 miles of SUPing, Kiting 3 hours, Windsurfing 1.5 hours
Schooled:  Kiting in overpowered conditions - yikes!

                                                                                          Carving by Liquid Rush    


Flat water carving

Day 30 of the 2015 season: Sunrise and sunset kiteboarding sessions

Going with the forecast for early morning wind then dropping to 10 or less by noon.
Add an evening anomaly and we had a sunrise and sunset session
Sunrise session beginning at 7AM lasting to 8:30AM. Sunset session beginning at 7PM and lasting to 8:30PM. I can't recall that happening before.

Onshore west winds clocking to NW by 8:30 just as the WA forecast predicted.
Then at 6:30 a calm evening suddenly changed to a breezy kitable sunset cruise - totally unexpected.
Kited way beyond sunset, with a sliver of a moon and millions of stars lighting up the darken sky.
Harry, Ron and myself had to cancel dinner plans and hit the water.

TOW: 7:00-8:30 and 19:00-20:30
Gear:  11M kite with140 Mako board
Water Conditions:   Classic OBX sound side conditions
Weather:   Early morning sun, and mid-60s, sunset and mid-60s
Wind:  12-25 W sunrise and SW 12-20 sunset
Highlight:  Great conditions - some of my biggest jumps to date  -combo of lofting and chop hopping.
Schooled:  Lofting, chop hops, toeside to heelside ollies

Westerly winds  - different angle of attack this morning

Day 29 of the 2015: Another near epic kiteboarding and windsurfing day

                                           



All day near epic sound side conditions kiting and windsurfing.
Everyone enjoyed this classic OBX day


TOW: 9:00-12:00 with 11M kite, 1:00- 2:30 11M kite, 3:00-5:00 WS 5.7, 101 liter
Gear:  11M kite with140 Mako board and 5.7 Ezzy with 101 RRD FSW
Water Conditions:   Classic OBX sound side conditions
Weather:   90% sun, mid-70s
Wind:  Marginal 12-25 SSW
Highlight:  Near epic sound side conditions - extraordinary carving conditions
Schooled:  Lofting, chop hops, toeside to heelside ollies,ducks, heil-tacks,

Day 28 of the 2015 season: Kiteboarding Road Trip to Hatteras Landing ocean side

Hatteras Landing Kiteboarding ocean side.
With the easterly winds we had to find a place to kite. The entire northern sound side had offshore and lite winds forecasted. South of us in the Buxton area the forecast was for better kitable winds with side shore wind direction on the ocean.
A quickie session due to marginally wind conditions. Mainly stayed on the outside trying to stay upwind as much as possible. Choppy conditions with the occasion KP size swell.  I was able to ollie to toeside and then carve down the swell on heelside and then toeside carve on the next swell. I could do this once because I got to far downwind and had to struggle to work my way back up. Dan did it right by doing a couple of short down winders. Overall most of the crew had a good experience for first time ocean kiting.


MAX SPEED: 23.44 mph
AVERAGE SPEED: 12.10 mph
DISTANCE: 7.95 miles

TOW: 1 hour
Gear:   11M, 140 board
Water Conditions:   Ocean breakers with head high waves, voodoo chop on the outside.
Weather:   Some sun, mid-60s
Wind:  Marginal 15-20 ESE
Schooled:   Experience in ocean waves
Highlight:  First time in ocean for most of the crew






Hatteras Landing wind data

Frisco Pier in the background

Day 27 of of the 2015 season: Nearly Epic 4 star sound side Kiteboarding and Windsurfing

TOW: WS 11:00-1:00, Kite  230 - 4:45                         
Gear:  4.5/100 liter board and 9M/140 Mako board
Water Conditions:   Flat water paradise
Weather:  60, cloudy with sprinkles
Wind:  NNE to 30 MPH
Schooled:  Hard carving flat water jibes, a few heli-tacks and fast tacks.
Highlight:  Speed runs in 6 inches of butter smooth water.
Personal kite water speed record of 32 MPH.






KITE TRACK  4-15-15
MAX SPEED: 31.85 mph
AVERAGE SPEED: 16.99 mph
DISTANCE: 26.64 miles

 

Day 26 of the 2015 season: Kiteboarding at Liquid Rush - A 4 star day

A 4 star day, launching at Liquid Rush with south winds to 25. Pretty near perfect 11M conditions.
Non-stop action from 1:00 - 5:00. Some hard driving carves on the inside slicks with some decent chop hops on the ride out.
All the Michigan crew got out and enjoyed what we all came for.

Real Slick Wind Data

TOW:  1:00 - 5:00 non-stop
Gear: 11 M
Water Conditions:  Typical OBX sound side
Weather: Warm, mostly cloudy - lower 70s
Wind: Mostly south
Schooled: Lofting, heavy duty carving, chop hopping
Highlight: Everyone had a fantastic day

Day 25 of the 2015 season: Kiteboarding Buxton style

Needed a venue for the NNE wind direction - so we took a road trip down to the Buxton Area.
Roadside launching south of Buxton offered an excellent venue for kiting.
A crowded rigging area but everything else was good for kiting. Ripping thru 3 inches of flat water to nice chop for hopping upwind.
The entire Michigan kiting crew made the trip and were all smiles by 6:00.

TOW:  2 sessions: Kite 11:00 - 1:00 and  2:30 - 5:00
Gear: Kite 11 M
Water Conditions:  Classic OBX different venue roadside venue near  Buxton
Weather: Sunny, 60ish
Wind: NNE to 20
Schooled: Working on the lofts and air 180s
Highlight: Entire Michigan crew getting on the water