It is a very entertaining vid! link sent in by Chris – thanks…

direct link – http://vimeo.com/6499542

good to see someone getting out there and progressing the world of strapless surfboard riding!

Neil from http://www.virtualimage.co.nz had just completed the Aaron Hadlow tour video of NZ

LINK>>>  http://www.virtualimage.co.nz/demo/flexifoil/

sweeeet… dvnt video 3 anyone? maybe this summer

Well Tua destroyed Cameron. Could this mean a matchup between Kilitschko (current world heavyweight champion) and David Tua!?

Kilitschko and robbie nasish, Kilitschko racing.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/2923467/Wellington-surfer-rode-out-giant-tsunami-waves

I am ever the skeptic but heard there has been some destruction in the islands already, was going for an early session – not sure now! Will probably stay on the hill! The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said sea level readings indicated that a tsunami had been generated. “It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts,” it said. The center estimated any tsunami would first hit New Zealand’s East Cape at approximately 9.45am today, Wellington at 10.50am, Auckland’s east coast at 11.12, and the west coast at 11.39, Lyttelton at 11.55 and Dunedin at 12.31.

They have actually sounded the sirens around East Cape already – does not happen too often.

http://www.kiteboardingnationals.co.nz

Shame, was looking forward to it.  Maybe there should be  a Naki session anyway  that weekend  if it is looking good!

A large shark was eating something in the shallows on Wednesday according to James Everett, maybe a seal. Its fin was sticking quite high out of the water.  Sharks are always out the back and sometimes a fin or 2 is seen but this was a very  large one and it is very unusual to see one so close in too.

James quoted ” I swapped from my strapless surfboard to my twintip for the rest of the session”  lol!

Got this from Frenchies  Seb and Charlotte who moved to Melbourne from NZ a year ago – they did a sick trip to Mauritius! Charlotte already managed to win the Australian Freestyle Nationals this year and Sebastien was runner up in the  Victoria state Freestyle Championships.

We thought we give you some news from our trip in Mauritius. First of all it is an awesome Island with super nice people and the kiting rocks in winter ! It has been so hard to select just a few pics from the 30Go. Great waveriding with some mythical waves such as One-Eye, great freestyle, 25-30 knots most days, surf the rest of the time, swin with the dolphins on the mornings, cuddle with the lions and other cool stuff to do. If you stay outside of the traditional holidays it is actually pretty cheap (2NZD the panini on the spot at LeMorne).

Same with car hire and apartment rental you can find some very good deal (They are just a bit hard to find – contact the local kiteschool, some of them will be quiet happy to help). On our trip, Charlotte has been testing and preparing the launch of the new Royal Kiteboarding Solo kite with a video to come out soon. She also took a couple of pics for her new sponsor Barz Optics. If you wanna know a bit more about the destination, let myself or Charlotte know and we will be more than happy to help.
Mauritius is really awesome. The only place I have ever seen, perfect glassy waves with 30knots of wind !

Kiting in this much wind is almost another sport altogether

kiteloop and reverse it! Still awesome as ever to see

Well 60 kites out and 100+ kiters around but despite this an awesome session was had by all. Aaron was on Tv1 News  (nz) too.

Aaron, the Tauranga crew, Jamie B , Chuckie what an epic session to watch. Aaron is one of the most consistent rider I have ever seen and that explains why he does so well in comps as well as being an epic freerider. Also a very sound individual.

It was the biggest day for kitesurfing that Orewa has ever seen – in fact maybe the biggest event turnout of anything kitesurfing ever in NZ – there were sooo many people checking it out.

The wind started off really weak at the start of the day and just went up and up – it was awesome

Nothing like a top pro to set the session and beach alive!

SICK DAY!

Orewa View

Well the wind forecast for the week was quite unusually crap and uninspiring as most were holding out for 30 knots storm sessions for this time of year – and teh added megaloops thrown in…but the start of the tour started out with an awesome intro to summer weather , some snowboarding and waves but it looked like Aaron may score the most wind starved kitesurfing trip to NZ of all time…. oh great. But as luck would have it Raglan delivered its magic on Saturday. The sea breeze kicked in and the outgoing tide cranked. Bodies holding onto kites were flying around all over the place as a good session took hold spurred on by Aaron in the mix. The forecast was for 2 – 9 knots so how cool was that! a few taking photos and a couple of video cameras so i guess some stuff will turn up… Beer flowed at Volcom lane in the evening and the flexifoil guys were awesome down to earth legends.

Orewa Session on Sunday is not 100% confirmed but quite likely..

pic from sunday when it was about 5 knots  – a few still riding tho!  sorry too busy riding on saturday – slack or what – pics will turn up though!

Sorry been down for a few days couple of problems – but sorted now!

bring on the wind – if it cranks now there are going to be some sick session troubl e is teh forecast SUCKS…

so surf or SUP instead

My New Kitesurfing School

Referrals gratefully received!

Cheers,

Ian

http://www.learntokitesurf.co.nz

looks like north naish and cabrinha under test in that order…

How cool. Very few pro kiters have ever made it to New Zealand. They probably make it to Aussie but NZ is just that much further for those that fly so much already and they probably hear such varying stories about the place  that they  cannot make up their mind! – But is it worth it – well hell yeah if it wasn’t so far away it wouldn’t be soooo siiick

Anyway Decay will be driving Aaron and a flexifoil Representative around the North island as below!

www.kiteforum.co.nz will be the most current place  for you to stay up to date with the event/what is happening on the day.

Flexifoil are bringing five times world champ Aaron Hadlow to New Zealand this September along with a truck full of the latest model Flexifoil kites for you to test.

The stops on this whirl-wind tour are going to be along these lines – remembering everything in kiting is wind and weather dependent!

Monday 14th – Mt Ruapehu
Tuesday 15th – Mount Maunganui
Wednesday 16th – Raglan
Thursday 17th – Ruakaka
Friday 18th – Auckland City
Saturday 19th – Auckland Super Session @ Muriwai or Orewa

Riding at most suitable locations during the day and after sunset drinks etc. at venues to be announced soon.

For more information you can call 021 654 149

A group of us took advantage of cheap flights to Hawaii (the cheapest for years) and took advantage of the most reliable warm winds in the world this time of year.  It was also a good opportunity to test further some new  dvnt kiteboards we took  manufactured by another factory for durability. In fact many companies test their gear in Maui simply because you can durability test so easily with reliable wind everyday and plenty of water time for teh tested product.  June and July is nearly always windy everyday 25-35 knots according to a windsurfer that has been going for over 20 years. 7m and 9m kites are the size you need to ride. It can be a little too windy for beginners but you can also turn up early at the beach (from 11am) before it really kicks in, be warned though – it can be warm and sunny and gust over 40 knots but this much wind is not super common – a good thing because a 7m becomes a handful after you have worn out your abs doing 20 mega jumps or whatever . It is fairly choppy out to sea where most ride but no worse than anywhere else for this amount of wind.  Out of 10 days 25, 25, 35, 30,40,30,25,30,30,18 knots we had and that is quite a normal pattern this time of year. If you are lucky to get a small swell out on the reef is awesome (it is not wave season – that it when there is no/less wind!) .

If you want some flat water then ride behind the famous rocks at kitebeach – not crowded really – windy all day so no rush to snake and landing anything  in the high winds is an accomplishment  riding 7m kites. There is a windshadow after you take off that can actually make landing some unhooked tricks easier.

It was my 3rd time to Hawaii and it has the most reliable wind of anywhere I have ever been – quite important when you are going on a kiting holiday – if you can handle some heavier nz wind you can handle Maui winds easy, don’t listen to all the crap about it being too windy or gusty(If you are intermediate/advanced)… But if you want 18- 20 knots steady flat water – it is the wrong place! It can be the  kind of wind that has you feeling just a little bit nervous but that gets the blood pumping.

Maui has expensive accom but if 3/4 share it works out to about $60-70 a night. Car hire is expensive but not excessive, food similar – maybe a bit more expensive. You can fly from Oahu (where flight from NZ lands) to Maui from $49 US  each way. The wind and waves are free. Everyone was friendly except if you go surf the south shore like we did – if you do that get a black belt in Ninjitsu first and laugh to yourself  about how good and uncrowed the nz waves can be

Our Trip video

MAUI DAY 10 – Met up with Mango that does the Carafino foil boards, bit of a Peahi/Jaws legend. 14 – 18 knots at kitebeach so good for foiling. It’s not easy straight off but a good challenge and awesome when high up – quiet and upwind weapon. Mike is bringing one back to NZ pretty much nailed it first day. Confirmed that you need a black belt in Ninjitsu to surf the south coast and that localism exists had outhere. Sun baked with a salt crust and bleached eyebrows. Checked out some surfboards from a new factory overseas that am considering getting for dvnt brand – not sure yet we will see – the finish is absoltely wesome though. South Swell did not come through at 6 – 8ft – only 2- 3 so did not not bother surfing. The period here is sooo huge sometime you have to wait for over 10 inutes for a set to turn up

MAUI DAY 9 – Kitebeach/northcoast overcast and 14 – 15 knots to drove to Kehei 20 mins away on west coast and it was sunny and about 30-40 knots with sooo many windsurfers out. gusty as almost side off. Short session then went for a surf on south shore – sick sucky fast as lava reef break 2ft- total dick head localism – was told pretty much that only certain riders out there were allowed waves and thought we/car might be in for a beating after being theatened by a 20 year old. anyway i cracked one of their shells(was previously like talking to a red hot brick wall) and had a chat and it seems the south waves have some of teh heaviest localism in Maui – not fun really scored some nice rides after they left before dark and fell sorry for locals that have to put up with this shit!

MAUI DAY 8 – windiest day yet 35 knots + getting overpowered on the 7m. Tried a darkside slide to kiteloop (bad idea) and got shot 30ft and wrapped in my lines – bad situation! got out of them but with cuts in my hands trying to stop kite powering up again – one of worst situations i have ever been in but all good in the end. Mike up to 8ft strapless jumps. Scottie kind of needed a 4m kite really. south swell today.

MAUI DAY 7 – Day off riding even though 30 knots all day – wierd! Drove right round island and cooked engine of hire car. Rang up Maui Rent a car (WORD OF MOUTH)loosers who told us that we were not allowed to drive on that road anyway car started again and some cool people from south Carolina helped us make it back from the harsh dangerous desert side of maui – cos it was getting dark. Was awesome drive.

MAUI DAY 6 – Up the volcano 10 000ft, then down to canoes beach for a 28 gusting 36 knot session. Most gusty/windy session yet – real violent spikes – line up with a jump on a 7m and you are set to orbit earth. Too scared to kiteloop today, yesterday got hammered as wind spike arrived at exactly the wrong kiteloop time adding 10 years to my knee joints. Mike Cann got the award for most dedicated. He is last off water out of the whole of Maui 3 days in a row now. Evening sessions are really good here as if gusty in the day it steadies out and drops below 30 knots and hardly any other riders around. I need a break-I am broken you could seriously boost non stop all day here and spend more time in the air than on water. Maui has chewed me up and spat me out lol. Met Vari kite designer with protos,real good guy

Photos soon sorry well dodgy internet connection

MAUI BLOG DAY 5 – Unfortunately some guy drowned at kitebeach/canoes yesterday – real sad – kite no longer attached so no idea what happened – had happened just before we arrived – hardly anyone was out Today – Awesome mini wave session then a boosting session with the go pro cam which mike then deleted. Absolutely awesome day of pefect riding. Maui 2nd time and still my fave place I have ever ridden after nz-6/ 9m kiting Feel deep fried and like been trying out full combat cage fighting with no experienece lol. Met Chris Tronolone and he is going to ride the stationary wave with us next week – supposed to be real hard! njoi the wind hear it is cranking in nz too

MAUI BLOG DAY 4 – Windy as 35 knots+ – we got smoked on 8 s and 9s and moved to 6s and 7s. Scottie got tangled in 35 kanots with someone that did not look where they were going but ended up ok . Dragged in some french dude from about 1km out. Maxed out fun no chance of unhooking in a million years so boost time.Me and Mike into the strapless jumps can go real high with so much wind and board sticks to your feet. Katchafire are playing in Maui on Saturday yyeeeeeeaaahhh BUT 3PM – PROBAB;Y GOING KITING… M

MAUI BLOG DAY 3 - 28 knots small swell quick west coast surf followed by a freestyle session but i lost my kite after getting kitelooped by suicide leash so we hit the reef and small swell – cracked the rail landing strapless jumps – so windy teh board really sticks to your feet. Awesome session. Checked out Maahleia? gets insane wave when it breaks a few sets comingthrough.Mike stomping some 7ftt strapless jumps

Maui update – will post some pics and stuff soon. Kind of hard to move or do anything and this is only day 2. First 2 days 18-25 so light for maui but real good. Me Mike and Scottie were going to take it easy but in true kiwi form rode all day until dusk. its all over we can’t walk after the second day.Pacing ourselves was all talk. Jesee Richman was a standout here and someguy on a Royal kite doing suicidalkiteloops

Next year more of us go – hours on the water

spy photos we have been sent /$ it is not super expensive. I met a windsurfer coming here for 20 years in June and July – he cannot remember hadly any days in 20 years with no wind – 7 and 9m kites. It seems we are being spyed on as we have been sent pictures of us at kitebeach http://www.kitebeachcam.com/webcam/ 12pm-3pm nz time best for spying. 35knots forecast today

Direct offshore – no good for kiting really, side off would be ok

nothing to do with kiting but you will like it

perfect rocker and perfect flex

This sight, although not common, is occurring more due to modern kite design. Be aware that this can happen due to pulleys broken or bridles stuck over wingtips or lines half hitched over bar. It can also happen to c kites too especially with the new breed of fast looping while high up kites. I have seen it happen to many different brands of kite.

Back in the day kites were so slow that they would hit the water if this was to happen but today this is something to be aware of that can happen – ie know that you can release your kite if you need to (not into the path of other kites/ people though!)

Here is the video:-

you may ask yourself why didn’t they release? it is very difficult to release even with a quick release- hard to get to as you are being dragged.

http://www.kiteforum.tv/video/Looping_Kite.html

this is really cool and the music is really in a world of its own too!

Not sure how well they would hold up in the water. Here is the translated article…

http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=en&js=n&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kabarete.net%2FV1%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D97%253Ados-europeos-fabricaban-tablas-surfing-y-la-enviaban-a-europa-con-cocaina%26catid%3D35%253Anoticias%26Itemid%3D55&sl=es&tl=en&history_state0=

Deep inside this video a wakeskater nails a 360 flip. How sick?!

How cool is that!

Featuring Kiwi Jamie Barrow.

http://www.coreonlinemagazine.com

I don’t know of a more consistent spot on earth for wind and warm water during the NZ winter. If you are into sub 20 knots you are out of luck but if you like it windy…

At the windiest time of day add on at least 10 knots to windguru

http://windguru.com/int/

Anyway a couple of us are headed out in July, to take advantage of the lowest fares this time of year for years, and will try and blog our way through it if we still have the energy to lift our callused hands and have not contracted swine flu on the plane.

It is that time of year when all you do is think of overseas or not getting dunked under the water when riding – still better than no wind!

You could also join the latest trend started by Legends freestyle Champion Brad Rossi of a wearing a neoprene hood while riding!

You know we love surfing as much as kiting so enjoy this, link borrowed from www.surf2surf.com

our distant cousins windsurfing have produced a hip hop track

Last week saw kiwis Cindy Mosey and Brock Clearly fetauring in a pretty cool show!

Airing on Stratos. 800pm friday

2009 Triple-S Invitational Final Results

Men’s Surf
1. Ian Alldredge
2. Jon Modica
3. Sam Bell
4. Andre Phillip
5. Mauricio Abreu

Men’s Slicks
1. Aaron Hadlow
2. Brandon Scheid
3. Kevin Langeree
4. Ruben Lenten
5. Greg Norman

Men’s Sliders
1. Dylan Thompson
2. Andre Phillip
3. Ruben Lenten
4. Aaron Hadlow
5. Brandon Scheid

Men’s Overall
1. Andre Phillip
2. Brandon Scheid
3. Aaron Hadlow
4. Ruben Lenten
5. Kevin Langeree

Women’s Surf
1. Clarissa Hempel
2. Susi Mai
3. Bruna Kajiya

Women’s Slicks
1. Susi Mai
2. Bruna Kajiya
3. Clarissa Hempel

Women’s Surf
1. Clarissa Hempel
2. Susi Mai
3. Bruna Kajiya

Women’s Overall
1. Clarissa Hempel
2. Susi Mai
3. Bruna Kajiya

After the announcement of the new Tour stop in New Caledonia this coming November, The Professional Kiteboard Riders Association (PKRA), will be adding one more exciting venue to next year’s World Tour. Mauricio Toscano, President of the PKRA after his meeting with the event organizer said that next year’s World Tour will be extended until December as a result of this new development.

“The 2010 World Tour will be one of the most if not THE most exciting tour we’ve had in the history of the PKRA. We’ve just signed a five-year deal with Anton Richardson and Sebastien Talem of Minotaur Sports Management in Queensland, Australia to organize the Australian tour stop at the end of 2010. This event will serve as the yearly final tour event and will be a grand slam event which will have Freestyle, Racing and Wave events,” said Toscano.
The partnership with Minotaur Sports Management will be a long term commitment to bring the PKRA for five years to Australia. This will expand the PKRA World Tour to the new island continent.

The venue will be the world–famous beach of the Australian Gold Coast. Queensland’s most famous stretch of 70-kilometer beach. This stunning piece of landscape is home to some of Gold Coast’s spectacular sporting events including the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro and the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. These significant contests consistently attract tens of thousands of spectators annually. The addition of the PKRA World Tour as a calendar mainstay of Gold Coast events further revitalizes the region’s foothold as Australia’s event capital as well as PKRA’s reputation as the world’s leading professional association of kiteboarders.

“Gold Coast hosts many major sporting events including the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro with a combined viewers of more than one million worldwide. We also have the Boost Aerial Surfing and the Gold Coast Airport Marathon with more than 14,500 participants. We are also proud to say that Australia’s number one motor sports event is held on the streets of Surfers Paradise every October now known as the Nitro SuperGP. This event alone attracts more than 300,000 visitors annually. Coincidentally, this year marks Queensland’s 150th founding anniversary that is why we are very, very excited to bring the PKRA to this part of the world as an added highlight to the celebration. Being the leading organization of some of the best kiteboarders in the world, the presence of the PKRA events will further enhance the entertainment experience of local and foreign visitors alike,” explained Richardson.

In addition to the dazzling venues, ideal weather conditions provide Gold Coast festivals and events a real sense of occasion. An average temperature of 20 to 28 °C with average cross onshore wind speed of 15 to 20 knots from the southeast provides the most ideal conditions for kiteboarding.

About Minotaur Sports Management
Minotaur Sports Management is based in Queensland, Australia and is headed by Anton Richardson as CEO and Sebastien Talem as Major Sports Events Manager. The company promotes extreme sports and is one of the active promoters in the Gold Coast that ensure the ongoing success of the region’s established annual sporting events.

About PKRA
The Professional Kiteboard Riders Association has been in the forefront of professional kiteboarding, organizing world-class, professional kiteboarding events and the PKRA World Tour since 2000. It is one of the highly-respected kiteboarding organization which aims to promote the advancement of kiteboarding as well as the riders it represents. PKRA events are sanctioned by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) – the worldwide governing body of kiteboarding, combining world events into one unified ranking. It is under the umbrella of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

I just looked at the websites and it only shows up on Stratos at 800pm this friday (not weds as i also thought) not on Triangle (Auckland only) – you need a freeview decoder to check it out then – hopefully enough warning to gatecrash your freeview decoder owning friends house with beer or 2.

found a lost sd card so made a 1 minute vid njoi

Includes article on Ozone who are now based in NZ.

From Seabreeze.com.au

- And for all of our kiwi brothers across the ditch Kitelife will be hitting New Zealand television
starting Friday 22nd May

Stratos Triangle TV (New Zealand)
Friday’s 8.00pm From Seabreeze

an oldie but a goodie!

Ben Wilson has a new video coming out soon – should be sick – from on of the few kiters that makes surfing in waves look real good! It is rubbing off on other riders at last.

It sounds unbelievable but early media reports that the first victim got lifted very high in a gust, flew over a toilet house and crashed (possibly into a building). He was found immediately when rescuers arrived. 1 more kitesurfer was still reported missing. After a helicopter was called, they found the second victim near rocks. It seemed he got lifted and landed on the rocks. Rescuers started CPR and transported him to the nearest hospital. Unfortunately he died later.

Kiters at the beach reported what they thought was a jump from 20 to 50 knots in front of a rain front that was difficult to see coming. The forecast did indicate that there would be a big increase in wind force at some stage during the day.

http://en.redbulletin.com/articles/aaron_hadlow/

You probably seen the promo photo he did, now this one turns up – great stuff saving naked models!

___

Coming in to land, Vincent, an absolute ripper, was unlucky enough to have one foot come out of the footstrap and his board slice down his face in what is a very rare occurrence. There is some nerve damage, but all stitched up now we wish Vincent a speedy recovery and hope that everything comes right as soon as possible and we can see him ripping once again!!

The first PKRA event has taken place in Leucate in real high wind and Aaron Hadlow (on a 5m!) takes it out once again with Yuri Zoon back on tour this year after a year out with a bad knee! Check the kiteloop crash – wakestyle is kind of all over in those conditions! It has been a long time since there was a comp with high winds – totally changes the ballgame. Gotta respect high wind riding…

well i made up that word…

Martin Vari who once quoted the the wave tours is good for aging freestylers

set in Maui, Naih teamriders from around the world get together and shoot a 1/2 hour video in maui. Awesoem footage and riding.

Gone are the days of DVD releases!

goto http://www.naish.tv

episode 2 out too now goto www.ontheloose.tv

“I loved a good blow”
“Getting High off lows”
and several more awesome prints!

see the designs here

http://www.dvntkiteboarding.com/newclothingrange.htm

A few years ago ex Auckland local Karve Tamariki (Whose family actually hails from Aitutaki), and Chris Lucca talked of kiting this place, so off I went and had some sick flat water sessions in the depths of the NZ winter and was stoked to do a display for the boat driver that had never seen kiting before! It is flat water riding and out on the lagoon the setup is pretty much perfect when the trades blow and even if there is no wind it is a stunning place.

A quick plug for Karve too as he has a rental villa on Rarotonga http://www.mtv-raro.com/ that you should check out also but for sure head to Aitutaki. This kite centre in Aitutaki is run by Chris Lucca’s friend Jimmy.

Got some stick for his one handed handle passes but there is no denying that he rips the bag – hows that flat 7 attempt!

go here to see the other 5 videos (some not yet released) http://www.kevinlangeree.com/homepage.php

Kitebeach Maui used to be the most photographed spot for kitesurfing on earth then riders discovered a wealth of flat water slick heavens and waves elsewhere around the world, but Maui still remains one of my fave spots I have ever been to. Go in June or July and wind is pretty much a money back guarantee (it is also the coldest time in nz!). If you like to ride in 18 knots then this probably is not the place for you but if you like the idea of 28 knots, warm, with some good kickers to launch off it rules, no waves really in summer when it is windy season but still some 2-3 footers to play on out at the reefs. Hawaii flights are a bloody rip off from nz so it pays to book early. Oahu is very average for kitesurfing in my experience, but if you lived there you would get some sick sessions. Maui is much more consistent for wind. Last time I went my stomach muscles gave way after day 3.. someone on the beach said I jump to much – they where right – Will have to take Sebastien Maupas – current record holder of most time doing tricks/ in the air during a session…

A recent video of kitebeach

http://www.kiteforum.tv/video/KITE_BEACH_KOOKOUT_4.html?Itemid=0

Kein Langeree has a video coming and from teh looks of this trailer could be real interesting.

While a few of us where sitting down in the sun waiting for some wind after the second day of the nationals, the North island put on a weekend of sick North easterlies for those that could look into the future (or not afford the $100 entry fee + $350 plane journey to Christchurch..). Dean put on this event and I know I was torn which event to go to – 2 sick events at teh same time…

While we sat at a windless Christchurch waiting, I got those really annoying texts about how much it was going off..

Well there should be some pics and stuff soon…

Results, in the order they ran:
Day one of the competition went off in absolutely perfect conditions bar the poo – 18-20 knots – they got 1/2 way through teh open… The rest of the days were marginal or nothing in true Nationals style – has there ever been a really windy nz nationals!? There has not even been mention of any sickness this time due to pollution – last Christchurch nationals I knew of about 6 riders that got quite ill afterwards!

Honorable mention to the rider with the naish kite doing hasselhoffs and mobes from Gisborne – sick style – a future winner?! – in fact the level of riding has increased hugely which is so great to see, mostly due to younger riders pushing the new school styles. Also thanks to to all that put in the time and effort to make the event happen! Even the local council had installed a new shower, a new “pebble beach” and had really cleaned the area up!

The Christchurch estuary really is the best place in NZ to hold an event – just everything is setup perfectly… Riding in steady wind and on flat water – the north islanders just are not used to it – where is the annoying chop and the rip the bar out of your arm gusts? lol

Juniors: 1 Brock Cleary; 2 Brendan Loughlin; 3 Anthony Hopkins.

Women: 1 Rachel Cann; 2 Charlotte Mills; 3 Kirsty Bowe.

Open: 1 Marc Jacobs; 2 Kelby Bright; 3 Geoffery Waterson.

Legends: 1 Gavin Broadbent; 2 Brad Rossi; 3 Tony Whakaneke.

Masters: 1 Dave Kay; 2 Karl Soulos; 3 Ian Collenette.

on vimeo you can download the full res files too – play it full screen high res…

Sickness meant no riding but an attempt at filming, fortunately the camera lasted long enough that I did not high temperature sweat all over it and break it. Video by sick boy productions for WWW.NZKITER.COM. Please excuse any camera shake – just my bones vibrating.

The slider Jam results were Aussie Andy Yates in first (who is a really good cable wakeboard rider which would help a lot..)

Kiwi Jamie Barrow came in at an impressive 5th in a very competitive field stomping flat 5s off the jump ramp.

Got a fever for 4 days . Travelling and being ill is the worst combination. Head felt like brain had been bashed in with meat tenderising hammer then throat like someone had sanded it down and poured acid on it – thankyou Mr Antibiotics for starting to sort this out at last – seriously not happy for last 4 days! Food poisoning still rates as worst travel illness I ever got though and I collected a few – if in doubt don’t eat it is my motto now – even if i already paid for it or need to spit it out!

Good news is that I got some good footage and photos to come from Rottnest Island, the Perth Slider Jam, and Melbourne.

Stay tuned..

Rottnest is a great place to visit. Reefs for surfing, really windy, good snorkelling. Me, I got covered in jelly fish stings, rode the gustiest most dodgy offshore spot ever in front of a real sharky spot (even though photos look good) and cycled for kms (no vehicles) only to find no surf, and at the end of the day tell us another spot was going off we missed it epic….

Yesterday the local beach was closed due to anothe bloody big shark – maybe teh same one?

Anyone that knows Astro Tim from NZ – he got married yesterday – I promised not to ride cos I was best man – he got married on the beach – it was 20 knots! Awesome wedding with people I knew from UK, Aussie, New Cal, NZ…

Getting together surfboards and kites for tip to Rottnest – big swell coming so should be very interesting – loads of reef breaks..

So I turn up on my own to woodies and I randomly meet DeWett that has just moved from NZ and then Lance another rider that moved out here and a rider from Wellington that knows Mike and Rach ,. Small world.

I think riders from all around the world have turned up here. Andy Yates rips it hard and is unusually consistant with the hardest of tricks. The sliders arrive on Thursday and I hope go and check em out. The main one is goingh to be bigger than your average single story house!

I lost my kite totally out of my depth in direct offshore (5km to land!) just at the place riders thgink they saw the elusive huge great white – I laughed cos there was no way I was going swimming after it but a rider on a geen north kite kindly held it down and I decided to swim after it fast as and manage to relaunch it..

You ride on teh north side – direct offshore flat as and waist deep – but dont go out of your depth or serious trouble possible

Perth seems to be on fire after a 40c day yesterday a thick smoke smog is everywhere it looks cloudy but it is just smoke!

Had 2 sessions at Woodmans point which is glass flat and waist deep direct offshore – real nice. Real high riding standard – best place for freestylers to hang out at. Probably the youngest group of kitesurfers I have seen anywhere rather than the usual mid life crisis crew!

Staying alert because a huge great white has been spotted here and around the near area over the last 2 weeks, in fact one was seen yesterday 100m from where we are staying by a kiter that came in HUGE fin!

Slack fimling and photography so far but will sot something out.

I am lucky to be in Perth for the next couple of weeks so hope to bring you a blog of what is happening over in WA during the build up to this event, I know Jamie Barrow is entering so there is at least going to be one Kiwi representing, and given his skills representing real well.

Last year there were international ripping riders all around the area. Will see if I can get some pics and video of some of the sick riding.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x77dlg_core-slider-jam_sport

Stay anywhere (Fits a queen size bed in the back), go anywhere (diff lock 4wd), diesel at its lowest for ages – what is there not to love about them.

What about not owning this one..

looks to be 50 kites out on the lagoon

So what would you think about just before you rode off the ledge?

Best check out their website and donate some cash to Westpac Rescue Helicopters

HAT: 2009 New Zealand Kiteboarding Nationals
WHEN: 5 to 8 February 2009
WHERE: Christchurch
WHY: To give all the kiteboarders in NZ the opportunity to compete at a National level and maybe even go on to compete Internationally.
HOW: More info coming SOON!

Some sick riding from German rider Rick Jensen

An epic long weekend was had by all and awesome wind and swell turned up despite totally crap internet forecasts.

Day 1

18- 20 knots 4-5 foot sets

Those in the know or that got lucky scored an epic days wave riding after the event was postponed for the day. Just 15 mins after the postponement came in – it cranked! No one was too worried because to be honest having to watch other people riding these waves in a compitition would have been VERY painful!

Day 2

25 knots 2 – 3 foot flattish faces

65 to be cut down to 16 final riders

20 competitor heat wave mayhem and sometimes wind lulls caused all sorts of interesting and unfortunate events. It was a very lucky day for natural footers because the wind had switched 180 overnight and I think this had a huge impact on the overall results!

(Decay told me he never made it upwind to the waves in 45 minutes in his heat – he was not the only person with this problem – sounds like my nationals freestyle heat – mind you I was not even able to keep the kite in the air for that one – let alone glide accross the water lol!)

Day 3

30 knots+ 1- 2 foot slop

Brock Cleary was a surprise standout to me in the finals (I did not even know he could surf) with a great flowing style and quality slashing staying on the wave (its was very eAsy to fall over the back of it as there was not much to it!) in what were essentially completely crap wave conditions barely worthy – but the show goes on and its best on the day so it’s all go! He was however taken to second place by the skills of Jamie Barrow in what I think was a very close call indeed.  Gavin Broadbent took 3rd place with  his consistant wave riding skills with Kelby Bright coming in 4th looking frustrated by the lack of swell.

Like every other subjective competition judging/judging methods were the only issues that reared their  ugly heads – but that is nothing new… Many riders I spoke to voted for themselves and many did not- and very few did not vote for their mates! It was also kind of unfair because there were some really good riders that were not know by everyone by name and so they had an immediate disadvantage also in the voting!

The winners over the weekend all had a great time though and I think if riders really want to represent their waveriding today in good conditions they sould make videos of themselves and we should have some kind of online  video comp – maybe not I can’t be dealing with how to judge it!

Anyway judging waveriding in kiteboardng is about as subjective as it comes I hear polar opposite views all the time of what should be scored highly – surfing has always had the same problem.

Strapped / unstrapped

I like all wavestyles – strapped, unstrapped,surfboard and even shock horror twintip in waves! – whatever is good for the conditions and the riders ability, style/equipment snobbery for sure sux. But this not what it is about -putting them up against each other is like putting wakeboarders up against wakeskaters, having a skateboard comp where skateboarders can choose to tie their feet to their board, or a comp of paddle in surfers vs strapped tow surfers. Competitions need a  level playing field and this is way off level to start with.

Overall an awesome event and thanks to Ralph and teh others involved for organizing it- it is a lot of work for sure.

OK, it’s a french site so you can’t read it al;l maybe but the idea is for riders to upload thier vids and everyone votes fro their fave. This is a really awesome site!!! The Ponta Preta kite video is like like no other!!!

http://www.riders-contest.fr

We love surfing! This wave is from south west Australia if you want to go and kite it!

http://surfinglife.com.au/bigwaveawards/cms/index.php/entries/35-entries/86-kerby-brown-october-2008

Just 1 hours flight away! Aaron Hadlow and co have been ripping it up the past few days…

The slideshow:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/8381450@N04/show/

Ex NZ kitesurf champion and well  know legend amongst the New Zealand kitesurfing community was paragliding at the mount and after rocks were being theatened to be thrown at him landed only to be immediately kicked in the head repeatedly by the group before he could take his paragliding harness and reserve shoot off.

Dave showed restraint towards his attackers who were juvenilles (luckily for them – he is not a skinny guy…), but sustained a broken nose and eye socket unfortunately. Hopefully heals for the wave nationals in a few weeks and they receive some worthwhile punishment and  actually participate in some fun sport to balance their own lives.

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/National/tabid/309/articleID/76961/Default.aspx#video

http://www.iksurfmag.com/issue_11_oct_nov_2008/issue_11.php

Not sure about hooking one onto a trainer kite…

You can download the full res version from http://www.dvntkiteboarding.com/downloads.htm

Hows that hey  – some good moves huh…

Though you would be interested in what it looks like.. 50 knots was broken over 500m – over 2 seconds 60 knots!

A French kitesurfer was put on life support after his kite drifted him into electric wires in Bunbury, near Perth, on Saturday afternoon.

Bunbury police sergeant Laurie Stubbs said the man had just taken off from a beach in South Bunbury at 1.50pm when a gust of wind sucked him across Ocean Drive and into live electric wires.

Sergeant Stubbs said the kitesurfer received an electric shock, dropped four metres from the wires, and his head slammed into the ground.

An off-duty police officer who was reading a book before his shift in a car nearby saw the incident and called an ambulance.

The experienced kitesurfer was taken to Bunbury Regional Hospital, then transported to Royal Perth Hospital where he was placed on life support.

Sergeant Stubbs said the man’s critical condition had now been downgraded to stable, and he was now off life support.

4  or 5 hours south of Sydney (I think) this comp has been going for sooo long so if you can get yourself over there (Australia that is..)

website Link http://www.acr.net.au/~msc/

The 28th Mambo Merimbula Classic

incorporating the NAISH SUP section

27th to 30th November 2008

The world’s longest running, wave sailing competition is back again in 2008.

Yep for real, 20 years old and beaten everyone in the world 5 years running..

From the UK of all places – well does sort of live in South Africa though so don’t all start moving to the UK for sick conditions to ride like Aaron.

“The men’s double saw two final heats between Langeree and single elimination round winner Aaron Hadlow (Flexifoil, GBR). The first final heat saw Langeree outscoring Hadlow with more variety and higher moves coupled with double pass moves, outweighing Hadlow’s slightly powered moves.

The second final round went to Hadlow after a strong heat from both riders. The UK’s pride landed a regular and switch slim/mobe, blind judge with aerial handle pass, front mobe to blind, shifty 3, kiteloop handle pass and mobe 5 while Langeree landed a regular and switch kgb, blind judge with aerial handle pass, s-bend to blind air pass, double s-bend to blind, front mobe 5, front side 360, 313, non-inverted slim, mobe to wrapped and kiteloop handle pass.
Hadlow performed with a lot more power and took home the crown.” - PKRA MEDIA