Kiteventure

Location : St Kilda Kite : 10m Switchblade IDS Conditions : 14-16 knots southerly Forecast was great, but it just didn't come through.  Lots of light wind kiteloops, no progression.

Location : Hampton Kite : 7m Crossbow IDS Conditions : 18 knots southerly  Simon's fourth session on the 7m - got up on the board and went about 10m.  I think he was a little suprised and didn't know what to do - so consequently went over the rails!

Location : Hampton Kite : 10m Switchblade IDS Conditions : 18 knots southerly A little gusty and inconsistent with a fair bit of chop.  Did a couple of regular tricks - backroll, forward 360, backroll transition but no real progression.  Arms felt very tired.

Location : St Kilda Kite : 10m Crossbow IDS Conditions : 18 knots southerly Late session after spending the weekend trying to make some sense of the flood that filled my parent's house.  Met up with Tarren at around 7, stayed out until around 8:45. First trial riding blind - crashed the kite, really hard to figure out how to steer. Practiced landing toeside so that I can get the backroll with toeside landing sorted - landed quite a few of these. The backroll transition is going well - can do it regularly now. Landed quite a few 720 spins - but can't do it on the non preferred.  Have to work on that.

Location : Seaford to Brighton Kite : 10m Crossbow IDS Conditions : 15-18 knots southerly, SSE Massive downwind adventure.  

Location : St Kilda Kite : 7m Crossbow IDS Conditions : 23 knots southerly. Simon's third session - time to get on the board. Simon did great - heaps of determination and enthusiasm saw him stand up, but still has to work to get persistent power to maintain plaining. St kilda is getting way to busy to teach, really have to try and get there early or late to avoid crowds. It is only a matter of time now before someone gets seriously injured, lots of dodgy things happening.

Location : St Kilda Kite : 10m Switchblade IDS Conditions : 23 knots southerly. Had a fantastic session, tried a couple of new tricks that I've been attempting or checking out. Backroll transition - seem to have this pretty much sorted now, time to add a little more air. The key is not to overthink it - just keep the backhand on the bar, place the forehand into the water and roll. The kite kind of pulls you through the transition really nicely. Hooked in Raley - not the first attempt, but the first time I have nailed this one. Backroll to toeside - landed this, but got confused about how to power through. Think this is a head problem - just got to go for it. On the to do list are - riding blind - more work on 720 rotations on my weaker side

Good wind again today - amazing. We wanted to take the kids to the beach, so no kiting today, just swimming and playing with the kids.

Location : St Kilda Kite : 10m Switchblade IDS Conditions : 17 knots southerly. Chose St Kilda as I wanted to give Simon a turn on the kite. Wind was just enough to do a couple of backrolls and some forward loops, but nothing like the perfect wind over the last couple of days. Simon made a good start with some drags through the water. I must admit I find it a little scary when beginners go a long way out !

Location : Hampton Kite : 10m Switchblade IDS Conditions : 20 knots southerly. Fantastic wind and great conditions down at Hampton. Nowhere near as choppy as Beaumauris.

Location : Beaumauris Kite : 10m Switchblade IDS Conditions : 20-22 knots southerly. Wind was marginal at first, had to work very hard just to maintain a tack and very choppy. Wind picked up a couple of knots, Pete entered the scene and suddenly you can go upwind and explore the reef. Still a dicey place to be with a kite, lots of rocks to watch out for and no protection from the chop.