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-   -   Photo Of The Day!!! (http://www.fksa.org/showthread.php?t=6089)

ricki 06-15-2008 09:36 PM

Back in October 2001 a strong easterly wind came through. A bunch of guys converged on Bathtub Reef Beach on Hutchenson Island to go kiteboarding. Whoops, sorry meant to say kitesurfing. The big move to change the name by the media had yet to really take hold. Today, you might have trouble finding enough sand to launch from. Coastal recession has taken quite a bit away from this spot.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Old_Gear_Goes.jpg
That's Neil out there on a Naish ARX (?) in his pre-Slingshot days! I think that is Greg Kuklinski on his NEXT kite or pehaps Mike.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Seasmick_Ho.jpg
There's an oldie, a Seasmick kite. You can just see the top of Neil's head as he is hidden by a nice sized wave. Look at the wind streak the water, it was pretty well honking that day.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Irma_Charges.jpg
Terri heads out on a small AR5 kite.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Gang_in_2001.jpg
The gangs all here, almost seven years ago. How many folks can you identify, going right to left?




Hey Neil, Greg, do you guys remember this session? I seem to recall there were some interesting twists so it might come to mind. Here's something to think about. Just how brave (knowingly or not) or lucky these early guys were. I had lofted into a house about 11 months before so I was riding in the ICW to the west not feeling up to hitting the Bathtub in those conditions. I think my smallest kite was about 10 m which I thought was too larger for the winds coming through at the beach.


.

neil xrated 06-16-2008 11:04 AM

Yep, Iremeber that day well, I was on like a seven totally nuked. I remember boosting big and loosing my kite, getting slammed on my back and my kite ending up in a tree. Was blowing a solid 30+ straight onshore. Amazing that Erma and Terri went out. Good to see Scotty from Hanna Crew on the left. A real blast from the past. Cheers Neil

ricki 06-16-2008 08:28 PM

Thanks for your input Neil. That was some day. Hopefully Greg will drop by and put up some recollections too. Here's a few more fuzzy shots, poorer resolution in those days.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...indsurfers.jpg




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Neil_Jumps.jpg
Neil launches one. I wasn't around for the powered wipeout. Not hard to imagine in these conditions.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Terri.jpg
This really dates the images. Terri is setup with a board leash.



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ricki 06-17-2008 10:32 PM

New stuff in imaging for the Internet. How about a global video view of the world?
Why not get immersed in it, be sure to pan around to get the full image ...


http://dvice.com/pics/immersive_camcar.jpg
Bugs are on the prowl on your street!




http://demos.immersivemedia.com/index.php?clip=RB
Charge some waves in Teahupoo


http://demos.immersivemedia.com/index.php?clip=NG
Go back in time in New Guinea, sail an outrigger and hang out in early islander dance sequences


http://demos.immersivemedia.com/index.php?clip=FJ
Slide UW and checkout a Fijian reef


http://demos.immersivemedia.com/index.php?clip=SD
Take on some snowboarder racing, not much risk of slamming in this time



How do you house something like this? How about like ...

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/images...itahiti11x.jpg
More at: http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/03/14/index.html




Or, why not paddle into something to take home?

http://www.immersivemedia.com/blog/w.../image-506.jpg
From: http://www.immersivemedia.com/blog/?m=200803



Be sure to checkout the Red Bull clip documenting this new technology in waves ...
http://www.redbullsurfing.com/videos/immersive/


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ricki 06-18-2008 08:16 PM

Greg Meintjes is one of the original kitesurfers in Key West. On windy days you can often find him on the beach there or out on the Flats ripping it up. He is a moderator and regular on the Florida Keys Forum at http://fksa.org/forumdisplay.php?f=98 .He was chosen to be one of the lucky Eclipse Full Throttle sponsored kiters. Beyond all that he is a good ambassador for the sport. I met up with him recently down in KW and grabbed a few shots of him in action with his new kites.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Launched.sized.jpg
Paul Menta just gives Greg a launch




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...ches.sized.jpg
Getting ready to go




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Greg_jumps.jpg
Greg pops one in Eclipse "Full Throttle" livery, looking mighty fine!




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Greg_out_001.jpg

See you from Key West for now.


Photos by Rick Iossi



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ricki 06-20-2008 08:57 AM

Back in the day, way back, there was Wipika and not a lot else.
Here's a look at the Northshore of Maui, Year 1998 ...


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m14.jpg
Rigged up and ready to rip


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m15.jpg
Remember that transverse Emergency Depower line?
Had almost forgotten about those. How about those LONG
leash lines and wrist cuffs? Naish used those for a while as
well.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/M05.jpg
The cloud stack building up on Western Maui. Checkout that directional Mat Pendle is riding!
Still have a few of those too. Wonder if he was thinking about GK in this shot?


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m11.jpg
The guys at the start of things

Photos by Sylvain Cazenave and posted on wipika.com which may be gone (?)
but if so, it's not forgotten.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/hp_bar.jpg
A peak at a new prototype destined to shake the world market (from 20 years ago).
Bruno L. heads out on an early kiteboard (windsurfing board?).

admin 06-23-2008 09:43 AM

Summer weather seems to be here finally bringing a fair amount of rain and little useable wind. Had to happen sooner or later. So, between short bouts of thermal winds on to other things, like diving. Headed down to the Keys for some wreck scooter free diving (may put together a video on that) and a quick reef dive with my good friend Capt. Slate at Atlantis Dive Shop.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Grotto_1.jpg
Scootered into a grotto awash with minnows, and what should I see?




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Lurking.jpg
A lurker, belting out opera? Or, was he getting a dental job from a neon gobi?




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Lurker_2_001.jpg
Any guesses as to what this big fella is? PC or the original name will do. I can recall when these were pretty common down that way and docile as big dumb dogs. Then butthead poachers took them out along with the tame loups. Here's an idea, a poacher spearfishing contest!? That is with the poachers being taken for prizes. Seems fair.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Grotto.jpg
Motoring out the far side of the cave and up




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Keys_Sunset.jpg
The obligatory Keys sunset, another great day!


Photos by Rick Iossi


*

ricki 06-24-2008 02:45 PM

CJ has been a regular and competitor at Florida kiteboarding events for sometime. Quick with a smile and a laugh, she has been a familiar sight at events and in articles. Here's a look at some images.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/CJ_2.jpg
Running lines out at the 2006 Kite4Girls competition on Key Biscayne
Photo by Rick Iossi


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/CJ_5.jpg
The pre-party for the 2006 Tampa Bay Kitemasters fell close to Halloween.
So, why not come in mufti? There's Irma off to the right, a likely candidate
for a future POD.
Photo by Rick Iossi


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/CJ_4.jpg
Wind waiting in style in the 2007 Kite4Girls. Wonder if rabbit ears would help my wakeboarding?
Photo by Rick Iossi


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/jump_cj.sized.jpg
Throwing a nice jump on their honeymoon in Costa Rica in May of this year
Photo by Dustin Sleichter, her new husband



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/CJ_7.jpg
Near La Cruz, Costa Rica
Photo by Dustin Sleichte


Best wishes for your new life together CJ and Dustin!



.

ricki 06-27-2008 08:29 AM

Trying to move things on to a new page.

ricki 06-27-2008 08:30 AM

Sorry for the distraction, still trying to crank up a new page.

ricki 06-27-2008 08:31 AM

I talked to Paul Menta down in the Keys last night. He had been out all day on a 9 m, lit! Strange June weather we're having. Anyway, the blow stuff didn't make quite this far north so my thoughts are still drifting to travel and diving. Bringing something up from last summer, the Wreck of the Sapona in Bimini, Bahamas.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Sapona_0.jpg
Here's the wreck. It used to have a high stern section listing on its side. Time, corrosion, hurricanes and the odd bomb have altered that. The story behind the wreck is an interesting one. Here is what Bimini Undersea, a good local diving operation has to say about it:

During World War I, traditional ship building supplies, ie. Steel, was in short supply. Looking for alternatives, the US government commissioned the construction of 24 ships made from Concrete. They were to be built by the Liberty Ship Company. Of the 24 vessels planned only 12 were built. And, the history of the 12 is a bit in question. Especially the history of The Sapona.

Some historians have the Sapona completed in 1911, others claim she didn’t set sail until after the war ended in 1920. What everyone does agree on however is that by 1924 she was owned by famous Bahamian Rum Smuggler Bruce Bethel. Stories have it that Bethel was using the vessel as a floating warehouse just off the shores of Bimini during the US period of Prohibition.

Another point, not in dispute is that her present location just behind South Bimini on the Great Bahama Bank is the result of a hurricane back in 1926. The Sapona didn’t “sink” as much as she simply “ran aground” having been driven up into shallow water by the storm. Another hurricane in 1932 caused the stern end to snap off and keel over to the east side. This same 1932 hurricane is rumored to have put the entire island of North Bimini underwater for a short period of time during the storm.

Probably the most famous story about the Sapona has it’s roots in one of aviation’s biggest mysteries. And, the story that launched the legend of the Devil’s Triangle. The disappearance of Flight 19 on December 5th, 1945. During the early 1940’s, the Naval Air Stations located in Southern Florida would regularly use the wreck of the Sapona for bombing a strafing practice. Shooting up the hull with 50 caliber machine gun shells and dropping fake bombs. They shot so many rounds at The Sapona that to this day, following stormy weather, divers still find a few coral encrusted machine gun shells strewn on the bottom on the periphery of the wreck.


More at: http://www.biminiundersea.com/sapona.htm



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Sapona_6.jpg
A good friend's daughter has a go with the Aqueon around and inside the wreck. She was a natural picking it up in about 15 minutes. More about this intriguing swimming device at: http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=4372



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Sapona_2.jpg
I can remember diving on the Sapona decades ago. There was more to it then. Then again, I guess that is what people visiting the wreck in the 1940's used to say. At least of course before some of the more intense strafing and bombing runs.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Sapona_7.jpg




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Sapona_8.jpg
If you're in Bimini be sure to visit the Sapona if you can. It is a fun stop.


Photos by Rick Iossi



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ricki 06-27-2008 08:31 AM

Here's something you don't see everyday on here, WINDSURFING! For those that have been around long enough or may actually still partake, think about this for a sec. Imagine, it is 1995, almost no one is thinking about using traction kites for water sports, yet. So, you HAVE to get a wind fix and it has to be on the water and you don't want to mess with experimental sailboats. What do you want to do? Yes, you got it.

Here's a few images ...


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/windsurfing.jpg
Burlenčių įskaitoje nugalėtoja tapo vartotojo *anzelka* atsiųsta nuotrauka "Bangų šukos", kuri artimiausią konkurentą finale aplenkė daugiau nei dvigubai. Sveikiname Vėjasgalvoje komandą A. Lapėnienę ir G. Lapėną!
From: http://tinyurl.com/6pww9k

Pretty dramatic conditions, a lot more appropriate for windsurfing than kiting from appearances. The text is in Lithuanian, I think, maybe Russky can help us out with a translation? Hope it isn't something bizarre out of left field.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Turkey.jpg
Got this via Turkey, again I think. Seems to be something from Neil Pryde. Should have asked Garrett to get some images directly. Next time! When's the last time you shredded by desert ruins? Then again on further thought, wonder if this might not be Egypt and a new resort down the shore instead of ruins?
From: http://www.teknolist.net/2008/05/01/...ustleri-4.html




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/mhj3388_131_s.jpg
파도속의 윈드서핑~! ("Wind surfing in the waves!") I was surprised to get a clear translation and so quickly from Korean. Still, would have liked to know where this is. Maui, South Korea or ??? Gives me pangs of wind lust just looking at it.
From: http://www.kwasa.org/@board/zboard.php?id=kfba_photo





http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/EOS_6168_2_s.jpg
Here's an odd one. Makes you wonder what that Mistral boarder was doing in Pipeline? Did he loose his rig? Was he cheaping out on a standup board, and continued good health likely and was using the board for standup? We may never know. One more question, is that a rock shelf a few inches below the water right in front of those guys? OUCH!
From: http://blog.jamie-sterling.com/



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ricki 06-30-2008 09:24 AM

Headed south to grab the third or so good wind weekend since the wind traditionally shuts off. Here's to it! Had a close look at Henry Flagler's bridge to Spanish Harbor Key. The Florida East Coast Railway was used to transport passengers and freight between Miami to Key West from 1912-1935


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/j1_001.jpg
It was constructed in 1912 and was subsequently converted to automobile use in 1938. The railroad was destroyed by the devastating hurricane of 1935.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/j_3_001.jpg
They cut a notch in the bridge to accommodate boat traffic making for the harbor on the other side. Flagler's bridge was replaced in 1972 by the structure just to the west.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/j5_001.jpg
You don't want to be anywhere near this thing on an incoming tide or any other bridge for that matter. There was a near drowning of a kiter a bit north of here in Islamorada years back. His kite swept under the bridge in a ripping tidal current. His lines were caught by oysters on a bridge piling beneath the water. The kite ripped down current and the lines "pulleyed" by the oysters dragged him underwater down to the piling and held him there submerged until a fisherman jumped in the water with a fillet knife and cut him free. No fisherman, no more kiter, a really lucky break.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Bridge.jpg
A look at the flip side of the structure on Bahia Honda.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/j4_001.jpg
The lightwind board takes a break in the tidal flats, wind waiting.



Photos by Rick Iossi

ricki 07-01-2008 05:34 AM

One of the spots worth thinking about for a trip is Grand Cayman. Just below Cuba and a short jet flight south from Miami lies the Cayman Islands. For whatever reason, the rates with Cayman Airways have yet to jump up much and they still have the old two bag, 50 lb. baggage allowance as of this writing. Besides that, Cayman is a great place to visit and The Kitehouse has just set up shop there for wind fixes.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Coast.jpg
A section of the north shore of Grand Cayman. Note the shallow reef rimmed by the breaker line and all that calmer clear blue water inside. Various areas around the circumference of the island are rimmed by shallow reef containing stretches of sheltered water. When the wind is on, off you go and have fun shredding. You have a choice of riding calmer waters on the inside or hitting the waves on the outside. Or, you could just dive the walls on the outside. Lots of pinnacles, astounding vertical drops and good viz.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Wreck.jpg
Lots of diving options there, from snorkeling, serious free diving to tech diving with wrecks to boot. This is the wreck of the Cali a short distance offshore in Georgetown harbor and within easy swimming distance of a few restaurants and bars.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/East_End.jpg
Near east end with more waves on the outside and calmer stuff on the inside



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/ca1.jpg
Playing around with the Aqueon in all that clear water



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/wreck_cy.jpg
The wreck of the Gamma right off the beach, good in the day or night for a visit. There's even the wreck of the Kirk Pride down around 780 ft. for the diehards. What to do, sled dive it or go on mix? Atlantis used to do three man submersible dives on it until a hurricane retired the sub sad to say. There is always the Carrie Lee to checkout. Some guys scooter free dove it a few years back, down to 260 ft. with several video cameras. No end of fun stuff to get up to on and under the Caymans.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/CY_Sunset.jpg
Sunset and the world is fine. Great restaurant right on the rock at the waters edge. Got blown away a few years ago but not forgotten.



In addition to Grand Cayman there is also Cayman Brac and Little Cayman to consider for a visit.


Photos by Rick and Laura Iossi

ricki 07-04-2008 01:28 AM

I mentioned that Mike Minichiello of The Kitehouse has setup shop on Grand Cayman offering kiteboarding, standup paddle surfing and more. He has located at Ocean Frontiers facility, http://www.oceanfrontiers.com/ , a very experienced dive operation in eastern Grand Cayman. More at: http://www.thekitehouse.com/cayman.htm Kiting photos should follow soon. Some shots follow of a standup session.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_5.jpg
Heading out through the East Channel into some nice swells




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/East_End_1.jpg
The eastern portion of Grand Cayman. Checkout that massive area of fairly calm water sheltered by the barrier reef. Just go outside and you can have waves and some insanely clear and beautiful wall diving. More to come on the wall in another POD.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_3.jpg
Riding in. Mike hauled the three standup boards, kite gear, free diving stuff, etc. on his Kitehouse boat about ten minutes away from the dock to this area.





http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m4.jpg
Coming in the channel past a bent aid to navigation with yet another wreck in the distance




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_8.jpg
There are quite a few ship wrecks in the area both newer ones and those centuries old. Notice how calm it is inside the reef.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m7.sized.jpg
Sliding past yet another wreck on the outside of the barrier reef



Photos by Rick Iossi


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ricki 07-05-2008 07:43 AM

JP was down in Nicaragua recently and brought back this great shots. He had the break all to himself for a few days in the first photo. Hey JP, tell us some more about the place, what you liked, getting around, etc.. Never been down there know very little about the place.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/jp_1.jpg
Some outstanding swells like the Pacific can deliver. Oh, wait a second, this was on the Caribbean side, not!



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/jp_2.jpg




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/JP_3.jpg
Great sunsets down that way


Photos by JP Robinson

500EPILOT 07-06-2008 10:49 AM

Rick, Thanks for putting up my photos! Nicaragua is the new Costa Rica. This quote is from my Moon Handbooks Nicaragua guide: " The hiker, volcano climber,bird watcher, surfer, sailor, swimmer and naturalist, not to mention rum drinker, sunset watcher and fresh fish eater will find themselves quite content in Nicaragua's southwest corner".
Surfers know that San Juan del Sur is the jumping off point for surf trips, with an undulating coast line just north of Costa Rica offering numerous point breaks accessible by land and some only by boat. Just south of San Juan del Sur is Bahia de Salinas on the Costa Rica/Nica border. A destination for world class kitesurfing and windsurfing. The Caribbean trade winds get drawn inland by the super heated air over the jungles and gets a further boost from the numerous volcanic peaks in southern Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica kind of like the Maui effect. These steady offshore winds help to shape the waves for surfers too! Not far from San Juan del Sur is Granada the oldest city on the continent founded by the Spanish on the north edge of the massive Lake Cocibolca in the early 1500's to show off their growing power and prestige in the region. Nearby Granada you can ride a Soviet troop transport up to the rim of the extinct Mombacho Volacano for stunning views of colonial Granada with it's horse drawn carriages and internet cafes and Lake Cocibolco. There are direct flights to Managua the capitol from Miami and Atlanta. San Juan Del sur and Bahia de Salinas are about a 4-6 hour drive from the Managua airport.
Lots to do down there, I've gone three times and will be back soon.
JP

ricki 07-07-2008 11:16 AM

Thanks for the photos and great information JP! How many of us would like to have checked out Costa Rica back in the day? Sounds like a great opportunity, like Peru but a bit closer.

http://www.moon.com/planner/nicaragu...juandelsur.gif
From: http://www.moon.com/planner/nicaragu...uandelsur.html

http://www.spanishintheworld.com/img...an-del-sur.jpg
From: http://www.spanishintheworld.com/photo-nicaragua.html

Found some more info about the area at:
http://www.sanjuandelsur.org.ni/

Quote:

Originally Posted by 500EPILOT (Post 34526)
Rick, Thanks for putting up my photos! Nicaragua is the new Costa Rica. This quote is from my Moon Handbooks Nicaragua guide: " The hiker, volcano climber,bird watcher, surfer, sailor, swimmer and naturalist, not to mention rum drinker, sunset watcher and fresh fish eater will find themselves quite content in Nicaragua's southwest corner".
Surfers know that San Juan del Sur is the jumping off point for surf trips, with an undulating coast line just north of Costa Rica offering numerous point breaks accessible by land and some only by boat. Just south of San Juan del Sur is Bahia de Salinas on the Costa Rica/Nica border. A destination for world class kitesurfing and windsurfing. The Caribbean trade winds get drawn inland by the super heated air over the jungles and gets a further boost from the numerous volcanic peaks in southern Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica kind of like the Maui effect. These steady offshore winds help to shape the waves for surfers too! Not far from San Juan del Sur is Granada the oldest city on the continent founded by the Spanish on the north edge of the massive Lake Cocibolca in the early 1500's to show off their growing power and prestige in the region. Nearby Granada you can ride a Soviet troop transport up to the rim of the extinct Mombacho Volacano for stunning views of colonial Granada with it's horse drawn carriages and internet cafes and Lake Cocibolco. There are direct flights to Managua the capitol from Miami and Atlanta. San Juan Del sur and Bahia de Salinas are about a 4-6 hour drive from the Managua airport.
Lots to do down there, I've gone three times and will be back soon.
JP


ricki 07-07-2008 11:41 AM

Headed out to the wreck of the Doc Poulson off Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman. Simon and I were up for some scooter free diving to checkout this artificial reef sunk in 1991 in honor of Doc Poulson, the physician that worked to get the first recompression chamber set up on Cayman. The wreck was a former anchor tender and lay in about 55 ft. of water over white sand. The fairly shallow depth makes it a fairly straight forward free dive even more so ala scooter. Still, there are hazards associated with scooter free diving which can't be ignored. More on that subject at http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=4615 Reefs are nearby supplying a ready stream of fish orbiting over the wreck.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/GCD_2.jpg
Simon heads down. BTW, he has a great site with images from his undersea travels around the world at: http://www.glorifiedfisherman.com/ He prefers to hold the DPV in the conventional way. I vastly prefer to use the saddle, hands free operation and easy steering by flicking a fin tip. Makes shooting images and equalizing a lot easier for me.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/..._2_s.sized.jpg
Click photo for full sized image
A bird's eye, (fish's eye?) composite view of the wreck




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/GCD_3.jpg
The wreck is just deep enough to pickup some garden eels in the sand. They would zip down out of sight as you motor over them. I shot a lot of video on the wreck, stay tuned for that. Caught some interesting images including Simon crafting air rings and then ascending through them, a cuda that quickly followed Simon as he scootered into the below deck spaces, schools of jack, darting garden eels, rampaging groupers and more.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/GCD_5.sized.jpg
Running up on some of those jacks




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...VR_s.sized.jpg
A neat bottom side elevational view of the wreck. Wish I had remembered to shoot a composite in portrait mode. Longer breathhold but well worth the result, next time. (Click photo for full sized image. I was happy with how this one turned out all be it cropped at the top)




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/GCD_4.jpg
Motoring by the deck house. Question, what is it with SCUBA divers and displaced toilets? I almost Photoshopped this one out. I did a photo shoot on one our our few wrecks Ft. Lauderdale, FL in the 1970's one cold night for a college assignment. Viz. was great and the photos came out well. Even caught a shot of a guy going through the motions on the throne fitted out with a sea squirt and everything. Next dive the pot was out sitting on the deck. Guys, if the wreck has a head, leave it in the head. Looks more natural.



Anyway, it was a fun dive, thanks Simon for the tour! Hope to be back soon to see more on this great island.


Photos by Rick Iossi
.

ricki 07-08-2008 09:34 AM

trying to get a new page started

ricki 07-08-2008 09:36 AM

Just brought the "Wayback Machine" forward for this one. Who can identify the following event by name, location, date and how many folks can you name in the photos? By the numbers ...


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_10.jpg http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_9.jpg
Photos 1 & 2



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_12.jpg http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_7.jpg
Photos 3 & 4



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_11.jpg http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_2.jpg
Photos 5 & 6



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_3_001.jpg http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_16_001.jpg http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_20.jpg
Photos 7, 8 & 9

Photos by Rick Iossi

ricki 07-08-2008 03:17 PM

No guesses??? Some of the guys that are in these shots show up on here periodically. For extra points you can supply phone numbers for the women in # 4, ha! So, how about it?

ricki 07-09-2008 08:04 AM

This was the first large kiting event in Florida, the Kiteboard Masters on Miami Beach in March 2002. As to identities, I'll take a stab at it. Could use some help with the gaps. In Photo 1, you have Neil, Pete Cabrinha, David Tyburski, Chuck Patterson. In Photo 2, Dimitri, Christopher Tasti, Julian Sadrat (?) Photo 3, Shannon Best, Matt Cohen, Andy Hurdman, Mauricio Abreu, Chuck again. Photo 4, Bruno, unidentified girls who lost their tops but can dance and Jeff Lagosse (definitely mispelled, sorry Jeff, nice moves though). Photo 5, the Hurdman Bros. riding for F One as I recall. Photo 6, is that Chip Wasson sitting on the table?, Martin Vari is standing in profile and there's Jeff Beige off to the right. Photo 7, Dave Loop, Bruno again, Paul Menta and Brad Lange. In Photo 8, Tophat launches, searching for some major uplift, say to over 200 ft.? (only when he is on camera). As I recall Erik Ecks notable lofting happened a few months later out in Oahu. Finally in Photo 9, Christophe Ribot and Dr. Fabrice.

It was a fun event even if the wind was sort of light. Set in the midst of a massive sports event with about 100,000 attending it was a notable point in Florida kiting history.

Here's a few more shots:

http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Andy_rigs_big.jpg
Andy rigs big, not a lot of depower in 2002. Nice hair cut.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...NEXT_Bunny.jpg
Before Best and women in kite marketing, there was NEXT. Nice job Greg! What is it about kiting and rabbits?


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/M3.jpg
I recall this is Martin Vari's cousin, shortly after to appear in a now fairly famous photo sequence.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/..._Dismounts.jpg
Dimitri performs his now signature beachside dismount


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/At_the_beach.jpg
Ryan chats with Chuck while Martin talks in the background. Vari's kiting career was to take off in a big way in the next few years. Then again, how many other notable figures in kiting that show up in these images can you say that about?


Photos by Rick Iossi, all rights reserved.

C. Moore 07-09-2008 08:38 AM

Rick,

The girl in photo number 4 is Jenny and her number is 867-5309. I swear. :)

Danimal8199 07-09-2008 01:54 PM

Chris, you forgot the area code! :)

ricki 07-10-2008 06:20 AM

Here's a few more from the Wreck of the Poulson in Grand Cayman.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/w_20.jpg
Simon drops down



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/w_16.jpg
Skating along by the bow



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/w_10.jpg
A look aft



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/w_12.jpg
Snapper n eels



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/w_14.jpg
Simon cruises on

ricki 07-10-2008 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C. Moore (Post 34619)
Rick,

The girl in photo number 4 is Jenny and her number is 867-5309. I swear. :)

Could have been over from Europe on vacation or perhaps locals. Wonder if Bruno knows? I have a whole sub album devoted to this unscheduled part of the event. Largely fated to never see the light of day, sigh.

ricki 07-10-2008 01:21 PM

Hoping to start a new page.

ricki 07-10-2008 01:22 PM

Still trying ...

ricki 07-10-2008 01:22 PM

A while back the folks at NPX crafted some inspired videos in my opinion. Sure it is commercial but the content is well put together and entertaining. First some stills provided by Josh Noe at Adventure Sports (Thanks Josh!) It's like the Dukes Of Hazard wake up as kiters and haul butt into swamp country with an airboat and riding flatware. NPX puts out all sorts of great clothing and water wear including boardshorts, wetsuits and rash guards.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...PX_WAKE_07.jpg
Start with my favorite of the lot. Jon styling in his NPX Freddy togs ala swamp muck at speed. Wakeboarding behind an airboat thick into sawgrass, what next?




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...FESTYLE_02.jpg
Getting out into da River Of Grass.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...YLE_07_001.jpg
Dre models his Freddy rashguard and in prime Everglades fibrous peat. It's a dirty job but Dre's up to it, looking good too!



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...PX_WAKE_08.jpg
Julian Fillion is prepared. He's not riding a wake skate for just for any old reason. It's so he has shoes on to run over the top of gators that want to bum a ride. He then picks up his wake skate still in motion and rips on. You should see it, too cool.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Damien_s.jpg
Damien grabs the moment. Hey wonder if the guys kept any of the mud or gator scat for souvenirs?




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...PX_WAKE_02.jpg
Grab your socks, cause we're entering the Dre Zone.



Now, here's what we've been leading up to, the video, roll 'em ...





BTW, you can find a much clear video image at the NPX website
along with more info on all this great water wear:

Click to catch Andre, Damien, Jon n Julian in da swamp!



Still photos by Tracy Kraft and video by Elliot Leboe of ACL Productions.
Great job folks!


Here's good news, there are two more flicks to go, stay tuned ...

Clew In 07-12-2008 08:41 AM

Cool 3-d Link:

http://www.beamerstudios.com/portfol...ze=l&tabCat2=2

Clew In

ricki 07-12-2008 09:22 AM

http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/..._001.sized.jpg

Thanks for putting this up Clew In. A small section of this well put together dynamic VR Panorama appears above. You need to click the link to Beamer Studios to get the full impact. These guys shoot and assemble these images for clients. Nice work. A bunch of their images including the complete version of the small piece of the 360 degree panorama shown above appear at:

http://www.beamerstudios.com/portfol...lash&vt_size=l


Do you know anything about the riding area in the NW where the image was photographed? Looks like pretty dramatic scenery.



Quote:

Originally Posted by Clew In (Post 34688)


Clew In 07-12-2008 09:49 AM

Hey,

No. I just saw it on a website and I though it was cool.

This picture will not cross the safety boundry and get me in trouble.

Clew In

TBKA 07-12-2008 11:58 AM

H ere's their association, seems to be doing some good up there.
http://www.squamishwindsurfing.org/

ricki 07-13-2008 08:50 PM

Some divers consider getting into Cave Diving at one time or another. Having caves close by is a plus as is a substantial amount of training, skill development, gear and a good partners to have at it with. As the light is artificial and at times you can have astoundingly clear water, you can also capture some unique photos.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...21196_xl_s.jpg
Wes Skilles shot this wallpaper image of Diepolder Cave near Brooksville, FL above Tampa for National Geographic at only 250 ft. I believe he used several divers holding powerful light sources to "paint" the vast surface of this chamber. We talked about doing this at night along wrecks in clear water years back. Still need to do that. Amazing imaging and at depth with a large depth of field. Wes of Karst Productions has been shooting superlative cave images for many years. You can see and acquire some of them on his website.
From: http://science.nationalgeographic.co...ve-diving.html



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/..._Vaca_Ha_s.jpg
Here is an great image of a tunnel connected to a cenote in the Yucatan. You can see the fuzzy interface between fresh water on top and salt water below. They have karst or large scale solution features in the Yucatan and in parts of northern Florida. Unlike the micro karst we have in southern Florida, smaller voids in other words. Allson is the photographer, from: http://www.discoverydiving.com/charlie_nelson_pics.htm




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...ock_Cave_2.jpg
There are saltwater caverns and caves as well. Here's the chimney of a swim through in Eden Rock, Grand Cayman. The water is shallow enough to free dive through quite a few of them. At least when you can see the way out from the entrance. Got a lot more video than stills unfortunately but there is this one. There are extensive tunnels and chimneys that riddle the rampart of Palancar Reef off Cozumel. Start with limestone, add acidic water and sooner or later you should get caves.
Photo by Rick Iossi



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...and_Cayman.jpg
There are a lot more salt water caverns than well developed caves in some parts. Coral can fabricate caverns and caves under different influences. Shown above is a shallow cavern spilling forth tarpon along the Turtle Reef mini wall on Grand Cayman. Without air exhaust the tarpon just cruise along with you if you go slow. They will even run up on you and join in at times as you approach. Saw quite a few tarpon in caves and caverns there. They hang out in the dim light during the day and they venture out at night to forage. The enclosed environment of caverns and some caves make me feel mellow, how about you?
Photo by Rick Iossi




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/...rings_1975.jpg
Here's a blast from the past as if you couldn't tell from the vintage gear. It's yours truly in 1975 crawling out through the strong flowing current of one of the twin orifices. This was just below the ballroom of Jennie Springs in northwest Florida. Technically, I would have been smarter not to have been where I was, whoops! I believe Tom Mount and Ike Ikehara put a steel grate up blocking the cave system just outside this point a few years later. The reason could be found just past the orifice. I thought a caving team was coming out seeing a light but my dive light had reflected back to me off a marble tombstone for a lost diver. Lots of lost cave divers in the 1960's and particularly 1970's in Florida caves. New activity, few safety systems, limited training and a lot of denial of the possibility of bad things happening. Sort of like kiting a few years back. Good thing we know better today, right?
Photo by Ben Clarke


*

ricki 07-15-2008 11:30 AM

What's going on down in Aruba, well 3 years ago anyway?

http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/ar_1.jpg
Fisherman's Hut, a picturesque area with a long standing following of windsurfers and kiters in recent years. There are still off hours for kiting during the day in the area of the Huts and south. The water is flat calm with gusty offshore wind. It is an interesting place to learn to kite. No waves to deal with, shallow water and some particularly gusty winds. I am wondering if learning there when you move to more steady winds you might actually be better trained to deal with things? Flat kites have to have helped a lot with managing the gusts for kiters.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/ar_2.jpg
Shredding before a wreck. I only went off Fishermans twice while I was there. Near as I can tell the trick, particularly for heavier kiters is to rig as big as you can reasonably manage, use a big board and be real cautious during launch and landing. The lulls while you are out may be pronounced. The larger board will help you continue to plane through lulls while the larger kite will help you eek out more grunt to deal with the holes. Armand is a good guy to hookup with over there for lessons and gear, http://arubakitesurfingschool.com/. Oh, if you ride off Fisherman's Hut be sure to pay for the tender pickup service if you get blown offshore. It happens.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/ar_5.jpg
Boca Grande off the SE portion of Aruba is an interesting place to ride. You have windward shore winds near onshore to side onshore and a barrier reef to ease the waves somewhat. The problem is it is a fairly small area probably containing a dozen or so kiters. That assuming the tack offshore away from the beach against the wind. You will want a rental car to access areas outside the resort around Fisherman Hut.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/ar_3.jpg
Riding off the south end of the bay. I went outside through the narrow channel through the reef several times. The waves can be big outside, 10 ft. or better. It pays to look behind you as you're heading out to memorize shore points for your return. You don't want to come in over the reef in inches of water with large following breaking waves! You may be able to ride in the shallow bay just north of Boca Grande at high tide. Still, there are lots of rocks to strike and at low tide I wouldn't even bother. I was looking at Google Earth, a few other prospects showed up around the island with pluses and minuses for more advanced riders.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/ar_4.jpg
A natural rock bridge along the windward side of the island. No end of interesting rock exposures, tormented trees and arid sights across the island.



Aruba is a scenic place with some interesting haunts to visit and ride at. Some are more challenging than others for more advanced riders looking for something different outside Fisherman's Hut. Then there are those ABC Island latitude winds, mighty fine as a rule.

conchxpress 07-15-2008 02:29 PM

Aruba
 
Steve L.

Where are the pictures from the WSW Aruba trip? I'd like to see what I missed.

Frank

ricki 07-16-2008 08:56 AM

Here's some more from Aruba ...


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/ar_9.jpg
Checking out Boca Grande off the windward side




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/ar_8.jpg
As you move further off the beach there are areas of waves to play in. It can get crowded in the bay fairly easily as it is small made more so with frequent onshore winds. If you go outside the reef there are lots of waves and room but few options if you need to come in with broken gear, ouch. See those big waves crashing into the rocks in the distance? That is normally the reality on the windward ironshore of the ABC islands. When you can find viable launches on the windward shore for kiting they are special and few sad to say.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/ar_11.jpg
It's real arid in the ABC's and the topsoil blew away long ago. That is if it ever developed in the first place. Windy latitudes.




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/..._1_s.sized.jpg
A look east over Boca Grande
(CLICK PHOTO FOR FULL SIZED IMAGE)



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/ar_15.jpg
Heading back around to the lee shore at Fisherman's Hut




http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/ar_14.jpg
Somebody once told me these thorny trees were planted by missionaries to compel the natives to wear shoes? Others have said they brought them as fodder for livestock. Oh boy, a nice thorn sandwich? Not sure which I believe less. Sunset off the north end of the island.


*

ricki 07-16-2008 11:09 PM

Tom Byrne of Adventure Sports Intl. in Miami, FL sent in some great riding shots of him in action, including ...


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/hobe_1_s.jpg
Going off Hobie Beach
Photo by: Dale "The Destroyer" Baker.



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Stiltsville_3_s.jpg
Orbiting off Cape Florida
Photo by Mike Minichiello



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Stiltsville_4_s.jpg
Shredding is mighty fine in Stiltsville
Photo by Mike Minichiello



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Stiltsville_2_s.jpg
Drilling a nice one skyward
Photo by Mike Minichiello



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/..._Bahamas_s.jpg
Doing the upside down hand drag thing in Bimini Sound. Hey Tom, how many points did the Lemon Sharks that hang out in the sound give you for that one?
Photo by Tom Clark


Thanks for sending the great shots in Tom! Looking good out there!

If folks have some shots they'd like to put up for consideration for the Photo Of The Day send 'em in! I like to use unusual photos, ideally in larger formats and higher resolution (raw shots are good).

ricki 07-18-2008 10:33 AM

Been looking into diving lately, how about duck diving?


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/dd_0.sized.jpg
Uh, no, not that type of DUCK diving. What's all that stuff floating around anyway?
Photographer shimmo23
From: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shimmo/45992343/


How about this type?


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/dd_1.jpg
Photo credit: Roxy
From: http://www.nollie.tv/surfing/



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/dd_3.jpg
Photographer Sharpy
From: http://timesonline.typepad.com/surf_...r-shot-of.html



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/dd_5.jpg
Photographer Jim Russ
From: http://boardfling.com/category/surfing/



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/dd_2.jpg
Photographer unknown
From: http://www.amadeus.net.nz/nzedsurfa.htm


So if something big is rolling your way and you can't catch it, don't forget to duck!


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