Islamorada Invitational 2004 revisited, this time in B & W ...


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Launch.jpg
On the beach


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Kent_II_04.jpg
Kent tacks in


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/XRATED.jpg
X-RATED is here in force


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Damien_n_Bri_04.jpg
Damien and Bri


You can see past Invitational and other events usually in color at:
http://fksa.org/forumdisplay.php?f=119


.

The photos I have a from a far distance. Underwater cameras weren't cheap back then and then trying to convince a friend to swim out in large surf to take pics of me was hard to find. I do have an incredible pic of me body surfing at Sandy's on Oahu's east side. I will find it and post it soon.

http://b4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/0...62736644_l.jpg

Great shot, that's what I'm talking about! Please do put up the other body surfing shot when you find it. Although, I find it easier to relate to than surfing Pipeline and Waimea. Have you ever done gymnastics while body surfing? Forward flips over the falls to where you ride out on your back feet first, spins, riding on your back to somersault to feet forward, etc.. Fun stuff until you take too much water up your nose.

Heading over to Maui, down the shore to La Perouse


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Molokini.jpg
Scoping out Molokini along the way


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Perouse_2.jpg


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Perouse_a.jpg
Some nearby rocks just inshore of the break. From some markers on the
path over the volcano flow, looks like some riders came in hard over the years.


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



Photos by Rick Iossi

http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/39034546_G.jpg

Racing on water
Joe Peroceschi, of Muskego, Wisc., is thrown from his boat, Smokin Joe, after losing control on a windy course at the Budweiser Drag Boat Nationals held at Wappapello Lake in Southeast Missouri. Peroceschi, who reportedly suffered a shattered pelvis, was racing against Poppa's Toy, left, driven by Rick Conklin, of Ottawa, Ill. (AP/Daily American Republic, Paul Davis / May 18, 2008)

An amazing composition, looks like the guy is outrunning the boat off to the left. It is great that he survived the accident. Wind can really flip those hydrofoils fairly easily. Wonder how many have been wacked by summer squalls.


http://snsimages.tribune.com/media/p...5/39039655.jpg

Elvis hangs ten
An Elvis impersonator glides across an icy pond on his snowboard at the Pond Skimming Championships in Mount Bachelor, Ore., on May 18. (AP/The Bulletin,Andy Tullis)

Anyone up for kiting in snowboard boots? That is aside from foilboarding. Has anyone skiied/snowboarded Mt. Bachelor? I've heard they get a ton of snow there.

Surf Expo is coming up again this September. Here is a quick glimpse from years past.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Dave_n_Greg.jpg
Dave and Greg are always good for a photo op


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/KGB.jpg
The KGB Girls seem to turn out every year


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/se_3_s.jpg
One year they worked male dancers/gymnasts into the runway show. Pretty impressive moves.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Model.jpg
Taking a moment before going on. Tons of swimware is shown and sold to retailers at the show.


Photos by Rick Iossi

It is kind of hot out, why not drift over to slightly cooler climes for a look, say the Antarctic?


http://norb.homedns.org/nwp/misc_stu...inals/6932.JPG
A grounded iceberg. Note the tiny diver off in the distance near the top of the frame. CLEAR cold (-1.86 C or 28.65 F) water in the Antarctic.


http://norb.homedns.org/nwp/misc_stu...inals/7445.JPG
It almost looks like the surf has frozen in place overhead


http://norb.homedns.org/nwp/misc_stu...inals/8802.JPG



http://norb.homedns.org/nwp/misc_stu...inals/5130.JPG


All photos by Norbert Wu, an amazing photographer excelling in a beautiful hostile environment at the bottom of the world. Norbert's unique work shows up all over, you can buy prints at his website at: http://www.norbertwu.com/

A few years back an unusual event came off. Kiting from one country into another, Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini in the Bahamas. Big thanks to Neil and all the participants and sponsors for making this one a reality.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Dawn_001.jpg
Dawn and the gangs all here. A bit nippy with a light, failing side offshore breeze. Neil is talking with the troops and there's Stacey, the first woman to kite across the Florida Straits to the Bahamas.
Photo: Rick Iossi


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Start_0.jpg
What's wrong with this picture? The kites are on the water nearshore, the wind ebbed just after the start a bit more. If it was easy, everyone would being doing it right?
Photo: Laura Iossi


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Chopper.jpg
Once you were out about five miles the wind started to fill in. At some points guys were near overpowered. So, from light and offshore to overpowered all in just 60 miles?
Photo: Guido Flueck


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Kent_n_Gebi_2.jpg
Kent and Gebi drive hard to capture first. They did try some "double dutch" line tricks on the way but that didn't slow them down much.
Photo: Guido Flueck


Gone but not forgotten. Maybe there will be another race across someday.

Grabbed a few more images from this notable chapter in kiteboarding from December 2005.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Start_a.jpg
Love that start, well, not really but it was different.
Photo provided by Chad Anschuetz


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Moving.jpg
The smart money got offshore fast and early before the wind eased a bit more. There was a sailboat regatta going on at the same time.
Photo: Guido Flueck


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Gebi.jpg
Water's calmer, bluer, clearer? Gebi and Kent must be coming into Bimini!
Photo: Guido Flueck



Here's an interesting trailer. I would pay a premium to get a video of this race myself. Youtube is good fuzzy images and all but there is nothing like DVD quality for viewing. The project stalled but I bet with enough interest, kiteflix could wrap it up in no time.

If there are some some kiting, surfing, windsurfing, diving or unique water related
larger higher resolution shots that you think would look good here, please get in touch.

For instance, does anyone have some good shots from the race to the Bahamas that
they would like to put up?

PM ricki or email flkitesurfer at hotmail.com.


Thanks!