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Summer Florida Kiter Survival Guide
... To Coping With Windlust, Unrequited no less!?
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Updates for Summer 2008 appear on the last page of this post On average, summer is NOT a good time for kiteboarding in Florida. The wind is often too light or too unstable. Jonesing for a wind fix when the season typically offers little in useable wind, much of the time, is a way to set yourself up for some trouble. There are exceptions of course, thermal winds before the afternoon squalls and lightning set in, the odd late season cold front or other useable weather system. Thermal winds are better and more reliable in some years than in others and perhaps in some places (like Tampa???). Here is some advice for kiteboarders to get through the Florida summer: 1. Plan a trip(s) to a reliable wind destination over the summer (e.g. OBX, SE Texas on the Gulf, one of the windier spots in the Caribbean, etc.. It will give you something to look forward to and allow you to try to dodge some of the shortcomings of riding in the conditions described below. 2. If clean, useable wind comes up be prepared to use it, while checking out all the normal weather Internet info sources first MORE HERE. Keep your eye on conditions and if some unstable stuff moves in, call it a day BEFORE it arrives. 3. In your weather planning avoid squalls associated with tropical systems (e.g. waves, depressions and hurricanes. Some guys don't take this seriously despite all the past accidents and obvious hazardous conditions. Sigh ... there will always be cannon fodder sad to say. 4. Have other interests to carry you through the lighter wind months, diving, wakeboarding, WINDSURFING! Yes, windsurfing, as long as you aren't struck by lightning, you might consider going out in squally conditions with a windsurfing rig, IF you know what you are doing. You might still break or strain something but it is harder to get severely injured (read taken out!) windsurfing in unstable wx than kiting. Just have something lined up to try to take the edge off of your wind lust. Wind lust can force us into taking some stupid chances speaking from personal and collective experience. Be of good heart, the frontal winds typically don't turn off until mid May in many years. There are other activities to do during the summer and there is that good wind destination trip to look forward to. Before you know it those nice clean cold front winds will be back in the fall. Hopefully, without a severe hurricane interlude this time around. From: http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2315378
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FKA, Inc. transcribed by: Rick Iossi Last edited by ricki; 05-18-2008 at 06:57 AM. |
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Alternatives
Don't forget the cable parks... There are only four of them in the entire US, and we're lucky enough to have two of em. Also don't forget golf is cheaper during summer
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I checked the wind today, oh boy. |
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Re: Alternatives
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FKA, Inc. transcribed by: Rick Iossi |
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A kiteless kiteboard event is a great idea. the crew from Best Kiteboarding are there when the wind is down. They might be a good source to help an event.
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Some ideas to help you get going in the lighter stuff, ABSENT squalls of course. There have been a few riders rigged big, working hard to milk what they could out of lighter winds when they got slammed with STRONG gusts from a rain squall. One guy hit a tree and fell to hit pavement head first, entering a coma with another pro rider almost getting lofted into powerlines and traffic over 150 ft. from the water.
Anyway, consider using a larger board, one with more wetted surface area. Skimboards have gained in popularity in this regard. Some directional kiteboards are quite good at the lower end. Case in point, last week I was out with another guy about 15 lbs. less than me. We were both flying 13 m kites. He was on a 130 cm TT, I think, and I was on a 7.5 ft. directional! He ended up walking backup wind a lot, a few hundred yards at times, while I was able to ride upwind of the launch area at times. Surfboards can also offer at lighter wind advantage. Well waxed up or with a full deck traction pad they can provide a different feel for kiteboarders and bet sinking in lulls on too small a board. Try body dragging out past the breaking waves before water starting if you can do this safely. It takes a fair amount of kite power to blast through waves at times and if the wind just isn't there it can be frustrating. Pay attention to how you trim your kite. More ideas about this appear at: http://fksa.org/viewtopic.php?t=622 I am amazed at how few people do this or even consider it to be worth bothering with. Considering using longer lines or 10 m line extensions made out of Q Line. It may not help your jumping but if the wind is marginal anyway the longer power stroke may help you move out more efficiently. If you have a choice, try to find an area WITHOUT waves. Riding through waves takes extra kite power that you may not have to spare. Get further offshore, within your swimming abilities, impact vest, etc. You will often find the wind is a bit stronger around 1/4 mile away from the beach. Stare at the water and look for wind lines. Check ikitesurf and see where the wind is up. A road trip may be in order. Just watchout for the storms and unstable weather. BE CAREFUL nearshore and bystanders in the lighter winds, launching, going out and landing. It can be EASY to stall your kite and wrapup bystanders. Take pains to stay well away from others. You are the guy in control not them. Other ideas out there?
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FKA, Inc. transcribed by: Rick Iossi |
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Kiteless Kiteboard Event
Rick, Looks like the concept ran out of steam. I still think and event at
Ski-Rixen would be great. It would be good to meet other kiteboarders from Dade, Broward and Palm Beach in a centralized area like that. By the way. Heads up ! There is another cable park facility opening in Ft. Myers this spring. Now Fla. will have 3 locations. |
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what to do
Liquid Force was thinking of holding an event there,let me see what we can do.
This is what we do when there is no wind... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcYJgK4stnw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIf6pXQ39_8 http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/v...=1086035513286 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvuq4o8kM-I Last edited by ricki; 10-24-2009 at 06:41 PM. |
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Re: Kiteless Kiteboard Event
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My first attempt to promote some interest in this wasn't a total success. If folks would like to have an event like this, why not tell us about it here. It will help in the organizing and as in some many other things, numbers talk. Lots of interest --> no brainer, slight interest --> maybe next year? What do you think?
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FKA, Inc. transcribed by: Rick Iossi |
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Well, I kinda started to get the ball rolling. I contacted René at Ski-Rixen and they would love something like that. She mentioned to follow up with Andy Hurdman of Best Kiteboarding. Shannon and his team are always there when there is no wind. I wouldn’t mind helping you on getting this together. Mind you I’ve never done this but what the hell.
We can get the local shops….who knows |
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I have helped to put together a number of kiteboarding events over the years, nothing involving wakeboarding of course. The main thing would be getting some declarations of interest in such an event. There isn't any useable wind on tap so the interest should follow. I will give Ski Rixen a call with some basic questions.
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FKA, Inc. transcribed by: Rick Iossi |
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