Summer Florida Kiter Survival Guide

[ricki]

So, where are folks heading to cope with the doldrums of summer? Paul's deal to Brazil sounds real attractive as does Karen's package to Cabarete. Lots of options out there and a common need driven by wind lust, most years. So, what plans do you have?

[The Kite House]

Go stand up surfing...small shitty waves, who cares, you might find some nice ones and it will keep you in great shape. I am in Turks, standup in morning, kite in the pm....also bringing 2 boards to leave in D.R. a bad day on the water beats the best day you will have in the office, get out there and do something!

Aloha Paul

[ricki]

Good advice! We even have a forum for Standup Paddleboarding now:

http://fksa.org/forumdisplay.php?f=90

[Polaris]

Thats great. If there is anything I can do to help.
Hopefully we can get some of our local shops with Broward and PB shops involved. If anybody is reading this traffic, jump in.

[Polaris]

Ski-Rixen in Deerfield Beach is a great place to go and their rates are not bad. You can’t beat $30.00 for a full day and you already have your boards. The folks that run that place are fantastic. An event there for kite boarders would be great.

[ricki]

Originally Posted by Polaris

Ski-Rixen in Deerfield Beach is a great place to go and their rates are not bad. You can’t beat $30.00 for a full day and you already have your boards. The folks that run that place are fantastic. An event there for kite boarders would be great.

Yes, it is a fairly novel concept around here. When the doldrums drag on it can give you some fun water time and even help you work on board skills.




NOTE: All images are from http://www.skirixenusa.com/


I will look into what it would take to put on a kiteless, kiteboarder event there. Is there other interest in this and ideas out there?

[Polaris]

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.

[ricki]

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?

[Polaris]

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.

[ricki]

Originally Posted by Polaris

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.

I spoke to some guys for whom this sort of an event should have been a natural. Unfortunately, nothing came of it. Still, there are still some months between now and when the more reliable cold front winds resume in the fall. There is time for a "No Wind" kiteboarding event.

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?