Go Joe cheap alternative

Hi there!!!!

Being reading lots about people using board leash latelly. 

For me is incredible people are still using them after all the testimonials out there.

Some pics of "board-meets-head": leash hazzards (attention nasty pictures)

Using a board leash is a lazy excuse for not learning the body dragging technique which in my honest opinion is easy and basic move.

Ocean Rodeo thought out of the box and came with an idea that is a perfect alternative to the board leash that works as the picture & video below:

The cost of this device is $79 in the US, which is not that much, but it would cost you less to pay your kitesurf teacher for a body drag lesson.

Here is where the post becomes interesting. Last weekend in La Loteta when resting between sessions saw this cheap alternative to the OR product on one of the locals board... Some cheap baby arm floats. Here are the pictures:

The guy told me that did the job for 5€, and in case it breaked he had another spare.
So now you don´t have an excuse for using a board leash anymore.

Buenos vientos.

Naish Alaia dimensions (for shaping)

In a previous post (here) I was reviewing my latest adquisition; the Naish Alaia.

This a kite board made of pawlonia wood, a material which has several good characteristics for this purpose: lightweight, strong, and kind of waterproof.

The cool concept of these boards is to make one yourself, but as I lack of wood skills I preferred to buy the finish product.

For anyone interested in shaping one here are some links explaining how to do it:
http://waterlust.org/Woodsled_files/Waterlust%20Alaia%20Manual.pdf
http://www.cirewear.com/index.php/cire-news/cire-blog/5-shaping-an-alaia
http://surf.transworld.net/1000078321/features/how-to-build-an-alaia-with-ryan-burch/
http://www.sunwoodworking.com/2011/06/16/shaping-an-alaia-surfboard/
how to fix it: http://www.xylemsurfboards.com/Care-Instructions.html

Nevertheless, as one colleague asked me to measure it to make one himself, I take advantage of the work done to divulge for any of you that wanna give it a try.

Notes:
I do not own precision tools, but the measurement is really close to reality.
I´m not a professional shaper, so I dont know the methods to take measurements (1st time).

Board deck:

NOSE	NOSE
Lengthwise meaurement of the board (3cms)	Board total width cms
0	0
3	12,5
6	18,5
9	23
12	27
15	30
18	32
21	34,5
24	36
27	37
30	38
33	39
36	39,5
39	39,5
42	39,5
45	39,5
48	39,5
51	39,5
54	39,5
57	39,5
60	39,5
63	39,5
66	39,5
69	39
72	38,5
75	38,4
78	38,3
81	38
84	37,7
87	37,5
90	37,3
93	37
96	36,9
99	36,7
102	36,4
105	36,2
108	35,9
111	35,7
114	35,4
117	35
120	34,7
123	34,5
126	34,2
129	34
132	33,9
135	33,7
138	33,6
141	33,4
144	33,3
147	33,5
150	33,6
153	33,7
156	33,8
159	34
162	34
165	34
168	34
171	34
174	34
175	34
Tail	Tail

previous post

The shape is like this picture*:

*the tail is totally straight.

Board Bottom (concave)
As you know, Alaia´s do not have rocker so the board is completely flat. Nevertheless, they do have a concave in the bottom. this concave starts 30 cms from the nose till the tail of the board. In the case of the Naish board, it´s completelly straight, leaving 10cms from the center to each side.

NOSE	NOSE	NOSE	NOSE
lengthwise meaurement of the board (3cms)	board total width cms	right side concave cms (from board axis)	left side concave cms (from board axis)
0	0	0	0
3	12,5	0	0
6	18,5	0	0
9	23	0	0
12	27	0	0
15	30	0	0
18	32	0	0
21	34,5	0	0
24	36	0	0
27	37	0	0
30	38	10	-10
33	39	10	-10
36	39,5	10	-10
39	39,5	10	-10
42	39,5	10	-10
45	39,5	10	-10
48	39,5	10	-10
51	39,5	10	-10
54	39,5	10	-10
57	39,5	10	-10
60	39,5	10	-10
63	39,5	10	-10
66	39,5	10	-10
69	39	10	-10
72	38,5	10	-10
75	38,4	10	-10
78	38,3	10	-10
81	38	10	-10
84	37,7	10	-10
87	37,5	10	-10
90	37,3	10	-10
93	37	10	-10
96	36,9	10	-10
99	36,7	10	-10
102	36,4	10	-10
105	36,2	10	-10
108	35,9	10	-10
111	35,7	10	-10
114	35,4	10	-10
117	35	10	-10
120	34,7	10	-10
123	34,5	10	-10
126	34,2	10	-10
129	34	10	-10
132	33,9	10	-10
135	33,7	10	-10
138	33,6	10	-10
141	33,4	10	-10
144	33,3	10	-10
147	33,5	10	-10
150	33,6	10	-10
153	33,7	10	-10
156	33,8	10	-10
159	34	10	-10
162	34	10	-10
165	34	10	-10
168	34	10	-10
171	34	10	-10
174	34	10	-10
175	34	0	0
TAIL	TAIL	TAIL	TAIL

The concave dimension looks like this picture*:

*the tail is totally straight.

Board Bottom (concave shape):

This is the tricky part, where you will spend more time shaping.

Nose	Nose	Nose	Nose
lengthwise meaurement of the board (3cms)	Edge width cms	Rail width cms	concave cms
0
3	1,3	1,3	0
6
9
12	1,7	1,7	0
15
18
21	1,9	1,9	0
24
27
30	2,1	2,1	-0,3
33
36
39	2,2	2,2	-0,6
42
45
48
51	2	2,2	-0,9
54
57
60	1,8	2,2	-0,9
63
66
69
72	1,7	2,2	-0,9
75
78
81	1,6	2,2	-0,9
84
87
90	1,5	2,2	-0,9
93
96
99
102	1,5	2,2	-0,9
105
108
111	1,5	2,2	-0,9
114
117
120	1,5	2,2	-0,9
123
126
129
132	1,5	2,2	-0,9
135
138
141	1,5	2,2	-0,9
144
147
150	1,5	2,2	-0,9
153
156
159
162	1,5	2,2	-0,9
165
168
171	1,5	2,2	-0,9
174
175	1,4	2,2	-0,9
tail	tail	tail	tail

This draw is like you have the board upside down.

As for the measures in the table above, the dimmensions of each point will change lengthwise depending on the point you are.

That´s all.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Buenos vientos.

Mystic Warrior 2013 safety upgrade

I´m a big fan of Mystic harnesses, during all these years kiting I´ve only owned warriors.

This summer I´ve purchased the lastest model, as the current was a bit wasted and it was paintful to ride without wetsuit.

Overall happy with the purchase, but I saw that the latest model lacked a feature that the old one had. 

I'm talking about the back rope release. In the older version you have a front handle to release your leash in case its releasing system failed (which can happen) and the good thing is that this handle is always in the same place (left side almost in front of you). So i'd decided to switch the rope using the one from my old harness.

In this picture it can be seen that the attachment to the right ring is the same as the newer version (its fixed).

While in the left ring instead of being fixed, the rope goes throughout the ring.

And goes attached to another rope that its fixed to the hook. The releasing system is that red handle.

If you pull the red handle, the velcro will open releasing the back rope.

The pull of the leash will make the rope go throughout the left ring releasing the leash, bar and kite.

I know it sucks to loose your kite, but its worst to have a terrible accident cause you could not release yourself in a complicated situation.

I dont understand why Mystic has removed this system as i see it more safe as you will always know where the handle is (it doesnt happen with the leash release as it can be tricky to find in a difficult situation).

Buenos vientos

Code of conduct

As the sport is becoming more accesible it´s growing each year. This is great news but it has a drawback... local goverments are passing more restrictions over it. I know that it´s not everybody fault as common sense is spread, but just a single person can cause a damage that we as a community have to pay.

What I want to state here is a list of good behaviour (for newbies and pro riders too)

• Respect all beach users, the beach is not yours. 
• Try to kite inwards, in order to avoid crashing the kite on the beach.
• Warn anyone you see that its causing hazarous situations with their behaviour.
• Learn the prerence rules. (You did that for driving your car...)
• Help the other as one day you might need their assistance.
• When approaching a new spot, always ask the locals for tips and information.
• Dont leave your trash on the beach. Keep it clean!!
• Smile please!!

Buenos vientos

The origins of the sport

This documentary explains the birth of the sport plus its initial steps.
A must see for any kitemad.
Enjoy
Buenos vientos

Puerto pollensa Bay kitespot

Mallorca,

Is a well known destination for germans, english, french (and now russian) people.
There are 4 main kite spots in the island during summer: Can Pastilla, Playas de Muro, Son Serra de Marina and Bahia de Pollensa. I´m going to talk a bit about the last one, which I know quite well.


Ver Puerto Pollensa Bay en un mapa más grande

Beach: It´s long but is quite narrow, as it has a road parallel to it (connecting puerto pollensa with alcudia) so people prefer to go to other beaches, therefore we have the opportunity to have a big piece of shore to enjoy our sport. The beach is a mix between sand, small shells, seeweed and some wood sticks.

Water: The water is shallow for the first 100m. No need of wetsuit during summer as the water is in highs 28 degrees. Maybe a shirt or a lycra to protect yourself of the sun. You will find choppy, with small waves (0,5m) so no surfing here.

Wind: N, NE, E, SE, S winds are appropiate for this spot, being NE, E, SE the most rideable and steady. N & S become a bit gusty. You can have a look to any website to see the forecast which can be more or less accurate. The most common wind is thermic, completelly onshore (E)  which starts to blow from 11-12 till 15-18 hours. Do not expect high wind here because its rare in summer. You will find more days at 10-15 knots (everyday) than 18-25 (maybe 1 day per week).
*Small tip* it´s more windy inside than in the shore (as windsurfers know...).

Recommended quiver: Bring your bigger kite and your wider board. Low wind range is the name of the game here. Think that there will be a lot of people learning plus onshore winds, you want something that can head you upwind as fast as possible (in order to avoid learners). Normal size here is between 12-14-16.
Im 90kgs, and I ride here my kahoona 2011 13,5m with one of these 3 boards (a door, surfboard or the alaia). This year I brough the 9m with me and I only used it 1 time in 2 months (frankly speaking, the days of 20-25 knots I preferred the 13,5 with normal twintip to boost really high).

Hazards: The road, period. Just be careful to rig your kite well, because when launching you do not want to have any problem. If you cruise between spot 1 and spot 2 be careful as there is no beach, just a breakwater and then the road. Apart from that, it´s not so dangerous as the wind is steady and not so strong so you will have time to react against any problem.

Kiteshops: In this area there is Pura Vida, link, in which you can ask for lessons, hire & buy material.

Recommendations: Just enjoy the place and respect the non kiting users of the beach (to preserve this place from bans).

Nightlife: You can go to Puerto Pollensa or Alcudia, in both places you will find restaurants, bars and clubs.

Accomodation: Plenty of places in both villages, plus fincas. There is also one farm close to the spot 400m away link.

Some pictures:

If you have any questions please let me know.

Buenos vientos

Footstraps opening?

Hi guys,
I own a clash 138 and had the problem of the straps opening all the time, which is annoying. (Search on forums and it seems that its happening to everybody).
But is not a big deal. The board is a awesome :-)

This "small fix" will help clash owners and anybody else that has problems with their straps.

1step: set the straps as you like and feel comfortable.
2step: use a small rope to tie together the tab of the upper part of the strap with the metallic ring on the bottom.

The only problem is that if you want to move the strap again you must untie it. (for instance, if you want to borrow your board to a friend)

Hope its useful.

Buenos vientos

Naish Alaia

I recently bought a Naish Alaia.
Not so ago I didnt have a clue what these boards were up to. Saw them for the first time on one video promoting one strutless kitesurf in Hawaii and they looked cool. After reading some reviews (are hard to find) I took one chance to buy one as I was looking for some fun in light wind days (In the place where I live now is quite often). For those winds I already have a door and a fish surf board, so I wanted to try something different.
The cool thing about the alaia is to manufacture it yourself, but didnt know where to buy the paulownia plank, didnt have the time, neither the skills. So instead of waisting my time & money and hating this concept of board, I went straight to the shop.

What are these type of boards about?
The key features would be: strapless, finless, rockerless. All made by a plack of Paulownia tree.

There are some videos on the web that can give you an idea of what could be done with this type of board: video1 video2

See a couple of pictures here:

The top of the board is a bit dirty due the wax

Here you can see that this board is completely flat

The board has a noticeable concave in the bottom

Here you can see how beautifull the wood colour is 

Review:
the board goes upwind like nothing else I have, it starts running by barely moving the kite and it´s really playful. Despite not having rocker, you don´t dive the nose under water. I red somewhere that the wood deforms under load creating a natural rocker.

I can say that this board excels at:

• Long distances. it goes with really low wind and you can also edge hard in case there are strong gusts, your stance on the board is super comfy as you dont have straps so your position can vary all the time. So you can end up doing endless distances. As as comment, I did go to places that with other boards I wouldnt have the guts (wind varying so much).
• Low wind: as said before, it excels at this and you can do some stupid stuff as ride it seated. 
• Freestyle: whatever you can see on the videos, practice practice practice. (I´m on it).    

Sumarizing: I´m really happy with it, and I think it´s the best bang for the buck for low wind out there.

Buenos vientos

Kitesurf trolley

My kitespot is 300m away from my house, so it´s a nonsense to go by car. The problem is that we enjoy thermic winds so unless you go to the shore you dont have a clue how much is blowing.
You can do 2 things, go check it yourself and come back and take the right equipment and go again to the beach, or take as much as you can. The 2nd option is not that bad in the way to the beach as you are excited of going kiting, the problem is after kiting  3-4 hours to come back with all that load.
I recognize, I´m lazy and therefore I´ve developed what I´ve called the kitesurf trolley.
It´s an old sunbed in which I´ve attached some beefy wheels to it. Rope for pulling almost mandatory.
Here are some pictures:

The best of all? you or girlfriend can use it on the beach!!!!!

Buenos vientos

Being Overpowered

Hi folks,

Last summer while we were having drinks after a nice kiting day at Pantano del Ebro, one of the guys that was learning stated; "I know that I´m overpowered when I drive the kite at 12 pull the bar and I can´t hold the kite, because it pulls me". After imagining what he said I´d answered, "no, you know that you are overpowered in the very first second the person who is holding the kite releases it for launching and you see that you can not hold the kite at 3 or 9 with the bar completely depowered".

I think that this is a good explanation (I may explain myself better in Spanish), on when you know when you are overpowered.

What I would advice to a newbie? If you see that this is happening to you, land the kite and rig a smaller one.

I´m saying that being overpowered is bad? No, you just have to know what you can/can´t do and adapt your riding style. You also must be aware that it´s less confortable riding overpowered than with the proper kite for that wind speed. But there is a nice thing about it, you can really boost high!!!

What you can´t/should not do:

• Being overpowered while learning the sport can be dangerous, and more for learners as they may not control the kite. Any sharp movement of the kite will create a huge amount of power, and if you are not "prepared" it will make you fly vertically, horizontally or both.
• I also underline that if you are an experienced rider you should not get overconfident (I´m sure that you already have heard more than a couple of horror stories about people being draged, so be careful). 
• Do not trust blindly the wind range proposed by the marketing dept of the kite you are riding. These wind range charts should be used as a guidance only. As I red somewhere, there are 7m days, as there are 9 meters or 5 meters days. 
• If you are new into one spot and the wind speed is on the top limit of your kite range, first ask to the locals, and then wait patiently and see how the wind performs (if its blowing hard, the odds of suddenly drop of wind are rare anyway).
• Do not stay on the beach flying the kite any longer than necessary as you may do in normal conditions. Any gust can put you in a critical situation.
• Do not leave your kite at 12 or you risk that a gust can make you fly (did have my own experience with my Takoon Scoop 2 11.5 flying 5 meters over the beach for that reason in SA).
• Watch out with C kites as they do not have much depower as other types of kites.
• Ride at normal speeds (the ones you are used with "normal" wind conditions) as it will be much harder to hold the edge, therefore less control.

What you can/should do:

• If you are riding in the top limit of you kite, you must accept the fact that if something goes wrong you must release the kite (better to lose the kite than the the life, right?).
• Try always to launch with the kite pointing to the water, as if it does drag you it will drag you in it (if you do launch with the kite facing the beach that´s where you will go in case something goes wrong).
• When launching/ landing always have a hand in your release system in case anything goes wrong. (all can happen in a blink).
• When riding, steer the kite between low and medium height, this allow you counteract the pull of the kite by hedging, if you park your kite higher you will feel the lift all the time complicating the ride.
• A good tip to hold the kite in huge gusts is to edge harder by trying to go more upwind and also by going slower (both things at the same time). You will be surprised how you can hold big gusts by doing this technique.
• What about landing? if somebody can grab your kite while you are still in the water is perfect. If not, try to make yourself noticed by the people on the beach that your attempting to land. What you dont want to do is to be on the beach waiting for somebody to appear to grab your kite. If no one is there, keep kiting till you see somebody. Self landing? well, I would not do it in this kind of situations unless you can flag completely your kite (depends on the safety system of your kite).

Hope these tips are useful.

Take care and buenos vientos.

A summary of my kite boards

Hello All,

During the years I´d being kiting I´ve used not so many boards, not because I didn´t have the chance to test them, just because at the beginning I´d thought my level was low so I could barely notice the differences, and then because I didnt want to get excited about any board to a level to have to buy it.
This approach has it´s ups and downs, but at least has given me the opportunity by riding them so long to really understand how they performed.

What I want to state here are the differences between the stuff I´d being riding during this years, the evolution of the sport during these years and I also hope to give an overall idea to the people entering the sport as I see them quite lost.

Impact Kiteboarding 128x38 (displayed bellow with nobile 666)
My first board, this was spring 2006 and was purchased to a friend who was self taught into the sport. The agreement was to purchase the full quiver (board+ takoon Skoop 2 11.5  2003+ North Vegas 18 2005 + harness)+ his lessons. To let you know this was the first time I´ve approached kiteboarding apart from  seing something in TV, so if my friend told me that this was good, I trusted him. (regret now... you should thank Google now!!!).
The problem (I realized much, much later) was that this board was small for me (weighted 80kgs then), so I needed to go really overpowered with my kites to be able to "float" over water. If you add my non existing level + the easiness of C shape kites, you have a cocktail that certifies how badly I wanted to learn to kite.

The DOOR unknown dimensions

Desperate about not being able to ride upwind I trusted some advice in a forum that said "big boards are much bettter to learn". After some researching I found one of the guys of that forum that was selling a huge board, bought it for 100€ and when it arrived to my house I´d though that it was a joke, it´s dimensions were something line 150x50 all white, looked like a door.
First ride on it, I could not believe it!!!! these people were right; I was riding upwind, effortless, cruising long distances, not walking on the beach. It was a kind of miracle for me!!!
The only drawback of this board was when wind was blowing hard so I had difficulties to edge as it had so much surface. I still keep this board, it´s in Mallorca as my low wind tool, can kite with my kahoona 13 with thermic 10 knots winds (now weighting 90kgs).

Nobile 666 2007 132x41

I was lucky to get a 3 month internship placement in Port Elisabeth (South Africa), so as my kite travel bag could not fit the bigger board, I took the 128. My first experiences with mushy waves (didnt have the balls and experience to ride on big waves) let me completely hopeless. As with this board I had to work hard the kites I was going fast but uncontrolled (nor upwind), so my experience was not really enjoyable. One day talking to a guy on the beach about my concerns he let me had one of his boards for the session. I dont remember the brand or length, just know that it had more width (around 40cm). I was happy again, I could not believe that 2 cms could feel so different. The mushy waves now were a joy park and I could go upwind without working hard the kite.
The weekend later I had my Nobile.
I just have good words about this board, I´ve being riding it for 6 years, and has allowed me to learn everything I know now, it´s confortable, suits all levels and all conditions. Just changed the pads & straps for an air cam liquid force, because the OEM were really uncomfortable. This board in now in hands of a friend that I´ve taught (Obviously, I´ve made him to start with a door).

Clash reincarnation 2012 138x40,5

I bought this board due a mix of things, to try something new that had the wow factor, the design and also the promotional offer (buy 5 for 400€/each).
I must admit that at the beginning I´d hated this board and I though I´d made a huge mistake.
The problem was not the board, it was me as I was so used to the Nobile.
This one needs more wind to work that the Nobile (-0,5cms, and some more rocker), and the mistake I did at the beginning by placing the pads in the widest position (I´m 192 tall but realized at the end that I didnt like to ride so split). After some more sessions I adore it, it goes much better in choppy, the pop is amazing and landings softer. the only drawback is that this board is all over Spain, I had to "personalize" a bit because last time @ Tarifa I was scared that someone could take my board thinking it was theirs. Gonna have board for a while.

North FSF 5,3" 2009
My first attempt to go strapless.
I bought it second hand as I red reviews that it was aimed to mushy waves to 1,5 meters, the kind of stuff you find in Spain. (the day I feel confident of going strapless in bigger waves I will switch it).
Just had a couple of sessions with it, and what surprises me is that it´s more difficult for me to do the waterstart than to ride it. I´m now in the process of building confidence before entering waves, so I can´t report anything else but that it´s a nightmare to travel in car with it (will need to buy a top roof rack for the car).

Wrapping:
A big board will allow you to ride with less kite, so that´s good learning. (Focus on width rather than length EG: if you can take a 133x42 or a 138x40 go for the 133x42).
Do not under stimate a second hand board when looking for your first quiver. (remember that pro´s could do stuff back then that you may not achieve in your lifetime).
A board last forever (unless you are a pro or if you dont know how to do bodydrag...).
A small board is only good for big kites and high wind conditions.
Try boards before buying, a board that someone might love may not be perfect to you.

Buenos vientos.

Accessories for rough conditions

Today, as promised (Here), I´m going to give you some tips for preserve your kite against the elements that you can find in spots as La Loteta. These tips may also proof useful for many other kite locations that you will encounter anywhere.
This system will do serve for 3 purposes:

• Protect your kite mainly against mud, punctures, or other types of hazards. 
• Avoid that wind fly away your kite while you´re not paying attention. (Eg: high winds)
• The attaching system will help you out to pump and roll up your kite in heavy wind conditions (+30knots).

You will need the following:
a) Plastic canvas, mine 5 x 3,5 meters, 10€ (size will depend on the kite you will use.)
b) Camping stakes, a handful 6€ (Minimum 1 unit is required)
c) Climbing carabiner, mine is a bit oversized (had it at my home), between 4-5€.
d) Rope, 50 cms should be enough, 1€?

The camping stakes should be at least on the side that faces the wind (minimum), if you don´t have enough camping nails, stones will do.

Make 2 knots on each side of the rope, one for attaching the rope to the stake and the other attaching the carabiner. Then, insert a nail in the middle of the canvas (side that faces wind), and assemble.

Just one picture showing where do I attach the carabiner. It´s the loop where you attach the pumper leash.

More in detail

This one showing the final result.
Note that the kite is too big for this canvas. I just took advantage that I was taking some pictures of the kite (for selling it) to make the tutorial. The canvas is big enough for my smaller kites. ;-)

Hope this system proofs useful for you all.

Buenos vientos

Congratsturbating

Hi all,

The definition of this word is the following: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Congratsturbating&defid=7036776


Yesterday (4/May/2013) , the Andalusian Government  has announced that no one is allowed to kite in Tarifa´s lagoon. To make sure this new norm is obeyed they plan to drive 2000 wood sticks across the lagoon.

I´m expecting that this new word that I´ve learned today can be applied to the politicians that have come with this idea (by removing it). 

For the ones that do not have a clue about the economic situation in Andalusia, this area counts with +30% unemployment. A measure like this is like to shoot oneself in the foot as Tarifa main income comes from water sports tourism.

I Hope that in the following days I can give you the good news that this norm has being removed.

6/May/2013 update, some pictures of the outrage:

Buenos vientos.

Neurokitesurf

Hello everyone,
Today I´m going to post something that I found in my recent trip to the UK. It mixes 2 subjects that covers areas of my interest; kitesurf (obvious) and neuroscience. It discovers an amazing side of the human brain.  The article was written by Jason Gallate and it has being published by kiteword magazine. I´ve scanned it and pasted the best I could. Enjoy.