This should make Rey happy!!!

[glenn]

I think I've figured out the discrepency........Jeff is 10 feet tall. This argument was based on the assumption that

I'm pretty sure Jeff's not 10ft. tall

. If you throw out this assumption all the math works out. I think this is acurate because you have to be at least 10 feet tall to kitesurf that wave!

[jbirdmarin]

There are 2 ways to measure a wave - back and face. Forecasts generally use feet to describe the amplitude of the wave (trough to peak), which is basically the back of the wave. When folks use body units (waist, chest, 3XOH), that's the front of the wave - either the surface or height. Surfers get used to the face measurement, because that's reality - thick walls or mushy crumblers make a big difference. For example, surfing 3-5 feet at a thick break like OB, Pipeline, or Teahupoo is different than 3-5 feet at a "softer" break like Bolinas or some East SC spots. At most reef or tough shore breaks, 2-4 ft is "head high", 4-6 ft is "overhead", and 8-10 is "2XOH"

Just my 2c.

[liv2kitesurf]

There are 2 ways to measure a wave - back and face. Forecasts generally use feet to describe the amplitude of the wave (trough to peak), which is basically the back of the wave. When folks use body units (waist, chest, 3XOH), that's the front of the wave - either the surface or height. Surfers get used to the face measurement, because that's reality - thick walls or mushy crumblers make a big difference. For example, surfing 3-5 feet at a thick break like OB, Pipeline, or Teahupoo is different than 3-5 feet at a "softer" break like Bolinas or some East SC spots. At most reef or tough shore breaks, 2-4 ft is "head high", 4-6 ft is "overhead", and 8-10 is "2XOH"

Just my 2c.

Agreed, surfers (except the Hawaiians for some inexplicable reason ?) measure the face height "because that's reality" (its the part you ride on, paddle over and get mauled by if you screw up). In addition to anatomic units (which obviously refer to the face height), surfers also frequently use feet to measure face height. So a 6' wave has a 6' face from trough to lip and is head high.

[liv2kitesurf]

I think I've figured out the discrepency........Jeff is 10 feet tall. This argument was based on the assumption that

I'm pretty sure Jeff's not 10ft. tall

. If you throw out this assumption all the math works out. I think this is acurate because you have to be at least 10 feet tall to kitesurf that wave!

No, while other parts of Jeff's anatomy may be super-human (which I can't speak to), he stands much closer to 5 feet tall than 10 feet (as I believe you are also aware). I actually think it is his mental composition, preparation and kiting skill that allows him to ride 6X OH waves when others don't.

[KillaHz]

This is triple over head:

This is NOT triple over head (referring to the picture DSC01291.jpg two posts prior).

While it is a good photo of a GREAT kiteboarding moment (by a great local kiteboarder), calling that 3X OH is just plain WRONG (in more ways than one). First, that spot does not even break at triple overhead. Second, FWIW, I was there that day launching and landing (I know what a wimp I am and I think you worked on editing the video shot by Travis and Jeff from the ski) that day was more than triple OH. Third, careful study of the picture using the standard method of evaluating wave face height size using points-of-reference of known size (the surfer taking into account stance) indicates the wave is OVER 5-6X OH (so I don't know what macho or 'disrespecting' system of wave height measurement you use). Finally, you are doing a disservice and potentially insulting Jeff (and Chip, Steve, Shawn and Travis and all surfers who have ever ridden a really big wave) by calling that 3x OH.

So while it is great (really relevant, epic shot) to introduce that photo into the discussion, it is hardly appropriate to mis-represent one of the most awesome kiteboarding photo of this hurculean kiting feat for the purpose dis'ing my claim of 3X OH. No need to do that to school a wannabe like me. No argument from me that this pic is WAY MORE MACHO and radical than my pedestrian shots (and a better camera angle, too) - but it is not close to 3x over head. Cheers.

(Oh, and by the way, I am not entirely new to this wave height estimation stuff as I have been surfing at a reasonably informed level consistently since you were still in diapers or 34y in 6 US states and 5 foreign countries).

[Fox]

Bulldogs shots are a really cool way to see kiting from a different perspective. Thanks for posting the link and the tech info on how the pics were taken. The arcing wake from your board makes for a fantastic pic and it is amazing that it comes out so well with a point and shoot camera set auto mode and then attatched to your kite.

A friend of mine had equally impressive video and pics from a motorcycle trip through Italy (differnet subject matter, but still cool). He duct taped a dig SLR to the handle bars of his moto and the results were fantastic.

Same goes for the DH skateboard vid link posted from here. Sick.

Peace out there. Plenty of waves to go around if you've got the time to hunt em. If you don't, then try and have the patience to at least remain friendly when you do get out.

[liv2kitesurf]

Bulldogs shots are a really cool way to see kiting from a different perspective. Thanks for posting the link and the tech info on how the pics were taken. The arcing wake from your board makes for a fantastic pic and it is amazing that it comes out so well with a point and shoot camera set auto mode and then attatched to your kite.

I think you meant to say liv2kitesurf's shots (http://picasaweb.google.com/2kitesurf/B ... dingShotsI) are a really cool way to see kiting in the waves from a great perspective (even if it makes the waves look smaller than they really were ). The arcing wake from your board makes for a fantastic pic and it is amazing that it comes out so well .....

kite-camera attachment from http://www.camrig.com

[KillaHz]

weird, my reply didn't post... Just the quote. I mean no disrespect and I actually could not view your shots liveskitesurf so I don't no what your waves looked like nor was I trying to humble you. Just thought I'd show the perspective of a big wave surfer/kiter. When I asked Jeff how big it was this day, his response was 15 - 20 foot. That's right around triple overhead.

Many non-surfers measure the wave from troff to lip. The way Jeff measures it and most surfers I know is in vert. You could have 6 feet of lip above the wave and 6 feet of troff below the wave but that doesn't make it a 25 foot wave...

And actually, mavericks starts breaking at 12 foot.

I have many friends who kite but don't surf. When they give me the report, I usually cut it in half so as not to get my hopes up. I get to the beach and give them a couple cracks. many of them now give me the report in their terms and then mine... it's all good.

Live2kitesurf - I was at Waddell with you a little over a month ago on a flukey day when only a couple people went out, myself included. It took me a couple tries to get out strapless on my 6m as it was the only kite I brought. The others were all on 12m's. I call that solid 10 foot getting close to DOH. I would find it interesting to know what you call the wave size that day as I bet we're not that far off. For some, when you're on the wave it feels a lot bigger. When you're in the comfort of your dry clothes, you tend to have a better perspective...

[windhorny]

See, there you boys go comparing size again.

:)

[reyrivera]

Here,

Wikipedia definition of wave height

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_height