Downwinder bliss

[kitechick]

We did the Sherman downwinder yesterday - what an awesome bliss! Wind, sunshine, a lot of river to play with and more wind :P

Just want to share a few observations....
- when you are an intermediate or advanced beginner then you should try to move downwind and not stay upwind too long. Just so you stay close enough to others who can help you if you get into trouble.

- stay out of the shipping channel. Yesterday there was a guy who lost his board and bodydragged for a long time in that channel, I saw this from half a mile away and could not make it back to him. Then this huge tugboat was approaching. Bob (the upwind king) made it back upwind to the guy and helped him to get his board back so he could get out of the way of the tug. Happy end in this case.

- next time I will rig smaller when it is later in the afternoon. Sherman usually picks up later in the day. And while it was perfect for me to start the session on an 11 m it became increasingly difficult to control that beast when the wind increased. The landing zone was still 2 miles away or so when it started to blow seriously. Usually I would have left and returned with a smaller kite - well -you can't do that when you are out there.

Overall - This was quite a lot fun :-) one of the best kiting since a loooong time!

[Pablito]

Yeah, it's always better as beginner to be underpowered on a downwinder than overpowered. One time I did a similar downwinder and ended up skidding down the river with my board perpendicular the whole way. Rough on the knees.

Once you learn to boost, you can just fly your way down the river when OPed. Getting out at the launch is the hardest part. :shock:

[Bob]

Carve Carve Carve
Jump Jump Jump
Pop n Go Pop n Go Pop n Go n miles to go...
I Love Downwinders!

My 14 North Vegas was perfect for significant (and easily obtained) vertical acceleration too! :mrgreen:

You were on a what??? :shock:
hehehe
yup 14 Vegas chills well in 30 :)

[panzerfaust]

This should really go in Paul's thread on the Vegas review but since we are on the topic of Vegas here I would like to add to my statement in that thread that this kite handles really really well in overpowered conditions. I love the Vegas :).

[Pablito]

I have still yet to depower it all the way while kiting.

I pulled it in all the way when I got to the beach yesterday so I could walk in :)