Kiteing in wave tips

[zgur]

Paul.....to answer you question, there is no 1 progression or 1 way or 1 style that works.....I was just sharing what works for me........

I like that you used skiing as an anology: some like groomed fast runs, some like wide open bowls with pow, some like technical stuff with cliffs, some love trees, some even like the park.......to me, it's all fun.....I have preferences, and am working on improving things in each area......

Given the choice, I'd rather ride steep deep trees the be playing on a slider in a park.......it does not mean that 1 is better then the other.......

Your geographic travel issues aside, the reason people go down to S. coast is that the direction of the wind + waves makes for a very unique experience in the sport (the most epic tree skiing, with steep runs, tight trees and many fresh tracks). Where I am in my personal progression, makes that the place where I NEED TO BE WHEN IT"S ON. I don't want to come across as "its the only place to be......." that is not me......never has been, never will be.........

I've had many a fun session @ OB and many other coastal locations......and look forwad to much much new terrain this year (like the Oregon coast, New Zeland and Oahu to name a few)...

....getting out and playing with mother nature is a holy experience, which connects us to something bigger then us, and when the kite is included, we are harnessing a sick amount of power.....3dd water is just one more cool element.....to my brothers who paddle in, I wish I had the time to spend learning that cool sport.........so no matter what gets you to groove.......Make sure you go out and.........

Get some, Z.

[pipedragon]

My two cents on wave riding and I am in no way a master just a novice to intermediate as far as waves.

First off get some good days in kiting and get in shape before you hit the waves. Wave riding pushes you physically and it is usually best in spring when you have not been riding a lot.

Know the conditions. If they seem too rough and there are only like two other guys out on Caution kites then that day is probabaly not for you.

If you go out and the condtions are too much turn your kite and head back to the beach with the waves. It's always better to quit and come back another day

Know your gear really well. Especially kite size and board size. You need to be able to speed up and jump over an clear waves so riding underpowered is not an option yet riding way too powered is not either.

In the bay area the ocean water is damn cold so wear the right gear. A hoodie is a great investment. The cold can tighten your muscles and make riding harder on you.

Be cool to the locals. You never know when you will need a hand so don't be a jerk. And don't get right into the wave lineup if you don't know what your doing.

Take your time. Don't drink 4 red bulls (Like me) and get all excited when you get to the beach and go right out without checking the conditions or double checking your gear.

Be safe. If you have a bad feeling about it, don't go. There is always another day.

With that said I am also very interested in Zeev's wave clynics this spring. Keep me updated man. That would be great to learn some things and watch the master at work.

[LionKite]

Hey Z,
I think you forgot to mention Stage 5 in your wave-riding program:
http://www.surfline.com/surfnews/photo_ ... =5476&ad=1
Shot 13
"Tow-in with a kite"

The real 100% depower kite: let go of the biatch and get deep !!!

[Greg]

sort of defeats the purpose dosent it?

Real freedom requires powerfull arms, truth and commitmit.
If you wouldnt paddle in perhaps you just shouldnt go..
L.M.G.

[narly1]

iam think n
the paddle n in ..
is what makes you toufH......

[LionKite]

sort of defeats the purpose dosent it?

Real freedom requires powerfull arms, truth and commitmit.
If you wouldnt paddle in perhaps you just shouldnt go..
L.M.G.

I guess it all depends on what your purpose is: gettin shaked or dangling around in the surf.
Also I woundn`t paddle in Triple overhead but I would kite the shit out of it(at least untill I get my ass served) but unfortunately for us kiters we haven`t had too many of these this fall.
On the other end for us surfers we can`t really complain after the two months straight of epic conditions we just had...

[KillaHz]

Umm, you can't paddle into this wave when it get's over 8 ft. Most big wave spots exceed the paddle in limit at least 10 - 15 times a year. Nobody surfed these days until the invention of Tow-in. Now we get to push the limits with a ride in. The consequences are bigger and the rush itself is bigger. Are you guys saying, best to just stay at home? Don't think I'd be getting some of the heart-pounding sessions that I do if I did. Then again, I did just spend the last 3 days paddleing into surf so maybe my view's a little skewed.

Paddleing in makes you rehearsed and good. The beating you take on the tow-in day is what makes you tough and makes you consider whether you really want to be out there or not.

The shot of Ben is sick!!!! No tow ways about it. He put himself there without the assistance of a ski. He did it on a macking swell. He let his kite go and got a ride you can not get while attached to a kite. He did this all while fitting in with a core Tow crowd on a great day. He got credit for it from the biggest Surf Media site on the planet...yeah maybe he just shouldn't have gone.

[moblvet]

Ok paddling with a paddle is ok, SUB?

Any way I can get there with no wind!

[Greg]

dont go.. you'll-ll--ll--- KILL YOURSELF!!..


it's better then soil and green,
L.M.G.