newbie says thanks to the Sherman crew

[truckeekat]

on a lighter note.........a newbie with some thanks.......

Last weekend was only my 3rd time to Sherman. (my first weekend was just last month and it's been nothing but smiles since.)

My husband and I just learned to kite last year. We live in Truckee, so our huge winter halted my kiting progression (not complaining,,,,,,,,had some sweet powder days). Anyhow, after a few spring day struggles with onshore, super-gusty wind at Washoe, we ventured to Sherman. I was super scared. I was not confident I could stay up wind and I was certain I was going to end up drifting down to Rio Vista, scared of that grassy / carpet path, or at minimum I would get in every one's way, piss people off launching too slowly, etc.....

Holy crap.....was I wrong. I had an amazing first weekend experience and it just keeps getting better. Everyone has been so nice, helpful, and even patient. (well - some are patient......not all....but it is understandable....you are excited to get on the water) :o)

That first weekend I took a wonderful downwinder. The next day I received help launching from the beach. Not only did I get an assisted launch, but I was given words of wisdom of what to look out for and was told to relax and have fun (I must have looked like a panicked deer in head lights). We have been invited to hang out with new folks in their pimped out RV's, share kiting stories, life stories and some birthday tequila. Last weekend was our 3rd week back. I am now pulling my first jumps (granted.....little tiny baby ones that will fit 2 credit cards underneath the board, but they make me giddy). New faces are saying hi to me on the water and even more faces to say hi to in the parking lot for hugs, high fives and sharing our day of adventures.

I am a happy girl with a new addiction to kiting. To top it off - I get to share all of these smiles with my husband. Now if I can only pull off the back-roll before he does. Who wants to help me out?

Thank you Sherman crew for embracing the newbie!

-Kathy (aka - katmama)

[Sonny]

I had no idea, I thought you were a regular at Sherman this season.

[Nauticat]

You two fit right in, Welcome.

C & H

[kitenaked]

Take him to Maui. He needs to face his fears. :)

[Russ Andersson]

Dear Kathy: Its Russ, we camped next to you a few weeks ago in our RV and enjoyed your company. Glad you are having fun. Sherman is a great place, with a cool vibe, and it sounds as though we will need to work at keeping it that way.

I actually learned this from Sonny, a previous poster, many years ago at Third.

Learning to jump can be difficult or easy depending on your approach. Some people learn to jump in one session.

One way of learning is a simple 1, 2, 3 approach. 1. Get going. 2. Go up the ramp. 3. Go down the ramp. Let me explain, start considering the swells as little ramps to jump off. Basically you ride along with enough speed, and see a swell you want to hit, you head up it, slightly up wind, and as you do so, you say "up the ramp," as you go up the swell, you then pull on your back hand and and point your board downwind, saying "down the ramp." When you pull your back hand and point your board downwind, your kite will move up to 12 O'clock and you will jump a little. If you do this quickly you will jump high, if you do it slowly you will jump a little bit, or not at all. It takes a bit of feel to work out how hard to pull your backhand as you ride "down the ramp" but this is the kite movement that causes you to jump.

Basically ride round saying this, "up the ramp" (head up wind with speed and hit a swell) and "down the ramp" (point board downwind and pull back hand) and slowly you will start to jump ...sounds goofy, talking to yourself, but it works like a dream, "up the ramp and down the ramp, up the ramp and down the ramp" up swell, down swell, up swell, down swell ... once you get this dialed in its merely a question of calibrating how hard to pull your backhand in terms of how high you want to get. That is jumping in a nutshell.

Enjoy it, don't hurt yourself, start with very small jumps to begin with, 1 ft is plenty for a while, and then you can dial it up and jump higher once you have the basic motion down. Once you are jumping higher you can add the final ingredient in landing bigger jumps ...which is to point your bar downwind (with your front hand) to bring the kite over you as you land ... if you don't do this the kite will end up behind you and you will fall as it loses power ... so it becomes 1. up the ramp (set), 2. down the ramp (launch), 3. (land) point leading hand/bar downwind.

Backrolls are equally easy, if you approach it in a 1, 2, 3 approach, but suggest you focus on jumping first. Once you can jump with ease, a backroll is one session away. Instead of down the ramp, you say over the ramp. Basically you head up the ramp, and instead of turning your board downwind, you hit the swell and rollover throwing the board above your head as you ride off (and over) the swell... the backhand action is identical to that used for little jumps. It will lift you up and flip you round continuing the rollover motion you started. If you are committed you will be amazed at how easy it is ... up the ramp and down the ramp, becomes up the ramp and over the ramp ... easy as pie.

Hope that helps, take it easy to start with as you dial in the feel, and then it will happen ... its a cool feeling, you don't feel like you are jumping, merely that the water is slowly moving away, its more peaceful that you expect.

Good luck and remember ... "up the ramp", and "down the ramp."

[truckeekat]

Hey Russ .....thank you so much for the very detailed advice. (and the margi) I did get a few baby jumps in already, and you are 100% right.....the feeling is extremely peaceful. I was in shock. (and giddy - soooo much fun!) I will take your great input and try to grow some cahones for the back-roll. ez as pie

As for the place to pull it off......Chris, yes, Maui would be fantastic. I might just buy the tickets and throw Jeremy in the golf bag. We are actually researching places to go kite at the end of Oct / early Nov. Hawaii is indeed an option. (must have warm water.....not Mexico........thinking more like Hawaii, Carribean, etc....) Have fun on your trip next week!

Thx again to all - You long timers have made a great spot for us new kids. I hope I and others can help contribute to the positive 'bank account' of good vibes.

kat

[kitenaked]

Russ' margi's are tasty and special.

Go to Brazil!

[nbon]

Hey Russ:

Nice post on jumping. I'll definitely give the 1,2,3 approach a try. Max has given me a few pointers which is helping and along with your description I'm armed for the attack!

Another question re: Sherman. Does anyone go there weekday mornings? Looking at the chart the wind looks sweet and I was thinking the scene might be mellow. Just don't want it too mellow.....as in nobody there!

[Greg]

There is almost always someone around but YES! Sherman is WAY MELLOWER on weekdays.

Kat- Kite an hour with me and you'll be pulling front/back rolls- =D>

Welcome & Enjoy!!!
Greg

[le noun]

Another question re: Sherman. Does anyone go there weekday mornings? Looking at the chart the wind looks sweet and I was thinking the scene might be mellow. Just don't want it too mellow.....as in nobody there!

I only ride on weekdays, never on weekend. And yes, sherman is awesome in the morning week days. Usually 20 kts with less than 10 people in the water. :P