Active Saturday

Out here there has been a lot of activity leading up to the 113th Philippines Independence Day Celebrations.

Last night I was guest speaker for the Cultural Celebration (me??? Can you believe that???)

This morning I ran in a sprint swim-run (and got first in my age division - and not out of 1 person, more like 5).

Then I put up the kite - 11m with winds ranging from 15-25 mph. As the pictures show, pretty awesome session. Was able to self launch using a carbiner and line (check you tube).

The bottom picture gives me the heebee-jeebees - kite eating trees....

I had to cut the session short because I was on line to judge the PIDC Parade Floats. There were people on the beach and I didn't have to self-land - always nicer that way. Biked back home (I look funny with a kite bag and board strapped to my back and a harness on my waist while riding), showered and got back out the door.

The parade was cool - lots of creativity - and it was followed by a huge picnic. Adobo, Chicken Curry (almost like Bicol Express minus the pork and chilis), Beef Calderetta and Fried Rice. I had two servings. And got really full. And sleepy.

So off to the room and off to sleep I went.

The wind forecast is good again tomorrow!!!

Kiting Jake's Place

Hit 25.5 mph on the GPS and covered 9 miles in an hour.

After work run at Jake's Place - which is pretty much the only accessible kite launch here - everywhere else either has too many trees or is crowded with boats and such.

Got in a bunch of jumps - but with me being Mister Conservative, I only did them within reach of shore on my strong side - I'll have to make a conscious effort to work my weak side more.

Boosting

Punched out a bit earlier than normal - had to - such a nice day and the wind was cranking!!!!

Have I mentioned I LOVE THIS KITE!!!!!!? The pic shows a jump with 12' of air - and this wasn't even the biggest air of the day. Smooth power and loft, and nearly endless depower make this an extremely useful kite down here on the Gulf Coast with the gusty winds.

I read 18 mph on my windmeter and I recorded a max speed of 26 mph on the GPS! Maybe more wind like this on Saturday.

FINALLY!!!!

The wind and my timing converged today -

Usually I see the wind from my office window, and I have to keep on working. Or - I'm not working and the wind is not up. This problem was compounded by the fact I had a 2011 Cabrihna 16m^2 Crossbow, a 2011 CrazyFly Raptor and a recently finished lightwind kiteboard all sitting in the garage staring at me and planting images of perfect conditions and me ripping the heck out of the water with these tools...

Ahhh to go to me happy place...

No need to daydream today - right at 1300 the wind jumped from 8 mph to 11 mph and with that, La launched me and with barely a whitecap in the water (see the picture with the board I made in use - smooth water) I was cruising! The big Crossbow was incredible!!!!

I rotated out the boards and the CrazyFly Raptor was also a winner! The combination of the Raptor, the Crossbow and the wind (by that time 13-16 mph) made for some wicked high jumps - nothing crazy - 12' vertical with 20' across ground.

We stayed most of the day at the beach - I haven't been this sunburnt or this sore for months!!!!

And I can't wipe the smile off my face - it's good to be stoked again!