Almost Skunked - 3/25/2023

Marlon and I went to the beach yesterday morning - but the waves were a little sloppy.  We actually decided to go back home and do other things (partially because Marlon was still a little sick).

Then I got a text sent from someone selling foiling gear that I could meet them in Kailua and try out a new foil.  La and I headed over but by the time we got there, the wind had droppped off significantly.

That didn't stop this guy and a few others.

This 10m Reedin Supermodel was powering a mastless Hobie Wave.

So at this point I was skunked (but I didn't set up any gear and go out - so technically I wasn't skunked).

Hanging Out on the Log

I took Marlon to orchestra practice yesterday and had a few hours to burn.  I drove over to Kailua to check out what was going on. 

There were a few kiters out on foils and a couple of windsurfers (also on foils).  The wind was marginal - maybe 10 kts.

There are a few logs set out at the western side of the beach park - a place where people have sat and checked out the conditions or taken in the jumps the kiters were making.  The logs are timeless.

I took pictures of the boards when the riders came back onto the beach.  The foils aren't too different size wise from the one I finished building... hmmmm

Things that Make Kailua Kailua

I've been driving past this fence for the better part of almost 25 years. 

Master Blaster from the Past

This guy and I learned to kite together over 20 years ago - and here we are still playing in the water together!

The equipment has changed (for the better), the crowd on the beach is different than when we first started, and we are both grayer, but that's about all that has changed!

Pretty epic session - but an odd thing happened - we both ended our sessions with equipment failures.  I lost the screws on my left foot strap and Nick split his foilboard in two.

Time to break out the sander!!!!

More Kiting - Saturday at Kailua Beach Park

I have rediscovered kiting!  Second time back out (after a long hiatus) and it doesn't quite feel like it is brand new again, but I haven't quite thrown caution to the wind either -

I also haven't found my gopro mount for the kite, so I only have these pictures of the before and after.

The wind was good for most of the session.  It did die once and my kite just fell out of the sky, but at the end I didn't feel like my arms had gotten ripped off.  Good day (with more to follow)!!!

Kiting Again

Oh yes it has been awhile - but I finally broke the dry spell.  I pressure tested both the 16 and the 11 Crossbows and there were no issues.

Back when we lived in Gulfport, MS I was actually kiting a fair bit.  The kids were much younger and they always took shelter from the wind under the kites - as soon as I had these pumped up - that's where they went.

The next day, I got a call from a friend and we headed over to Kailua.  I put the 11 up and used the twintip.  The wind was just a hair too strong, but I depowered the kite and stayed out for a couple of hours.

I truly missed kiting - this is something I'm going to have to remedy although living in Ewa Beach makes any kite outing a good haul (Kailua or Mokuleia...).  I'm also gonna get my directional ready.