Really Nice Kiteboards Built by an Old Friend

Nick Yamodis has been a featured guest on this blog in the past. He and I go back over 20 years now - we went through basic together for CEC officers. We've been surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUPing and boogieboarding on and off all this time as our paths crossed. We paid the Yamodis family a visit yesterday and I got the update on what boards he's built over the past couple of years. His last batch of kitesurf boards turned out awesome - nice tight rails and bamboo laminate in a clean, smooth epoxy package. These are better than almost any board I've seen for sale at any shop. Makes me want to break out the planer again (almost - but not quite because nothing makes me want to breakout the sander...). It was great seeing you guys - looking forward to the next get together!!!

Coming down the pipe...

I've been mentally preparing for the move and for the upcoming period where the surf will not be plentiful for me. I have been actively trying to ween myself from surf-driven stoke to other water-driven activities - I'll be fine, but it helps to be prepared.

Among the newly rekindled focus areas is kiting. The surf in SOCAL (and my work schedule) has made kiting take a back seat in my priorities, but with sailing and SUPing, kiting will be a mainstay.

Kiteracing has made leaps and bounds since I had last had my feet wet (under a kite - consistently). Here are some pictures that have begun to stoke the fires...

Aloha

Nick's Boards

Nick's new sticks!!!









6'0" Kiteboard/Surfboard - thin bugger - d-cell all the way

The big one is a SUP - nice traction pattern Nick!

Favorite Kiteboard

The 4'10" Naish Twin Tip Directional "Flash" model

Certainly an oldie - but to date the most dependable board I've ever kited with (and the list is long and distinguished).

The quad setup on this one is actually being used on the latest racing boards being made (reference the NJS fin setups) and the thing is bullet proof - hardly a scratch on it after tons of usage.

I ordered this board back in 2001 and it has served me faithfully all these years as I've slashed waves apart across the globe (Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks, Florida, Oahu, the Shonan coastline, and the Ventura beaches).

Massive channels upfront.

Sometimes things happen for a reason... this board and I were meant to meet wave energy head on and convert it into stoke energy.

My 'second' favorite kiteboard

The Stretch Trow Directional

Incredible wave decapitator, especially with a fully powered kite or in high winds. Soooooo easy, it's like trimming the fat of a perfectly done roast - cuts like a hot, sharp santuko knife through butter.....

The quad setup (familar sight around my garage) is as always - drivey when you want it to stick (bottom turn), yet break loose-able when gouging (off the tops) - oh, and fast as the General Lee on nitrous on the way to the dirt ramp to do the obligatory jump (by the way, have you seen the new Dodge Challenger??? HOT-HOT-HOT. Too bad roof racks and a big SUP would ruin the lines...).

My 'all time' favorite kiteboard tomorrow....