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BizB
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Twelve
2007-07-13 |
Yesterday, after BBCK went to play with Mrs Froggie, I headed over to MBSP for some wind. When I got to the entrance of the park, I realized what it was that was making me feel like I'd forgotten something. Unfortunately, it was a critical piece of equipment that I'd forgotten. Sitting in "The Kite Room" back home were both of my air-pumps. I prayed that another kiter would be there and I scanned the skies near the beach as I motored around the inland lake. My spirits sank the closer I got. There were no kites. Mark was there and another wind surfer, but that was it. I parked, and walked out to feel the wind. It was a little light, but there was plenty to play with.
At that point, I had a decision to make. Do I go home and get my pump, losing an hour of riding? Or, do I wait around and see if one of the other kiters shows up and hope to borrow a pump? As I contemplated the decision to be made, I was approached by someone asking, "Going to go out?" I'd never seen this person before and I wasn't sure I'd heard him correctly, so I responded with, "What?" He repeated his question adding that he'd seen my tee-shirt which read "UNHOOK" and featured the Bestkiteboarding flying fish logo. I responded in the affirmative, but exposed my stupidity in forgetting my pump. He said, "I have a pump you can use!" At that point we introduced ourselves and Brandon went to get his pump.
I started by unrolling the 20 meter kite. Before I could inflate even a single strut, the wind tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Hey... I'm just getting started here. You may want to rig a size smaller!" Since it's usually wise to listen to Mother Nature, I rolled the 20 meter kite back up not quite as neatly as it had been and I inflated the 14 meter kite, instead. Brandon inflated his 14, too. While he was rigging, I went out for a quick feeler run. I was really well powered. I couldn't ask for better (and remain on the 14 meter kite.) I rode the 14 for a while and then came back in to launch Brandon's kite for him. He's new to the sport and only got in one down-winder before the wind picked up and became too much for his 14 meter kite. He learned yesterday that you never leave a kite at home. I re-rigged and inflated my 9 meter kite and continued riding.
I landed a backroll yesterday! Here's a video of it, but they call it a backflip. Unfortunately, I also made an unintended attempt at a much harder trick which involves doing a backroll while looping the kite in a tight circle in the air. When you do it on purpose, it's called an F16. When you do it on accident, it's quite painful. I must remember to keep my hands closer together on the bar.
Jumping is also getting easier and bigger. I'm learning how to time my jumps better. Now, I need to learn to time the kite control on landing. Practice practice practice! I may get a chance to practice again today, too. If not, then tomorrow after work, for sure.
After Brandon was blown off the water, he took some pictures of Mark and me. I hope to be able to post them, soon. He got some of me jumping, but I was fairly far from shore because I'm dominant with my right foot forward and the wind was from the east. It feels weird trying to jump from the switch stance. But, I'll get there.
Today is Mother's day and I'm off to call Betty Boop now to tell her that I love her. Then, I'll have to remind BigBro that there's something he needs to do today - since we don't have a sister to do it for me. |
 BizB Sun May 13 06:53:01 PM
Thirteen
Ryan and I showed up for some 20-meter kite downwind action, tonight. I crashed my kite at one point and I was having trouble getting it to re-launch. Had it not been for Ryan, I probably would have panicked. Just knowing he was there made me feel much safer. Tomorrow after work is looking like we may be able to ride for a bit. Tuesday is looking offa-da-hook with predicted winds of 20 mph. I just hope the forecast holds. Wednesday could be good, too.
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 Betty Boop Sun May 13 12:38:41 PM
Biz - thanks for the call and I'm sorry about the sister bit but you guys do okay for yourselves!
I adore the pix of BBCK - what fashion sense! She won't be tall enough to be a model but maybe a drama queen!?!? Anyhow, she is gorgeous. I forgot to tell you how much I loved seeing the girls on the trampoline. So much fun in 2 little packages. Many, many thanks
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