Cross-On Vaz!

What's happening to the weather this year?!?

Well its the end of April now and what a windless year we've had so far. I was chatting to fellow windsurfer Matt (vivelabreeze) just the other day and discussing the wind stats for the Winter/Spring. The local Met office released their figures and yes it's official.... the worst year we have ever known!
If I hadn't have started kiting then the windsurf kit would be on ebay and I would have bought myself a rocking chair, banjo and a pair of moleskin slippers!

Apparently we get fussier the older we get but during these hard times we have had to take what we can get, but when there's nothing around we have to keep busy, keep fit and hope that the next low pressure will push in some good swell and wind.

It's the good sessions that you have that keep your dreams alive and you know that eventually the Gods will deliver and the boys will be smiling again!

Here are some photos of our last Vaz session kindly taken by Pierre. Cross-on high tide on t'others. This was the first chance that I had a decent run on the new Naish gear, the conditions weren't epic but looking back it wasn't that bad now. Powered up on the 5.3 with a few ramps to hit. Probably won't be many of them this Summer but you never know in this game.

In the mean time my holiday to Mauritius is fast approaching and something I'm so looking forward to. Windy, warm and kiting every day-sounds like heaven and hopefully will be too....!!

wave riding action...

Backie....

Forward out back...

Cross Channel Kiters!!

I'd just thought I'd put this link on the blog about a bunch of guys that are hoping to raise a lot of money for the "Help for Heroes" charity. It has been aptly named "Kite for Heroes" and basically is going to be a kite surf race across the English Channel from Alderney to Poole and the competitors will be from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RAF and Army.

This is all going to take place during the month of June when there are several windows of opportunity, weather permitting. This is going to be quite some feat and is taking a lot of organisation so please give them some support and make a small donation.... Good Luck To Them!!

http://www.kite4heroes.co.uk/

Easter Holiday Madness!

We've just had the Easter holiday break and the boys have managed to get several sessions on the water. The continuous pounding from the Atlantic weather systems have thrown a variety of conditions our way. It all culminated last Thursday when a vigorous low pushed through, combined with some of the highest tides of the year.....

Is this a taste of what's to come?

Portinfer bay

View towards Grande Rocque



The photo's above were taken Thursday morning on the high tide. It was pretty insane and the west coast of Guernsey took a real pounding. Myself, Matt, Phil and Simon managed to get a sail in early evening when the tide was on the push again. The swell had dropped considerably but the cross-on conditions on t'others were good fun and this was one of the first opportunities to try out the new Naish board and sail set-up......check out Pierre's website for some great photo's... http://www.gsyphoto.com/

"Not so good Friday!"

Friday dawned and we were greeted with a moderate to fresh south westerly wind. Unbelievably the swell had dropped over night but the sun was out and we were ready to play. Dimi and I headed to Vaz to check out the conditions. Matt went in for a sail and we sat in the caf with Dan and Ellie and drank coffee and talked up a good kitesurf. When the tide dropped off the wall we headed up to Ladies for a kite session but the conditions weren't that good. The wind was incredibly gusty and one minute it was blowing 30knts and then the next only 10.....here are some shots...

Dan the man!

..sweet..

..Hutch-airtime..

..Dimi looking good..

Saturday was another odd day. The promise of southerly winds and good swell got the boys excited, and maybe a Perell session was on the cards!! Again the wind didn't play ball and the direction was too off-shore to make sailing worth while. The wind dropped off to nothing in the afternoon-today was definately a day for the surfers.






Easter Sunday and the wind was back on! We headed too Richmond for an on-shore kite session. The sun was out and there were some small ramps for boosting some great air. I kited for an hour and a half with Dan and Ian before heading to work. The new Cult went a treat and even managed a couple of kite loops even if they were quite ugly!!

Loving those kites!


Ian
Dan