The future of wavekiting

scottnorby · Wed Jun 11, 08 11:09 am

Gabe,
no.

2 to 6 foot faces because:

---over that you may as well get up early and spend all your energy surfing before the wind picks up.

-- over 6 foot and you probably can't go strapless.

-- because it's fun...and when it's blown out and shitty you can ride so many waves. Or sections of waves.

I am not Ben Wilson or Josh Mulcoy.
2 to 6 is a fun day with no worries.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, I guess if kiting is a backup for when surfing sucks that makes sense. For me it's not so I like nice waves with wind. There are plenty of people riding strapless in over head high waves, but I agree that at a certain size it becomes more fun with straps.

It's awesome we can all live in a place where we can be so stoked on the riding we do.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

I enjoy small surf

because thats what we get most of the summer
in anticipation/preparation of spring and fall

FunShui · Since 16 Jul 2006 146 Posts Really, really Stoked

Thanks for the thread, Scott.

The coast is my absolute favorite but until the pattern sets up you have to be there to get the most from it. That's why I was a local surfer for years. It is really upping the ante now with gas prices to get there regularly living in P-town.

Also, I never get river nose or feel funky after being in the ocean. Used to get a session in to cure whatever nose or sinus ailment but Slither is right. The coliforms and other funk get dumped if we're not vigilant. Click here to help keep it clean http://www.surfrider.org/

Surfing with a kite is magic. More waves in a session than a week or month of sessions paddle surfing. Hope to get better with my surfboards this year!

scottnorby · Wed Jun 11, 08 12:33 pm

....looking really good for the week.
http://oregonsurfcheck.com/

....

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

for small waves, ian alldridge has the best style i have seen: http://youtube.com/watch?v=SiXu78wO3I8&feature=related

and he holds it together remarkably well strapless on messy legit overhead: http://youtube.com/watch?v=SBP5PdNI8mE&feature=related . i think it's more impressive than ben wilson given that the waves aren't perfect.

probably what's holding back the sport more than most things is that filming waves is such a pain in the ass and so much amazing stuff must go unfilmed. it's awesome that footage is finally getting out on people like this, but the convenience of filming near-shore freestyle is always going to take most photographers that way.

still, none of it compares to what pro surfers do. Shocked

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Not only does Ian rip, but he is a super mellow modest nice guy...

Note that funny looking bird like kite that everyone wrote off as a marketing gimmick that he is riding. Creating the "Cult of Kiting" one rider at a time...

Summer is in full command in Maui. Ripping wind and ankle high waves. Hope to get over and sample the OR Coast in July.

Bams

scottnorby · Thu Jun 12, 08 5:04 pm

Totally agree about Ian.
Those videos of him riding strapless are incredible.

And also agree that pro surfers riding without a kite still take the trophy for wave riding ability.
We cheat with kites.

Today was SO fun. Surfed in the morning.
Then surfed a downwinder alone from Iredale to Gearhart. Same board.
Small but fun.
It's going off over here this week.

wytcap · Since 10 Mar 2005 203 Posts NW oregon Stoked

Coast rocks year round NW, SW what ever! Its all good! Laughing

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Although I haven't travelled much for kiteboarding to check other places. I believe the Oregon Coast is about as wide open as it gets on planet Earth. Access to big, empty beaches with easy launching is everywhere up and down the coast. It is possible to always kite by yourself around here (coast) if that is what you prefer. Even at name spots like South Beach or Flos you can just simply go a 1/2 mile down the beach and be in your own Private Idaho. Yesterday I did a solo session at South Beach during primetime (4 to 6 pm) with no one else around other than one kiter who was leaving as I got there. I here stories and see mag pictures of other places that are way crowded and can't imagine it will ever happen here as this coast is just too big, too cold and too much room.

California has more miles of coastline, but if you really examine the place there is not that many good kiteboarding spots and sometimes hours of driving between locations. Oregon coast has hundreds of spots from Warrenton to Brookings with easy access kiteboarding from 1/2 mile to a dozen miles apart. And we have surf which makes this place way more interesting than any place that does not!!!

Looks like it is going to rage again today!!! Laughing

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

going early again
butter and cream smooth
ya
strapless so ergonomic

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Since norby, gabe and hein all rained on my coastal weekend thread I thought I'd resurrect this one because its friendly. Wink

Waves are awesome! got Trevor totally converted to strapless surfboard in the waves this weekend and gave Henry a taste and he's asking for more. If you don't ride a surfboard in the waves you are missing out!

I wish they waves were bigger this weekend, but they all seemed to line up nice and the small ones inspired a lot of confidence to really try stuff. Tried some unhooked riding which was awesome when I wasn't too powered. Definitely gives you more freedom to whip the board around.

I'd like to get my skills up to the point where I am not afraid to go strapless when the September swell hits. Though the addiction is to the point now that a few moments of bliss is worth the impending beating and board chasing to follow. Very Happy

tonylong · Since 30 Jun 2008 74 Posts Vancouver, WA

I'll be in Astoria this afternoon with all my camera gear...

Is anyone heading to Sunset?

scottnorby · Mon Jul 14, 08 7:18 am

sorry about that PKH.

Tony I may be out tonight.

What kind of rig are you driving?
If you are at sunset you will see us go by.

PM me.

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead

The OC kicks ass. Last week the strip was the prettiest girl in the room. Cool

Thankfully the cold water and air will probably temper the crowds, at least until wetsuit technology makes it so people don't notice the cold anymore. Laughing

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead