This is KiteSURFING!!!

Reo Stevens · Since 23 Apr 2013 10 Posts

Patagonia ambassador Reo Stevens gives us an in depth look into making the most out of marginal conditions. Kitesurfing is not a replacement for surfing, simply an extension of it; the conditions for one are only ideal when they are not for the other. By using the kite as a means to harness one of surfing's imperfections, surfers can increase their water time and maximize their wave count. Other riders include Keahi De Aboitiz, Ian Alldredge and Patrick Rebstock.

Link

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4910 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Great work Thumb's Up

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 898 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

It boggles my mind why so many surfers don't get it!? If all I did was try to surf shortboards on the Oregon coast, I would have committed hari cari long ago. Another title for your flick might be "Thank God for Kitesurfing".

Awesome job with the video and the message!

Very Happy

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 853 Posts Seattle Opinionated

very well done! thanks for sharing!

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1734 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

wow reo nice waves
is this your backyard?
amazing terrain
thanks for the stoke!

J.W.SURFS · Since 14 Aug 2012 44 Posts

That is the " Pure Source "
For me it is what it's all about.
Thanks for putting this video together.

Aeolus · Mon Mar 23, 15 10:45 pm

Nicely done

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 898 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

I have been closely monitoring the whole kiting scene here in the Newport area since I started back in 2000. I truly believe it was more crowded, if you can call it that, back around 2005-2008 with as many as 30 kites on the water at our local spot. Since then I have not witnessed increased numbers and if anything it is dropping off in terms of usage.

Traditional surfing is way, way more crowded then it has ever been, but the majority of the numbers are beginners that are still struggling with catching waves and trying to figure out how to stand up on a surfboard. Kitesurfing crowds on the other hand are waning and I believe this trend will continue around here. It will probably follow the same pattern as sailboarding which had its heyday around here back in the mid 90's with 100 sails on the water at Agate Wayside on one summer day. Nowadays the place goes vacant for entire seasons.

Maybe the crowds are getting heavier at some of the warm water locations like the Gorge in summer, but Oregon coast is still completely untapped and will remain that way for years to come. Paranoia of crowds and surfers taking over kitesurfing is the least of my worries. I have been avidly trying to get many of my surf buddies to start kiting for years, and so far the number of takers I can count of one hand. I would really like to share the stoke of kitesurfing with core surfers since they would find an outlet for surfing that does not involve crowds and imperfections of surfing less than perfect waves.

Personally, I would rather see more surfer/kitesurfers in the surf around here that actually understand how a lineup works and how waves break rather than goofy kite kooks that are clueless to the ways of the ocean.

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

Kiting is rather fickle. Add in the time it takes to setup, wind fluctuation and waiting for ideal conditions.Some people have busy lives, tight budgets,and no time to burn. Many would rather just show up and grovel if it's blown or enjoy their good luck. You can do that kiting too, but some people enjoy crowds.

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

Interesting observations, Windian. I know my friends on SurferMag forum are curious about it. Someone posted the same video over there and the responses are telling. Most of the guys responding are in California. If SoCal had consistent wind, they would all be kiting.

http://forum.surfermag.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2334148#Post2334148

Apparently the expense keeps a lot of people away, but its cheaper than buying a new mountain bike or many other hobbies.

Ho-Toe · Fri Mar 27, 15 8:09 pm **surfers kiting/kiting surfers**

You know, I've spent decades of my life hating and avoiding the wind as a surfer...

After grumbling, muttering, cursing, and slinking around the central coast for a couple decades and seeing how much fun Windian, the Dentist, the Witch, and Big Steve were having in conditions that had me hating life/the ocean/the world/etc., I told myself, "OK, I wanna get me summa dat."

It was a rough road in a number of ways (physically, financially, professionally, physically, physically--holy sh!t, I wanted to quit so many times!), but I am SO HAPPY I STUCK WITH IT. Those guys who claim "it's not really surfing" don't really get it. I know, because I didn't really get it either…

Now I've pretty much given up on my early morning summer forays up & down the coast looking for marginal waves to grovel in while wasting what could be productive hours. Now I put in a good 6 hrs or so busting ass at work, peeking at the wind sensor occasionally, then I disappear unnoticed around 3PM, and go get my shred on. It's so good, so predictable, and so rewarding… repeat 5 days a week, and you've got a supremely stoked worker bee. (Plus I still surf my brains out in the fall & winter when the surf's actually good.)

Somebody earlier mentioned that predicting wind is fickle. But predicting NO WIND (or brief offshore wind) is waaay more difficult.

But don't tell anybody!!! I like being excited when I see another kiter or two at my beach on the Central Coast.

(BTW, Winjun's observations about the number of masts at Agate back in the day blows my mind! I remember it being a destination of sorts for the old school wind johnnies a couple decades ago--sort of an ugly stepsister to Florence so to speak, but never quite as lustful a destination. What happened? Did it get to be less fun? When I see a windsurfer now it's like seeing someone surfing a singlefin… It ain't like they've all switched over to kiting. Where'd they go?) Wink

Matt V · Sun Mar 29, 15 9:20 am

The peak of kiteboarding on the water here was 2012. By here I mean the boonies of Omaha, NE. A few new guys would show up at our local lake every Spring/Summer back then. Neighboring major metropolitan areas like Minneapolis and Denver saw a hint of a drop in participation/sales for snow and water in 2012. But 2013 was the first industry wide drop in sales/participation. No one really paid attention since there were some genres of kite gear that did well. Most genres of successful kite gear were from kite companies who had developed the best and most contagious hype regarding one of their lines of kite gear. Then last year hit and even those companies got the hint that something had changed.

Traveling from Minnesota to Iowa to Kansas to Wyoming to Montana to Utah to the Gorge and Oregon Coast, it does seem that our sport is in decline. And it very much seems to mirror what happened to windsurfing - at least in the "surprise! there are less people out there this year than last year" phenomenon.

The differences between the windsurfing and kitesurfing decline is that the windsurfing decline was brought on primarily by the "wind snob" attitude, where as the kitesurfing decline is being brought on primarily by demographics.

The few windsurfers out there who are just now on the verge of converting over to kiteboarding are 95% windsnobs. And the stupid thing is that they think they can kite in lighter winds than they can windsurf in. Since the typical "wind snob" owns nothing bigger than a 5.5m sail, they think that they just will use a 12m kite and be out in lighter winds that they could not windsurf in. Duh!!! They do make over 100l windsurfboards and 7.5m sails. A bigger windsurfboard and bigger windsurfingsail would get you out there in the same winds as a 12m kite. In fact, sail area wise, most 12m bow/delta or (insert proprietary jargon for kite shape - not C) are equivalent to 7.5m windsurfing sail in exposed area. But noooooo - they just do not want to have to learn to use a bigger sail. (localized wind conditions do create exceptions to this as on the coast in the case of paralell/in line current to the wind direction) Basically, new entrants to windsurfing (with no natural talent - like me) have no mentors or fellow windsurfers to be on the water with when conditions are light enough for them to learn. And thus you create very few new participants. Learning on your own can be challenging and fun, but slower learners like me just never get a chance to excel without experienced mentors - Thanks Trey, Daniel, Ed, and Eugene.

Kiteboarding's decline is more related to the demographics of potential entrants. From kiteboardings popular inception, ex-windsurfers made up the majority of new participants. But now it seems that even the older windsurfers who converted to kiteboarding because of it's physical ease, are starting to die off. Back in 2007, many more windsurfers converted because of the increased safety of new kites (newly proven bows). These converts in turn got the last of their "hold out" friends to convert by 2011. But now this supply of windsurfing converts has been exhausted by age and dwindling participation in windsurfing. Other areas that saw a decline for drawing in more kiters were exhausted earlier on because they never really considered the safety aspect that held back the "hold out" windsurfers from trying kiting. This includes wake and snowboarders, surfers, or even non water/snow sports participants (those who had never done anything similar). Since most of the draw for those participants was the sports newness and uniqueness, well, that was over even in the middle of the Midwest by 2012.

Sad to say, but that is the current state of kiteboarding and windsurfing. Time will tell if something can make kiteboarding more popular that it was in it's glory days. Windsurfing could have been saved by SUP boards (over 75cm wide) with mast tracks, powerbox finboxes for up to 50cm fins, REMOVABLE centerboards, and 6.5-8.5 sails. But mentality is the most stubbornly unchangeable substance known to man.

Our local lake could handle at least 3 more full time kiters and about 7-10 more part timers. So I would love to see participation increase to fill out the capacity of these spots. But I am thankful for the room and glad that I may never have to fight a crowd when stuck in the middle of the USA.

For kiters reading this, just be damned thankful that you got on the roller coaster ride before it wasn't making enough money and they tore it down.

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

I switched to kiting from windsurfing 2 years ago after windsurfing for 20+ years. Windsurfing the Gorge was great but I wanted to ride the Coast in lighter winds than a 5.7 sail. I'm really surprised there's not more kites on the Coast, though it seems to be about the same numbers as the heyday of windsurfing.

The Gorge seems more crowded each year when you add up the kiters and windsurfers.

With the newer, safer equipment learning is easier than what I saw in the early 2000's.

If the numbers are declining (which I haven't seen), the kite companies should make an effort to attract new kiters through better trainer kites. Ozone, Airush, and Ocean Rodeo make 2m inflatable 4 line trainer kites that come with a sling/belt harness. Unfortunately they sell for $400. They should all get together and drop it to $200. I know my 2 line trainer didn't translate that well to a 4 line big kite and people I've lent it to are amazed at how well we can control our big kites. I think 2 lines scare people off when they're powered up