SPI Update?

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

So, Jackie and I will be heading out on Tues.. and pretty sure Carl and Faith are leaving tonight..

So, for you NW's that are down there now......What's the score?
How's it looking>>>>>>>>>>>been...? Pics?

Can't wait. I want some wind and turkey. Wink

tonyb · Fri Nov 16, 07 10:19 am

Wind has been pretty good the last two weeks. We got here on the 27th of October and the first week wasn't so hot, mostly big kite days, but since then it has really picked up. The graph below shows the average wind speed during the time of day that we are getting out on the water. (usually late afternoon on weekdays).

It looks like it should be pretty good for the next week with one down day on Monday then it looks like it will be switching from South to North on Wed/Thurs and cranking!

We've been doing too much kiting to take pictures! We've had a few sessions where we kited right through sunset and into the dark with nothing but stars out and pitch black everywhere. Killer sessions but putting everything away in the dark was kind of hard! We're hoping for a moonlight session one evening sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Give us a shout when you get into town.

Tony
cell: 503 544-7495

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Tony -- How long are you guys staying in SPI?

I'm moving to Austin in 2 wks.

tonyb · Fri Nov 16, 07 10:39 am

Well, we're hoping to stay right through till May if we can keep the work stuff balanced out. I still have trips back to PDX and Seattle/Anacortes about once a month and we're going to La Ventana for a week in January but mostly we'll be in SPI all winter. My monthly commute is a little longer and costs just a bit more but I still only lose a day each way doing it!

So far we've run into quite a few people from the NW: Amery, Doyle, Lara, Tonia, Tekko, Hein, Hans, Adam, and a few others that I'm drawing a blank on at the moment. (sorry!).

November got off to a slow start but it looks to be in wind mode now. Last year we were down here from Nov 15th to Jan 8th and probably kited 4 or 5 out of 7 days during that time but I didn't track it like I'm trying to do this year.

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

Jake.
It's on fire down here!!!

Been a bunch of good days past couple weeks. Too bad I'm missing out due to broken ankle... after all that bullshit all summer with the sprain.. I broke the bone first day I rode straps again, in Hatteras. Been #1 kite bitch though.. pumping up kites, hooking up demos and driving end to end aross the island making downwinder pickups and dropoffs!!

Here is one shot from the other night when the NW crew led by GeneK, departed on the longest downwinder yet.. from the flats to past the end of the road on the bay. This is Carol and Becca melting into the sun...

Give us a shout when you guys get down here- 503.866.2629

Gene is looking to resurface Hein's kicker in the next couple days... Game On!!!

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

NICE>...I was waiting to hear from you!! Bummer about the ankle...but I feel you, this is my last kite time before surgery on DEc. 4th...so with that said, I wan to go out with a bang....

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

if i decided to head down there this winter break, where would I stay?

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

The Travelodge was only $45.00/night. And unless you're planning on a month and a half stay like Amery, it's not too bad.

CrazyC · Since 07 Apr 2007 174 Posts P Town Stoked

See you all soon. We fly out at 11:45 tonight. Yes!

tonyb · Fri Nov 16, 07 4:38 pm

Hey Spike!

tons of places to stay this time of year as the place is pretty empty. Motel 6 is around $30 a night and it goes up from there. I wouldn't even bother booking a place before hand - just show up, drive down the main drag, look at the prices (posted on the hotel signs) and pick a place. We can pick you up from the airport if you need a ride in.

Tony

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

It's been sick for over a week. Kited for 8 days straight until today 'cause I just wasn't motivated to go in mid teen wind after riding my 6m all day yesterday, which was sick! Long morning sesh in flat water followed by coast downwinder with 10ft swell Smile

Saturday should be windy.

Jake, come out with us for a downwinder (or two) Sat. if you want. Lotsa options out here.

Hein, thanks for the offer with the kicker. I'm gonna try throw some pipe on it soon. If anyone wants to help out with the effort I'd be stoked. I'll be working on it in the mornings or when it's not windy. I also spotted a rail in the flats today which we should set up in the water.

Will try get some pics, but been too busy kiting so far. The flats are perfect for learning new moves by the way.

tonia · Since 15 Jun 2005 209 Posts The Gorge Stoked

9 straight days of riding and the wind continues to deliver here in SPI!!!!!

If any gals will be in SPI next week, I'm doing a Women's Kiteboarding Clinic at the North Flats on Wednesday, before Turkey Day!! Jackie, I expect to see you there!!

Check it out: http://womenskiteboarding.com/client/images/NOV07padre-kiteclinic.jpg

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

Gman... You and Trevor were witness... after tracing back all of the sessions in Hatteras.. I believe it was that night Tonia and Sonja rode the Buxton Slick when I was shooting... and then I took Tonia's kite when she came in for a few minutes... I think it was that fist raley-switch I tossed right off the beach that did it.... (or more specifically, a hard flat landing on an ankle which had been sprained/injured and weakened for the past 3 months)

And I don't think the ocean downwinders the next couple of days helped any...

It was that weekend T and I were on a bike ride when ya'll were wake surfing that I finally realized, (due to extreme pain which I couild pinpoint) it was injured and went for the x-ray... Just to be told,... 'yes, ot's broken, and fresh... probably within the past 2 weeks...' thought I was going to cry when they said 6 more weeks in the boot!!

But hey... at least it's sunny and WARM here.. and everyone else is getting some SICK sessions!!

Jake, no problem... my 08 HaVoc quiver is available for anyone... as it is not doing me much good...

Pepi · Sat Nov 17, 07 11:36 pm

Hey Tekko :

Glad to hear that you are listening to doctors orders. We've been keeping tabs on you via the Gorge Posse down on Padre to make sure you're staying off the water and in that walking cast.

We need to get you all healed up and back on the water for next summer!

Pepi

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

I heard that someone from the Gorge got banged up on launch a few days ago...went to the hospital. It happened on the North Flats on SPI.

Anyone have the details?