Saturday, January 5, 2013

Lumpy Gravy Slicks

First Encounter has good wind, dazzling sunshine, and icebergs. Little slushy icebergs all around the edges.

10 kiters have to trudge through drifts of the stuff to get out to the sand bars. Nobody hesitates. You can't show weakness to your kite buddies. We're cool. We do this all the time. Doesn't everybody?



I'm on my plywood skimmy cause it goes through the low tide shallows like nothing. It turns out that it goes over icebergs like nothing too. Hah, this appeals to my novelty seeking gene!

I have to sample all the various textures. I kite into channels of slush, across tiny ice flows islands, through lumpy gravy slicks, up onto snowy sand bars.

I have some great crashes! Too much snow on my board and my feet slide off. My board submerges under snow and I go over the handlebars. I slide and bounce across snow, through slush, over sand.

My best crash is when I'm cruising at speed and I run out of water a split second before I hit a small berg. I can't sink the tail of the board to get the nose up onto the snow chunk because there's no water left. The nose of the board goes straight into the berg like an arrow into a bulls eye and I find myself running across the sand bar as fast as my legs will go, laughing.

You either love this sport or you think it's really stupid. Or both.

What planet have we landed on?


First Encounter, Kitesurfed, 15-25, W, WNW, 10M Rally/ Skimmy, with Frank, Andre, Colleen, Jon, Lorenzo, Lotsa Others.

6 comments:

Dunoyer said...

spectacular report! I remember being impressed during our windsurfing days that you'd be out there on days this cold. Now I thinkI could join the mayhem, though I have been focusing on snow.

scooper said...

@Dunoyer- I think what you're doing is impressive! My snow kiting sessions have been pretty challenging. And kiting with mini icebergs is easier than jumping with heavy skiis. I do want to get on snow again when we get really good conditions.

Lorenzo M. said...

Thank you for the write-up - and if you were on the skim board, thank you for launching me after waiting for me to untangle my lines! (I think that was you?). I used to hang up my gear in October but was talked into going out by my friend Peter (also there that day) - and sure, I lost my feet after about 45 minutes but it was great out there..! Next time will be bringing some brandy for the apres-kite...
Today (1/8/13): 45 degrees, 20+kn SW, headed out in a short while with my son on his 21st birthday... Hope to see you out there!
L

scooper said...

@ Lorenzo- Yes, I launched you! I even asked your name then forgot it 2 seconds later. Kiting makes me a happier person but it hasn't improved my useless memory.

It's great to see a good crowd coming out on these Winter days. With the right gear it's so easy. I couldn't make it today. Hope you had some good crashes for me!

Lorenzo M. said...

Hello again - went to Little Harbor/Wareham yesterday - first time - great spot for a SW - watch for the rocks!! Access is great - highly recommended. PS I took a photo of FE just before trudging out - I think you are in the photo - send me your email so I can send you the pic - not sure how to upload it here!
L

scooper said...

Lorenzo- I'm glad you got a good weekday session in! It feels like Spring this week. My email- scooper59@gmail.com
Thanks for offering me the picture.