Patron Saints of Kiting

Windsurfing and kiting seem to bring out the best in some people. And some people's best puts the rest of us to shame. I'm not talking about being the best showman on the beach here. I'm talking about being friendly and helpful to others in need. I'm thinking of 2 people in particular. You know who you are. One of whom saved my butt again today by bodydragging about 1/4 mile out to my lost board and bringing it back in. Then he let me take a turn on his 9M because the reason I lost my board in the first place was that there was too much wind for my 12M to stay down here near the earth's surface. Saint #2- Then there's the friend that got me kiting to begin with by telling me I didn't need a lot of $ to get started and proved it by pointing out an unbelievable deal on a used kite. She has also been known to save my butt multiple times when kiting together. Both of these enthusiasts have given me endless tips and encouragement. Don't try to deny these charges. How do these people get this way? Is there something in their genes that is triggered by watersports? Or are these generous qualities always present in these individuals? Nature or nurture? Will all windsurfers and kiters eventually become like them if we do it long enough? I vote for them to be presidents of the world. The world would simply be a happier place. Imagine a world where everyone helps out everyone, (and no beach access problems). Waquiot Bay, Kited, S, 15-25, 12M & 9M/ 152 ply board, Frank, Andre, others. Windsurfed, S 18-33, 4.2/ RW85, Sandie, others.

Picture- Frank coming in for a landing.

Why they call it The Cut

2 Kiters playing in the bathtub at The Cut, no sharks in there Because of the Great White sharks. fortunately, it seemed like they were eating their seal dinners somewhere else today. I didn't see too many fins anyway (none). I counted my toes before the session and after, and the number was the same. So I think I didn't lose any. The Cut, Windsurfed, 15-25, S, 5.2/RW 85 & Acid94, with Gerry, Scott, Leif, Simon from Quebec, Des beach visit, others.

Autumn in New England

Autumn in New England brings pastel painted leaves, halloween pumpkins, apple pie, and nor'easters. These are all beautiful things. Everyone was getting closed out at Naragansett Naragansett Notes- NNE was only slightly side off at the S end of the beach but it was enough to keep the wind very light in the waves. The swell was about shoulder high but apparently the previous day's surf had washed out the sand bars making for closeout waves (this happens a lot here, so they say). Poor wind quality, poor wave quality, not what we had hoped for. It was still fun to sail with Gerry and Jeff and to try something new... After we packed up, it was too windy to go straight home. I made a detour to P Bay. Naragansett Beach, Windsurfed, NNE, 10-25, 5.7/Carve123, Jeff B, Gerry S. Pleasure Bay/ Boston Harbor- The wind wasn't big enough to have fun in the bay so I did a few runs then carried my rig across the causeway, near the pavillion and tidal outlet, and gave the harbor a try. I felt some satisfaction that I negotiated the rocky climb on the causeway without slipping and cracking my skull or board. The wind was a little better in the harbor but still not enough to plane consistantly. I was getting out close to Thompson Island, a little upwind of it. The towering cargo ships and cruise ships were going in and out, blocking my wind. Very rude! I scampered back across the causeway and made the last few runs in P Bay as the sun was setting. Pleasure Bay & Boston Harbor, Windsurfed, NNE, 10-25, 5.7/Carve123, Dave, Martin.

Plywood Kiteboard Experiment # 2

I got 1 run on my new board on Saturday. It felt like it was spinning out a little but I wasn't sure. Stormchaser, 132 x 41 I had fun with the spray gun again but if the board doesn't work then it's just nicely painted junk. 1/2" rocker, a lot of flex, maybe too much This one was even cheaper than the first. The pads cost $5 for set, fins were $40 for set, screws, paint, epoxy didn't add up to much, straps were from a defunct windsurfing board, wood was 2 pieces of 1/4" birch scrap from making cabs in the shop.

First Encounter

First Encounter Beach- They say that this beach was named for the pilgrim's first encounter with kiteboarders. That's what they say! There were plenty of kites here today but not enough to feel crowded. Good Company- It was great to kite with Des and Luke. Thanks Des for showing me the spot and rescuing my board, twice! Lucky timing- I switched to windsurfing just before the wind cranked up. There was a wind jump from 20 to 35 in a couple of minutes. I'm glad that I wasn't out kiting with 12 meters then. High tide, strong wind, windsurfer = nice floaty jumps. Beach notes- Mid tide; the launch is flat water, kiting over sandbars, very user friendly. Low tide; the same but can have a 1 mile walk to water. High tide; (2 hours before and after), beach gets small, water gets choppy and deeper, if the wind is really strong it gets very jumpable chop, fun for windsurfing. First Encounter, Kitesurfed, 10-20, NW, Mid Tide, 12M Kite, 152 & 132 Ply Boards, Des, Luke, Lisa, Dave, others. First Encounter, Windsurfed, 20-35, NW, high Tide, 4.2/RW85, Solo.

Skunks at Scarborough

Same old story. It was howling when I arrived at Scarborough Beach, it died while I was rigging. at least I was skunked in R.I. for a change. After not windsurfing, I visited my mother in Conn. She had her hip replaced 1 week go and is doing great. Go Mom! Picture- Scarborough had the waves, no wind.