That Kitesurfing Feeling

I've got that kitesurfing feelin'.  I've got that kitesurfing feelin'.  Oh Yeah.  I've got           that kitesurfing feelin'. Now it's fine, fine, fine. Wo-oh-oh. It's fine. Revere, Kitesurfed, SSE, S, SSW, 14M Rally/ Flex138 & Mako150, With Frank, Fred, Andrey, Colleen, Mike, Joe, Itzen, Chriz, Chris, Johhny H,  Skyrocket, Stoke, Skipper, Others. Picture- Skyrocket's got the feeling.

Windsurfing or Kite?

I've been doing more kitesurfing than windsurfing these days.  A lot more. I think some of my ol windsurfing buddies are glad about it.  "Good to get rid of that bum"!  they think.  But I'm not gone yet.  I still have all my windsurfing gear.  It's waiting for the day when I get bored with this trendy new kiting stuff and start playing with sails again.

Why windsurf? Why kite? How to chose between the two?  I don't know.  I just do what feels good.

Here's my comparison list from someone who loves both sports.


Advantage Windsurfing

• Safer, no risk of being dragged, or lofted and carried by kite
• Safer, no risk of a kite line snapping on a big jump, or at a bad time
• Safer, easier to self rescue, board has flotation, no lines to worry about
• Can launch and land almost anywhere
• Gear is stronger, requires less upkeep, and is less temperamental
• Quicker and easier to rig the gear
• Some people just love the feeling of windsurfing

Advantage Kitesurfing

• Power, can plane and jump in 10-20 MPH, less skunks
• Range, Kite is tune-able on the fly, huge range in 1 kite
• Gear takes up less space in vehicle
• Easy to pack up gear, sling it over a shoulder and walk for miles
• Slightly less physically demanding, less forearm fatigue
• Kites can fly above dunes to get clean wind in bays, slicks, or big waves
• Angle of pull from kite can be directed upwards for more lift when needed
• Lift allows for big jumps without waves
• Lift makes it easier to get out through waves
• Lift allows for riding on very small, nimble boards
• Very small boards, very small fins, can go in very shallow water
• Lift makes complicated tricks and spins possible at an intermediate level
• It's fun to make your own boards, almost anything works, more or less
• Some people just love the feeling of kitesurfing 

Hardings- Felt good today. Nice Summer Day, turquiose water. Wind was up and down. I bunch of us got stranded on the flats for awhile but no worries.  The wind came back better than before. Kited most of the day, beautiful sunset.

Hardings, Kitesurfed, 5-20, SW, WSW, 14M Rally/Mako King & Flx138, with Frank, Sam, Andrey, Colleen, Nick, George, Des, Ron, Others.

Particle Theory Explained in Simple Terms

What are we made of?  What is our substance?  I've been involved in a project to try to determine this.  You might have heard about it in the news.  I think we've had a break through. The project involves smashing subatomic particles using a kite, kiteboard, the water, and my head.  The goal is to create a collision that mimics the Big Bang, the explosion that started the Universe, but on a smaller scale. I recently discovered a technique that makes the collisions more effective. Unhooked riding.  It accelerates the crashing of particles in both frequency and intensity.   Today, using unhooked riding, I believe that I made a completely new particle, the Kook Particle. This particle was created while smashing my head and kite into the water at high velocity at the same instant. It was a clarifying moment.   You'll probably be hearing a lot more about Particle Theory in the media, although it may not be explained in such simple, clear terms as I have tried to do here.  Here are some tips, to me, for the next time I unhook and smash some atoms to see what I'm made of. (If there is a next time). Unhooked Riding Prep- Depower the kite a little.  Switch leash to suicide mode. Down wind- Always ride a little down wind when unhooked to reduce power. Kite at 45- Overhead unhooked can mess you up. Oh Shit- If you have one of these moments let go of the bar and grab the chicken loop. Crash- This is what the experiment is all about. Why else would anybody kite unhooked? Hardings, Kitesurfed, SW, 11-22, Rally14M/ Mako150, with Sam, Josiah, John, Johnny D, Dillon, How-U-Doin, Amy, Others. Thanks to Sam for tips and inspiration on unhooked riding. Thanks to Josiah for the harness loan when mine broke into smaller particles.

Bread and Tall Ships

Man cannot live on kitesurfing alone. He also needs to view the Tall Ships in Boston. That's what Barbara and I did yesterday. I was good. I didn't think about kiting once. Even though it was windy. Very windy. The majesty of the graceful ships was enough to keep my mind from wandering. The thing I liked most about the ships was that each square rigged sail looked a little bit like a kite tied onto the boom. But I didn't think about kiting once. Dog Beach- I got out at Dog to fly my square rigged kite today. Dog was it's usual gusty, shifty self, maybe a little more so. During the lulls we all lounged in the shallows,(except for Flysurfer Chris), kites drifting sleepily, like wind up toys that had run down. Then we came alive when the wind switched on, jumping, hooting, and hollering like a 16 year old who had just got his learners permit. It was pretty fun! Sweet 16- Happy birthday Ben and congrats on getting your learner's permit! Everyone is advised to stay off the roads in Newton for awhile. Dog Beach, Kitesurfed, W, WNW, W, WSW, SW, 10-23, 14M Rally/ FLX 138, with Stoke, Chris, Frank, Mike, Ytzen, Others.