Front End, Back End

Run and Slide

This El Nino year so far has been one the most incredible surf years ever. Jaws Broke over 7 times and it rarely dropped below 10 foot for a couple of a days. But, the wind has been shaky at best. Late November till late January were just bad, too many days of just no wind. What nobody has told you is that there was an incredible streak of 31 days of wind and surf, from late October to the end of November. It was incredible. Now, as winter starts to go into spring, the back end of the El Nino is happening. The wind has been cranking, and the forecast looks great. Good wind direction, solid surf seems to be the latest trend. What does this mean? Focus on the present, for it is a present.

Forecast: Trades continue to rock from the NE. The swell is also going to continue to bop. Keep your small kites handy.

The Sun Also Rises

Late afternoon solo session

Today, like many other on Maui had a swift rising swell. Being at Kitebeach all day, you can actually watch the surf go from two foot to ten foot within hours. Depending on swell direction all different nooks and crannies open up for kitesurfing. It was a steady 20 today, which is generally light for Kitebeach.This is perfect for a 10, 11 or 12m, anything smaller and you went down the toilet bowl ending up in the harbor.
Report: Light trades continue for while longer. The surf will remain solid throughout the week and into the weekend. A rare mid-winter south swell is rocking the other side of the island; so flip a coin.
The Secret Kitebeach Report Lair

Wave goodbye and go get some

Top Five Days to Kite

These are the top five days to kite. Of course, they are all wind dependent. If the wind is good, you'll figure it out.

5. First swell: I know crowded, but the stoke is unbelievable.

4. Halloween: Funky vibe, always surf, winter is coming

3. Thanksgiving: Really the Monday after T-day, the flights are full the beaches are empty.

2. Christmas: First Monday in January after the winter break ends. Everybody wants to go home. A short period of empty waters, the only drawback is the Kona's like this time too.

1.Superbowl: Superbowl afternoon everyone is at home or at a party. Laughingly, many a kiter or surfer claims not to watch, but they all get sucked in....except for me!

Strapless Trick #1

To get your surfboard into your hands takes a little practice, but can be done pretty consistently once you get it down. I find it easiest to grab the board with my front hand and keep your back hand on the bar - especially for a transition. Before you start to try to grab your board you should have your ollies down so that you can get the board out of the water consistently. I will assume that you are doing that already. So here it is:

1) Slow down by heading up just a bit (push upwind with foot pressure)
2) As you head up bring your kite to just overhead (neutral) or just a bit behind your back shoulder. Each kite is different but you need to find that sweet spot where it is not pulling on you and gives you a bit of lift.
3) Remove your front hand from your bar and slide your back hand all the way till its right on your chicken loop.
4) Ollie the board into your front hand and try to grab the rail when it reaches your hand. Do not try to pop the board too hard because it will often fly away or come out awkwardly in the air with too much pop. You just need enough pop to get it to reach your hand.
5) Once you have the board in your hand dive your kite back towards the new direction behind you and as you generate speed in the new direction drop your surfboard going the new direction.
6) Show off a bit, and feel some pride in what you just accomplished riding away with a little strapless style.

Study and succeed

Unhooked Project

Aesthetics from James Boulding on Vimeo.

I have been kiting for a long time. And trust me, it has been a long road. Before, I came to Maui, I was just a weekend warrior. Most of the regular work week I surfed. I always got off work right after the wind dropped, so I surfed glass off. I always was a student of kiting, albeit, not too successful. Moving to Maui, my learning curve went straight off the charts. Things that used to perplex me, know are regular events. I have now been riding strapless for 5 months straight taking a small project into a full time event. But, summer is coming and one of my goals is to learn how to do some unhooked tricks. I ride Naish kites, and for longest time I was not sure where to hook the leash up, unhooked. After, watching this video, I finally found out. Study is the key to success and don't try to reinvent the wheel.

Report: Wind good again tomorrow. 18-22 NE then Saturday it shuts off, then quickly returns light and moderate for the beginning of the week. Surf still cranking all weekend.

The Sun Also Rises

Glass off

The forecast for this week has been right on. I would expect we are going to get three days of decent wind. I also think, that the wind will stick around. We have a couple of large swells on the way. So it is going to shape up something like this, kite for 3 days, surf, then kite for three more. I like this light winds, but I can't wait for the nukes to come back. Look for the report tomorrow in the mid-morning.

North v South 2

Alright, Oliver did the south shore, I did the north. Pretty cool. Soon, I will add more kitebeach reporters. For now, just type in your wind and surf from the sidebar blogroll.

Report: One more day off, then we get a sprig of wind mostly from the North. Surf will small to moderate. Three days only, better get while you can.