Low calorie wind

Today was a light wind day. Being a full time kiteboard instructor has it's advantages. One of the main advantages is being at the beach everyday. As many of my mainland friends will attest, wind comes and wind goes. Lately, the wind has been gone. But, for a brief stretch, we had a little wind. Soon, the wind is coming back, real soon. So are you ready?

Heavy Rain

Mid-winter in Maui, you come to expect the rain. Last night and this morning the rain came down...hard. If you were expecting clearing wind from the North, it was not going to happen. There was way too much moisture in the air; therefore no heating effect. Tomorrow, if the humidity doesn't go away, don't count on wind. I am still working on the "Mid-day Instant Report" suggestions are always welcome. My plan is to a quick shot interview of various kiters coming out of the water. Karen was actually talking about a double back roll attempt.

Report: Sunday..a light wind maybe...Our next swell in line is expected to arrive Sunday morning and will peak just short of warning levels. Take a couple days off..then towards the end of the week the return of trades....maybe.

Make Your Own Wax

I love searching the internet for fun things to do on these rainy winter days. In the past four months, I have been riding nothing but my 6'3" Rusty. So, I try to keep a solid coat wax on. Just like surfing, you want to wax the board almost to nose, never wax the rails, keep wax off the bottom, and be generous. I mostly use Sticky Bumps tropical or Sex Wax tropical. Don't get colored wax, it looks like tar. So, here is how to make you own organic wax.

Report: Tomorrow to 15 NE. Friday go surf. Saturday the return of the trades for a couple of days...if we are lucky more. Good Luck

Surf Sufficient- Organic Surf Wax from www.KORDUROY.tv on Vimeo.

kihei

The Element of Style

Add skatestyle to your kiting

This is the sequel to the art of soul. Each of us when we kite have a vision of what it is supposed to look like. Yesterday's post talked about soul of the equipment, today we are going to take a look at how to look good riding that gear. When I teach, I use efficiency as a standard to get my students from A to B. As a rider progresses, techniques improve. Yet, I see everyday the same thing, a rider who attempts to do a trick without mastering some of the elements of style. An example of this is when you jump do you grab? Grabs are a key elements in make what ever trick you do look better. Watching Shawn Richman for the last two years, it is sometimes hard to noice his grabs. But trust me, they are there. He sometimes fails the trick because of the extra effort of the grab.
Watch the video, this is my good buddy Brad Edwards skateboarding. I grew up surfing and skating with Brad. He was always amazing. Watch the extent of flow Brad creates when pulling of his move. He combines new tricks while throwing down some old school style. Now, next time in the water, throw a grab, hold...repeat.

The Art of Soul: Part1

Foam Dust

Kiteboarding is a new sport taking on attributes of an old one. Surfing is the mother of all extreme water sports. Born from the ancients, it has now crossed cultures and boundaries. Kiteboarding is a child. It has growth pains and is still in the learning process. Being a veteran 27 year surfer, it pains me to see many a rider going out for a session without the slightest knowledge of it's predecessor. Like the ancients, I believe part of the man transgresses his blood, sweat and tears when he shapes his board. I love the idea that someone shaped my board. In contrast, I don't like mass produced boards. Ironically, my twin-tip and kite could be popped by the millions from China and I really don't care. But, for me, surfboards are personal. My life has revolved around them for 3/4 of my life.
Watch the short above and you'll see the years of experience that goes into the shape of that board. Everything he does, is feel. Just like the bar, feel is has the greatest impact on style. Each shaping stroke is one motion, elongated, flowing and sculpting an image. Image and thought create the board, not the machine cranking out 033942. Each board has a personality and story, not just a serial number.

Mid-day Update

Half Time


So, this is my half time report. You noticed I wasn't wet from kiting. Well, the wind was nuking, but past 55 degrees in the afternoon. Today, I saw 5 lifeguard rescues. I love seeing the rescues. What? Well, I know that the lifeguards up at Kanaha are learning how to kite. This is good thing. Today was tricky, switching wind, constantly gusting and changing direction. For the Maui local, this usually isn't a problem. For the visitor, over kite sizing usually leads to problems. In the morning, the wind and surf out the back was solid was fantastic, you just had to get out there. Now, get out there!

Report: My spidey senses think there will be a return of the trades. Tomorrow? Most likly a switch to south, then Kona. Saturday, a chance at some Kihei action with a Kona switch. Then.... light trades for Sunday. The surf is non-stop action and energy contining over the weekend.