Session #10, 2012

My oh My what a day

Session Date: May 20th, 2012

Session Time: 11am – 4pm one break to switch kite out

Location: Home Launch

2012 Season Days to Date: 10

2012 Season Hours to Date: 28.75

Wind Observations: Frontal wind which is common to our neck of the woods. Was really strong and just kept coming, it was well above forecast. Started out on my 12m Rally and was back in 45 minutes after wind just kept gusting up. Switched out to my 8m. I don’t always buy charts, I would have put the wind at mid 20’s gusting to mid 30’s constant with the rogue gust to 40 plus.

Session Notes: Worked upwind to the breakwall and rode flat water, first on my 12 but soon hand to go back and switch then on my 8m. The breakwall is an amazing place, takes 20 or 30 minutes to work upwind to it on a S but you get dead flat water. To picute it when you skirt the rock breakwall you could drop a pebble in and it would make ripples. There it goes to ripples then to large ripples then to some chop. But it is easy to stay in the “butter” zone. And I would put the length of it at about 200 yards, depth of water varies but rarely over your head.  Wind was gusty and strong, I had a ton of fun popping on my new Brokite Wake 136 but was a bit cautious due to the strength of the wind. It was not the best conditions for learning and crashing and burning hard. But I did anyway more then a few times. All in all an amazing day as the wind just cranked all day.  Tried a few backrolls and I continue to struggle with Kite position, once I get that I feel like I will get it dialed in pretty quickly. Dedicate, visualize and practice. I will get it…..soon!!

Session #9, 2012

Session Date: May 19th, 2012

Session Time: 1:00 – 6:00 with breaks

Location: Sheboygan, WI the North Launch near the pier

2012 Season Days to Date: 9

2012 Season Hours to Date: 24.25

Wind Observations: One of those days that can be very frustrating here. Had to break out my 13m Cab Crossbow to get any sort of power going. The wind was full of holes and just not consistent, but I stuck with it. At 4pm even though the chart does not really indicate it it was like someone flipped a switch and the wind became steady and solid. The last two hours were like a birthday present from Mother Nature. And it was my 42nd so I was not complaining.

Session Notes: Continue to work on jibes, has a few that feel smooth. I feel like I am making progress but I still have a long way to go. When the wind came up after being frustrated for a couple of hours I just rode and boosted and carved turns and had fun. I did not try anything new I just wanted to have fun. And I did.

Session #8, 2012

Man am I behind, time to catch up as I am committed to keeping track of my kiting this season!!

Session Date: May 11th, 2012

Session Time: 12:00 – 4:00

Location: Home Launch

2012 Season Days to Date: 8

2012 Season Hours to Date: 20.25

Wind Observations: Nice solid S/SW wind

Session Notes: I remember it being an enjoyable session. But I am trying to progress in areas lately. So I get on my surfboard and attempt lots of jibes and fall a lot. I get on my TT and I try backrolls and fall a lot. This can become annoying but I hope it pays dividends.

Session #7, 2012

As Tom Petty once sang – The waiting is the Hardest Part

The darn wind here has SUCKED!! But I remain hopeful for better things to come.

Session Date: May 4th, 2012

Session Time: 1:30 – 3:30

Location: Sheboygan, WI the North Launch near the pier

2012 Season Days to Date: 7

2012 Season Hours to Date: 16.25

Wind Observations: What can I say it was Sheboygan, always so solid here. This place is an hour drive for me but from NE – S the drive is so so worth it. I need the free time but when I do I go. As you can see from the chart the gust range is low and the wind is constant and solid. I have not kited a ton of spots on Lake Michigan but I really love this spot. It is worth noting however that the meter on the lighthouse is a tad bit deceiving. From my experience it is about 3-4 miles above what you experience riding. I have no idea why other then it’s height and exposure, but I firmly believe it to be the case.

Session Notes: NE is easily my favorite direction in Sheboygan. The breakwall/pier you see pictured really cleans up the waves. NE would side on blowing left to right across the picture. If the swells get a chance to build it can be amazing. This day however was short lived and not a multiple day blow, so the waves were about chest high. Many were on surfboards but I strictly rode my twin tip on this day. The wind was a pinch to much North which creates a wind shadow from the resort that is not pictured but just to the left. The shadow is in close but it covers some of the area the waves break the best when they are not real big. All in all not much of a leaning day for me. Was more just ride my twin tip and have fun boosting off wave ramps. I had my surfboard with me but my time was limited so I just wanted to ride and enjoy my first session of 2012 on Mother Michigan. Great day and left with a big smile on my face. I have so much left to learn and I can’t wait! Now give me some more wind Mother Nature!!