Hi to all, Its good to keep an eye on this forum just to stay in touch with kiwi-kiting even though I'm outta the loop. Its cool to see all the goings on, Another easter barrier trip Shaan! Damn didn't we learn from the last one, although the transport experiences are probably worth doing again- I'll always remember the trip home from the pub, I was sitting in the boot with Kent, getting piss wet in horizontal rain while you put the less than roadworthy car sideways round the various bends after a few jars at the local. We did manage that one epic flat water easterly sesh though...

And Kents planning an easter mish? Take my advice guys, if he's going west, then go east! The wind is where he isn't!! (Sorry Bro, Just kidding )

Liked the video Craig- good to see some local footage from far away, its really well put together.

Well, just a bit of kite-related news for those that know me. I'm still in South Africa, living in Mosselbay (Garden Route- 4 hours east of Cape Town, 2 hrs west of Jeffreys Bay and apparantly one of the great-white capitals of the world). Every day I wake up to a forecast showing strong westerlies in CT, and strong Easterlies in Natal (Durban area), and stuck somewhere in-between I take what I can get. Sometimes 5 days of no wind, sometimes howling offshores, and if we're lucky, a good SE or SW. I've had some of the best sessions of my life, with 20knot perfection flat-water at Plettenberg bay, to wicked cross-on big wave riding at Wilderness/ Sedgefield beaches. I've also had some of the freakiest riding ever, with a full 90 degree instantaneous wind-shift at Mosselbay last week, that had me trying to work my way back to the mainland in offshore wind, away from the afore mentioned shark feeding island that this town is so famous for!

A few weeks ago I blew out my beloved 14m x2 at a solo session at StillBay, I was having a fine old time, then tried a kiteloop/backspin (which had been going really well in lighter winds), the kite seemed to survive the initial impact with the water- better than I did, after spitting a bit of blood, I tried to relaunch, and the kite flipped inside out and took off through the power completely exploding the leading edge and bladder.

Well, this seemed like a good time to take advantage of the weak Rand, and I bought myself a new Slingshot Fuel 2004 (13m). Yeah Baby!!! This kite is everything I was hoping, The lower aspect feels more stable, more quick power when you want to ride away from transitions, the bar set-up has so many options- both safety and riding adjustment, you can unscrew the stopper ball and give yourself a big depower range for hell wave-riding, or lock it in for nice powered hands free trickery. Safety- easy access quick releases and kite depower grab handle, unclip the safety leash if you don't want chicken loop tangles while spinning, clip on again if the weather looks nasty. Well- I'm not gonna go into detail comparisons, I'm sure theres plenty of product reviews out there.

So I'm just chilling her for a few more weeks, I only managed one trip to the infamous CT kiting spots. True to its reputation, It was F-ing cold, and F-ing windy!! The locals are all riding 10m kites, 12 or 14 in the light days, they laughed at the idea of a 20m kite- probably never seen one. I had a less than average session, getting completely maxed out on my 14 and mildly hypothermic in my shorty wetsuit. I'd like to spend some more time there, but transport and accomodation are limiting factors, plus a new wetsuit could be useful. The standard of the locals riding is pretty amazing- plenty of big foot free tricks, and some crazy handle passing moves. And theres shit loads of overseas riders, especially lots of europeans- apparantly escaping northern hemisphere winter and living and training cheap in SA.

Well, enough ramblings, cheers all, hope the wind blows for you this coming easter.

C ya

Lance

Yo Boet.

Sounds like its all good your way.

Shot for the feedback on the video clip.
I have just started making another one..
This time I am going for hard core tech moves.
I also have some new software that will improve the visual quality.

Sunday was a cranking session at Shoal Bay !! and like always
The crew were there with out fail.
I managed to get some awesome footage of some of the guys doing double backflip
Kite loops over my self and the sand bar.
There was some insane kiting - and some good wipe outs !!

Once I have enough good footage I am going to compile a DVD..
Will have to send you one to you Okies in SA.

Laters
Craig

Sounds like its all good in S.A Lance. But i must tell you last thurs at Muriwai was nothing short of epic!! Myself, the Spencenator and Perrin were out.Closed the shop at 3:30pm and blasted off to the coast.Sunny, 4-6ft surf and straight southerly. There were the perfect launch ramps on the way out.20 knots.It was one of those sessions where it all came together.As for Easter, best for local kiters to plan going sailing on Easter Sun/Mon as that is when i will be spending some quality time with my lady friend. So its bound to blow its nuts off.Later dude.