Becoming A Kite Meteorologist

Every avid kiteboarder becomes a virtual meteorologist! (Ever wonder how ALL those kiteboarders show up at the same beach on the same day?!)

The best place to see wind forecasts is iKitesurf.com. Find the launch sites near you and check wind speed, direction and air temperature. This website also has user pages for classifieds and forums.

For mobile, use the WindAlert app, which has a widget you can put right on your homepage for real-time wind updates.

I also use the The Weather Channel app on my phone, (also has a helpful widget for your homepage) for precipitation. For example, if iKitesurf shows a spike of wind for two hours, then it drops, it could be a thunderstorm rolling through. I can check The Weather Channel app for thunderstorm predictions and view cloud radar, to see that big red storm-blob heading my way!

Remember, the speed of the wind tells you IF you are going to ride; the direction it is blowing tells you WHERE. (Only ride in onshore or side-shore winds.)

  

Leaving Kite Gear In The Car

You never want to miss a session on the water when the wind is blowing. The easiest thing to do is make sure you've got a kite, a harness, and a board in the back of your car, and then rush out of work on a windy day for a "happy hour" ride. But what about that summer heat?!

The heat inside your car on a hot day can rise 20 - 30 degrees over the outside temperature.Kite bladders are made of polyurethane, and while the melting point for this material is high, the glue holding the valves to the bladder does NOT fair as well in high temperatures. Once the glue starts to soften, a leak is inevitable. And if your kite is wet when you pack it up, this softening process is accelerated even more by the hot water. (Imagine soaking your kites in boiling water.)

What to do? If you plan to leave your kite in the car during daytime hours, here are two ways to minimize damage to your kite: 1. park in the garage or shade, 2. make sure your kite is in the trunk, separate from the glassed car interior. Better yet, take your kite inside with you (just tell your co-workers it's your lunch). 

If you must keep your kite in the car during daytime hours during summer heat, then go out to your nearest dive shop and invest in several tubes of Aquaseal, so that you'll be ready for a few hours of bladder / valve repair, followed by 12 hours to let it set completely. ... or not.

Downwinders - Adventure Kiting!

What is a downwinder? It refers to a planned kiteboarding session where the kiter launches from one location, travels "downwind" for a set distance, and then exits the water in a different location. It is a great way to experience different conditions and sightsee as you ride.  

Downwinders are typically done in two ways. The most common kind of downwinder is from beach to beach. A beach to beach downwinder is when two or more kiters setup and launch their kites, kiteboard downwind, and then exit at a pre-determined location. It is important to plan that this final destination has a second vehicle or public transportation to get you back to where you started. This method is great for Florida barrier islands, where you can start on one end and kite down to the other end.  

Another popular way to do a downwinder is with a boat support. While the kiters ride downwind, an extra person (friend, spouse, etc.) follows along on a wave runner or boat. When the kiters reach their destination, the boater can help them with their  gear or give them a ride back. This method is ideal when kiters are riding across bays, lakes, or between islands where a boat can provide additional security or assistance in times of need.

Downwinders can be extremely fun, sometimes challenging, but always rewarding. Start with a small distance of a few miles. The best part about downwinders is that you can take your time and enjoy the view, practice new skills without the hassle of having to work your way back upwind, or make it into a race. If you're up to it, you can sign up for an official downwinder race, which is usually 20-30 miles. Here is a list of some Florida events, including races:

http://fksa.org/forumdisplay.php?f=115

Kiters are adventurers, so let the adventure begin!

Kiteboarding: Where to Ride?

 - Steve Sipes, Level 2 PASA kiteboard instructor, Kiss The Sky Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding Locations – Where to Ride?

The short answer is “wherever there is wind and water.” But the real answer takes in many considerations, such as access to water, wind direction, ample area for set-up and launching, strong currents, nearness of trees and highways, etc.

Kiteboarders ride in oceans, bays, lakes, rivers, tide pools, and anywhere that there is water and space to ride. And riders are trying out new places all the time. But why are some places better than others? And what factors should be considered when trying out a new spot?

Well, let’s have some fun first. See if YOU can identify the potential hazards of these launch sites in the next four photos (answers at the end):

Photo #1:                                                                      

Photo #2:                                                                      

Photo #3:

Photo #4:

 

Photo#1: This site has plenty of room for set-up and launching, and the shallow water is great, but could give NEW meaning to “powered up” if you happen to land on these power lines.

Photo #2: Tourist sunbathers and kiteboarders don’t mix! We don’t ride in areas marked off by swim buoys. Period. You don’t want the entire kiting community coming to your house to “thank you” for getting the beach closed to kiters, because you accidentally injured a tourist in a marked swim area.

Photo #3: Causeways are great places to ride - ease of set-up, access to water, etc., but make sure you get out in the water and stay there. Ending up on this highway can “kill” a good time in seconds.

Photo #4: If you said the weathered old guy in the thong, you’d be half-right! The other element to avoid is the pier. Sites such as this one are great places to ride, but only if you can stay upwind and in control, away from obstacles like rocks, piers, bridges, etc.

So what about lakes? Lakes are definitely ride-able, but the bigger the better. The larger the lake, the more clean the wind will be. Winds coming over trees and buildings will be gusty and unpredictable, for distances of up to 10 times the height of the obstacles.

And a quick word about riding in the gulf or other deep water location. Please be proficient at body-dragging back to your board, riding upwind, and water relaunching before attempting deep water riding.

If you want to try out a new spot, do a search on kite forums, to see if you can learn from someone else’s mistakes. In the meantime, here’s our FOUR favorite spots in Tampa Bay for shallow, flat-water kiteboarding:

http://www.kisstheskykiteboarding.com/kiteboardinglocations.htm

Ride on!

Whether to Weather the Storms

 - Steve Sipes, Level 2 PASA kiteboard instructor, Kiss The Sky Kiteboarding


Kiteboarding is an extreme sport. Extremely exciting, extreme speed, extreme air, extremely liberating, etc., BUT it doesn't have to be extremely deadly.

Summertime in Florida brings frequent storms, many of them with accompanying strong, gusty winds, and often with updrafts and lightning.

Here's the scenario ...
You are out kiteboarding. Huge dark cumulus clouds are moving in your general direction. So you:
a) keep riding until you hear thunder
b) keep riding as long as the cloud doesn't go directly over you
c) keep riding through the storm, while yelling at the sky, "Come on! You call this a storm?"
d) put your kite down on the beach and wait for the clouds to pass

Answer: I'll give you hint - I witnessed two kiteboarders get struck by lightning this year.The dark clouds were not directly overhead, and there was no previous thunder. They both saw a blue glow coming down their lines and felt tingling in their arms. They both survived with ringing in their ears and a new appreciation for life! ... so put the kite down on the beach and wait for the clouds to pass. At the very least, you can get hydrated, say hello to fellow kiters, or seek shelter in your vehicle from the pounding rain. Then resume your session safely under a clear sky!

Live to ride another day!

Tips on buying used kites

 - Steve Sipes, Level 2 PASA kiteboard instructor, Kiss The Sky Kiteboarding

Buying a kite is a big decision and kiteboarding is not a cheap sport. However, considering the fact that wind is free, you can ride every day the wind is blowing, and a GOOD kite will last for years (my favorite kite is on it's 6th year now), then buying a kite is a pretty good investment! There are a lot of good reasons to buy new kites, one of the most important being the inclusion of a warranty (generally the first year of ownership - covering leaks, fabric rips, line-breakage, etc.). However, many beginning kiters want to make a smaller investment up-front on their first kite, and in this economy, it may be the best option for many riders.

There are many good kite companies out there and there are a lot of places to look, like iKitesurf.com or craigslist.org. What I'd like to give you is a few simple tips for buying used kites:

1) Ask a lot of questions. Do a search on reviews of the gear in question. Ask other kiters. Ask us here at KissTheSkyKiteboarding.com. Ask the seller why he is selling it. When I bought my first used kite, the seller loved his kites, but he could not continue the sport due to injuries. But assuming he is still riding, understand that the seller is selling it for a reason. So do some research. Some kites are prone to leaks, some are more susceptible to general wear and tear. Don't believe everything you read on a manufacturer's website. You can find more useful information on kite forums from actual kiters!

2) LOOK at the kite! If the seller is local, go see it. If not, check out the photos, OR request photos. Look for obvious signs of repairs (photo #1), fraying lines, or thinning sun-worn material (photo #2) These are signs that tell you the kite may be a break-down waiting to happen, or if you decide to buy, you can certainly use these as bargaining chips.

#1. A patch-job to repair a rip in the canopy.     

    
   
 

#2. Thin- sun-worn material, which can tear easily.

     

Lastly, what else is the seller including? A control bar with lines is a necessary component of the kite set-up, and sold separately could cost anywhere from $150 - 450, depending on the brand. Other extras may include a pump ($20 at WalMart - $50 from Slingshot), and also a kite leash ($30 - 50). These extras add up, so consider them in the value of the asking price. (Note: if a seller says they are selling the kite "complete" - it means the control bar is a part of the sale, but always ask to be sure.)

If you decide to buy new gear, we at Kiss The Sky Kiteboarding send kiters to Sarasota Wind And Water, (SarasotaWindAndWater.com) The shop, located in Sarasota, FL, sells Cabrinha brand kites and gear. Remember that 6 year old kite I am still using? ... it's a Cabrinha! You can call them at 941-379-4222. Or visit them on the web at:  http://www.sarasotawindandwater.com/SarasotaWindandWater.html