Got wind!

And was laid out, again, and again, and again..then I chilled out, and caught some decent rides, set an edge, and even made it upwind a bit. I remember learning the basics of windsurfing, that came much more naturally to me than kiting(so far)... If I had video/pictures of some of my face-plants(was low tide, and the seaweed had some funky algea on it) I would have a more popular blog.. ie: My kiteboarding session often led me to having a great resemblance to swamp thing... Oh, and the fun is just starting as the next week brings much wind!

Got bored! So bored, I found myself making a board!

Last night I became a happy lil' wood-shop elf and made myself a drop-through carve board. An old pair of Randal II's and some very old street G's keep this puppy planted! The construction is about as basic as it gets, a 3/4" x 3" spine, with a 6 3/4" wide deck, overall length is 30" reinforced the platform with epoxy and a denim/epoxy layer. (yes, a lil' redneck engineering). Pros: steers well, short wheel base is great for pumping and tight turns, did I mention I made it in 5 hours? drawbacks: the deck flexes on the rails, absorbing much of the weight input for steering, this sucks, as I don't want to add to the board to get it carving more easily but it seems I'll have to. The cure: 1. Adding a sheet of fiberglass/epoxy to the top of the deck then re-applying grip tape 2. Replacing the yellow(medium/hard) bushings with some Khiro whites, oranges or blues, but more more than likely a combination of white and orange will get it carving nice and loose! Going to have to do both... This is going to make a nice garage racer when I buy some good bearings and bigger wheels, and knock out the other mods previously mentioned..Next deck is going to be an experiment in lamination, so I'll be building a steam box, a jig, and setting up a vacuum bag for more efficient epoxy work....Some pics of the quiver..

Scotch, lean pockets, and all topics of conversation...

Have to say, this was one of the funniest evenings I've experienced in some time. Started at Starbucks(as so many great evenings do), then the pool table was put to use, as bottles were tapped and spirits poured. I quickly dispelled anyone's inkling that I could be beat on the pool table only to find myself teaching trombone, and generally having a good time. Shortly there after, we sat down to an epic conversation covering all aspects of life. From rock climbing to rock throwing, dog senses to doggy style, much of the nitty-gritty that makes humans so intriguing. Politics, the war, sex, and psychology. Ehh, here's whats funny for you. My good pal was tossed/hungry enough to have a lean pocket.....

and scotch...

Fishy Photography Fun

Playing with my digital camera, acclimating myself to the multitude of shooting styles. Subject matter: Oceanic Aqua Scape. Models : SnowFlake Eel and Broomtail Wrasse.

Locks of love.

After nearly two years, I've finally cut my mop. It will be sent out to Locks of Love shortly. In the mean time get a laugh at my goofy mug with these fun before and after pictures! Also note my favorite shirt to wear when I go kiting!!(thanks brother)..

Thursday night Gables Garage session...

Skating again?! Right-o my lovely readers.. Went to a nice lil' private garage last night with a rookie skater, who just so happened to have video recording capabilities on his cell. So without further adieu:


This has gotten me completely pumped for a whole new level of fun at other garages!
BTW if your thinking about getting into longboarding. Ride a loaded board. No other board begins to compare!

Kiting Sunny Miami in the Summer...(some know it as waiting for wind)..

Got a kite session(and a half) in this week, made decent riding progress(I still suck) before my kite became inverted and dropped/spun into "fifth-line hell"(that extra line is for safety right?), forcing my trudge back to the beach to return the lines to proper working order. I digress, I did manage to "get-up" and ride for a few minutes both goofy and switch(I'm a goofy-footed rider) but was unable to set an edge; ergo no upwind riding, yet. Yesterday the good folks at Ikitesurf.com predicted a 12-14mph afternoon at my local spot so I loaded up and hit the beach! pumped up my big Vegas kite and I managed my first self launch! One quick ride later and I found myself relaunching my very wet 18m kite only to have it invert(seeing a pattern yet?) and loop/roll into "fifth-line hell." well the wind was light enough to just haul the monster back to the beach, followed by the now customary re-rig. I just knew the wind was enough to get out there, or so I thought. Some pedestrians helped with the launch on this attempt, but once again the wind let up, the kite crashed from twelve o'clock landing just a few feet in front of me. It was time to give up; so head down, tail between my legs and kite becoming more frustration than fun I made my way to shore and set the kite to dry. As I coiled down my lines I heard a fire-cracker like pop as my center strut bladder had just popped. Great. One more reason I probably should have not bothered with yesterday. I've got to go fix that bladder, maybe there will be some wind next week. Tomorrow looks like flats fishing as the forecast is for 1-2 mph of wind, but of course I'll get out on the canoe only to have it be better weather for kiting than fly fishing.