Places and sizes '06

104 days kiting in 2006
It was a great kiting year!!!

Rush-19
Skyline-17
Powder Mountain-13
Pine View-12
Rufus-8
Utah Lake-7
Strawberry-7
South Padre-6
Shipwerck-5
Park City-2
Sulphur Creek-2
Sand Bar-2
Jordanelle-1
Antelope Island-1
Dike Lake-1

Windsurf 7.5 Sulphur-1

Kite size-use

19.5M-3 Contra (sold)
16.5M-10 Contra
15M -7 Instinct (sold)
13M Instinct-36
13M Fuel-8 (sold)
12M Frenzy-4
12M Turbo Diesel-26 (sold)
11M Instinct-5 (sold)
11M Fuel -4 (sold)
9M Instinct- 11
9M Diesel -5 (sold)
7m Instinct-2

104--Skyline 13M

Heather was the chauffer for today’s trip.
Totally North wind,
Quite strong at first,
So I played at the bottom of Bossco.
With the wind straight across the hill.
I had my first mini glides.
No pop, just 11 to 12 o'clock glides.
The wind seemed strong enough,
to try to get to the ridge.
Bad move.
I spent the best wind of the day in a hole,
(So did Jake).
From then on, the wind just got lighter.

103--13M 12M Skyline

‘Twas the day before Christmas,
And all through the house,
I was going kind of crazy,
Get out said my spouse.

The kites were in my van,
Just looking so fine,
I checked the weather,
NOAA said Skyline.

I arrived to a Frenzy flying in the sky,
I put air in my 13,
I cant wait, oh my.

When my kite was in the air,
I headed up Bosco hill,
The snow was soft in spots,
A few jumps, what a thrill.

Kiting along,
With such a big grin,
A snow snake grabbed my board,
I started to spin.

When I stopped,
A line was under my board,
The kite powered up,
I now was abhorred.

The edge of the Nobile,
Is sharp as a knife.
It cut an outside line,
I’m wishing I were home with my wife.

Parking the kite,
And tying a knot,
Was the next thing to do?
The only idea that I got.

It worked, in a pinch,
I made my way to the flats.
I want more kiting,
I want more of that.

I rigged my Frenzy,
The wind was getting light,
I wanted more rides,
But it was turning to night.

This is getting a little long,
The rhymes may not be right.
So
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

102--Skyline 9M

Stopped at Skyline after working down south.
5 kites in the air.
Seemed to strong for big kite.
The 9 was OK but 11M would have been perfect.
To bad I just sold my 11M, to make room for '07 11M
The snow was heavy, and made for burning legs.
Jake gave me a new Nobile board to try,
less side cut, supose to be less leg burn.
I'l try it next time out.

101--Skyline 13M

The snow at Powder Mountain was to shitty,
so Doug and I headed to Skyline.
We got there a little later but,
much better snow conditions.
still some softies to be found.
Kinda gusty, scared myself with some jumps.
A really good day...

100--Skyline 13M 12M

Jake and I got there at 12:30 to kites in the air.
(WOW guy's teaching lessons)
The first session on my 13M Instinct, was great fun.
Rode to the top, but I found the snow kinda crappy from all the kiters in town from the weekend KiteJam.
Finally found some powder to play in,
I got comfortable, and did my first,
jumping KITE LOOP....
I landed smooth and kited away....
What a rush,
.
I have been bugging Jake to fly my Instinct,
He stayed out on it a while,
so I rigged my 12M Frenzy,
The wind was getting lighter as the day went on,
and finally died at sunset.
Then the Moon came over the hill just as we were leaving.
Great day,
We're so lucky to have this playground in our back yards.....
Plus today was #100 in 2006.

99--Powder Mountain 13M

The wind was very strong and gusty.
The snow was hard, crusty shit.
To many rocks, and overpowered.
We only rode for half hour or so.
Then it felt a little dangerous.
So we called it a day.

98--Skyline 13M

Rode down with Brian and Heather.
The wind was light around 8 - 10 mph when we arrived,
but it strengthened to around 15 during the early afternoon.
I wanted to try my snow rear relaunch line on my Instinct.
It started to tight, but worked great when adjusted.
So far I still like the Instinct better than the Frenzy.
Snow coverage was adequate to ride in the flat area
and part way up Bosco Hill,
but the whole area is in dire need of a good snowfall.
I found my spot, where the wind was stronger
and just stayed there all day,
The otheres played on the hill.
I didn't have enough wind on the hill.
I was doing a lot of rock dodging,
and then small jumps in the soft areas
where the snow had drifted in the ravines.
Fun day, I'd go back today,
if it wasn't so far.

97--Powder Mountain 12M

Better wind today,
started at the parking lot, by 11:00
then rode most of the hill.
Snow sucks,
Lots of snow snakes
pulling at my board.
Lots of rocks.
Cody tore up his kite in the trees,
Newbeys got stuck in the wind shadow
before the gap.
Ryan and Chris Headed up as
Doug and I were leaving.
Bet the snow was worse later.

Powder Mountain 12M

Frenzy Taco,
light session.
No kite works in no wind.
Rode about 100 feet
down hill,
by the Radar Towers.

96--SPI South Flats 13M

Lighter wind, but with the Glide,
it worked all day.
Suckered a lot of kiters out.
Only a few could stay upwind.
Most walked back.
They couldn't figure how a 13M
could out do thier 18M, 20M kites.
Secret weapon, Instincts, and Glide.
People just keep buying the cheep inferior kites.
Ya get what ya pay for...
Suckers...

95--SPI South Flats 13M

Powered good on North winds.
Steve and I found a little island,
we would take turns on the butter smooth water,
on the leward side.
Ray finally followed us, the Jon.
We all took turns on the glass.
Long day on the water, almost 5 hours.

94--SPI South Flats 9M

Wind back up again.
Lots of fun on smaller kite.
Working on forward spins.
Feels like throwing a baseball left handed.
Not quite getting it.
Back loops, with air, both directions are nailed.
boosting big air, with smooth landings all day.
Starting to wish for some swell to play on.

93--SPI South Flats 15M

Light winds
15 and Glide worked all day.
13m would have worked just as good.
Food is great everywhere we eat.

92--SPI South Flats 15M

Almost not a counter,
but this far from home
a couple of rides count.

91--South Padre Island North Flats 9M

29mph to 34mph at sunrise.
On the water at 10:00-12:00
then while resting.
Ray and Paul arrived.
They went to the Gulf, and ended up with not enough power,
and offshore wind.
we stayed and got another couple of hours in,
then the wind started to lighten up,
just as Ray and Paul got rigged.
Killer day 2

90--South Padre Island South Flats 13M

Rainy, Rainy, Rainy...
Jon, Steve and myself.
As it was clearing we packed out 13m to a smlall island to rig.
We sat under the kites till the rain finally passed by.
Then got a killer 3 hours of very powered up 13m.
If the walk back wasn't such a pain,
we would have rigged smaller.
Great way to start the trip.

89--Pineview 16.5M

All my gear was packed for South Padre.
I pulled out the old 16.5
Used my Plyde, and old waist harness.
Couldn't get the heavey board to jump.
Lack of wind was probably the biggest reason.
A couple hours of fair wind.

88-Jordanelle 15M

The wind arrived at about 1:00 Pm as Did Jon, Doug, Ralph, Bob and I.
Ralph and Bob poleboarded
Good 1 1/2 -2 hour session.
My first session at Jordanell.
Wind was from 10-22 ish.
With a few holes, didn't drop the kite but had to keep it moving.
Nice session, a keeper

87--Pineview 13M

Deja Vue

Except lighter wind.
With Vern and Jason to.

86--Pineview 13M

Another good day at Pineview.
The wind looked very powerfull.
We both thought we may have to much kite.
It's deceiving.
We were no where close, to over powered.
It's like the wind was there, but no real power.
Reminded me of Sulphur wind.
Still good fun,
Boosting in the gusts.
But never really felt comfortable.
Doug felt the same.
Warm, quite smooth, clean? Water.

85--Pineview 13M

Doug and I took our usual Sunday ride to Pineview.
Not really thinking much chance for wind.
But,, ya know if it blows,,ya gotta go..
Walked into Middle Inlet.
Kinda shitty wind,
We rode a little,,
walked up wind a little.
then rode a little more.
Kinda like a bad day at Rush...
Never quite filled in very good.
But still fun.

84--Pineview 13M

Even better than yesterday.
Used small board.
It's fun to have something for the boaters to hoot about, this year.
Jumping in the gusts, then just trying to get back up wind in th lulls.
After a great session,
went back out with bigger board,
but the wind died,
kite went down, on trailing edge.
I pulled on one rear line, till the kite came around.
First relaunch of swamped bow/flat kite.
But only enough wind to get back to shore.

83--Pineview 13M

Rigged at point of Middle Inlet.
Self launched on the sand.
We had some good rides for little over an hour.
Not super light, just right, but some lulls.
Tested the new optional 5th line safty.
Worked great.

82--Pineview 13M

Doug, Jim and I,
got a few late afternoon rides.
At Middle Inlet.

81--ULSSB 13M

The sand sure felt good on the feet.
Kinda light,
but stayed powered most of the time.
A good timing day.
Jumps and spins felt good.
I like it!!!

80--ULLB 13M

The rocky bottom at Lincoln beach sucks.
But the wind was good.
The swell isn't as good as ULSSB.
The flat water inside is no big deal.
Still a fun evening with good friends.
Doug rode to ULSSB and back.

79--ULSSB 13M

My first ULSSB session this year.
Love the place.
Love the swell.
Love the company.
Love the wind.
Killer session,
Biggest air for me,in Utah,,
with grabs, and spins.
Then off to Skyline for Heather's Bday
and Tequila.

Wish the newbys would go to Lincoln,
before someone gets hurt.

78-Antelope Island 13M

No wind till I got a mile from the Island..
Then white caps north and west as far as I could see.
Rode from 8:30 to 10:30
Plenty o power when I started,,,
lighter at the end..
Went upwind to the little bird island,,,
with thoughts of butter smooth wind on the lee side..
when I got close,,downwind,,
I couldn't get out of there fast enough,,,
10,000 years of seagull shit accumulation was more than I could handle..
Gagoramma....
If I'd had any breakfast,,,
It would now be floating in the Lake.....

77-- Jetty/Shipwreck 13M,11M

Jon and Jeff are gone.
Steve and I decide on one more coast day.
The most magical day kiting ever.....
Perfect wind on the first run for 13M
After a week of riding, confidence was high,
and so were my jumps,
Straight into the wave,, pull the trigger,,
and float, really float.
We rode our favorite wave spot for a long time.
I hit a wave wrong, it spun me backwards and up,
at the apex, I knew I could save this instead of crash.
I kept the spin going, up high, kept in control,
and landed a jumping back spin, with height.The second run, 11M was perfect.
Self launching the Instinct is a dream, almost fun.
Just pull, it stands up and off it goes.
Since I saved my jump/spin earlier,
I did more intentinally, what a thrill
Jumping the 11M is my favorite.
one jump was so high,
I had to redirect the kite a few times,
before landing. WOW
later I was high, could tell i would come down and smack a wave
at the apex, I redirected, did a transition,
and headed away from the wave.
5 hours on the water,
still wans't enough, knowing the trip was over.
But what a great trip!!!!

76--Rufus 13M

Very smooth/light wind.
kinda nice after strong wind days.
Easy to try new tricks.
Tried most everything on bad side most of the day.
But couldn't get the front spins..yet

75--Rufus/Wall 9M

Another nuking day.
Rode swell at Rufus and towards dam early,
Then headed back to the wall,
looking for girls in bikinis.
no luck,
but the best swell of the trip.
one swell was almost all way across the river.
Jim windsurfed 4.2 with us.
We all went to a movie after.

74--Rufus/Wall 9M

The wind came back with a vengence.
With the good company,
and encouragement from friends,
learned a lot of new things.
Bigger air, faster spins
spins on bad side.
Second session, we rode to whe Wall,
for sweet swell riding.
Cutie in a bikini was standing on the wall rocks,
cheering us on, and taking photos.
amazing trick come out of the bag,
when bikinis are involved.
Later at Rufus, she show up.
Glad I didn't yell "take your top off"
Fun times....
Staying at Steve's house is great.

73--Jetty/Shipwreck 13M

This is awsome....
2 downwinders today.
stayed in the best waves for a long time,
with Steve.
Saw blow holes from whales 3 times out in the ocean.
The second was good at first,
but around sunset,
it started dying,
we worked hard to get back.

72-- Jetty/Shipwreck 13M

I love the coast!!!
Jon, Jeff, Steve and I
only did one downwinder,
but made it last a long time.
Smaller waves, thats good.
Learning how to "carve it up"
Camped at the state park.

71--Spit/Hatch 13M

After the drive,
Met up with Jason, and Ken Lucas,
for a long afternoon session,
between the Spit and Hatch.
Kinda choppy water,
don't know why everyone kites here,
with so many better options.
Great way to start the week.

70--Rufus 9M

Killer swell rides w/Steve at the Wall.
The 9M easily as good as 7m C.
At one point the wind was go strong/gusty
the only kites out were the 3 Instincts.
Getting grabs down.
Tom/Martha sailed with us at Rufus.
Getting worn out, may be ourlast day.
Tiki Party was good to see old friends.

69--Rufus 9M

Days are starting to blur,
early sessions, swell riding up by the Wall.
afternoons, working on jumps, spins, grabs.
Getting the spins down.

68--Rufus 9M

Sweet wind, Sweet swell
Big air, great time.

67--Rufus 13M

Time for a big kite day.
everyone enjoyed the smooth wind.

66--9M Kite Spit/Rufus

After chasing the wind at the coast,
(Doug got a short ride in the fog at Florence Jetty 7/23)
we went back to the Gorge.
Got a early session at the sand bar (zoo).
We rode up to the lower end of the Hatchery.
Nice swell, good wind.
Then we rode a late session at Rufus.
Camping at Peach Beach.

65--15M Fort Stevens downwinder

Jon, Pat and Steve joined us.
It was late, but great.
They all ripped downwind,
I kinda took my time and enjoyed the ride.
little overpowered on the 15M
wished I had smaller size on,
but still dreamy, floaty jumps over the waves,
and smooth carves on the inside, waves.
Dumped the kite in the surf,
easier than my old kites to get relaunched...
The ocean is what kiting is all about....

64--Shipwreck 11M

Doug and I got the late sunset session in the waves.
Didn't have time to look for a ride for a downwinder,
We just rode and loved it!!
Instinct is an awsome wave kite....

63--ULLB 15M, 13M

Boring place to just hang around,
Doug cooked bacon egg scramble,
then we drove to the other bay to the SW
there was wind, we wondered if that was always the case?
5:00 on the water. w/ Glide
Did a bone head jump, crashed and got the lines
inside them self,
by the time I fixed that, I was in the weeds,by the fence,
with a tangled mess.
walked back.
I left the mess and rigged my 13M
I don't give a shit what anyone else says,,
I can jump higher, and more in control on my 13M
compared to my 15M.
And I'm tired of talking about it.
Kinda died around 7.
Just as Ryan, Thomas arrived.
most everyone left
I untangled my 15M lines
then the wind picked back up.
Got another session on 15m.
Very fun weekend....

62--ULLB 15M

Jake saved us a camping spot,
We got on the H2O around 5:00,
kited till dark.
Getting the timing on the 15M down a little.
Got to ride samller board, most of the time.
It feels overpowering when the wind comes up,
like my 19.5M. until I pull the trim strap.
I'd much rather ride the 13M.
I put an extra line to the strut tip
for super lite wind relaunch,
It rolled over as easy as my TD.
I wont do it on the other sizes, only for 10mph stuff.
Camping W/Doug, Kim/kids, Jake, Dean.
Tequila and tall tales.

61-ULLB 13M 15M

First one on the water.
13M and Glide

Then tried the new 15M

Took off and first thought was,,
SHIT,,now I need to buy another kite...
Did air jybe that went bad,,
lost board then when relaunching kite,,
the chicken look came disconnected.
I tried to relaunch and just go unhooked,
but couldn't get it done.
While floating away from my board and reconnecting my c loop,
I yelled to Dean to help find my board
He's my new hero, even took it to shore.
Walked back
But then
Had a killer ride, again the only one out,
not even the 20M's could get going.
I'm now the proud owner of a new 15M Instinct.
Probably go 15M, 11M, 9M, 7M
I gotta sell some old kites!!

60--ULLB 13M

Wasted a trip to Rush.
I had a couple rides,
but way to shallow.
First time at Lincoln Beach
Great new location.
Great wind day,
Great swell,
Great friends.
The swell adds just enough to a jump,
that it was easy to get the biggest air ever.
The flat water inside is nice.
This place has it all...

1--Sulphur 7.5,Techno

The lulls were to big to kite,
so I windsurfed.

59--Blackfoot Reservoir 13M

Irv had the day off
we had land lessons most of the day.
The wind picked up.
I rigged my kite for some offshore wind
in a spot we thought was very shallow.
I took off, got a few rides.
I thought I could jump off and stand,
after all, I was in the weeds kiting.
When the wind "lulled"
I got off my board to stand,
but I went over my head, in the weeds!
no life jacket, no board leash.
I thought it would be like Rush
and I'd just wait for the wind to pick back up.
First the board gotaway from me.
Then the wind came back up and started dragging me offshore.
I tried to swim to shore, no luck
pulled the depower all the way,
still no progress.
pulled the "oh shit" handles,
still not enough progeress,
swimming in the weeds, not touching the bottom.
Finally I let the kite go.
And finally made it through the weeds to my board,
then to shore.

We went back to the cabin,
couldn't get Irv's boat started (surprise)
We took the 4 wheelers as far as we could
to the other side of the reservoir,
and hiked mile or more to my kite.
No damage.
Lesson....don't assume it's shallow,
just cause there is grass in the water by shore...

58--Rush 9M, 7M

Mike and I had the early smoothies.
I was starting to have to depower some,
when I noticed Mikes 5th line broken.
He had no safety with it broke.
I "yard sale" my kite
and got him landed.
I took the oportunity to rig my 7M
good choice,
It started rippin.
The Instinct is soo smooth in this crap.
Not just survival kiting,
it was killer fun.
30mph pluss winds.

My 5th line came detatched.
On the other side.
Kinda scarey, not knowing what to expect.
but I went across the lake and safely landed.
Reattached the line,
then went back out till I left for work at 11:30.

57--Rush 13M

Rush is so low,
you could hardly see the wind on the water.
Doug on 17,
I followed him out on 13M

Stayed upwind,
got some jumps,
dropped the kite in the light wind.

Did all that, over and over, for about an hour.

56--Sulphur 13M

Sulphur is a kiting challenge.
I got some rides,
and it was good.
The wind was good NW direction.
It would blow kiter to the south side,
if drifting happened.
It's the lulls that are the down side.
If I could have got upwind more before the lulls,
It would have been better.
The fresh water and small swell, was a treat.

55--Rush 13M

Long day of kiting,
When I got there,
Kenny was launching his 20 Waroo.
I rigged my 13M.
Had 4 sessions, till 7:00.
Switching back and forth,
from the Glide to my 132.
I'm getting a better feel of the Instinct,
every time out.
Unbelievable power, and stability.
The timing for jumping is what I've been looking for.
Crashed the Instinct 5 times,
easy relaunch every time,
as long as I didn't stand,
just float with the wind, and it goes up every time.
Don't know why some people insist it won't water relaunch.
Maybe they should actually try it sometime.
Jon rode the 11M.

54--Rush 7M

The wind was 18-38mph
7M was the call, but
underpowered in all but the big gusts.
Jason and I took turns on it,
till the rain came.
We packed up and left.
I think if we had stayed
we could have got more.
As the squalls would come and go.
Kinda cold.

53--Rush 13M,11M,9M

Air Jibe, photo by Marc.
Rode em all today,
Starting to feel really confident
on these new kites.
Bigger jumps,
and first time going for board grab
while jumping...
easier to do air jibe than SSTD.
The 9M absorbed some major gusts,
and held it's own in 7m wind.
Jon's sold, I knew he would love them,
once he flew them with some wind.

52--Rush 11M

Another up & down, but great day.
11M instinct is my new favorite kite.
Two long windy days.
Everyone got thier fill.
Helped Jim on the 7M try to get some rides.
Instinct demoers
Doug, Ryan, Spencer, Mark J, Ralph, Jason, Arpi, Jim

51--Rush 13M, 11M

Instincts all over the place.
Great new kite.
Demo days for Instincts.
everyone loved them,
even Doug.
My favorite is the 11M

50--Rush 16.5,12M

Rush was PLUSH
True thermal directly from the north.
Not like the gusty NW we've had lately.
On the water by 1:30
plenty o wind, but not overpowered.
when I took a break,
I just rigged my 12M,
just to see if I could stay upwind as good as my big kite.
Amazing how the bow has as much get up and go,
as my 16.5M Contra.
I was alone all day.

49--Rush 11M Instinct

Quickie for lunch,
12-1:30
13mph avg. wind.
A little light for the 11m
but I didn't have to walk back.
16.5 would have been better,,
But I wanted to fly the Instinct,
13m should be the killer size for most days.
Still not enough wind for a review,
but,,,
It seems more a C kite feel,,
with the range of a bow/flat.

48--PV 12M

Our plans were to windsurf,
Doug went out and slogged, and got a few rides.
I hung around after he left.
Jim/Robin, stopped by in her boat, as the wind picked up (kinda)
I rigged my 12m Kite around 5,
and rode the puffs,
then floated in the lulls,
till it finally died.
Then Jim picked me up half way down the reservoir.
At Rush, I would have been walking back.

47--Rush 9M Instinct

I usually don't do storm chasing.
But with new Instinct kites to try,,,
Some one had to do it....
I rigged the 9M, just to check it out.
Light north winds allowed me to get the kite in the air,
just to check it out, for a little while,
but not enough to get on the water.
Then the storm wind from the south came in.
Lucky enough, there was enough for the 9M to get a few rides back & forth, and stay up wind.
Doug rigged his 17m, Kenny rigged his 16M, and Brian, 11M Instinct.
but by the time they got to the water,
it was pretty much,, done.

46--Rush 12M

Pretty up and down,
Only got about 45 min of rides,
12M and Glide
worked as well as a big kite would have

45--Rush 12M

North winds should be smoother,
than the gusty south winds.
not today,
till 6:00
when it finally wasn't devil wind.
The evening session was the best of the day.

44--Rush 12M

Great to have the Turbo back
Despite the issues it has.
First time w/Glide and Turbo
pretty good combo,
better than 16.5 and 133 board.
lota miles, lota smiles.
lota Fuels, lota Waroos.

43--Rush 9M

On the water before 9:00
Vern on 9M
Doug on 7M
Pretty smooth SE
Doug and I rode south as far as possible
flat, smooth high wind, rippn..
kinda like SPI
Great day.
With time left for Easter duties.

42--Rush 16.5M

Wanted to rig my Turbo,
but the bladder popped.
so did my attitude.

41--Rush 16.5M 13M

7 till 11 all alone.
The wind was west 5-9 when I arrived,
9:00 switched to south and picked up to 16m,
I was quickly overpowered and went to 13M.

40--Rush 11M,12M

Working down south,
but still got to kite.
Didn't even have to rig anything
thanks to Jon and Jake
I rode Jeffs 11 Fuel
Then Jakes 12 Waroo
Nice kite, almost to light bar pressure.
Killer jumper
I can't wait for the future generations of bows.

39--Rush 16.5M

After Jon and Doug went home,
the 4:00 south wind came up.
started on the 19.5M
but was overpowered quickly.
I went to the 16.5m
switching from big board to small board,
as the wind went up and down.
2.5 hrs 21mi.
with Jason and Marc

38--Rush 12M

The Pond served up another windy day.
One kite quiver, 12m Turbo Diesel,
But, dont't blow the BITCH past 9psi
Jon Rigged the 13 M Fuel, then the 11 M,
then put up the 13 as it was backing off,
Ryan got an earlier session on his 17,
lots of screaming, both on and off the water (inside joke).
Doug arrived later,
but made it look sort of good on the 17 M and Glide.

37--Rush 12M

Suprise...
Doug calls,, lets go..
cloudy, rainy everywhere else.
Suprise...
It's a great early session.
While Jon, Doug and I were riding
everyone else waited to long, missed it...
Then the storm moved in over Rush..

36--Rush 12M 16.5M

Great day at the pond.
Jon, Doug and I,
Rigged up and down as the wind dictated.
Did my first(on Water)powered downloop toeside turn.
and my highest water jumps.
Love the Turbow.
Left at about 4:00 as it got cold , rainy and really windy.
Gotta love RUSH, never a dull moment.
Very Happy

35--Strawberry 16.5M

Chicken Creek west
Almost no wind on the bottom,
Jon and I worked our way to the top of the hill.
The snow was OK, unless you broke through,
One jump, I came down on my butt,
broke through the top crust,
and it felt like someone had stuffed me in a garbage can.
Only my legs from the knees down,
and my arms and head, were above the snow.
I had to use the kite to get out of the hole.
I stayed on top so when it died,
I could just ride down the hill to the van.

34-Skyline 9M

I got there a little later,
forcast was for clearing as the day went on.
First session was a little cloudy,
harder to see.
I rested (napped) for a while
till the sun came out.
The wind was from a direction,and strong enough,
you could go anywhere you wanted.
Rode the powder on Bosco hill,
then worked my way to the ridge,
then 3 hills over to the large west facing hill
and rode freshies there
till I couldn't go anymore.
Most kiters went home,
or rode down by Electric Lake.
no heards to deal with today.
Excellent weekend of kiting.
36.7 mph top speed.

33- Skyline 12M Snowkitemasters

Winds started out light from the Southeast.
I almost hate rigging anything without onepump.
So I rigger the TD again, to light for the first session.
Then it just shut down for couple hours.
When it switched SW, it was light at first.
I had a hard time making it up the hill.
Bigger kites were flying past me.
Once on top, it was great for about an hour.
Then the storm winds came in.
Most big kites were blown off, quickly.
(Kenny on 26m, ripped off him, and blew away)
Then the bigger, gustier, winds came.
No need to have a shitty session,
after all the good riding I'd had.
I packed it up, and just watched
Chasta, Jake, and others for a while.

32 Skyline 12M Snowkitemasters

Click on pix to enlarge..
Lots of out of town riders.
Lighter winds all day,
most were on 16M (12m foils)
still at one point the 12M Turbos.
dominated the sky on top of the hill.
The sheep hearded together,
I spent most of the time south on the ridge
away from the heard.
Small party at he cabins,
Talking to Chasta and Rob, alot.
Shared a room w/Mark and Sal.

31 Strawberry 16.5M, 12M

We wanted to kite further east than S. River,
but there was no wind.
So we rigged in light wind at S River.
I didn't do the tour like Doug, Jon and Jeff.
I stayed on the lower ridge line
To work on gravity jumping and spins.
The snow got worse as the day went on.
Second session,,
Hooked up with the Best team (Jake)
at Chicken Creek hill
The snow was still good, even later.
I always thought the wind would suck there, in a shadow.
but it was good wind, all but the bottom.
It is a great hill to play on.
Excelent day...
Doug works harder when he's out, and is done before I am.
He probably won't ride with me again. bummer....

30 Strawberry 12M

Strawberry fields,,,
Forever......

PV 19.5M---PM 12M

Rode the easterlies
at Pine View
early,
but not early enough,
missed most of it.
but pretty nice snow.
Went to Powder Mountian
Gusty, Switchy, Underpowered.
Guess thats whats gonna happen,
with no wind in the forcast.

Strawberry East 9M, 12M Chasta

A day I will never forget.
Pulled into the parking lot behind Chasta.
He says "follow me"
yea right....
9M kept me going for a little while.
I had to go back to get my 12M.
Had fun on the hills by the parking lot for awhile.
Then the Ozoners came back.
I followed Chasta, Brian, Rob, and his Girlfriend (Elsa?)
I started following Chasta on the banks of the Lake.
Then I just went on the lake to watch,
Following along behind,
this guy goes beyond any words I can come up with.
We came to a large hillside,
he flies off the top, gliding smoothly to the lake,
We could feel that he had found a "perfect spot"
We all stopped and just watched this incredible show.
Rob videoed, it will probably be on next years Ozon promo DVD
They went further east(downwind)
I know my limitations,
and headed back upwind.
satiated.

Rush 12M

More of a test session,
than a real riding session.
The drysuit is excellent,
Wore the same layers I wore yesterday snowkiting.
Should have had one years ago..
Self launching the turbo,
took a couple of trys.
First try was like on snow,
but too hard on the kite.
Second did a drift launch.
carried it out into the water
and just set it in the water
it floated away and then did a rear line relunch.
Worked very good.
The kiting was gusty 15 to 35
I didn't last long, before it started raining.
Self landing I just stood it on its tip,
anchored the bar, pushed the bar to total depower,
and walked to the kite.
Easy as long as there is an anchor.
Maybe I'll bury a bag of rocks with a rope attached.

Powder Mountian 9M

Very good 9m conditions.
Snow started out windblown softies,
on top of hardpack.
It got softer as the day went on.
5 kiters out today.
Nailed quite a few fast, downloop, toeside, turns.

25 Skyline 12M

Only 3 kiters today,
all on Turbo's.
2 guys from Durango.
SE winds opened up the East facing slopes,
on the west ridge,
my favorite wind at Skyline.
2" new on top of hard crust.
Sunset session was awsome...

Powder Mountian 12M w/Chasta

I forgot my board, dumbass.
Had to go home to get it. Shit
When I got back to PM
Sal was stuck,
I took him back to his truck for his kites,
then he forgets his boots. Back to his truck, again.
Finally got to kite.
strong and gusty.
The Ozone crew was there.
Never thought I'd be kiting w/ Chasta.
He's so good/smooth.
Inspired me,
I got the biggest/smoothest jump ever.
I also had some sloppy crashes.

Powder Mountian 12M

Another great day.
More southerly wind,
opened up more uncut areas.
I found an area on the backside,
cut it up some,
then went back to get Doug.
He had left. I stopped Chris,
he followed me over, then,
he kept going, through the trees,
to the ridgeline and valley to the south.
I didn't dare go through the trees, with Jon's kite.
The walk back from the radar towers, wasn't as hard today.
Corky is bringing his snowmobile tomorrow (Sun)
to take us to more untracked areas.

Powder Mountian 12M

Rode/walked to the radar towers,
to much west to "shoot the gap".
Expecially with Jon's demo Turbo.
Rode plenty powered, till I couldn't ride anymore.
Took a long rest at the Igloo Augie/others, made.
Doug tried to shoot the gap,
but fell on a jump and hurt his shoulder,
and cut a line with his board.
I didn't know what had happened,
I was ready to head back to the Van,
Chris arrived and said Doug was laying in the back of my van.
I thought he was sick (he had stomach flu last night)
Thinking he would come over when he felt better.
He never came over, I thought he had called for a ride home.
After 3 hours of killer kiting, plus my down time,
I headed back, walking from the radar towers.
When I finally got to my van, Doug had been wating 5 hours for me.
Bummer........
Augie, Mark, Nate, Chris and a few others and myself, left no freshies behind.

Strawberry River 12M

Fun day at Sberry River.
Some 'biller tracks to bump over,
some freshies to be found.
Jumping with the Turbo is for me..
Almost 3 hours of riding with Jon.
We found Chasta and Rob at the gravel pit,
looked like a terrian park,
then he ground his board across the road,
jumped 2 fences and tried to get to the hill,
under power lines.
the wind died and he was walking, uphill when we left.

20 Pine View 13M

The East wind was to gusty
and switchy by the dam.
I went to Cemetary Point
and rode a south for a while.
The snow was so cold,
that the wax I had on my board,
felt like glue.

Pine View 16.5M

I was headed to PM
Kiter (can't remember name) was at PV.
So I rigged there.
I thought I was rigging my 13m,
it was my 11M
I was concerned it would be to light for the 13,
and the 11 was definatly not enough.
So. bitching all the way back to the van,,
I rigged my 16.5,
only in time to get a few rides.
Augie tried a 18 Perer Lynn (no Luck)
tomorrow will be better...

Skyline 11M

20 to 40 mph
Mostly hard pack snow.
The hill was crappy snow, and wind.
The best was in the gully
just off the flats.

Pine View 13M

Light East Winds at sunrise.
Hard pack surface.
Temp was 0'

Powder Mountian 13M

North 25 in the parking lot.
Spencer gave rides to the Radar Tower
Small area to ride on a north
4 kiters chewed up the area fast.

Park City Fields 16.5M

Jake went with,
we went to Strawberry,
it was to light.
We stopped at Kamas exit.
I tried the Waroo 12 & 16m
Not as good of kite as TD.
My 16.5 had more power.

Powder Mountian 11M

The winds looked strong
when we got there.
not sunny,,not cloudy.
Doug rigged 9m
My 11m was just right.
we shot the gap,
and kited by the radar tower.
soft, but not powdery snow.
Very good day....

Lower Skyline 16.5M

It was a whiteout at the top.
Jake. Ozoners and WOW from CA
all headed down by Electric Lake
We kited the hill
It was downhill jumping on my bad side.
But I just kept working on it till the wind died.
It would have been better if we were on top...

Strawberry River 12M

The winds were light and very gusty.
Lots of new snow, almost to much.
We stayed close to the parking lot
and played on the little hills.
When a gust would come,
we would rip down the hill for speed.
With the Turbo, I could pull the trigger,
and float down the hill,
longest jumps ever.
I love the bow.....
But I want to try a 14 before I buy.
Jake arrived and headed up the mountian.
He was on a 16 Waroo.
Like a dumb ass,
we followed him over to the steep hill
to the west, by the road.
Played there for a while.
Doug headed back, and had a hard time
in the lower elevation, not much wind.
He was on his 17m
I knew I would have a hard time getting back.
I went south, down the hill to the road,
and walked back.....

Sulphur 12M

The wind picked up through the day,
2-3 inches of snow on the ice.
the TD isn't as fast when depower was pulled.
I could have been on my 9M by the end.
But the TD rode well overpowered.

Park City Fields 19.5M

Very Light
barely a counter.
I went 2 miles,
so I guess I'll counter.

Skyline 13M,9M

With high pressure centered north of us
and a low coming up from the south
the circulation was perfect for SE winds
I worked down south,
when I got to Mt Pleasant
I could see the snow blowing off the top of the ridges.
I don't know why I rigged my 13m
it was OK in the flats
but if I went towards the ridge
I knew it was to much.
I rode some pow in the flats
then rigged my 9M
and headed to the ridge
It was almost to strong on top
and in the saddles
As the day went on,
the nice powder got more wind blown.
alone, but still loving it.

Skyline 19.5M

 

Virgin run for the 19.5 Contra.
faster than 16.5, slower than 23.5 doh'
Super light on bottom.
When it cleared a little,
we "ran" for the hill,
the wind was only blowing on the hill, and good wind.
6" new, made it like water,
needing a bigger kite to get around. Hard to get back off the hill, lack of wind....great day..... 

Powder Mountian 12M

Good wind, great snow,
bad visibility
rode the Tutbo Diesel for about 45 min
then traded it to Doug,
he did about the same.
It never cleared up enough
to "shoot the gap"

Skyline 13M

A little anticlimatic after yesterday,
Jon and I thought for sure it would get stronger
should have rigged bigger
the snow was good
the wind was from the SE
but not quite strong enough to get the
leaward side freshies.

Powder Mountian 13M

Rigged at 11:00, talked to the helicopter crew,
made sure they knew I was around.
Kinda light, tore up all the powder below the parking lot.
I wanted to get to the other side,
got stuck in trees down in the hole
bitch to getr back.
Lunch,
talked to Augie, he skiied to the towers.
I finally had enough power, guts,
to try to fly through the gap.
Made it, barely enough wind.
It was heaven on the other side,
fresh powder, great hillside,
longest, floatist, jumps ever.
Best day ever.........
Lots of wind to get back through the gap.
wowwowowowowowowowow....

Skyline 12 M Turbow Diesel

The kite looks like is is usual Slingshot "tough" The onepump is great. I connected the lines at home, then rolled up the kite, with the bar connected. On the snow, I just connected the chicken loop, with the kite totally depowered (stopper ball closest to kite) to my burried snowboard. Then pumped the kite.


With it depowered, it just comfortably sat there as I walked back to my kite, not feeling like I had to hurry. I hooked into the chicken loop, put my board on, then just pulled on one rear line and it rolled up and launched, softly because of the depower range, no jerk on the launch, unless you want it by just pulling in on the bar. The first thing I want to know on a new kite is how the safety works. With the stopper ball in the full depower position, I just let the bar go, the kite softly dropped to the ground with absolutly no pull. Then I just reached out for the bar, pulled in on a rear line, and off I went. Super safe, super easy. Would Mitch still be with us if he had this kite? probably.
The wind was very light, I was working it a lot, it would fall out of the sky, not bad kite, just bad wind. I would have normally rigged bigger kite. Just wanted to Demo this kite. But very easy to relaunch. In bad winds, when the kite would stall and fall from the sky is when I experienced the inverted kite syndrome. (wouldn't just one more bridle fix this problem?)
I like the way the kite flys, more like a wing, less like a bucket. Its very fast, it turns on its axis, not from the tips. Super fast loops. I like the power/speed in the turns, I like the longer and softer jumps. I think my favorite is the stopper. Simple is always best, and this is simple. Very easy to adjust on the fly. I like the Cabrinha Powerlock, and North Microhook. This is the best of all worlds, adjustable lock in. Killer for toe side.
The kite bag is million times better than last years garbage bag.
Why the hell doesn't slingshot have colored lines, what a pain in the butt to not see any lines laying on the snow, stupid.
I didn't get to test the range, the wind were to light.
Thanks to Jon from Mountian Top kites for the Demo.

Powder Mountian 13M

On the hill by 10:00
little strong at first
The snow was great off the ridge.
As the storm moved in
it just got lighter.
We were off the hill by 1:00
very satisfied.

Skyline 11M

Socked in longer than we had hoped
cut a front line on an edge
It cleared a little around 2
but got gustier than I can ever remember
snow was OK

Powder Mountian 13M

 


We've been waiting for this day.
Finally clear enough, and windy enough,
and good snow conditions,
to try Powder Mountian.
We launched at the upper parking lot
great little hill to jump off.
Best hill jumping I've ever had.
Get ripping down the hill,
then float 2-3 feet off the ground
but for a long way,
or go down steeper parts
and go way up in the air
as the hill dropped away.
And all only 40 Min. away from home.