07 Wrap Up

13M -81 (SOME EDGE)
12M - 3
11M -28
10M -3
9M -11
5M -1

34 -Snow
74 -Water

Utah-76
Utah NOT -32

Rush -22
Rufus -13
Skyline -13
Pineview -11
ULSSB -8
Willard -7
Sandbar/Secret -6
SPI -5
Sherman -5
Strawbs -4
Island Park -3
Monte Cristo -2
Deer Creek -2
Powder Mtn -2
Bay-1
Oregon Coast -1
Sulphur -1
Dike-1

108--Sulphur 5M

Started by getting out the 5M for new kiter, Chance.
Took some rides on it and told him to stay with the 2.5m.
Doug was op'ed on his 9m, then his 7m
We took turns on the 5m on the bumpy lake surface.
Powder stashes to be found, they just moved around all day.
Chance finally got on the 5M when the wind settled down a little.

107--Strawbs 10M

I joined Billy and Jake on a sled ride
to the top of Strawberry River.
It was just as much fun as I remember
growing up on Snowmobiles in Idaho.
There was no wind any where, until we reached the top.
It was to strong for the kites they brought.
We checked out a bunch of open areas.
I'm excited for the potential the sled brings.
I need to get my board rack mounted on the Skidoo next week.

When we got back to the parking lot,
there was enough wind that I rode my 10m Manta
The snow was still hard to ride in for a long time,
with the air pockets where the sagebrush is.
I got a nose full of sage a few times.

106--Strawbs 11M

It was gusty when Augie and I arrived.
I trust the depower of the Instinct
so I rode my 11m instead of the Manta 10.
The kite was right, but I needed a bigger board
to stay on top of the fluff stuff.
Sank, or face planted,
every time I rode over a sagebrush air pocket.
What a workout....

105--Island Park 13M

No wind in the morning.
Some kiters started for home to hit spots on the way home.
Not as crowded when the wind came up.
Rode lightly powered in very fine, fresh snow.
Some just went up the road to gravel pits,
some went to the sagebrush covered wave area.
some went to no wind at Reynolds pass.
After the news crew left,
http://www.kidk.com/home/video/12550576.html
We packed up and headed home.
Great weekend.
Thanks to Windzup for the ride and sharing the room.

104--Island Park 13M

After a mellow bar night,
The kiter"s all hit the spot around the Hungry Bear market.
Pretty cool to have indoor plumbing,
and a warm place to sit and eat lunch.
25-35 kites in the air at a time.
Wind was OK but not powered, snow was great.
Skiers way out numbered boarders.
The dinner, party, raffle and band was fun.
With rooms close by, the heavy drinkers didn't have to drive.
I want to hit some of the back country spots in Montana,
Noah has talked about, Cool guy....

103--Island Park 10M 13M,

The wind was light, but I wanted to fly my new Manta II 10M.
I think I'll grow into this foil. more so than any I've flown in the past.
My 13M was the call in the afternoon.
Cold.
We were upgraded from a shack to a mansion because the shack was frozen up.
Met the guys from Montana, Idaho and Jackson.

102--Skyline 13M

The first stop on the snowkite basecamp tour.
We stayed at Wind Walker guest ranch.
Great seminars, and lots of new friends.
Kited Saturday on new snow and east winds.
I felt very rusty. But stoked for the coming season.

101--Rush 13M, 10M

Not much snow, but flat lake bed.
Hard to get good edge.
Rode 10M Manta, if I sell my Frenzy, I'll buy one.
It'll take some getting use to,
I like the way it fly's, better than my Frenzy.
Virgin ride on My Skidoo, it's a rocket.

100--DC 13M

It was fun,
to gusty for how cold it was,
to do more than, B 'n F 'n.

99--SPI 13M

I'm only counting it because I traveled so far.
I rigged and rode, just barely.
Forecast looks weak, guess we"ll head home early.
Thanks Jon, Jason, Mo, for the good times.
Thanks Jim for the use of the condo.

98--SPI 11M 13M

The early session was great powered 11M.
Landing some forwards with speed.
Kiteloop transitions coming along.
We had great time taking turns in Butter Cove.
Jon bought celebratory Jose Cuervo Reserva De La Familia.
We had shots and dinner with Jim and Tracy.

97--SPI 11M

Nice powered day to practice new moves. We found the butter cove again also. L&P.....Best forward to date.

96--SPI 11M

What a day. Took a Doyle clinic.
Worked on lots of things today.
Forward Rolls, Air transitions, backroll transitions w/loop.
I'm stoked..Can't wait to get back on the water.

95--SPI 13M

Got the late afternoon north wind session after flights in.
Jason, Jon and myself were the only kiters out.
The locals have a week of good wind.
Now tequila and dinner.

94--Willard 9M

Early morning treat.
Started half depowered, it was so strong.
It's so shallow that it never built much swell.
No more than if it was light wind.
Not very cold, but wore full battle gear, and was toasty.
85 degrees in SPI next week sounds pretty nice
Still a fun but kinda short day.
Got to work by 1:00

93--Pineview 13M

Classic Pineview fall blow.
Been waiting long for this wind.
Rode from Stringtown up to Windsurf beach.
Talked Bob into downwinder back to Stringtown.
Les followed.
Best wind was off cemetery point.
Was wishing I was on my 11M.
Great day, just wish it was more predictable,
and would blow this strong more often.
Graig calls it the Lowe effect, classic.

92--Willard 11M,13M 9M

On the water at 12:00, left at 6:30. still blowing.
3 good sessions, different size every time.
Most of the kiter's there I didn't even know.
Only Doug and Jeff

91--Willard 13M

Light wind, then overpowering wind, then rain.
Done by 10:30am

90--Willard 11M,13M

Started at 11:30
Every person that stepped into the water to kite,
Took off another MPH. Started at 20mph.
Then as the 20th person. (Augie) arrived, it finally went to 2mph.
A lot of people paying dues at Willard. may pay off for them next time.

I had a good first 2hr, 11M session. The later 13M session was pretty light.

89--Willard 11M,13M

Lucky day at Willard. Didn't see it in the forecast. Doug called and he was on his 9M. I left work, got there around 1:30. Rigged 11M and had plenty. Lots of fun, but lost air in my kite. Rigged the 13M and was lit, for long time, until it lightened up some and was perfect. Played in the cove in the flat water, then went outside for the small swell. Great time.

88--ULSSB 11M

My meter avereged 20mph right from the start.
3:00 till sunset.
The angle wasn't the best for the swell,
but still great day.
11 kites was the most I counted on the water.



Mark was taking photos out in the water,
I almost landed on top of him...




Hope this is the start of a great fall season at ULSSB.

87--Pineview 13M

Willard had wind at 9:00AM, but it was to light when we got there.
We were going to Sulphur, but the wind up the canyon,
tempted us to go to Pineview (a good decision after talking to Bob)
New launch at the end of Stringtown Rd. What a name for a kite launch.
Only got on and off rides, but better than Les's torn kite session, bummer.
This should be our fall kite spot. hope for more this month.

86--Willard 13M

Well the day after 10 days in a row in the gorge, I'm home alone and the wind was blowing at Willard. Met Jason there and we had hours of good steady wind. Bump and jump on the outside, flat water in the cove. Great day. 16.5 mph average wind speed.

85--Rufus 11m

We were hoping for better early wind, so we rigged 11M. To small, but OK for the last session befoe the trip home. 10 for 10 days, but no Coast wind. Fun trip with Jon and Jeff.

84--Rufus 11m

Good day but I'm ready to be done. 2 nice sessions, 1 to the Wall. Both ended with wind getting light.

83--Rufus 9m

Very strong, but gusty from the north. Not good. We watched a fire burn up the Wall. It was like fireworks show.

82--Sandbar 9m

12to34 mph, not to exciting. found seam separation in 9M while inflating. Took it in for repair. Used Jon's for a short, very gusty evening session. Backspin to toeside, landing on the face of a big swell, and rode it a long way.

81--Sandbar 13m

Same as yesterday, late afternoon thermal. Lots of lift by the bridge.

80--Sandbar 13m

Late afteernoon thermal was good. Working hard on rotations, both directions, some with some height. Also working on getting Jon to ditch his binky (board leash). So many days in a row this summer is great for confidence.

79--Wall11m

A little under powered, but good to practice spins. spin to toeside,spin transition, spins on jumps, spins both directions. Jumping big inflateable octupuss. Long session, then wind got bad when we got off water. didn't do 2nd session. Steak dinner at Paul's, then movie.

78--Swell 13m

Sandbar to Swell. Light enough no windsurfers out. Swell was great to kite. Zoomed back before blowout racers came through.

77--Rufus 11m 13m

Such a great day, it should count for 2 days. Tried front rolls, no sucess, but did backrolls to toeside. and 360's when jumping. thungs really coming together.

76--Rufus 9m

back in the gorge already. Jon, Jeff joined in the van. camping at Peach Beach. Afternoon starter session was gusty. still had some of my biggest airs. and spins. New Recoil didn't surf very good. Wider stance should help.

75--Rufus 9m

Last day, so a quick smooth session on Doug's birthday, before heading home. Rode Todds Recoil, makes chop smooth. soft landings. Great trip, 9 days in row, no energy left. Great friends, Great wind. Looking forward to going back in a few weeks.

74--Rufus 11m 9m

wind blew all day long. Great swell at the wall with Jon and Jason. late evening quick trip to wall with Doug and Jake. Days like this are why we come to Rufus....

73--Rufus 11m 13 m

No wind at coast so we came back to the Gorge. Wanted to kite at Stevenson with Jake & others, but way to gusty everywhere except Rufus. Best gorge wind yet. Rufus was back to normal smooth,with nice swell. Everyone had great rides. First good switch toeside rides, and some switch jumps.

72--sunset beach 11m

downwinder with great friends, Utah and Lee and crew, in the waves. Then birthday dinner at bouy 9.

71--spit/secret 9m

Rufus has been a little fickle, so we headed to the Spit. Gusty and no fun. It was getting better, but Lee called, swore us to secrecy, and said secret smooth spot would be good. It was. Current, yet smooth. very unique place to kite. Like kiting in rapids in some sections. Bigger kite would have been great. Nate broke his leg in the water. Billy,Lee and Sarah. got him back safe.

70--Rufus 11M 9m

11m edge is a jumpin machine. Biggest, floatiest, I've ever had. sweet early session, jumping and riding the swell from Wall to grainery. then 9m devil wind afternoon.

69--Rufus 13M

Light, but smooth early session, then a little stronger for the later rides. Most of the utah kiters were there. Better winds coming

68--Spit 13M

We parked at event site, nice, grassy area. Wade to the huge sandbar. rigged in light wind, took big board, then quickly wished I had my smaller board. We headed west to the Hatch. I slowly lost everyone (not intentionly) but made it to Hatch an rode with Stu, Linda, Jim and Craig. Made a kite friend on the water, Brian, and we rode the swell all the way back.

67--Rufus 13m 11m

The rest of Utah crew arrived. Jon, Jeff, Jake, Spencer, Billy, Cody, Mark, Les, Mike, Sal. It looked like all Utah for the Devil wind day, except new friends from Portland, Lee (bandito) Sarah, and Kurt? Rode the 11M edge. double elevator rides, I need to ride it back to back with sport. fun day, considering how bad the wind was.

66--Rufus 13M

Left at 4am, got to Peach Beach at 1:00. set up camp and then kited gusty winds at Rufus till 5:00. Gorge crew, Ray,Sophie, Paul, Pat were there. good to see them. Full sail with Bob, Melinda,Darin and others.

65--ULSSB 13M

South Sandy for the first time this year.
Nice to be back, soft sand, better water conditions (swell).
All Instincts, except Christien's Contra.
The Blue Instincts must be heavier,
they couldn't relaunch.......
or maybe it was lack of wind further east.
Wind was stronger further west,
but reports of no wind at ULLB.
Landed my first light wind rotations,
I've always done them powered.
Can't believe I flew 23.5 kite in those winds,
now a 13M and bigger board, works just as good,
quicker makes for more fun.

64--SI 13M

We had the area to ourselves for one last session on the way home. What a great kite trip we had. Great wind, and met lots of good people. Probably do it every June.

http://www.flyozone.com/kitesurf/en/news/headlines/4575

63--Alameda 13M

After a sick day off, and missing a tour around the Golden Gate bridge with Chip. (Brian got the tour) We had dinner at Cimeron and Jon Morressy house. She told us about her latest mag articles. And trip to Viet Nam, Ozone factory. They gave up thier full ride Cabrinha sponser, to buy and fly Instinct's.
We rode Alameda, then did the shop thing with Ozone. 3rd ave was dying when we arrived, could have rode big for short time, but didn't. Stayed at Chips house the last night in bay area.

62--SI 13M

early session kinda rough after tequila, but second session was great. Heading for the bay.

61--SI 11M 13M

Groundhog day, backwards. Worked on everything on my bad side, all day. Then tequilla.....

60--SI 13M, 11M.

On the water at 9am. till lunch. Then second session till dinner time. Windy all day. Water conditions always changing with the tide. Lot like ULLB water conditions.

59--Sherman Island 13M

Drove to Califonia in Windzup van with Brian. Kited 6 to 8. Smooth wind, small chop. great warmup. Added more pop to rotations per discussion with Steve B. Helped a lot.

58--ULLB 11M

What a great day..
Mostly folowing Steve around.
43 miles of sweet swell,
followed with restful, butter smooth, weed patches.
2nd session was the best.
Dave B. took a bad roll in the rocks,
Glad he didn't get really hurt.
Helmet may have saved him.
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3051457

57--DC 13M

Racing-Fun
Sailboat beach-not fun.
Kids rampant in the launch area.
Got lofted on the beach,
Tangled with Steve on the super tight, start.
Then had to leave early for Dennis's Party.
Not a good day,
It could have been, and almost was, much worse.

56--ULLB 13M

Bonus day...
Could have been a little more powered to have more lift.
Went north of the marina and found some good swell to play in.
It seemed really light in the bay.
The 146 Misfit can easily replace the Glide.
Started with the Glide and immediatly went to the Misfit.
No real drop in light wind ability, and tons more fun to ride.
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3010034

55--Rush 11M

Started on 13M, but quickly down rigged to 11M.
The warter is so shallow,
I found myself afraid to really jump,
and didn't want to do anything that would put
the kite in the water, cause of the weeds.
Fun day, just very conservatave, then boring.
Steve B. was in town, fun to kite together again.

54--Willard 11M

"Semi blown over on I80..."
Perfect wind weather for Willard.
We got there at noon and kited till 6:00
What fun to have clean deep water with sweet swell,
and places to explore, not just back and forth.
The water is way down, the launch is much better than I would have thought.
With a big sandy beach to spread out.
Switched back and forth between small board and Jimmy Lewis.
I really felt some of the Jimmy magic. He is the "master"
I stayed out so long, my fingers were tingeling when I came in.
Not cold, just from hanging on for so long.
Sure wish it would blow more than a couple times a year, there.
I keep bumping the start button on the GPS, I missed half the day.
What a super fun day, and only half hour drive home.....
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2938818

53--ULLB 9M, 13M

Post frontal north, and looking strong.
When we arrived it was 9M and more for an hour.
Then powered 13M the remainder of the day.
With the wind holding strong, unlike gusty Rush,
I felt the biggest air's in a long time.
Powered spins and swell.
EXtra fun day.
The crouds were at the Crossing,
We almost had the place to ourself.
I keep forgetting to turn on my GPS, and only get half the sessions.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2869609

52--Rush 13M

Even the early morning east wasn't very smooth,
but better than later in the day's gust & glass.
3 half hour sessions.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2852437

51--Rush 13M

Like yesterday, only worse.
Few rides, then no wind, then dust blowing.

50--Rush 13M

Gust and Glass
Nice rides for half hour at a time,
with glass in between.
146 Misfit is gonna replace the Glide,
in all but the lightest of wind.

49--Rush 13M

Was nasty gusty early,
but just kept getting steadier
as the day went on.
good day.
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2734540

48--Rush 11M,13 Edge

Nicely powered on the 11M and small board,
For a while,
Then it lightened up,
I went out on the Edge, Fast kite.
kept getting lighter.
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2722198

47--Rush 11M,9M

Started off powered on 11M and small board.
Killer, smoother, first session.
Jeff launching huge on the 13M Edge.
Then it started getting stronger and gustier.
9M for the rest of the day.
One "twister" wind took me off my edge.
and I butt/nut checked 50 yards downwind.
afraid to grab edge for fear of getting lofted.
"I got spanked'''''"

Went to the butter for some speed runs with Jason, Jake.
couldn't get real good board control at speed.
Only managed 36.8 mph
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2712297

46--Rush 13M

Pretty up and down.
Not the best day at Rush.
Rode my new Jimmy Lewis.
On the toeside turns, I felt some of the Jimmy magic I've heard about.
Amazingly smooth carving, and control.

45--ULLB 11M

We went to Rush early,
Devil wind west right off South Mountain.
We looked at the satalite on my Treo,
it looked to be clearing enough,
so we headed to Linciln beach.
nuking when we got there,
then backed off enough that I rigged 11M
as soon as I went out, it picked back up to close to 30.
wish I had rigged my 9M.
I just stayed in the flat water.
Jon was our kite bitch...
thanks Jon.
He also took photos...
thanks Jon.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2651372

44--Rush 13M,11M,9M 5/2

One of those days,
when there's not enough words to describe the fun.
I love high winds. 9M rules....
I'm exhausted. 11am to 8pm.

43--Pineview 4/28

Jim picked us up and took us across from WS point
to the sandy launch.
Me, Vern, Doug downwinder to Middle Inlet.
Good wind in the middle for about an hour.
Not as good as yesterday, but fun.
2 other kiters tried WS point with not much luck.

42--Pineview 4/27

Best day kiting at Pineview I've ever had,,,
remindes me of the ripping windsurf days at WS point.
To bad they only come a few times a year.
We didn't even know if we were going to be able to kite,
It was so light when we started.
Then it filled in, and was soo good.
The fullness of the wind, and the conditions on the water
make for such fun riding.
The launch at WS point looked horrible,
with holey wind and long cold drift in the lulls.
so we hiked into Middle Inlet. Not much better launch,,
but much smoother wind.
It's a kite eater with the trees and no beach.
No safety net to get out, if you can't stay upwind, in light wind.

41--Rush 13M

Another Gusty north day.
I remember the north being smoother, in past years.
Stronger, more consistent earlier, (just a little)
The strong gusts were really the most fun.
The only time to do anything except cruise.
Lots of kiters comming and going through the day.

40--ULLB 13M

Basically went Gliding.
Seemed like I was the only one that could
consistantly stay up wind.
Fun in the smoothies by the jetty.
Carving through the reeds.
Brian rode down with me for his first water day of the year.
Delivered Dean's new kites to him.

39--Rush 13M,11M

CLASH-Should I Stay Or Should I Go.....
Bout sums up the day.
Couldn't decide if we should go.
But it was great 13M when we got there.
Got light and we de rigged and almost left.
Then it picked up stronger,
and we had a killer 11M session.
46 degrees, love the dry suit..
Just put on an extra layer under it and was very comfy.

38--Rush 13M

Started as north Devil wind,
Thought "here we go again"
but it just got better, and better, On the outside.
It never was good close to shore.
As the wind changed, I changed boards.
Rode all three sizes. Love to be on the small board.
So much more control, when there is enough wind.
While Jon and Jason went exploring with big boards,
I stayed close so I could ride my small board.
We rode till a storm cloud shut it down around 4:00.
3 good days in a row.

37--Rush 13M

It came late, but was worth the wait.
Best day at Rush this year.
Started off with the Glide,
it was quickly to much board,
so I headed to the butta flat water to keep an edge.
It was fun riding through the glass in the weeds.
Then came in and switched to the Misfit for some excelent rides.
A couple of "elevator ride" jumps..so much fun.
found the "zone" for a while. felt really good.
It's like good sex...
I WANT MORE....

36--Rush 11m,13M

Devil Wind....
So west that it really sucked.
Major gusts came ripping through,
enough to let me rig down to my 11M
So much fun for about 45 min in the gusts.
Just pull the trigger, and up I went.
If the direction would have been straight north,
it would have been one of those magic Rush days.
Then the sessions got really fluky,
with "drop your kite" lulls.
Vern kinda,,tried his new 9M Instinct???

35--Rush 13M

Easter Sunday, Only Me and Mark.
The wind was good when the sun was out,
and not so good when it was cloudy.
Used Jon's Misfit 146, a great step down from the Glide.
Almost as much light wind ability,
but way more fun when powered.
I want one...

34--Pineview 13M

Lucky to get it today.
Nice to be on the water at PV again.
It's a fun place to kite.
Middle inlet beach won't be around much longer, this spring.

33--Powder Mountain 13M

I'm only counting this because of the few rides I did get.
And the walk out and back.
My board was so sticky, It felt like it had glue on it.
I could hardly move, absolutly NO glide.
I tried to kite back to get some wax.
And couldn't even get drug to the Radar towers.
Plenty of wind.
I've never had it be so hard to just keep moving.
I gave up...

32--Pineview 13

As soon as the Weber Canyon Power Plant meter changed from east to west,
We headed to Pineview.
"The first clear day after stormyness",
is a pretty good bet for wind.
The only problem was, it wasn't completly clear.
We went to Middle Inlet and rigged on the sandy beach.
It probably won't be there long, as PV fills.
The wind was good, till a cloud came through.
We would rip upwind when it was blowing,
then slog downwind in the cloud induced lulls.
Doug, Vern and I had hours of fun.
The wind was full when blowing, so big airs were the call.
The little swell is like kickers for bigger jumps.
Air jibes are getting bigger and funner,
so are the spins.
When Pineview is on, it's so good.

31--Rush 13M

SE winds today. My favorite.
Gustier than usual for SE.
Riding to the pig farms and back,
finding the butta at the south side.
Then going back to the deeper water for Jumping.
Did my first in air kiteloop (in water) with added smooth landing.
Got really high once, scared myself.
All Instincts, except for Thomas and Vern.
Won't be long, Vern will have Instinct larger than his 9M.
3 day in a row.

30--Rush 13M

Got there at noon to fairly good wind.
Had to use bigger Caution board to stay upwind cause of the gustyness.
But it didn't last more than a couple of hours
before it was westerly, fluky.
Good riding, but to short of a day.

29--Rush 13M

Doug and I got there for the noon smooth session.
very powered at times. great time.
When everyone else got there,
It started to cant to the west,
and got gusty and holey.

28--Rush 13M

Fair wind, but got bored quickly.
Kiting alone just isn't fun anymore.
At least Jake showed up, but without his gear.
He was just passing by from friends house,to check water level.

27--Powder Mountain 13M

Doug and I were the only kiters out.
We kited from the parking lot to the ridge.
But could not get back because the wind lightened up.
We just played on the ridge top for hours.
The snow was hard when we arrived then got really good for about 2 hours. Then turned to mush.
Doug didn't take his new kite, so we took turns on my Sport.

(click on photos to enlarge)