Beginner Kitesurf Holiday – Kitesurfkings Ras Sudr, Egypt

Remember the first day you got up and riding? You will!

Blogging from a very warm and windy Egypt, currently having some down time (kite time) in between the Kitesurfkings Beginner Trip and the Kitesurfkings Kite Clinic with Lewis Crathern.

I am sat at our hotel looking towards the beach with swaying flowers, palms and wind swept water fountains in the foreground, lush lawns, a stream and turquoise swimming pool, lots more palms, and through the gaps the glistening blue sea with a few kites out on the water. In the distance are the mountains of Zaafarana as a backdrop; it’s a nice scene.

We arrived in Egypt on Thursday the 6^th as a group of 10, 2 Kitesurfkings instructors (Luke Denny and John Aldcroft) and 8 students with varying abilities from never having flown to already up on the board. After a few days we were already becoming a close net team and the life and soul of Paradise, Ras Sudr. In the group we had ages varying from 24 to 45, one couple, one guy working in Cairo and a couple of Swiss dude’s; we all met up at Cairo Airport and transferred together in a rather smart coach large enough to easily fit all of our kitesurfing gear inside and sit in comfort.

The transfer from Cairo to Ras Sudr only took three hours, which included a break at a really friendly kofta place where we chilled and took in some Egyptian life; kids helping their parents at work because they were on holiday from school and teens enjoying the freedom of driving dad’s car around the car park, squeezing in a hand break turn to the amusement of all but the kid who’d just washed our coach’s windscreen. Their traditional Egyptian dress was didn’t fulfill my stereotyped image for badly behaving teens but came as a refreshing reminder we’d left the UK.

We rocked up at the Paradise, Ras Sudr at 21.00 and were greeted with a glass of juice at reception and an impressive outdoor buffet in the hotel’s courtyard. We dropped bags off at our rooms, all pleasantly surprised by their size and range of facilities. Food is served from 8.00 to 10.30 morning and evening and so we had plenty of time to enjoy a great meal together whilst continuing to get to know one another. The evening was really nice but not as exciting as the 20+ knots we woke to in the morning!

We met for breakfast in the courtyard at 08.30, enjoyed homemade breads and pastries, cereals, yogurts, freshly prepared omelets, sausages other fuel we anticipated needing to take us through to the afternoon and we were at the kite center with kites set up on the beach by 09.30.

I first came to this spot six years ago, spent many years arranging trips here for other kiters as a result, then popped back myself in November 2010 to make sure everything would still be perfect for both Kitesurfkings beginner kitesurf holidays and kitesurf clinics. It takes s’thing extra to get the KSK seal of approval and as we stood on the beach having a pre session briefing it was clear this would be the perfect playground for our week ahead.

The week flew by and we all had a fantastic time on and off the water. The plan had been for morning and afternoon coaching sessions but it became apparent that the full week would be one long coaching session with the odd interlude.

Everyone worked hard and fed back that they got everything and more they’d hoped.  The goal for most of the guys was to get up on the boards, which anyone can do, achieving solid skills to keep the safe and equipped for all that their kitesurfing lives will throw at them was more of what Kitesurfkings aim to share… but here are the guys up on the boards anyway:

Gotta say constant effort from James B… paid off though, one arm stylin’.

Kurt here, complete newbie, had never been in the water before coming out on our beginner holiday and fully embraced everything we threw at him… apart from smoking the shesha??

Danny having a break through day two… constantly smiling days two to seven 😉

James M proved he could kite upwind even if there wasn’t a sand bar to aim for!

Matt cruising along; on the last day Matt was getting up and riding on every attempt, loving it and happy to take the return transfer in his wet boardies!

Rosa and James B out at dark and both hammering around upwind without a rescue boat… but a full safety team looking out for one another.

James B with his best friend, the 14m Switchblade.

Danny focused on the task at hand.

John carving around, heal to toe, heal to toe.

Whenever we could fly kites we did, even a couple of evenings when we shouldn’t have we did! The light wind came just at the right time as enforced a rest day that ended up being used for kite theory, pack downs, pool polo, SUP wars and fitness training before going into the local town for a great evening that included a traditional meal, freshly pressed sugar cane drink, sheshas and Turkish coffee.

 Pool polo.

Training with instructor John!

Into town for freshly pressed sugar cane.

Into town for traditional Egyptian meal.

Shesha after dinner, nice.

I really have to thank everyone for making the trip such a special one; the enthusiasm, laughs, team spirit and willingness to learn were in abundance. We really were the life and soul of the place and it’s credit to each of the guys out here for their desire to make the most of their holidays and embrace all that we threw at them.

On the final night we had a bit of a party down on the beach with a BBQ and drinks until quite late… well, as long as it took to drink every bottle of duty free and every bottle of dodgy Egyptian booze we could find. Full commitment to the cause was shown next morning when the alcohol poisoning was hardly mentioned and the students were back on the water by 08.30, which is where they stayed until 11.45… the airport transfer was at 12.00 and hey just about left on time, fulfilled, happy but exhausted kitesurfers.

Where’s Mijk (Mike)?

There he is… couldn’t miss you out mate.

Kitesurfkings blogs are sporadic at best but we hope there’s always stuff of interest to those who read them and that the infrequency doesn’t faze anyone. The last blog entry was all about the Kitesurfkings Cabrinha Demo down on Shoreham Beach and the plan was to write a separate blog just about the Cabrinha boards once we’d had another play and got our hands on the Cabrinha Drifter kitesurf wave kite… this hasn’t happened yet people but we’ll share when we can.

2012 Cabrinha Kites – Reviews from Demo Day and UK Arrivals!

Exciting times! We have the first 2012 Cabrinha kites, they’re clearing customs now and will be with us within the next 7 days! read about um….

Kitesurfkings were proud to offer the south coast’s first demo of cabrinha’s 2012 product range and stoked that we had wind! Not just another windy day on the south coast but one that coincided with the 2012 Cabrinha Demo Day. Loads of nice dudes came down to Shoreham Beach to check out the lastest inovations from Cabrinha, as we were blessed with wind we all gave the kit a good hammering and only left the beach as it got dark… the new toys were just too much fun to put down!

Before I warm my fingers up ready to share all that we found out about the new kites it’s important to let any guys that haven’t owned one of the 2010 or 2011 Cabrinha kites know about some of the foundations Cabrinha are continuing to build on. Cabrinha own the SPRINT inflation system that allows you to inflate your kite through one single point on the centre of the leading edge through an airlock valve so that no air can escape = no time wasted and a nice solid kite. Cabrinha have an advanced one pump inflation system so you don’t have to pump up the struts separately but can still lock off the air between then leading edge and the struts so as not to be a safety issue should you ever get a puncher.

Cabrinha are the only kite manufacture to offer such a safe and tidy bar system, there are huge advancements and industry firsts with the 2012 Quicklink system but the previous two models also benefited from having an internal safety line running inside the centre line that prevents it getting snagged or being warn through contact with the bar. Cabrinha’s IDS safety system smashes all other kite brands because it does not compromise safety for any level of rider, where riding for the first time or regularly pulling off unhooked tricks. Cabrinha’s IDS safety system is built into the chicken loop and you do not attach your safety leash to the safety line its self so that when doing unhooked tricks the leash does not have to be moved and safety is not compromised… mind blowing that other brands are still to cotton on! Still, it makes my kite purchasing a lot simpler each year.

Cabrinha invest a mammoth amount of money into developing and testing new and innovative ideas to the benefit of the spot and us the riders to insure they remain the largest selling kite brand in the world and Cabrinha riders remain the safest and happiest we can be… must mention that there’s no unzipping of trousers or getting down on ones knees here but unless you’re in the know it’s nice to get trustworthy info from those you kite with and over the the last 6 years of selling Cabrinha kites I have not had, or known of one warranty issue with a Cabrinha kite! I’ve had to replace a set of lines and some foot straps and I heard or one guy managing to damage his board back in 2005 but there has never been an issue with any of the Cabrinha kites sold! A nice claim worth SHOUTING about.

Lots of the guys that came down already ride Cabrinha kites and wanted to see the new Quick Link 2012 bar, ride the new additions to the Cabrinha family and feel the changes made to the kites they already own before ordering their 2012 kite quivers but there were also plenty of kitesurfers currently riding other brands.

The 2012 Cabrinha Switchblade certainly stole a few hearts and converted riders from North, Flexi and RRD, to name but a few. The Cabrinha Switchblade does seem to remain the kite of choice for the masses as it delivers in every area without compromise. It is not the best wave riding kite in the Cabrinha range, nor the best kite for unhooking but for an all round kite to make you smile through every session it remains, in our eyes, the top dog; Kiteworld describe the Cabrinha switchblade as the Rolls Royce of kitesurfing kites.

The 2012 Cabrinha Switchblade still comes in most sizes… 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 16 meter options so you should be able to find the kite you’re after, pricing range from £1049 to £1499 complete with the 2012 Cabrinha Quicklink bar system. All of the 2012 Cabrinha kites can be bought as kite only, give us a shout of you want to get the pricing for these or find out about kite packages and offers.

The 2012 Cabrinha Nomad is certainly the best kite for out and out freestyle with it’s unhooked and kite looping capabilities. We certainly had a lot of fun putting it through it’s passes yesterday and am looking forwatd to getting my hands on my own kites! The 2012 Cabrinha Nomad remains a kite that you have to fly but it’s a pleasure to do exactly that. Because of the Nomad’s C shape characteristics it is not a kite that will keep on pulling through the low end of it’s wind range but if it were, unhooking and looping the kite in stronger winds would only be for the insane… not just mildly stupid.

One friend and fellow Cabrinha fan who started off riding the Cabrinha Crossbow but progressed onto the Nomad and has a quiver of 2011 Nomads was impressed by the faster turning ability of the 2012 Nomad and could appreciate the fine tunning and tinkering that has been done to the kite. For those who don’t have previous experience to fall back on just know that this is an amazing kite that Cabrinha have managed to improve.

The 2012 Cabrinha Nomad comes in 5.5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 meter options, pricing ranges from £1099 to £1449 complete with the 2012 Cabrinha Quicklink bar system. All of the 2012 Cabrinha kites can be bought as kite only, give us a shout of you want to get the pricing for these or find out about kite packages and offers.

What can we say about the Crossbow that you won’t already know? Probably nothing so here it is once again. Still a first class ride that makes kitesurfing easy, has a huge wind range, instant relaunch and bomb proof construction. The 2012 Cabrinha Crossbow is still not the kite for you if you are wishing to unhook or kite loop unless in light winds or you’re part human and part machine. The Cabrinha Crossbow is the kite of choice for riders that want a solid upwind machine that is a pleasure to ride and to enjoy big floaty airs with; a powerful kite with the largest wind range and best relaunch, if there were ever an auto pilot mode here it is, all you need to do is lean back and smile.

New for 2012 we have the Cabrinha Crossbow Light wind; with some serious fine tuning and the reduction of struts from the crossbow’s standard 7 strut design to just 5 the guys at the Cabrinha lab managed to create a new beast. The Crossbow we all know and love comes in 7, 9, 10 and 11 meter options then the kite becomes a new beast… the Cabrinha Crossbow LW, which comes in 13, 16 and 18 meter options. Not many people know about the 18 meter option and you’ll not see it listed on the Cabrinha website but if you want the beast we can get it for you. Based on a 75kg rider the 18m Crossbow LW is said to fly from 5 to 12 knots; if you want to be the envy of your friends, who kite from 12 knots onwards, here you are.

The 2012 Cabrinha Crossbow comes in 7, 9, 10 and 11 meter options, with the 2012 Cabrinha Crossbow LW kicking in with sizes 13, 16 and 18 meters. Prices range from £1299 to £1549 for the 16m, all complete with the 2012 Cabrinha Quicklink bar system. All of the 2012 Cabrinha kites can be bought as kite only, give us a shout of you want to get the pricing for these or find out about kite packages and offers.

Whoo hoo, new for 2012 there are (as if you didn’t already know!) two new kites, one being the Vector and the other the Drifter. Both the Vector and Drifter are hybrid kite and so are fast turning kites with rapid depower and stable arcs. Sadly the Drifter was the one kite not in use on the demo day and so we’re waiting to get our hands on it but we had the Vector and gave it a good hammering. The 2012 Cabrinha Vector is the new all round freeride  kite with park and ride simplicity, a kite that, unlike the 2011 Cabrinha Convert, can be used for kite loops and basic unhooked tricks even in the larger sizes. All of the feedback on the Kitesurfkings demo day about the 2012 Cabrinha Vector was positive, and like the rest of the 2012 Cabrinha range the kites look the nuts and all come with the 2012 quicklink control system.

I personally found the feel of the kite to be a little soft but then this is to be expected of any 3 strut, all round kite that aims to cover every aspect of kiting and be a kite that riders of all levels can fly. I was very pleasantly surprised that one kite managed to cover so much but retain an entry level price point. The 2012 Cabrinha Vector comes in 3.5, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 14 meter options, priced from £899 to £1249 complete with the 2012 Cabrinha Quicklink bar system.

We’re really excited about flying this one… Pete Cabrinha’s own little baby to go with his new signature kitesurf and surf, surfboard for 2012. This is Cabrinha’s new dedicated wave riding kite that will also complement wakeskates and skimboards. The big idea with this kite is that it’s there but you don’t even have to think about it so you can get on with surfing without worrying about your kite. Fast turns and real stability were always going to be must haves for the Drifter but the main objective of the 2012 Cabrinha Drifter is that it offers ‘slack line drift’, the kite’s ability to stay in aloft even when the lines are temporarily slackened. It all sounds bloody great and we’ve no reason to disbelieve any of Cabrinha’s claims as they’ve delivered on past claims but sadly we’ve not yet had a play. If, like us you’re dead keen to have a fly of this little badboy then go to the Kitesurfkings Facebook page and ‘like it’, or ‘follow it’, or whatever you have to do and we’ll let you know when it’s here for you to take out. If you’re anti Facebook then I’m sure you turn like the rest of us but until you do you can ‘like’, or ‘follow’, or whatever you have to do to get blog notifications to your email… hopefully you’re on this already, link’s at the bottom of the page and you just have to slip your email address in there.

The 2012 Cabrinha Drifter comes in 5.5, 7, 9 and 11 meter options, priced from £1099 to £1299 complete with the 2012 Cabrinha Quicklink bar system. All of the 2012 Cabrinha kites can be bought as kite only, give us a shout of you want to get the pricing for these or find out about kite packages and offers.

Loads of fun was had putting the 2012 Cabrinha kites through their paces, flying, jumping, kitelooping, unhooking, relaunching, activating the safety systems both in the water and on the beach and generally admiring them. If there’s anything you’d like to know about the kites, want to get your hands on one or have anything to add or share then please get in touch. Please email info@kitesurfkings.com, call the office on +44 (0) 1273 88 88 33 or check out the full Cabrinha catalog on our website’s kit page through http://www.kitesurfkings.com

We will have the kites in stock within the next 7 days and if you want to be the first to own one of these great new toy you can be! All card’s accepted to you’ve time to order a new credit card and get dialling 01273 88 88 33! Free kite lessons with new kit and free delivery… how nice are we!

We’ve tested all the kites and boards and the board write up will follow shortly… there’s a storm outside to attend to!

Thanks for taking time to read the blog, do sign up to get blog notifications to your email with the link at the bottom of the page and sign up for the Kitesurfkings Facebook page so that you don’t miss out on fun stuff like kite demos, cable sessions, down winders, 30% off 2011 kites… fun and important stuff like that.

 

 

What’s New @ Kitesurfkings? Kitesurfing & cable sessions, down winders, trips, Kirsty Jones & Lewis Crathern

Dude!

Don’t like getting the ‘Dude’? Just double Dude then Dude… it’s the way forwards! Personally I love the ‘Dude’, Dude…

Been ages since the last Kitesurfkings blog entry, won’t apologize as I’m sure no one’s that bothered but going to make an effort to catch up today and share the love, and more importantly the news. There’s a free kite clinic with spaces left up for grabs, Kirsty Jones has invited 6 kiters to join her over in Lanzarote, Lewis Crathern has the launch of his documentary next week, Paddle Around the Pier is just around the corner, the cable’s provided fun times and more sessions are booked (I’ll post some fun pics from Tuesday’s Kitesurfkings private session :)), kitesurfing lessons have been a blast, we’ve discounted the pants off the last 2010 kit, there have been some epic kitesurfing sessions had locally and we’ve epic international sessions coming up. I’ll post in sections in case you wanna cut straight to the chase…

Firstly, if you can get away from the 25th June for a week then don’t miss this opportunity…

Kirsty Jones

Kirsty Jones, 3x World Champion and more importantly super lovely kite and yoga coach:

Named as The Kirsty Jones Experience, this one week kitesurf, yoga, surf and SUP trip is being run by Kirsty Jones herself from her second home of Lanzarote. Kirsty will be looking after a group of no more than 6 people for 7 days of kitesurfing lessons, yoga and surfing fun. The beach house that has been booked for the week is awesome, right next to Famara beach where you’d be kitesurfing and where you’ll be finishing some of your down winders, the beach house has it’s own pool, terrace, BBQ area ect ect… I’ve seen it, it’s seriously smart. As well as 5 days of kitesurfing coaching there’s loads more, including a boat trip to near by Graciosa Island, best plan is to have a read yourself and get yourself out there. The trip has been put together by African Space Kite Surfing, so go to the African Space website if this LINK TO THE TRIP is not working.  

Another big name in the kitesurfing world is Lewis Crathern, and hasn’t he been busy…

Lewis Crathern

Lewis Crathern, The Man That Touched The Sky:

What a dude! An inspiration to all kitesurfers, Lewis’ story of how he came to jump Brighton Pier is now part of a documentary about Lewis that will be released eminently. You can watch a trailer for Lewis’ documentary ‘The Man That Touched The Sky’ by following this link: Lewis Crathern, The Man That Touched The Sky or going to the Kitesurfkings Facebook page. We’re invited to the premier of Lewis’ documentary next Tuesday and so will be able to fill you in then.

Lewis was seen this week on BBC One’s Blue Peter, a link’s up on the Kitesurfkings Facebook page and we recommend checking it out, regardless of your age, for some top tips that’ll help with your wakeboarding. The BBC guys all met up with Lewis at the wakeboarding cable at Hove Lagoon and he put them through their paces.

Lewis runs his own UK clinics and you can get info on those directly through his own windmachine website, there’s also loads of interesting info and Lewis’ own take on wind, kitesurfing and wakeboarding. If you want to get away on one of Lewis Crathern’s International Kite Clinics then you need to get in touch with African Space Kitesurfing, CHECK OUT THE INFO HERE, or get in touch with us a line at Kitesurfkings (WWW.KITESURFKINGS.COM) as I, Luke,  will also be joining Lewis on his next international kite clinic which is happening on the 13th October in Egypt… can’t wait!

There have been some epic sessions of late and I’ve enjoyed hearing about other people’s so thought I’d share a couple of my own from the last few weeks as they seemed to get a laugh out of the guys in Shoreham and might encourage you lovely readers to tell us what you’ve been up to…

UK Kitesurf Sessions

Late for an appointment:

Thursday the 1st June 2011 was an epic day by all accounts; the sun was thinking about showing it’s face, the wind was up, waves were in and lessons were cancelled due to the serious, window rattling, conditions that we were greeted with early doors. seldom do kitesurf instructors get to kite the really sweet days as lessons need to run lessons around low tide, when the wind is really pumping lessons can’t run and by 11am on the 1st the wind was already solidly over 40 mph. I made every effort to complete some of the back log of admin (yawn) so I could get out for a cheeky kite session before a doctors appointment at 14.00 in Kemp Town. At 12.00 I phoned John E B in Shoreham to see if he’d be up for a kite, he’d been itching to get out too and so there wasn’t much convincing needed; we agreed to meet up by the beach huts in Shoreham at 12.30. I arrived late and so John was already on the water, powered on his 6m and riding a surfboard. There was no one else around so I quickly pumped up my 7m (should have gone 5 but you know how it is) and self launched, thank you Cabrinha for making such a long centre line!!

We were having an awesome session, the wind was solid and the waves were some of the best I’d enjoyed in Shoreham this year, as you’d imagen there wasn’t much skill needed to do massive boosts so spent half the time in the air and the rest lost in the waves. At the back of my mind I knew I could only stay out for a short time if I were to be back in Kemp Town before 14.00. Before long it was time to come off the water but we’d travelled half way down Shoreham Beach and edging upwind on the 7m was seriously tiring. I started to battle myself about what to do, scrap the appointment, self land and run to the van, keep edging upwind or go for gold and just kite there? John knew I had the appointment and so I gave him a wave and off I went with my kite.

In total it took about 35mins to get from Shoreham to Kemp Town; when you’re driving the route it feels slow when you do it in 25, try it on a kite when it’s 45 mph and you’re heading straight down wind! I went past a couple of groups on the way but didn’t have time to be sociable. There were a couple of people kitesurfing Hot Pipes and just up from King Alfred but there weren’t many kiters out. Gotta say that if you weren’t out that day you really missed out, the waves were sweet all the way along and seemed to get much larger the further out the back of Brighton and Hove I went.

As I came in I was greeted by one of the Brighton Sea Front guys on his quad, he’d been watching me kite as I came in and I recognized the dude. He didn’t have any beef at all but said that there’d been a report of someone hammering down the coast on a kite so he had to come and check it out. Wearing a wet wetsuit and having bare feet in the appointment I obviously felt like a plum and my mrs wasn’t best but I did clear up the puddle before I left, anything goes in Brighton and if I’d have missed the kite session I’d have been kicking myself. 

I’m planning the same route with some mates and we’ll take our time and enjoy it all this time! Kiting alone is never a good move but in my defence I did have an impact vest on for buoyancy, the Cabrinha kites relaunch effortlessly, I only ride new kit so it’s in optimum condition, the safety system always works, I didn’t kite much further than I could swim or go too close to the piers, John knew where I was going and a 35min down winder doesn’t seem like a long trip after having done down winders in South Africa and Zanzibar… safety hat on, box ticked.  

Night kite:

On Wednesday the 8th June 2011 I met up with a best friend, Chris (aka Simo) with the view to having a kite, it was already 20.30 and we knew we had to get on it if we were to get a kitesurf session in before it got dark. We didn’t get on it and it started to get late, we roped in the assistance of a helpful kite bitch (none derogatory name for kite helper) and got a lift to Hot Pipes, set up and got out for 21.40. The light was amazing, yes there was still light, the wind just enough for a sweet 7m session and the waves had way more volume than we usually get in Brighton. I have to say the start of the session was the best I have had this year.

We didn’t get too close to the groynes or various bits of metal work that protrude from the sea behind the industrial estate but did go Mc Donalds stylie LARGE! Simo smashed up the waves, clearing each groyne space with a single wave and I tried doing the same airborne, until it got darker when we both just enjoyed the power of the waves and being perfectly lit on our 7m Switchblaes and ‘at one’ (yo) with the elements as we tuned in to the light from the half moon and white of the waves.

It really was a dream session until we got to about Moroccos where I came unhooked on accident, easily fixed as not over powered. After getting hooked back in and back into the session my foot strap came out, doh! Not ideal but just ment riding down wind like a man with one leg until that got boring and flipped to using the board to body drag. We came in just before Regency Square and the old West Pier at 22.25 where our favourite kite bitch waited with a flash light to greet us.

Generally night sessions are massive no go for kitesurfing but like base jumping and the likes there are things one can do to make such sessions as risk free as possible. We do not recommend kiting at night, who knows what’s in the sea and how would anyone find you if you had a problem? We kite together all the time, didn’t get any further than 200m from one another, didn’t go out further than we could swim, still had enough light to see the important stuff and had beach support following us along the road and waiting on the beach for our return. Tick.

Beer tastes so much better when you’ve really earnt it.

if you’ve any epic sessions or just one that’ll get a laugh or teach a lesson, then ping it over to us here to the Kitesurfkings blog, post it on the Kitesurfkings Facebook page or email it over to info@kitesurfkings.com and we’ll pop it up for you.

Cable Sessions at Hove Lagoon

Our Kitesurfkings private cable sessions are always fun… unable to upload the quality pics but will try and get a couple from Tuesday’s cable session online later as they’re well worth a look. Next session is next Thursday; we don’t run them to make money, there is no financial gain to us just a saving to you and guaranteed laughs. Find us on Facebook if you want to get involved.

Free Stuff

KB4 Girls next event is happening in Lancing next weekend but sadly blokes don’t qualify just by wearing a skirt, I have checked. I’m not sure what the ruling is on ladyboys… I encourage any of you kitesurfing ladyboys out there to test the water. There are still places up for grabs and if you’re keen then give us a shout at Kitesurfkings and chat to Andrina as she’s organising the event. Did I mention it’s free?

Paddle Around the Pier is just around the corner and although there might not have been the usual amount of advertising for the event this year it’s set to be bigger and better than ever. Kitesurfkings will be down there with a stand and hanging out with our friends at Orb360, Hove Lagoon and the likes. Do come and say hi, there’ll be prizes and offers exclusively for the event and it’ll generally be a fun weekend with stuff to do, to watch and to try. So, that’s Paddle Around the Pier on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd July.

Gotta finish this blog! Kitesurfkings have some new and still boxed Cabrinha 2010 IDS kites that we can practically give away… well, not quite but almost! There’s a good chance it’s been too windy recently for your current kit or you’re lacking in confidence because you don’t have the latest, safest safety system?? Well, here’s your chance to put that right and grab a 7 or 9m Cabrinha IDS kite for a song! Well, about 600 quid including the bar, lines, leash, pump ect (which cost £360 on their own!). If you want one then gimmie a call on 07878 399 419 (Luke).

Multi Spot Kitesurfing on the 9th May?

Just putting this out there in case any of you lucky people are able to jump on a last-minute kitesurfing holiday… now, this is another one of those trips that really is aimed solely at kitesurfers and everyone needs to be riding up wind…

So, manage to tick some of the boxes??? If not but you like the sound of the session the get some mates together and it can be arranged for groups of 6 to 10, if you’ve got three then check us out coz there might be another 3 after the same trip.

What is it then? Well, as you’d guess from the title you’ll be kiting lots of different spots. Based in the south of Egypt at a newly built ‘surf’ style guest house you’ll have your own apartment in a small kitesurfer owned block of 9 newly finished apartments. You’ll stay on half board bases with a lunch time snack included, you’ll have a guide to take you kiting each day and will be kiting the spots based on the conditions and the amount of people at each spot on the day. Boat assisted down winders are also planned and your guide speaks the lingo, lives the dream and loves to kite… join him and a nice small group of like-minded kiters on the 9th May for a week of south Egypt’s best kiting for £595pp + flight. If you want to book this then contact African Space directly at kitesurfing@africanspace.co.uk or 0121 382 9000. This is not a Kitesurfkings trip but we do know the guys in resort really well and can totally recommend it… the guys that have their names down already ready are super sound too so that’s why it get’s the Kitesurfkings seal of approval and a big up on this blog.

Now, a quick hats off to Kitesurfkings kitesurf students that learnt over the bank holiday as everyone really did do well; even when wind’s picked up yesterday and we were already using a 5m our students were calm, controlled and loving it. If you were kiting over the weekend but had a bit of a battle or were bricking it somewhat then why not get in contact and book a refresher lesson? Booking line for lessons is 07878 399 419; kitesurfing does not need to be difficult or dangerous but it does have to be taught correctly and for students/kiters to feel completely confident, in control and independent… mummy can’t always be there to hold your hand but we could put a dress on.

Kitesurfing +++ in South Africa

Location: South Africa, based in Table View, Cape Town

Date: Mid/End November 2011

Duration: 14 Days

Do you have a passion for life? Love kite surfing? Want to get away this winter?

100%!

Prepare to get excited then as this could be for you…

We love kite surfing around Cape Town and have always been in ore of how windy the area can be. On one of our recent trips we spent two weeks living an intrepid kite surfers’ dream and have been working hard to make it a reality for our customers.

Staying together in a super cool surf house facing the famous Table Top Mountain we’ll have kite surfing on our door step, kiting on tap, nice! When kiting from home we’ll be able to downwind to and from our own front door or kite in front of our digs to stay closer to ‘refreshments’. One of our South Africa based guides will be living with us for the duration of our stay and hooking us up with luxury breakfasts each day to best fuel us for what’s in store…

Driven around in a couple of seriously stylish VW T2 camper vans our guides will take us to South Africa’s best kite surfing locations, some well know but many top secret. We’ll be hitting numerous beaches to kite surf flat water and wave spots that will have you rubbing your eyes with disbelief or clearing tears of joy!

As well as kite surfing there’s unlimited us of SUP boards in front of our surf house and we’ll also be taking them on the road with us when we go exploring, there are places that need to be seen but just sitting and admiring… not as much fun as exploring with SUP’s.

Other activities we have planned include kloofing Suicide Gorge, hiking Table Mountain and abseiling down, hike up Lions Head Mountain and paraglide down, Lions Head full moon, SUP on Franschoek Dam, rock climbing, wakeboarding at the cable park, trips with rubber duck to tow in, wakeboard, fish and catch lobsters. There are additional activities like shark cage or scuba diving that you might want to try which can also be arranged. Some activities might not be for you and they’ll always be kite surfing alternatives. There’s too much to list but have to mention the famous South African braai and sun downers.

Kite surfing is our number one aim and although this is not specifically a coaching trip you will learn masses and we’ll help you to nail tricks you’re struggling with as well as getting the most out of the waves. Our friends that will be guiding us along our adventure are some of the nicest guys and gals we’ve had the pleasure of meeting, they have helped us realise an intrepid kite surfer’s dream trip and are exceptionally good kiters themselves.

Aaron Hadlow, Ruben Lenten and Lewis Crathern choose to frequent Cape Town and the surrounding areas during the winter months because of the solid wind, awesome weather and epic kite surfing; we’re after the same but offering so much more.

We’re excited and hope you are too; we guarantee this will be an amazing trip that will stay with you forever. If you are interested in joining us then please get in contact with our head kite surf guide/instructor, Luke (yeah me, the one from Kitesurfkings), he’ll be one of your guides in South Africa and has recently returned from such a trip. You can also get in touch with African Space who are the guys making this trip happen through their extensive contacts and years of experience in South Africa. You can email the kite surfing team at kitesurfing@africanspace.co.uk or call the office on 0121 382 9000.

Although we do run beginner trips this is not one of them, everyone must have the minimum competency of being able to stay up wind and perform a deep water pack down. If you’re not quite there yet then contact us about making a plan so you can be or have a think about joining one of our beginner or intermediate trips.

Kitesurfing & Cable

Hello!

So, we’ve been hitting the cable (literally) but now have some wind… woop, woop!! We’re still running Kitesurfkings private sessions at the cable (and still just out of love), our next private session is an evening one 18.30 to 20.00. We’ve hooked up an even sweeter deal for you lovely people so you now just have to pay £20 including your online discount and including your board hire for the session. Here are a few pics and bits from yesterday’s cable session, scroll down if you’re only interested in kitesurfing. Umm, kitesurfing, how nice it is to have wind!

Please do not talk to the operator!

Last night’s Kitesurfkings cable session was a laugh, everyone did really well and there were some inspirational moves from those who were trying the cable for the first time. One of the guys, Fabio, asked me not to post any pics of him riding but Fabio you had some styles dude; on one board start Fabio span the board 180, which he says was on accident but we still give you the points Fabio.

Nice carve turn... sure this is ur first time?

Two more Kitesurfkings students were there riding the cable for the first time and we had them up and riding in no time, Kevin ended up having sweeter turns than anyone else there! Go Kevin! Fortue attempted some pop 180’s, hats off to you Fortue, you’ll nail um next time.

Pop 180' caught on camera

Last two pics… one classic slider mishap and to be kind one slider success, both by Jeff.

Slider success!

Oops! Less successful slider attempt!

There is no way I could not post this last pic from yesterday’s cable session, Jeff said it didn’t hurt and I believe him as the slider really doesn’t cause much damage; I think I might have pulled something though through laughing so hard!

Cable, cable, cable… kitesurfing, yeah baby! We’re loving the cable but when there’s an opportunity to kitesurf there is no competition. There has been some lovely weather recently and although we’ve not been able to kitesurf I think everyone has been enjoying it but enough’s enough, it really is time for some good wind. During the light wind days we’ve been having a lot of fun kite landboarding and powerkiting but still always dreaming of getting into the water for a good kitesurfing session.

Finally we have wind and it looks like it’s here to stay, well, for a week at least! We’re loading up the minibus and going kitesurfing along the coast and anyone’s welcome to come along. If you’re a beginner then you need to book lessons in (call me directly on 07878 399 419 to do this) and if you’re already kiting then why not arrange to hook up and have a good old kitesurfing session with us (contact us about this via the Kitesurfkings Facebook page).

The wind forecast shows solid wind for the next 7 days and the likelihood of more to follow, low tides this week are all afternoon and running into evenings next week. We teach until sunset on a low tide and kite any old time regardless of tides.

Here’s a link for booking our next kitesurfkings private cable session for you nice dudes who’ve taken time to read the blog: CABLE BOOKING LINK

Fun at the Cable

On Thursday 14th we saw the press launch for Brighton and Hove’s first cable, we got to see how the pro’s did it… last Thursday we gave it a go!

Yeah!? Not quite as stylish, backwards with no bar!

The transition from kitesurfing to riding the cable was interesting, both let you skim across the water, carve around and attempt tricks but the style of riding and mindset for each disapline are completely different. We had a great time at the cable yesterday and are looking forward to our next session (as long as not still too sore!) but have come to the conclussion that kitesurfing and cable are completely different sports and that focusing on the cable as something completely new will help all kitesurfers get the most out of it.

We hit the cable yesterday expecting to take some of our fav kitesurf tricks and nail them on the lagoon… this didn’t quite happen as planned but we had a lot of fun trying and know there’s a lot of work to to put in before we’ll be rocking any of the styles on show at last week’s press launch. The pic above shows yours truely going for a surface pass, as you can see the bar’s not even in the picture! Oh well, now thinking that a kicker (ramp) would have made this possible, doing it going over the slider or even just getting a nice bit of pop off the water but solely going for the handle pass wasn’t the one…  if you don’t try and all that!

Here are some pics of yesterday’s successful and not so successful first attempts on the cable:

Andrinha hitting the slider (in a stylin’ new pair of bindings girl)

First railey attempt on the cable…

O.K, so my actual railey was alright…

No need, or time, to spot a landing just gotta get board back…

Back on the water, first attempt, you da m….

Taking time out in Nemo’s world!

All wrong… railey, back roll madness worth a laugh…

Edging super hard… too hard maybe?

Rotating after edging too hard

Bringing legs up and round to complete rotation

Bad planning, all a bit late, it’s not going to end well…

Owch!

cheers for a great cable session, sorry for the delay getting the pics up, still feeling it but looking forward to tomorrow’s… Kitesurfkings private session at the cable all booked for tomorrow but will pop next slots up on FB.

Edging hard

Releasing the edge

Throwing head back and going for it

Hon brings his back foot round to become the front for a cheeky toe side landing

It had all been looking so good but a challenging landing when kiting, cable gave no forgiveness

Brighton & Hove Have Cable!

Yesterday’s press launch at Hove Lagoon for the new wakeboard cable was a real eye opener and we’re all really excited about having such a great facility here in East Sussex… yesterday’s sausages were rather special too, thanks guys.

Yesterday Harvey, Hove Lagoon’s director and a super nice dude, explained that he’s had the vision for the cable park for 18 years and it has taken a huge effort by the guys at Hove Lagoon, their sponsors and the commitment of Brighton and Hove council to make it happen. To Harvey, Mark, Seb and the rest of the guys at Hove Lagoon we salute you!

Here you can see some of the photographs that I took at yesterday’s press launch; there were a number of pro wakeboarders, pro kitesurfer Lewis Crathern and a handful of first timers on the cable for our entertainment. The Kitesurfkings hat is also off for local kitesurfer Jezmondo, who although was trying cable wakeboarding for the first time, managed a raley on his first tack and s-bend attempt on his second! Not sure if ‘tack’ is the right word for one distance of the cable but it sounds a lot better than length… feel free to educate.

The action shot above sees Pro kitesurfer Lewis Crathern showing us mad skill as he executes powered wake style tricks that he’d more regularly be seen doing under his kite. Join myself and Lewis at the cable for coaching days and learn how to nail tricky kitesurfing moves without having to think about the kite.

Never having seen a 2.0 cable system, other than online, it was great to have the system explained and be shown some of the system’s capabilities. You really have to go down there and check it out for yourselves as it differs massively from the other cable parks.

Other cable parks I have been to have numerous people travelling in a loop around a lake where as Hove Lagoon’s new 2.0 cable system offers a much better experience for the rider by tailoring each ride to the individual rider based on their ability or what kind of trick they’re wishing to attempt.

We’ll be having exclusive sessions at the cable and welcome you down to come and join us. We’ll be having  sessions for those completely new to board sports, sessions for those who want to nail some new tricks and plenty of sessions for people that just want to meet up and have a bit of fun. Do give me a shout directly if you’d like to meet up for a session: Luke, 07878 399419, luke@kitesurfkings.com

I’ve met a number of people with misconceptions about the cable that are worth setting straight…

Because it’s a single line cable you must stop and start again at each end. No! Go and check it out, the ride is fluid as you’re able to do a carve turn at either end. After a few sessions you’ll probably be able to nail some pop jump transitions at either end like the guys yesterday. Mark told me about a huge raley transition Harvey nailed that makes me think that with the right cable controller we’ll be able to bring some of our favourite kitesurfing tricks off the sea and onto the Lagoon.

Because it’s for ‘everyone’ it can’t be that extreme! Dude! Because there’s only one rider at a time and the cables system offers instant stopping of the cable, change of direction and accelerating/decelerating the speed in which it travels the ride is tailored to the individual.

Loads of swimming! Yes at each of the cable parks I have ridden you stack and then struggle to get the board off your feet before swimming, then walking, back to the start point wasting most of your session time. Because there’s only one rider at a time it’s all about you, the cable controller plays a massive role here by stopping the cable when you stack so that you can get straight back up when you’re ready.

More time cueing than riding. Drop in sessions are an hour long, Mark’s told me that they’re planning to have no more than four people for each drop in session. The guys at Hove Lagoon will be monitoring the sessions and insuring time is split evenly and because there are no more than four riders, no one’s swimming and there’s no walking back from the far end of the lake after stacking, time’s spent on the cable rather than just at the cable park.

Kitesurf Open Day

Thank you to all the nice dudes that came to say hi on Saturday down at Coalition, to the guys at Coalition for a quality afternoon, to XYZ for helping to set the day up and to the Kitesurfkings Crew for making it a fun place to be…

The weather report hadn’t been great for the south coast of England over the weekend but the weather forecasts hadn’t taken into account the ‘Brighton effect’ and true to form it was another super sweet day. The sun beamed into Coalition where we had kit set up and freebies for people to take away. Lewis Crathern was down for the day to chat about his Kite Clinics which are being run with Kitesurfkings but he was also happy chatting kiting, meeting the crowds and having his picture taken by the famous Brighton Pier. Lewis brought his 7m Slingshot that he jumped Brighton Pier with and we had some of Lewis’ videos playing inside but the weather was so sweet that most of the time was spent outside, using beer to cool ourselves from the heat of the day!

 

Lots of people came and found out about kitesurfing for their first time and others came to chat about what they would like to change or improve about their kiting. It was an eye opener that so many people had such little insight into the sport, whether already kiting or not and that there’s a need for such events to help and educate people that are either looking at or already kitesurfing or powerkiting. We had fun too and so will certainly hook up another open day again and have plans of other kite session that’ll soon be released, watch this space.

Two potential kiters at 9 o’clock…

For those of you that didn’t come on Saturday but are already kiting, or think you can get good enough by the 16th October, need to get the 16th to 23rd October into you diaries for Lewis Crathern’s Intermediate/Advanced Kitesurf Kite Clinic. We’re kicking this cheeky trip off at just £699 so get your names down for it now!

 

Other pics from the day…

Nice Day at the Seaside

Pop into Coalition tomorrow afternoon from 13.00 and say hi…

There’s a Kitesurfkings Open Day… this entails meeting up at a great venue on Brighton sea front, chatting kitesurfing and maybe a cheeky pint. We’ll have kit to check out and be happy to answer any questions; Lewis Crathern will be chatting about his October Kite Clinic and will talk us through jumping Brighton Pier.

It’ll be a nice afternoon, the footie doesn’t start until 15.00 and we’ve even hooked up a £7.50 beer and burger promotion with our friends at Coalition… we thank you.

Some one day only deals to be had… ooh!