Womens Kiteboarding newsletter Spring 06
Written and prepared by Caela Hanson
Scroll down the page - there is heaps more!
The thought of warm weather and constant winds would bring a smile to any kiters' face.....there's nothing better being out on a warm sunny day in your boardies and rash vest ripping it up! With this in mind, now is a great time to do a full maintenance check of your kiting equipment and below have provided you with some basics to hopefully kick start you into the Season.
Many thanks to those who sent in articles and photos, without you this newsletter wouldn't be possible:
Ange from learntokite.com.au
Fiona from kitesurfsessions.com
Chiara from WA
Beck from traqua.com.au
Su Kay and Cindy Mosey from NZ cindymoseyislandodyssey.com
- Fixing Leaks
Before removing the bladder tie a kite line (or string) to the bladder valve. This allows you to get the bladder back inside the strut by pulling the guide string. Completely deflate the bladder and pull it out the end of the strut and secure the guide string. Find the leak by gently inflating the bladder. You might be able to hear the leak, or feel it blowing against your hand/ face, otherwise submerge it section by section in a bucket. Once found, mark the leak with a mark circle using a marker pen. Dry off the bladder and select the correct size patch. I prefer the sticky back clear patches rather than the glue type ones, as the glue gets messy. Apply the patch smoothly and rub between fingers to remove air and get a good bond. Gently inflate the bladder to check patch is working, and that there aren't any more holes!
Once all patching is complete, put the bladder in a zip lock bag with some talcum powder, seal and shake. This coats the bladder with powder, which makes sliding it into the strut MUCH easier. At the fat end of the bladder, push the end of the bladder back inside the bladder up to the valve, this makes it easier to get the bladder into the end of the strut. Arrange the bladder so it can slide into the strut with the correct orientation, reattach the guide string and gently pull the bladder back into the strut, avoiding twisting the bladder. Secure the thin end of the bladder into the end of the strut. Once in place, SLOWLY inflate the bladder 50% full and check that it reaches right into the and of the strut and doesn't have any twists. If it doesn't fit right gently 'massage' the bladder inside the strut, it should move around easily. Once it looks good, pump up to full pressure and leave for 30mins in shade to check repair. Go have a beer to celebrate.
- Repairing small holes in the kite
Clean both sides of the kite and dry thoroughly, it is best to do this on a sunny windless day, as the heat helps the patches to bond to the kite material. Cut 2 pieces of stick on kite material, they need to be much bigger than the hole/tear. Each patch should be a different size, so that the layers of material doesn't change from one to three suddenly, that would cause a wear point. Place one on either side of the hole, smoothing it on to avoid air bubbles. Rub against a hard smooth surface (like a magazine) with your fingernail to get a good bond. Leave to dry thoroughly. If the hole is of a substantial size, take to any windsurfing or kitesurfing shop who will be able to send off to get sewn, or try a yatch sailmakers, they can usually do repairs.
- Pump Up Kite, check for twisted bladders or leaks
- Once the kite is inflated, put in a safe shaded area for an hour to see if any areas deflate.
- Check and clean out any of the Kite inflation points (sand is a great one to get in here which can then get into the bladder)
- Twisted bladders are easy to spot, they look like a crease and the kite won't fully inflate in the spot of the twist. If you spot one of these, stop pumping, deflate the kite and repair yourself or take to a kite shop to repair.
- Unroll your lines and lay them out in a clear area, check for wear and tear, knots and rusting. Run your fingers over the lines and feel your way along them. Then check over again whilst looking. In the event you may be unsure if they need
replacing ask a more experience kiter or shop their opinion.
- Checking Line Length - Once the lines have been checked and unrolled, fix all ends to one point. To get a fixed point all you need is a rope tied around something (tree/car towbar/ doorhandle), tie a knot on the rope and attach your lines to the rope. Or a long handled screwdriver stuck into the ground works as well
Line Length for 4 Line Kites
* 4 Line kite lines should all be the same length.
* When harnessed in, hold the bar as close to your body as it can go (which is fully powered up if you were on the water) and check that the bar sits straight. If it doesn't adjust the line which is either too short or too long.
* In the event of one line is longer than the other it will mean the kite flies more to one side. You can either shorten the line at the kite end or the bar end by adding a knot.
* Once this is done, hold the bar again as close to you as you can get and slowly release. You are looking for both the outside lines to lower down together at the same rate and distance. Both the inside lines should stay evenly tensioned, if one is tighter then adjust using the knots.
Line Length for Bow Kites
* Bow kites have outside lines that are longer than the inside lines.
* The checking process is the same as a 4 line kite, but check the inside and outside lines separately. Secure the outside lines to a fixed point and check they are the same length, adjust if necessary, then fix the inside lines and check/adjust. The outside (steering/rear) lines will have some slack when all 4 lines are connected to a fixed point.
Check with your kites manual (normaly available on the manufactures website) for the exact measurements of your lines. Some will say that all lines should be the same length with the bar pulled all the way in and an amount of depower pulled on. They are all different so best to check.
Tip: During everyday use with exposure to salt some lines can become harder to untangle, to assist in prevention of this apply some candle wax or ski/surf wax rubbed on by hand (not too thick as it can attract sand).
2. LINES
- Check for any dents/holes - fill if required with epoxy resin glue available from hardware stores.
- Check foot straps and fixings to board, if loose tighten. A little drop of Super Glue on the threads of bolts will lock them in, but still allow you to undo them.
- Check foot pads, if loose or starting to come off board re-fix with some bostic or similar contact adhesive.
3. BOARDS
Your Kite Gears First Aid Kit
As a rule of thumb, if you're not going to kite in a local spot with a kite shop or hardwarestore close by it's always good to carry a repair kit with you. Here's a list of what we recommend you have in your Kite First Aid Kit!
+ Spare pair of lines
+ Hole repair patches for bladders and kite
+ Set of Alan Keys or screwdrivers, whichever you need to tighten fins and footstraps
Hi! My name is Fiona I'm from the Gold Coast and am the photographer for Kite Surf Sessions, an online photo gallery of kite surfers. We make an effort to take quality photos of everyone, not just the more advanced kiters!
When I started it was mainly taking photos of my boyfriend and his mates. Once the website was launched I thought it would be great to include photos of female kiters also, however, I didn't realise how difficult it would be to take photos of females....and I know you're out there!
I see you arrive and set up on the beach, but once you launch your kites you all generally go right out the back never to be seen until the wind drops. I know this isn't literally the case for everyone, but this is what I see through my view finder of my camera. I'm constantly keeping an eye out for you, but female kiters, as of yet, haven't come in close enough for me to take their photo.
For a photographer we have to make the choice between a shot off in the distance, that could turn out possibly blurred and poorly composed or a shot taken at close range where you know it'll be in focus and have good composition. Nine of our Ten times we'll go for the close option.
Unfortunately, men instinctively know this! I can recount numerous times where I have set myself up and men have flocked towards the camera like bees to a honey pot, hopeful that I will take a photo of their best move.
A photo can tell you many things, particularly a sequence of photos a kiter can pin point what is going right and what is going wrong in a move. Female kiters in general have a completely different riding style to men. Whereas men use their physical strength to throw their bodies into a move, females use their balance
and agility to mavouevure into a move. From a photography point of view this is exciting as one move or a seris of moves can be executed in two completely different ways. Female Kiters usually have a more graceful riding style whereas the men tend to have a more powerful and foreceful style.
If you ever see me on your local beach, come over and say hi. Remember that I will take photos of everyone and zoom lenses will only go so far.....some come in closer and smile! Keep in mind that you hold a lot of power being a female kiter. If you're having troubles getting through those bees to the camera just ask them to give you a little space so you can have your picture taken.....most guys are always willing to help out!
Website: kitesurfsessions.com
Email: info@kitesurfsessions.com
Pro Wakeboarder, Amber Wing is getting motivated for another big summer of promoting chicks in sport. The Chicks Throw Down started by Boarder Magazine will continue this year at Stoney Park, Port Macquarie.
Amber's purpose behind this is similar to her reason for travelling miles around Australia every year: 'I want to put on a weekend that all girls can come and learn and be able to afford. To meet Hayley Smith and myself and also meet other girls who wakeboard around their area.
I want to grow women's wakeboarding and reach as many girls as I can. I'm tired of running an event and being told by girls that they would love to come but can not afford it'. This year, with the help of Liquid Force, Wing Wetsuits and Oakley, it's absolutely free. Places are limited; to ensure your spot contact amber@wing.com.au.
When: 17-19th November
Where: Stoney Park
Who: All chicks
Cost: Free
What's included? Accommodation Friday & Saturday - villas, bunk houses and cabins Wakeboarding Saturday & Sunday. Dinner Friday, 3 meals Saturday, breaky & lunch Sunday Coaching by Amber Wing & Hayley Smith
Sponsored by: Liquid Force, Wing, and Oakley For westuits and impact/buoyancy vests plus much more check out the Wing Wetsuits website & shop:www.wing.com.au Shop: 33 - 35 Captain Cook Drive, Caringbah New South Wales 2229 Tel: +61 2 9540 1811
After spending numerous days through winter chasing the wind in the hope of finally getting a good day where I could improve my skills, I reached breaking point about 3 weeks ago where nothing seemed to go right for me. I left the beach feeling disheartened and fed up with the feeling that the carrot is constantly being dangled infront of my face!!
So, I figured it would be much better to wait until Summer winds arrive which would give me a much better chance of getting to grips with the sport! The extra time I now have is taken up with sailing and my new sport surfing......I'm never far from the water! My brother gave me a 9ft long board for my birthday a couple of months ago and it's just perfect to learn on.
From the female kiting friends I have about 2-3 that regularly join me for a surf at either North Bondi or Freshwater . Its the same as kiting; once you start you get
addicted and no matter what the size of surf you can always go out and enjoy yourself.
Being in the water at 6am weekdays is the best way to start my day and I'm loving it! Sydney Winds are slowly starting to turn to the east so I'm hoping it won't be too long before I can dust off my kite gear and get back out there to get a grip on the sport......surfing in the mornings and kiting in the afternoon.....perfect!
Upcoming Events:
Festival of Winds - September 10th at Bondi Beach, Sydney
The Entrance Kite Festival - November 12th (for more info check out kiteforce.com.au)
Mambo Classic - 23rd-26th November at Merimbula, NSW - this event is a great way to kick start your season whether you're going to do social kiting or compete.
We're still trying to find female kiters in these states, so if anyone knows of girls that would like to contribute please get in touch. For information on these two states check out: kbv.org.au (Victoria's kitesurfing Association) saksa.netfirms.com (South Australia Kitesurfing Assocation). If you're interested in Kiting in Tasmania, check out the below websites: members.ozemail.com.au/~kitesurfing/ & xsport.com.au
We're getting a strong girls contingent up here, there were 5 of us up at the jumping pin this weekend and i had my first kite in ho so long! has been awesome.
i just have to remember to bring my camera out with me when i am around. - if all else fails we can use some of the pic that are posted up on one of the websites but i think a group shot of the girles would be grand!
The gold coast is action is heating up as the whales keep swimming by, rumour is strong that the nor easters will make an early comeback to this region, much to the obvious delight of the crew. Mid august saw some awesoms gales - which were candy to those lucky enough to get out to kiteable places in westerlies. I still think Queensland's idea of gusty crap winds isn't anything on the the crap winds of more southerly parts- it really is quite tollerable!.
It's grand to see more girls getting amongst it with a few treats and training sessions in the planning process at the moment. Now appears to be the lul before the new seasons gear hits the market as there are some bargins to be had in the second hand department, as always its best to try before you buy (and have a character reference about the x-owner). Check out the gear reviews and stay tuned for demo locations and dates.
Upcoming Events:
On October 20-22nd Lynita Howie is holding the first all female kiting weekend 'Kite Convergence' at Coloundra, QLD. If you're interested drop Lynita a line or check out here website: learntokitesurf.com/kitegirls.htm
lynita_howie@hotmail.com
Beck Colefax (formerly Nicholson) has been out of the water and off the kite for nearly two years, but she's had other things on her plate such as finishing her university degree and having a baby! But now she's back and just in time for summer. As a recent mum, her sessions are now short and sweet (between feeding ) but she's hoping to get out on the water this weekend so long as the wind is right for her local area Noosa and someone can baby-sit !
In August, Beck was asked to be a guest speaker for 'Sport and Recreation Queensland' at the Sunshine Coast inaugural 'Active Girls Breakfast Seminar'. The breakfast was enjoyed by over 250 secondary school girls, their parents, teachers and distinguished guests. Beck was teamed up with some amazing and inspirational professional athletes such as Kira Llewellyn (World Champion
Body Boarder, Rebecca Oakley (Pro Junior Surfer), Kirsty Munroe (World Champion Triathlete) and Karni Lidell (Para Olympian). The success of the morning was highlighted by the number of smiles and excited comments and questions asked by the girls......they are keen, but a little shy! So if you see a girl trying to give kiting a go - lend a hand if you can and encourage, encourage, encourage.
For more info on what Beck and for upcoming events around Australia check out her website: traqua.com.au
My name is Chiara, pronounced Key-ara for the Anglo-Saxons.. I'm Italian. 53 kilos, 1.63 m. Blonde (don't laugh). Age...uhmm good point... on the 21st of September I will have to deal with the horrible -rty suffix. I started kitesurfing in Italy in April 2005. Before that I was an obsessed-happy-sometimes frustrated windsurfer on Sardinia Island (in Italy). Sardinia is located between Corsica and Sicily. Super windy during spring!! It can easily reach 50 knots.
In March last year I managed to cut my lip in half windsurfing. The same day I met my actual (Aussi) partner.... Misfortunes come all in once! Apparently he was a great kitesurfer (at that time they looked all the same to me..) and offered to teach me to kitesurf (I wonder why.. It must be a missionary kite-attitude). I have to admit that having a snowboard and windsurf background helped me to learn much faster. For couple of months I tried to both kitesurf and windsurf but honestly I looked bit foolish .. I have been riding and I still ride only Wipika kites and use Wipika bars. Board: Cardboard, designed and made by Dan Veale from
Queensland.
The first months I used the Wipika INDY. Min size 5 m, max size 13.5. Spots: North of Sardinia with westerly winds. The swell in Sardinia is generated by wind and it can come from the south (Libeccio) or from the Northwest (Maestrale). In May I followed my boyfriend to Tarifa. Extremely windy there and not much swell. I didn't really enjoyed it because at that stage I was a bit scared of strong wind. But I had great fun at the pubs. Super cool people, food and parties. Only problem: the Spanish eat their dinner at midnight! Too late for hungry kiters!
Few years ago Tarifa was a spot dominated only by windsurfers and now is extremely busy with lots of 'Cometas' (Spanish word for kite). In September Sardinia hosted the PKRA competition with all the best riders in the world. It was great experience for me to be able to see also the girls competing at a high level.
In October we came to Australia with the intent to stay as long as my working holiday VISA allowed me. We travelled from Brisbane to Exmouth. The sea breeze was already excellent up north and we camped at Sandy beach and kited everyday. Unfortunately we rolled the car avoiding a kangaroo and we had
to go back to Perth to buy a new car... on the way back we realized the Geraldton was a great place to live. Windy everyday. Good Swell. So now we live here. We go kiting in secret long white beaches (called secret spots) or Gnarlaoo when work lets me. WA it's a great world. So alive. Animals, the colours of the water, the weather, the waves, the sunsets....In April I participated to the Kitestock event in Port Gregory (north of Geraldton). It was very well organized and it attracted people from all WA and some well known riders.
Uhm... tricks... I can do unhooked back/front rolls grabbed. Blind with handle pass. Some grabs. Raily. At the moment I'm trying to improve to surf the waves both tacks (I'm a natural stand).
Kites I'm using at the moment: Wipika Matrix II.
Board: new shaped Cardboard with new sick graphic!!
It's quite possibly the biggest thing to happen in women's kiteboarding since the invention of the kite...the Cindy Mosey Island Odyssey in Fiji this October. And you could be there too! Women's world kiteboard champ Cindy dreamt of creating the island odyssey after an incredible trip sailing and kiteboarding some of Fiji's beautiful places with partner Andy Reid in their yacht Mosey Along. They returned this year to scope out the island nation and found even more amazing kiteboarding spots for the race, which brings professional kiter girls together with recreational riders for a week of knowledge sharing, encouragement, fun and competition.
With a prize purse of US$15,000, the pay-off to the winning elite team is significantly higher than has ever been offered before.It's not only the world's best women kiteboarders who benefit though, with a special division for recreational kiters offering great prizes of gear from sponsors North and others. Participants will also have the opportunity to join in afternoon coaching sessions by the world's best and spend time venturing onto untouched islands, kiting, surfing, snorkelling, hiking or just hanging out at the resort on Kadavu Island.
Kadavu was selected for its combination of perfect winds, tropical beauty, a huge range of alternative recreational activities, and a true cultural experience with the unbelievably welcoming villagers of this pacific paradise. Sometimes described as 'the real Fiji', Kadavu has untouched lush tropical rainforest, waterfalls, no roads (all transport is by boat) and remote villages ringed by the world's fourth largest barrier reef, teeming with abundant marine life.
'We've had heaps of interest from all sorts of girls, it'll be amazing to get them together with a really good bunch of professional girls who're already totally committed,' says Cindy. 'There's also been a really good response from media. It's going to be so much fun and awesome for women's kiting. I can't wait.'
Fiji's national carrier Air Pacific recently joined up as a key sponsor and has offered generous discounts to all participants of the remote Fiji island experience and given free flights for crew. Girls attending the event will get discounts off the lowest fares available, with 12% off bookings from North America, 10% off for Australia, 5% from New Zealand and a 21 day Apex fare in Japan. Air Pacific has also offered free excess baggage for all involved.
Taking part in the event will be 12 of the world's best women kiteboarders and another 30 recreational riders from around the globe. The event would not have been possible without the support of Balance Vector and there are generous prizes from sponsors North Kites, Living Nature cosmetics and more. Spaces are still available, visit cindymoseyislandodyssey.com to findout more!
Scroll down the page - there is heaps more!
The thought of warm weather and constant winds would bring a smile to any kiters' face.....there's nothing better being out on a warm sunny day in your boardies and rash vest ripping it up! With this in mind, now is a great time to do a full maintenance check of your kiting equipment and below have provided you with some basics to hopefully kick start you into the Season.
Many thanks to those who sent in articles and photos, without you this newsletter wouldn't be possible:
Ange from learntokite.com.au
Fiona from kitesurfsessions.com
Chiara from WA
Beck from traqua.com.au
Su Kay and Cindy Mosey from NZ cindymoseyislandodyssey.com
Kite Gear Pre-Season Maintenance Check
Now that we're heading into Spring there's no better time to give your gear a thorough maintenance check so that you're ready to rock and roll. Below is a guideline to undertake a basic maintenance check for your kite gear. In the event that you'd like more detailed information, you can either check the manufacturer website, ask another kiter, put a post on seabreeze.com.au or stop by your local kite shop that stocks the same brand and ask their advice.- Fixing Leaks
Before removing the bladder tie a kite line (or string) to the bladder valve. This allows you to get the bladder back inside the strut by pulling the guide string. Completely deflate the bladder and pull it out the end of the strut and secure the guide string. Find the leak by gently inflating the bladder. You might be able to hear the leak, or feel it blowing against your hand/ face, otherwise submerge it section by section in a bucket. Once found, mark the leak with a mark circle using a marker pen. Dry off the bladder and select the correct size patch. I prefer the sticky back clear patches rather than the glue type ones, as the glue gets messy. Apply the patch smoothly and rub between fingers to remove air and get a good bond. Gently inflate the bladder to check patch is working, and that there aren't any more holes!
Once all patching is complete, put the bladder in a zip lock bag with some talcum powder, seal and shake. This coats the bladder with powder, which makes sliding it into the strut MUCH easier. At the fat end of the bladder, push the end of the bladder back inside the bladder up to the valve, this makes it easier to get the bladder into the end of the strut. Arrange the bladder so it can slide into the strut with the correct orientation, reattach the guide string and gently pull the bladder back into the strut, avoiding twisting the bladder. Secure the thin end of the bladder into the end of the strut. Once in place, SLOWLY inflate the bladder 50% full and check that it reaches right into the and of the strut and doesn't have any twists. If it doesn't fit right gently 'massage' the bladder inside the strut, it should move around easily. Once it looks good, pump up to full pressure and leave for 30mins in shade to check repair. Go have a beer to celebrate.
- Repairing small holes in the kite
Clean both sides of the kite and dry thoroughly, it is best to do this on a sunny windless day, as the heat helps the patches to bond to the kite material. Cut 2 pieces of stick on kite material, they need to be much bigger than the hole/tear. Each patch should be a different size, so that the layers of material doesn't change from one to three suddenly, that would cause a wear point. Place one on either side of the hole, smoothing it on to avoid air bubbles. Rub against a hard smooth surface (like a magazine) with your fingernail to get a good bond. Leave to dry thoroughly. If the hole is of a substantial size, take to any windsurfing or kitesurfing shop who will be able to send off to get sewn, or try a yatch sailmakers, they can usually do repairs.
Tips n Tricks
1. KITES- Pump Up Kite, check for twisted bladders or leaks
- Once the kite is inflated, put in a safe shaded area for an hour to see if any areas deflate.
- Check and clean out any of the Kite inflation points (sand is a great one to get in here which can then get into the bladder)
- Twisted bladders are easy to spot, they look like a crease and the kite won't fully inflate in the spot of the twist. If you spot one of these, stop pumping, deflate the kite and repair yourself or take to a kite shop to repair.
- Unroll your lines and lay them out in a clear area, check for wear and tear, knots and rusting. Run your fingers over the lines and feel your way along them. Then check over again whilst looking. In the event you may be unsure if they need
replacing ask a more experience kiter or shop their opinion.
- Checking Line Length - Once the lines have been checked and unrolled, fix all ends to one point. To get a fixed point all you need is a rope tied around something (tree/car towbar/ doorhandle), tie a knot on the rope and attach your lines to the rope. Or a long handled screwdriver stuck into the ground works as well
Line Length for 4 Line Kites
* 4 Line kite lines should all be the same length.
* When harnessed in, hold the bar as close to your body as it can go (which is fully powered up if you were on the water) and check that the bar sits straight. If it doesn't adjust the line which is either too short or too long.
* In the event of one line is longer than the other it will mean the kite flies more to one side. You can either shorten the line at the kite end or the bar end by adding a knot.
* Once this is done, hold the bar again as close to you as you can get and slowly release. You are looking for both the outside lines to lower down together at the same rate and distance. Both the inside lines should stay evenly tensioned, if one is tighter then adjust using the knots.
Line Length for Bow Kites
* Bow kites have outside lines that are longer than the inside lines.
* The checking process is the same as a 4 line kite, but check the inside and outside lines separately. Secure the outside lines to a fixed point and check they are the same length, adjust if necessary, then fix the inside lines and check/adjust. The outside (steering/rear) lines will have some slack when all 4 lines are connected to a fixed point.
Check with your kites manual (normaly available on the manufactures website) for the exact measurements of your lines. Some will say that all lines should be the same length with the bar pulled all the way in and an amount of depower pulled on. They are all different so best to check.
Tip: During everyday use with exposure to salt some lines can become harder to untangle, to assist in prevention of this apply some candle wax or ski/surf wax rubbed on by hand (not too thick as it can attract sand).
2. LINES
- Check for any dents/holes - fill if required with epoxy resin glue available from hardware stores.
- Check foot straps and fixings to board, if loose tighten. A little drop of Super Glue on the threads of bolts will lock them in, but still allow you to undo them.
- Check foot pads, if loose or starting to come off board re-fix with some bostic or similar contact adhesive.
3. BOARDS
Your Kite Gears First Aid Kit
As a rule of thumb, if you're not going to kite in a local spot with a kite shop or hardwarestore close by it's always good to carry a repair kit with you. Here's a list of what we recommend you have in your Kite First Aid Kit!
+ Spare pair of lines
+ Hole repair patches for bladders and kite
+ Set of Alan Keys or screwdrivers, whichever you need to tighten fins and footstraps
PHOTOGRAPHY
Written by Fiona CalingHi! My name is Fiona I'm from the Gold Coast and am the photographer for Kite Surf Sessions, an online photo gallery of kite surfers. We make an effort to take quality photos of everyone, not just the more advanced kiters!
When I started it was mainly taking photos of my boyfriend and his mates. Once the website was launched I thought it would be great to include photos of female kiters also, however, I didn't realise how difficult it would be to take photos of females....and I know you're out there!
I see you arrive and set up on the beach, but once you launch your kites you all generally go right out the back never to be seen until the wind drops. I know this isn't literally the case for everyone, but this is what I see through my view finder of my camera. I'm constantly keeping an eye out for you, but female kiters, as of yet, haven't come in close enough for me to take their photo.
For a photographer we have to make the choice between a shot off in the distance, that could turn out possibly blurred and poorly composed or a shot taken at close range where you know it'll be in focus and have good composition. Nine of our Ten times we'll go for the close option.
Unfortunately, men instinctively know this! I can recount numerous times where I have set myself up and men have flocked towards the camera like bees to a honey pot, hopeful that I will take a photo of their best move.
A photo can tell you many things, particularly a sequence of photos a kiter can pin point what is going right and what is going wrong in a move. Female kiters in general have a completely different riding style to men. Whereas men use their physical strength to throw their bodies into a move, females use their balance
and agility to mavouevure into a move. From a photography point of view this is exciting as one move or a seris of moves can be executed in two completely different ways. Female Kiters usually have a more graceful riding style whereas the men tend to have a more powerful and foreceful style.
If you ever see me on your local beach, come over and say hi. Remember that I will take photos of everyone and zoom lenses will only go so far.....some come in closer and smile! Keep in mind that you hold a lot of power being a female kiter. If you're having troubles getting through those bees to the camera just ask them to give you a little space so you can have your picture taken.....most guys are always willing to help out!
Website: kitesurfsessions.com
Email: info@kitesurfsessions.com
FEMALE WAKEBOARDING "CHICKS THROW DOWN"
Written by Amber WingPro Wakeboarder, Amber Wing is getting motivated for another big summer of promoting chicks in sport. The Chicks Throw Down started by Boarder Magazine will continue this year at Stoney Park, Port Macquarie.
Amber's purpose behind this is similar to her reason for travelling miles around Australia every year: 'I want to put on a weekend that all girls can come and learn and be able to afford. To meet Hayley Smith and myself and also meet other girls who wakeboard around their area.
I want to grow women's wakeboarding and reach as many girls as I can. I'm tired of running an event and being told by girls that they would love to come but can not afford it'. This year, with the help of Liquid Force, Wing Wetsuits and Oakley, it's absolutely free. Places are limited; to ensure your spot contact amber@wing.com.au.
When: 17-19th November
Where: Stoney Park
Who: All chicks
Cost: Free
What's included? Accommodation Friday & Saturday - villas, bunk houses and cabins Wakeboarding Saturday & Sunday. Dinner Friday, 3 meals Saturday, breaky & lunch Sunday Coaching by Amber Wing & Hayley Smith
Sponsored by: Liquid Force, Wing, and Oakley For westuits and impact/buoyancy vests plus much more check out the Wing Wetsuits website & shop:www.wing.com.au Shop: 33 - 35 Captain Cook Drive, Caringbah New South Wales 2229 Tel: +61 2 9540 1811
Location updates
NSW- SYDNEY
Written by Sally HoareAfter spending numerous days through winter chasing the wind in the hope of finally getting a good day where I could improve my skills, I reached breaking point about 3 weeks ago where nothing seemed to go right for me. I left the beach feeling disheartened and fed up with the feeling that the carrot is constantly being dangled infront of my face!!
So, I figured it would be much better to wait until Summer winds arrive which would give me a much better chance of getting to grips with the sport! The extra time I now have is taken up with sailing and my new sport surfing......I'm never far from the water! My brother gave me a 9ft long board for my birthday a couple of months ago and it's just perfect to learn on.
From the female kiting friends I have about 2-3 that regularly join me for a surf at either North Bondi or Freshwater . Its the same as kiting; once you start you get
addicted and no matter what the size of surf you can always go out and enjoy yourself.
Being in the water at 6am weekdays is the best way to start my day and I'm loving it! Sydney Winds are slowly starting to turn to the east so I'm hoping it won't be too long before I can dust off my kite gear and get back out there to get a grip on the sport......surfing in the mornings and kiting in the afternoon.....perfect!
Upcoming Events:
Festival of Winds - September 10th at Bondi Beach, Sydney
The Entrance Kite Festival - November 12th (for more info check out kiteforce.com.au)
Mambo Classic - 23rd-26th November at Merimbula, NSW - this event is a great way to kick start your season whether you're going to do social kiting or compete.
VICTORIA, SA & TASMANIA
Written by....your name could be hereWe're still trying to find female kiters in these states, so if anyone knows of girls that would like to contribute please get in touch. For information on these two states check out: kbv.org.au (Victoria's kitesurfing Association) saksa.netfirms.com (South Australia Kitesurfing Assocation). If you're interested in Kiting in Tasmania, check out the below websites: members.ozemail.com.au/~kitesurfing/ & xsport.com.au
QUEENSLAND - GOLD COAST
Written by Therese ThomasWe're getting a strong girls contingent up here, there were 5 of us up at the jumping pin this weekend and i had my first kite in ho so long! has been awesome.
i just have to remember to bring my camera out with me when i am around. - if all else fails we can use some of the pic that are posted up on one of the websites but i think a group shot of the girles would be grand!
The gold coast is action is heating up as the whales keep swimming by, rumour is strong that the nor easters will make an early comeback to this region, much to the obvious delight of the crew. Mid august saw some awesoms gales - which were candy to those lucky enough to get out to kiteable places in westerlies. I still think Queensland's idea of gusty crap winds isn't anything on the the crap winds of more southerly parts- it really is quite tollerable!.
It's grand to see more girls getting amongst it with a few treats and training sessions in the planning process at the moment. Now appears to be the lul before the new seasons gear hits the market as there are some bargins to be had in the second hand department, as always its best to try before you buy (and have a character reference about the x-owner). Check out the gear reviews and stay tuned for demo locations and dates.
Upcoming Events:
On October 20-22nd Lynita Howie is holding the first all female kiting weekend 'Kite Convergence' at Coloundra, QLD. If you're interested drop Lynita a line or check out here website: learntokitesurf.com/kitegirls.htm
lynita_howie@hotmail.com
QUEENSLAND - NOOSA
Written by Beck ColefaxBeck Colefax (formerly Nicholson) has been out of the water and off the kite for nearly two years, but she's had other things on her plate such as finishing her university degree and having a baby! But now she's back and just in time for summer. As a recent mum, her sessions are now short and sweet (between feeding ) but she's hoping to get out on the water this weekend so long as the wind is right for her local area Noosa and someone can baby-sit !
In August, Beck was asked to be a guest speaker for 'Sport and Recreation Queensland' at the Sunshine Coast inaugural 'Active Girls Breakfast Seminar'. The breakfast was enjoyed by over 250 secondary school girls, their parents, teachers and distinguished guests. Beck was teamed up with some amazing and inspirational professional athletes such as Kira Llewellyn (World Champion
Body Boarder, Rebecca Oakley (Pro Junior Surfer), Kirsty Munroe (World Champion Triathlete) and Karni Lidell (Para Olympian). The success of the morning was highlighted by the number of smiles and excited comments and questions asked by the girls......they are keen, but a little shy! So if you see a girl trying to give kiting a go - lend a hand if you can and encourage, encourage, encourage.
For more info on what Beck and for upcoming events around Australia check out her website: traqua.com.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Written by Chiara DaneseMy name is Chiara, pronounced Key-ara for the Anglo-Saxons.. I'm Italian. 53 kilos, 1.63 m. Blonde (don't laugh). Age...uhmm good point... on the 21st of September I will have to deal with the horrible -rty suffix. I started kitesurfing in Italy in April 2005. Before that I was an obsessed-happy-sometimes frustrated windsurfer on Sardinia Island (in Italy). Sardinia is located between Corsica and Sicily. Super windy during spring!! It can easily reach 50 knots.
In March last year I managed to cut my lip in half windsurfing. The same day I met my actual (Aussi) partner.... Misfortunes come all in once! Apparently he was a great kitesurfer (at that time they looked all the same to me..) and offered to teach me to kitesurf (I wonder why.. It must be a missionary kite-attitude). I have to admit that having a snowboard and windsurf background helped me to learn much faster. For couple of months I tried to both kitesurf and windsurf but honestly I looked bit foolish .. I have been riding and I still ride only Wipika kites and use Wipika bars. Board: Cardboard, designed and made by Dan Veale from
Queensland.
The first months I used the Wipika INDY. Min size 5 m, max size 13.5. Spots: North of Sardinia with westerly winds. The swell in Sardinia is generated by wind and it can come from the south (Libeccio) or from the Northwest (Maestrale). In May I followed my boyfriend to Tarifa. Extremely windy there and not much swell. I didn't really enjoyed it because at that stage I was a bit scared of strong wind. But I had great fun at the pubs. Super cool people, food and parties. Only problem: the Spanish eat their dinner at midnight! Too late for hungry kiters!
Few years ago Tarifa was a spot dominated only by windsurfers and now is extremely busy with lots of 'Cometas' (Spanish word for kite). In September Sardinia hosted the PKRA competition with all the best riders in the world. It was great experience for me to be able to see also the girls competing at a high level.
In October we came to Australia with the intent to stay as long as my working holiday VISA allowed me. We travelled from Brisbane to Exmouth. The sea breeze was already excellent up north and we camped at Sandy beach and kited everyday. Unfortunately we rolled the car avoiding a kangaroo and we had
to go back to Perth to buy a new car... on the way back we realized the Geraldton was a great place to live. Windy everyday. Good Swell. So now we live here. We go kiting in secret long white beaches (called secret spots) or Gnarlaoo when work lets me. WA it's a great world. So alive. Animals, the colours of the water, the weather, the waves, the sunsets....In April I participated to the Kitestock event in Port Gregory (north of Geraldton). It was very well organized and it attracted people from all WA and some well known riders.
Uhm... tricks... I can do unhooked back/front rolls grabbed. Blind with handle pass. Some grabs. Raily. At the moment I'm trying to improve to surf the waves both tacks (I'm a natural stand).
Kites I'm using at the moment: Wipika Matrix II.
Board: new shaped Cardboard with new sick graphic!!
NEW ZEALAND
Written by Cindy MoseyIt's quite possibly the biggest thing to happen in women's kiteboarding since the invention of the kite...the Cindy Mosey Island Odyssey in Fiji this October. And you could be there too! Women's world kiteboard champ Cindy dreamt of creating the island odyssey after an incredible trip sailing and kiteboarding some of Fiji's beautiful places with partner Andy Reid in their yacht Mosey Along. They returned this year to scope out the island nation and found even more amazing kiteboarding spots for the race, which brings professional kiter girls together with recreational riders for a week of knowledge sharing, encouragement, fun and competition.
With a prize purse of US$15,000, the pay-off to the winning elite team is significantly higher than has ever been offered before.It's not only the world's best women kiteboarders who benefit though, with a special division for recreational kiters offering great prizes of gear from sponsors North and others. Participants will also have the opportunity to join in afternoon coaching sessions by the world's best and spend time venturing onto untouched islands, kiting, surfing, snorkelling, hiking or just hanging out at the resort on Kadavu Island.
Kadavu was selected for its combination of perfect winds, tropical beauty, a huge range of alternative recreational activities, and a true cultural experience with the unbelievably welcoming villagers of this pacific paradise. Sometimes described as 'the real Fiji', Kadavu has untouched lush tropical rainforest, waterfalls, no roads (all transport is by boat) and remote villages ringed by the world's fourth largest barrier reef, teeming with abundant marine life.
'We've had heaps of interest from all sorts of girls, it'll be amazing to get them together with a really good bunch of professional girls who're already totally committed,' says Cindy. 'There's also been a really good response from media. It's going to be so much fun and awesome for women's kiting. I can't wait.'
Fiji's national carrier Air Pacific recently joined up as a key sponsor and has offered generous discounts to all participants of the remote Fiji island experience and given free flights for crew. Girls attending the event will get discounts off the lowest fares available, with 12% off bookings from North America, 10% off for Australia, 5% from New Zealand and a 21 day Apex fare in Japan. Air Pacific has also offered free excess baggage for all involved.
Taking part in the event will be 12 of the world's best women kiteboarders and another 30 recreational riders from around the globe. The event would not have been possible without the support of Balance Vector and there are generous prizes from sponsors North Kites, Living Nature cosmetics and more. Spaces are still available, visit cindymoseyislandodyssey.com to findout more!