VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

RACE REPORT

Day 1: Squamish Canadian Nationals

I'm making it around the course and not getting in serious tangles. But I suck. To say that I am a kook, would a compliment.

TANGLES by the way, are frequent, and often hairy. Surpisingly the rule is to not eject during a tangle but to try to keep one kite in the air and play twister

Got protested for barrelling down on port, and cutting off another

John Abel of the RVYC, and Kayak Doc are here, along with myself representing the island crew.

Racing against the likes of Heineken gives one respect for the amount of control they have while doing 30+ knots with 0 room for error among other kites.

Way to go Luke! Keep at it. I couldn't take the demotion to ultimate kook status which is inevitable with the race board. So difficult is an understatement and then those guys will lap you when you blink.

[Vimeo]http://vimeo.com/71148292#[/Vimeo]

thankgodiatepastafobreaky wrote: So difficult is an understatement and then those guys will lap you when you blink.

Pasta, this is why we need to start racing more often in Vic. Kite racing has opened up so many new experiences, need to get the cook st. crew in on it!

I'd be into it if I could race the local guys, all of us fumbling and bumbling together out there at Cook or Gordons or Nitinaht, but not with Johnny and the pros. In Baja I was getting lapped right from the get-go for the fun races and realized I didn't have the latest board or sail so went no further with it. I really love the strapless surfboard, but also am jonesing for the excitement of the race start and neck in neck race pace and mark rounding. We should organize some much more informal races to get people out with out being intimidated. I think we could talk Mark A and maybe Ritchard M (and K Doc of course) into some humbling little races, without all the publicity. We just need some marks, or crab pots as marks and start lines, and windward mark and water proof watches with a preset start time like 4:00. That might work? I'm sure after this Squamish race experience you might be up for more informal training races that can go under the radar?

RACE DAY 2 UPDATE

Improving slightly, and starting to take some guys on that have a few years experience. Still I am competing in Mario Kart League whereas Johnny etc are F1.

Race 3, windward kite wrapped into me causing a tangle that took me out of that race and race 4. Complicated rescue with lines everywhere.

thankgodiatepastafobreaky wrote: I'm sure after this Squamish race experience you might be up for more informal training races that can go under the radar?

Yes, pasta. More races, as many as we can fit in. Brochie ledge isn't a bad fixed mark.

Good tips:

Keep your weight back over the fins as much as possible.

Downwind, keep both feet on the outside straps and drive the kite to create apparent wind.

During a tack, try to stand up on the board, rather than sitting in the harness.

This coming weekend is our last Squamish summer series race.
The forecast is looking good!
We'd be stoked to have a few of you guys on the course with us.

Hey Kyle

After getting schooled at the nationals I have been focusing on my tacks and board handleing

Also need new gear, slated for 2014. Hope to joining you guys consistently next season