It’s true: kitesurfing is not a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. An addiction. You go out for three hours without realising and it only feels like three minutes, and afterwards, when you’re falling asleep and you can feel the echoes of the session in your body, your mind will drift to that feeling, of fighting the kite, of tension in the lines, of that perfect balance; it doesn’t matter if your legs, arms, abs are aching, you want to go out again. You have to.
Just a little update this time: my kite was in the shop for about two and a half weeks over the new year. I recently got it back after spending $285 on a full bladder replacement and it’s been great. I also finally picked up a 6m cheap from a friend who was moving back to France, it’s a Royal Era 2008. I got it for $450 (no bar, but it works fine on my flexi one) so I’m stoked about that. I also tried out a few other kites, Airush Vapor 7m, Core GT 9m, Ozone Sport+ 11m. I liked the Core and Ozone (I thought the Core bar was great in particular) but I don’t like the depower on the Airush/Ozone, the mechanism seems a bit dodgy. And bar pressure on Airush is way too light for me.
I’ve had a couple more little kitemares too recently, I’m sure you’ll be glad to hear! Highlights include:
- Being dragged across the reef at Lancelin (I have scars on my legs to prove it)
- Becoming unhooked during a gust while I was walking upwind at Pinnaroo
- Getting my lines tangled in the engine of a boat at Woodies (yes. an actual boat. this could only happen to me.)
- Messing up a self-land at Safety Bay and having to walk through knee-deep, snake-infested grass to retrieve my kite, whilst praying it doesn’t relaunch in the power zone (Safety Bay is so good though, I’m half tempted to move down to Rockingham)
… But I am getting better. Slowly, but still. Couple more decent sessions like yesterday and I should be set to start some tricks 
I think what messes up my progression is that if someone crashes in front of me, I’ll just STOP instead of trying to go around them. That, and I tend to ride overpowered because I like the feeling.
Things that are/will be happening:
- Core Online Slider Jam at Woodies is underway, might stop by sometime this week. I don’t particularly rate Woodies as a kiting spot though, for a number of reasons (ie. shells, and the fact that there are three beaches there so it gets pretty segregated and the atmosphere can get a bit tense on beach 3, so I’ve heard)
- Kitestock MMX!! I’m staying in a house with Chris, Luke, Aleisha, Antman, Rob, Tamlin and Dino.. got a pool and everything, it’s going to be EPIC.
I’ve also got some plans in the making.. like hunting for a fabled secret spot with Rob and Tam (30+ knots, perfect flat water, can only fit 4 kites) and maybe another little kite trip up North in Feb. Should be good!
I thought the WAKSA website looked really good and the committee worth joining??