On Monday the 8th of August, I came across a message (by total chance) from Josh Emanuel on a wind report group about an event in Sterkfontein Dam. The Takla Sterkies Classic.
The event was to take place on Saturday the 13th and was aimed at amateurs.
I just messaged Josh and wished him luck with event.
Josh’s reply; “Are you in SA and available?…”
With 2019 almost in the review mirror, my kiteboarding adventure has taken a turn up. I am super stoked to have joined Airush Kiteboarding. I have only had the equipment for a little over a month, but my first contact has been awesome! Not only with the equipment, but also with the team of people at Airush. I look forward to a successful collaboration with them, a brand that has always come across as a core, driven by people who love the sport. That really appeals to me.
It was a serious baptism of new gear with my first taste of the “Wave” and the 5’6 Amp in some pretty massive waves at my home spot. The back swells were challenging but the reform gave me a chance to get a taste of what the equipment can do and left me frothing for another session.
On my second session I got a chance to really enjoy the board and kite.
It didn’t take long for me to feel totally at ease and to start hitting some radical sections.
On a side note, a new board gave me the opportunity to test the Vibram five fingers on a clean board surface. I am beyond stoked to report that the V-Aqua from Vibram give enough grip to not need any EVA grip or wax. I will keep riding like this for a while, see how it evolves and then do a more in depth report on that.
My first sessions on the Union 8m was also a “pedal to the metal” affair. 30\35 knots, maybe more. tried on 24 m and 21 m set up. Did some boosting, some old school and threw some nasty loops. The kite can be gentle or super aggressive, depending on how low you throw. The size for me is perfect to really boost and loop.
I look forward to some more overpowered sessions on it.
Also stoked to report that the cleat bar’s stopper works a charm for those “Old School” moves. Bring on the “dead mans”!
Onwards and upwards. Bring it on!
In October / November, we get pretty insane conditions on the East Coast of South Africa.
Strong winds from the left and the right, and big swell pull in regularly. This year was no exception.
The spot featured in this video is not the friendliest, The waves are strong, there is a side current and lots of rocks downwind. Mistakes can have a heavy price. (a few destroyed kites here before). But the wave runs and is super powerful. It breaks of a rock outcrop to then run along these sand banks. The close out is very powerful and tricky to hit as it has a tendency to destroy you.
I have been surfing this wave for a long time, but it has to be way smaller than the swell on the video to be able to make the paddle out. Of course with kiting you manage to get over the white water and end up riding way bigger waves.
I always take a kite that is super reliable and relaunches quick. The Peter Lynn Kiteboarding Swell v3 is the perfect kite for this conditions. Not only does it relaunch super fast (you need to get it up before the next wave hits you) but it also drifts remarkably well. With such fast waves it’s super important.
Enjoy this little edit that kind of sums up what was a memorable Oct / Nov!
Ced
