Big wave chicken jibing - another caution

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2622 Posts The 503 METAL

The other day I was light on my big kite in some fairly big, fast swell at Manzo. I was scratching for the outside, when a bomber reared up in front of me. I was indecisive and waited to long to try and chicken jibe in front of it.

As it slammed me toward my kite my lines went slack and the kite started falling. I tried to jettison off the back and swim away from the kite to keep tension. I barely avoided getting sucked over the falls and kept my kite in the air....barely.

If I had gone over the falls I would've dropped the kite right in front of the bomb, and would have been tumbling around my slacked lines a long way from shore. In hindsight, I should've just gone up and over the thing. ANYTHING, that keeps you from slacking your lines and dropping your kite. Manzo is especially onshore so even jibing earlier would have been a risk.

Sorry, I hate dwelling on dangers, but it's early season so I thought I would throw out this caution reminder. Thumb's Up

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

oceans dangerous careful ...........

surfer · Since 02 Aug 2012 52 Posts westport, wa

I almost did that tonight. looking down at slack lines from the top of the wave is a panicky moment for sure! I went in for a bigger kite.

DrewB · Since 16 Aug 2006 384 Posts PDX Obsessed

slacked lines keep me up at night

JonMalmberg · Since 15 Aug 2011 340 Posts Obsessed

Slither...

Goop post... I also learned the hard way living in Maui. Lanes ate me up once, ripped my kite into shreds, snapped my board, and pummeled me into the rocks at Mama's for a similar mistake. I still bear those scars.

No matter how big the wave, drop off your board, hang onto your board, and body drag with vigor right at it... Get a big breath of air, do a little duck dive, and keep the kite driving you right through. You will be amazed at how big a piece of water you can get under.

Weee, must get coastal time soon...

Jon

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Good post. Thanks for sharing this advice. Yes, better to get pummeled than go slack. Drop the shoulder like football practice Very Happy

Along these lines, although this is moot with slack lines, do all of you leash up in the ocean? I have friends and have seen posts about the pros and cons of this. I also see many pictures in mags, etc where guys are riding waves leashless.

nickdward · Since 11 Aug 2008 130 Posts Seattle Stoked

When going thru the rinse cycle, yank on one end of your bar to continuously loop your kite to keep line tension.

Sometimes you'll pop right out the back.....sometimes it takes quite a few loops

Aeolus · Sat May 04, 13 6:51 am

way to...
8 sec youtube clip (embed not working for me)

haha slither...good 411 on that shizot. I tend toward the Jon method, but when you run out of time you run out of time and anything goes. I usually opt to point my kite at Asia and spider man through the back.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Yeah BamBam nailed that

Also works well on a SUP - u can paddle and jump thru some pretty big ones - if u have a thick leash and your leg is attached well

nickdward · Since 11 Aug 2008 130 Posts Seattle Stoked

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

I do like to jet ski thru crowded line ups...

Perfectly acceptable etiquette if you are the only ones who venture out - watched Damian Leroy take a few strokes and jump thru a vicious shore pound, paddle in hand
Thru the back of the wave was pretty artful