Namotu Kite Footage with Big Balls Ben Wilson

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

The biggest kite session in history went down in 35 foot cloudbreak and no one died.
Kite footage starts at 7min. All I have to say is HOLLY SHIT BALLS! Shocked

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W22rs80yCA&feature=player_embedded

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

those were some big waves he kite rode in front of toward the beach.

It looked like he almost turned on one but I think he was turning out over it.

nice surfing and waves though.

specialk · Guest

I think he crapped his pants and that's why they cut to still's Laughing

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Big wave kitesurfing once again falls way short of what the guys are doing in traditional surfing. BW was just broad reaching at the bottom of the wave to keep ahead of where the lip was cracking at the bottom.

Surfers are turning up the face and then getting shacked on huge waves and it looks like they are in control of their path down the line. Maybe it is the wrong wind angle for Cloudbreak for turning up the face with kitesurfing equipment.

Don't get me wrong, what BW was doing out there was challenging and difficult, but it didn't look very harmonizing like what kiters are doing in smaller performance oriented surf. Head high to double overhead seems to be the realm that kitesurfing is really tailored for at this time in the evolution of the sport.

The one place that seems to be the right wind angle for big wave kitsurfing is Preta in CV Islands where Mitu lives. He is the one dude that hits the lip in big waves.

Macaframa · Since 06 Jul 2010 81 Posts California Delta

That soundtrack had me waiting for juggling clowns or a tricycle riding bear to pop into the frame.

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Windian Dude, the post is really about Big Balls.
No F-en way Im going to jump infront of that!
I have had my ass handed to me on much smaller setts.
That Cloudbreak wave would grind you down DEEP when you eat it....cause if you ride it long enough your gona eat it. Thats part of the program, well for me it is.

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

Holy crap, I see why they call it cloudbreak. It must be hell getting caught in that. The water is probably so full of air in the cloud that you couldn't possibly swim in it; you know aside from being tossed around like a rag doll. The was was almost as high as his kite in one of the shots. Insane.

At least if you are regular surfing you can just go where the wave pushes you. If you are attached to a kite you have a huge anchor in the air weighing you down. I bet that hurts your ribs and waist like none other. Or am I wrong since I have basically no ocean experience?

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Kitesurfers don't seem to be able to get into the sweet spot at Cloudbreak. Next to that super impressive wave, the kitesurfing pales in comparison. Tow in surfing's earlier days were kind of like this too tho & the surfing was really not that impressive, IMO. Now, tow in surfers are pulling into huge slabs, cutting back, getting covered up, etc. - So, maybe kitesurfing in big waves will improve as well. I'm still impressed most by great surfing in moderate waves, with or without a kite.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

those guys kill it in double and triple overhead waves (i'm sure you will see some sick footage this year...)

bigger - someone always wants to go...

(did ask Ben Wilson how many kites he destroys a year - sounded like a few - or my allowance for three years - may have to step it up..)