Charging barrels in Indo!

Matt E. · Since 22 May 2008 318 Posts West Coast Sales Rep Obsessed

Check out this video of my buddy Reo Stevens ripping some barrels in Indo! I think I know where my next trip is going to be..... Very Happy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6M9OggtFgpo[youtube]

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Sick! Make sure you have backup activities planned if you go in case of skunkage. Not very many days pan out like the video.

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

Some of the better tube riding that I have seen with kitesurfing videos. However, I can't help but compare it to regular surfing with shortboards and what guys like Slater, Fanning, Parko and John John can do. Sorry kitesurfers, but it is not in the same league as surfing at all. The kiters were even trying best to reach with their arms as far as they could in front of themselves to try to get the bar and lines out in front of the lip, looked kinda ackward, goofy, and unstylish.

In contrast to tube riding with kitesurfing there is bottom turning and hitting the lip which is possibly more impressive then shortboard surfing given the insane speed and power which is attained with the kite in hand. And the fact that kiters can make crazy sections that surfers cannot do. Stick to what the kiters can do best when trying to push the envelope in kiting waves.

Personally, I like watching the hard carving turns and airials on the waves better then the barrel riding attempts by the top kitesurfers, but that is just my measley opinion.

Rolling Eyes

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

Although I need to get a legit barrel before I die, I do prefer the Take It To The Top style of my boy Ian.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

No one's arguing kiting vs. surfing, but you might as well enjoy all aspects of kiting waves. If you've never been barreled how do you know you won't like it? I think it's all fun and different waves lend themselves better to different techniques. Enjoy it all when you can!

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

kiting in a barrel is a must for any kiting wave junky

it seems like we see less local balls out wave fun now that half the time there are no straps

hard to get out on those big days without being able to do a 20 foot plus wave pre jump

if noone is going out its not fun to go out, there is lots of piece of mind knowing someone may be able to help when the swell is 10' or more.

oregon coast barrels are usually in the big swell days........ exciting stuff.

big swell is 8 foot or more imho

windobsessed · Since 07 Aug 2008 120 Posts Vancouver Stoked

I agree with Windian, I had the same feeling watching that video, It did not give me the WOW factor other wave kiting video's give me. Again this is just this video and I know this is way hard ... but just from a spectator perspective it just did not look that great. The kite did not add anything and seem to be more of a distraction...

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

http://nwkite.com/forums/t-21549.html

Good read on the subject summing up that its all good. Straps or not, consistent kiting in barrels on the west coast of the north american continent is not something I see, almost ever. Is it the lack of photographers or barrels?

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Tony, I'd say it's a bit of both. Tons of coast line with few photographers around to witness the action. Additionally, for consistent predictable barrels you typically want a reef. Most wave kiting spots on the northern west coast are breaking on sandbars which are less abrupt and shift more resulting in less predictable and less frequent barrels. Perhaps we're just not kiting in the right spots though. Surfers seem to be getting it a lot more around here.

Sella · Fri Oct 19, 12 4:33 pm

Great vid. Might as well be all fake anyway since at least 99.9% of us, excluding aframesurfer, will never ride like this. Not enough photographers. Not enough barrels. Not enough people around that can go get it on the perfect day it all lines up plus a great point by Regi on even having the skills to go out far enough to seriously play on big days.

It ain't surfing, nor should it be because it will never be a replacement. It's an option and still rare and hard as hell. Wakestyle is trending down in popularity but who cares because people like Reo, Rebstock or Alldredge just do what they do best that I think is mind blowing.

If I can park my kite and have a wave push me around it feels like a full release plus I can still be an old 9-5 Dad getting 100 chances to get that feeling instead of maybe 10 surfing, if you're lucky. You young fuckers don't realize the importance of time spent chasing the "elusive moment" but who the hell really surfs today? It's the coolest, just look in a crowd, at least 9 out of 10 guys are wearing surf shit but yet the beaches are still empty??? Hmmm???? Because surfing is a much more difficult gut check and even harder to do well. I have tremendous respect for surfers but I don't envy their countless hours IN the water so I'll settle for my kooky time ON the water and continue living the dream vicariously. Laughing

I ask the Gods.....does an Oregon Coast legit barrel kiter photograph even exist yet????

nickdward · Since 11 Aug 2008 130 Posts Seattle Stoked

Getting shacked is and will always be the pinnacle of surfing, kite or not.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

sheeeeit! i just wanna live like jay

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

No need to go all the way to indo - maybe just Peru Very Happy

Would be badass to get 8 miles of barreling waves on that north strip downwinder but 200 overhead walls in an afternoon is a nice consultation prize

It's not legit unless you can drive a greyhound thru it:

http://www.surfline.com/video/featured-clips/seared-peahi_77701

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

Here is the late and very great Andy Irons showing how to get barreled in Indo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqXgnNVH8gY

surfer · Since 02 Aug 2012 52 Posts westport, wa

I went here in oct. 2011,there was wind and huge pits every day. heaven

bustingbladder · Since 12 Jul 2006 387 Posts Seattle Obsessed

Nice work boys! Thanks Matt!