SPI BLOWS

carolb · Wed Apr 30, 08 6:05 am **Under the stars sesh last night**

Still playing down here so come on down NW. Going out for a morning freestyle session in perfect 20 mph and then a wave sesh later after the waves get a little bigger. I already saw the first downwinders come by on twin tips but only waist high waves.

Last night: No moon early, lots of stars, and steady 14m winds. We got out late so Tony and I added a few glow sticks and went for an under the stars sesh. Really neat with just a few glow sticks and lots of stars. I got hit by a fish in the end? Not sure why. We needed to put a light on the bouy cause it was impossible to see.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

does SPI get reliable wind in december? what is the ideal kite size and the temp that time of year?

Mark · Wed Apr 30, 08 8:08 am

Great shots Henry and Phil.

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer

Bettyboarder · Wed Apr 30, 08 11:18 am

Wow Rico nice picts. Thanks all the hardwork.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Sounds like good times in SPI. Glad it's been dishing out the goods as always.

Carol and Tony, when you guys coming back? Now that Tekko and Tonia are leaving you're the last NW peeps still down there right? We need your delicious rum drinks up here. I'm gettin thirsty Very Happy

carolb · Wed Apr 30, 08 9:04 pm **NW'ers still coming down**

Its great down here. I keep meeting NW'ers on the beach every day. Today 2 new ones: a guy killing front 720's on a orange fuel from HR during the morning flats session. (sorry, forgot your name). Afternoon sesh we met LaRon pulling a downwinder in the surf.

Biggest wow was T & T LF team, Cynthia's Ozone team, and John and the slingsets all pulled 4 downwinders in the surf today which was awesome.

GeneK - We're not coming back until it warms up and I can't see snow on the Stevie kite cam! Come on down the water is balmy compared to your over the top of 50! Its 76 out and its midnight. Maybe a sweatshirt to go with the flipflops when I walk the doggies.

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer

Mug photo by Trevor

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer

photo phil

..

brass · Since 15 Jul 2006 152 Posts Stoked

I have wondered about that sign. If we posted that sign complete with the "kooks learn to surf" grafitti at say...Rufus what sort of an uproar might we hear about? I was happy to see it laying in the weeds when I arrived at Holly last week.

carolb · Fri May 02, 08 6:45 am **Beginner caution signs...**

"I was happy to see it laying in the weeds when I arrived at Holly last week." (Not trying to lay into you Brass, just think this is one place that lives up to the need of a sign. Cool

)

Maybe it was the same guy who took down the sign as the guy who thought it was a good idea to teach his girlfirend to kite at Holly last week. She got drug through the oysters and ended up crashing the kite full powered into the people on the beach who were pumping up and never saw it coming. Someone immediately took the correct response and let the air out of the leading edge.

We all know kiting is dangerous. Add razor sharp oysters, (played nurse to a nasty cut/slice last week), limited space, kite munching cactus, rattlesnakes, power lines, sewage treatment plant, and someone with no abilty to fly a trainer kite let alone a big one and maybe a sign to don't do this is a good idea??? Did the sign offend or deter a good kiter or did it possible prevent someone who could not handle the conditions from hurting themselves or someone else?

Or should the sign have read.

FYI - Conditions of this place.
-Hidden in the mud broken glass from fisherman and drinking parties.
-Hidden in the mud razor sharp oyster shells.
-Downwind to the right is a sewage plant and it smells really bad. No bathrooms or water to get the smell off.
-Downwind to the left are power lines to electrocute you.
-Cactus to distroy your kite everywhere.
-Rattlesnakes to bite you when you try to retrieve your kite from the powerlines or cactus.
-Unfriendly kiters because you pissed off the rattlesnakes who are now swimming in the water.

Maybe Holly is not the best place to learn!

PS - Waves are still delivering and rumor has it that Chase is in the lead with 2 days of 5 downwinders per day. Each downwinder is 7 miles and the taxis are staging at the get out point for the $3 per person ($2 + $1 for a tip) ride back. And the flats are going off for beginners, lessons, and freestyle flat water. Lots of smiles at Wauna Wauna and Dorado's last night. The Wauna Wauna drink also continues to deliver.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

The sign probably could also say:

"This is private land and the owner doesn't want us here."

Because its true... so keep that in mind when discussing that beach.

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer

Makes you appreciate the Gorge

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 204 Posts Stoked

Its worse in the SF Bay - Shop Wars!

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Wow, JP. That really sucks. I always hated hearing about all the stupid competitive shit that happens in the Bay Area. Almost every launch is practically owned by a shop due to liabilities (for teaching) and there's always issues that arise. It's pretty sad. The only launch that didn't have that problem was Sherman and even they started requiring captain's permits for teaching if I recall correctly, which shut down some schools. I haven't heard of another kiting area with so many problems and legal battles going on WITHIN the kiting community. Hope it settles down eventually for you guys. We need to work together to promote kiting, not fight each other. For now I'm just glad to be back in Oregon Thumb's Up

brass · Since 15 Jul 2006 152 Posts Stoked

"Makes you appreciate the Gorge"- Rico

Thanks Rico, that is all I was trying to say.

I was really referring to the KOOKS LEARN TO SURF bit. I don't think they were referring to me so perhaps I shouldn't care at all. Sorry about the guy's girlfriend but I don't get how a sign would help.

As for the private property, that is another issue. Perhaps it should say so.[/quote]

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth