bourgeois.jason - 1-2-2013 at 03:09 PM
I am happy to report that after 4 mostly unsuccessful attempts to kitesurf here in Angola, I have had a mostly successful evening.
As we were leaving the office today, I had high hopes of being able to kitesurf. The wind looked good in the city, but I was not sure what it would
be at the beach. As we drove up to our hotel on Luanda's "Ilha" (or Island), I could see the palm trees swaying more than normal. I was excited. I
ran into my room to retrieve my stuff. Since I had my bag stolen a few days ago, I just wear all of my gear and carry my kite, board, and bar the 300
meters to the beach. I set everything up and could definitely tell it was more windy than any other day I had tried to kitesurf here in Luanda. I
don't know the wind speed because my wind meter was in my bag that was stolen. I am a huge fan of closed cell foils because the setup time is pretty
low. I have a 19m Charger on 26m lines and a Liquid Force 140cm board, and I weigh 200 lbs.
I launched my kite and proceeded to the water. The wind was good. I was not quite able to stay upwind, but I was able to thoroughly enjoy myself for
10 or 15 minutes before I had to get out and walk the 400 meters to where I had started. I was able to make a few cuts upwind, but I think I lacked
the skill to stay upwind with that kite and board. I would have needed more skill, a bigger board, or a little more wind to stay upwind. Regardless,
I was able to move fast, make a few jumps, and have fun.
It seems that my skill level is increasing every time I go out. I'm sure that I will be more successful as time goes on. I just bought this kite a
few weeks before coming to Angola, and it is the first Peter Lynn Twin Skin I have flown. I also have not kitesurfed in 4 years (although I have been
able to ride my buggies a bit with my fixed bridle kite), so it is probably good that I have had a few low wind days to practice basic techniques. I
will update on future adventures.
If anyone is in Luanda, I think the wind will be pretty good during the next week. The forecast looks very good for Tuesday and Wednesday. If you
aren't in Luanda, it isn't good enough to travel here for kitesurfing. Find something closer to your house. Getting a visa is a nightmare. 
-Jason
bourgeois.jason - 10-2-2013 at 01:27 PM
All,
I said that I would keep you updated on my kitesurfing here in Angola, so here it is.
On Monday, February 4, I got off of work early. The wind was good, so I went to the beach. I had a great downwind session and ended up about two
miles down the beach. Right before I was about to go in, which was about 45 minutes before dark, I decided to try a little unhooked flying. I
dropped the kite in the water and had a difficult time relaunching, so I took off my board, since it was in the way. Since the wind was low, it took
me a little longer to launch than I thought. By the time I turned around, I couldn't see my board. I tried body surfing to find it, but I couldn't.
By the time I got back to the beach and picked up my gear it was getting dark, and there was no hope of seeing the board. Walking back two miles
wouldn't have been so bad if I had not lost my board. 
I went out the next evening
after work to see if I could find it, but I had no luck. If anyone sees a 140cm Liquid Force board with black aftermarket fins floating in the
Atlantic Ocean, it might be mine.
In other words, a great couple of hours of kiting ended poorly. It could have been a lot worse. I still have all of my limbs and didn't break any
bones. Life can always be worse. Don't get too bummed about the little stuff.
-Jason
bourgeois.jason - 10-2-2013 at 01:38 PM
Fortunately, I was able to have a few successful sessions since then with my 125cm Lightwave board.
I had a couple of down wind sessions during last week. They aren't much to speak about.
The great fun came yesterday evening (Saturday). The wind was blowing very nicely, and I was able to stay mostly upwind, even with the smaller board.
Today, however, was probably the best session of my life. The wind was kicking. As mentioned in another post, my wind meter was stolen, so I don't
know the exact wind. I guess it was about 16-20 mph, and I was flying the only kite I have here, my 19m PL Charger. When I first got there, I had a
difficult time staying upwind. I ended up down the beach a few hundred yards. Once I walked back to my original spot, the wind picked up, and I had
a great session that was bout 1.5 hours long. I was able to stay upwind the whole time, even though I jumped a bit.
My first high jump ended with me falling on my back into the water pretty hard. My next jumps were mostly successful. I have yet to load up the kite
and really let it take me to the clouds. I may try a really high jump during my next session.
Overall, I had 3 great hours with the kite in the air. I am exhausted. During the last 45 minutes, I would just ride one direction as long as one
leg would allow and switch directions so the other leg could take the load. I was moving very fast. I knew that if I had tried to jump as high as I
could, I would have ended up higher than I have ever jumped. I'll save that jump for another day.
-Jason
bourgeois.jason - 15-2-2013 at 01:46 PM
I had another good time kitesurfing this evening. I think it should be windy tomorrow, as well. I get off of work early on Saturdays, so I'll get to
kitesurf longer!
thanson2001ok - 15-2-2013 at 03:49 PM
Cool journal. Get a video cam!
bourgeois.jason - 15-2-2013 at 04:14 PM
Thanks. I have a helmet cam, but it's in Houston, TX.