Kober - 13-7-2013 at 11:22 PM
.... 2013 kiting is awesome so far .....
... Lets go back it time a bit ....
... I have been enjoying kiting for last 2.5 years on land, water and snow .... Trying as many things as possible .... When getting addicted to
this sport I have pleasure to meet so many kiters from around globe that is hard to count them all ...... I become a batter kiter , batter person
and enjoy my life as I never did before thanks to all of you here on PKF and all those awesome people that I kite and party with ......
.... Its been amazing adventure for me ... I become a team rider for Gin Kiteboarding, Aboards and Demon .... I have chance to attend many kite
events ... like Wildwood Buggy Bash, Tug Hill, Kitestorm, Kite free or die, Newport Kite Festival ...... I have chance to travel to many different
kiting destinations on East coast .... NJ, NY, RI, VT, MD, PA, NC, DE ...
Its been blast partying with Masskiting crew, HQ guys, Kite Club Hatteras, BEST crew, Litewave Dave !!!! lol ,Ben from Concept Air and many Reps
from other companies .... Nobile, Cabrinha, Ikon .... Its priceless when you try all that gear when meeting all those people .... Thanks ....
... And .... big part of that whole experience is my home crew ..... NJ Kite Addicts .... that share many of those awesome moments with me when
kiting and when wind is just not there ....
... My best kiting pal .... Jaymz..... that help me start with this sport after I post on PKF few beginner questions is still my best companion
..... and surely help me a lot thru those years with progression ..... Thanks to MartiniPro ... for many awesome sessions together ....
... I dont know how to explain it ..... but ..... I LOVE you guys .... for sharing this passion with me , PKF family, WBB family, Masskiters ...
Thanks !!!!!
In 2013 I have chance to kite more then ever .... partly ... because I don't work much .... my company is not doing well ... and I am straggling
to pay my bills ... Thats why you will see some of my gear for sale soon ..... Good side is ... I have plenty of free time ... That let me kite
more ... I done more kiting in last 6 months then in 2 previous years ,.... and I LOVE it !!!! .... There is so much to explore and achieve ...
big air, wake tricks, kite loops, wave riding ..... list never ends ..... and its so much fun when you dont have to do this alone ... Our crew
is getting bigger and stronger .... My brother got into kiting too ... and he is equally addicted ... Now ... this is something .... few months
ago we was not able to stay in one room for longer then 1 hour ... now we talk about kiting for hours ...
... For last 20 years I stay most of time in NJ and NY ..... now .... thanks to kiting I start to travel a lot ... and see whats around me ... This
put so many smiles on my face .....
Kiting Hurts .... Sometimes .....
... As many of you know I have some crazy OBEs behind me and more then few crashes .... When previous years got me 15 stitches on my heel, few
bruises and some scratches , 2013 deliver scariest kitemare so far .....
... When in OBX with Masskiting crew we finish downwinder and find out that 2 girls crash theirs kites right on beginning and lost one board when
self rescuing ... I decided to ride upwind an look for board along shore ... When in middle of nowhere, and only few feet from shore, my chicken
loop disconnect from harness and kite end up on leash .... then , instead of dropping from sky .... power up and did quick kite loop dragging me
straight to 2 feet tall bulkhead and crash to the ground ....... I hit ground with my ribs and arms keeping my head high .... pain and few moments
of confusion .... What just happened ??? .... 2 miles away from any person ...... After few minutes on ground I get up and smile ..... Impact
vest probably save my ribs from breaking ..... kite was undamaged ..... and ..... at this moment wind died .... If you have been to OBX ... you
know there is no way to walk thru all those bushes to the road or walk on land along shore ..... So .... I man up and force kite in air and did
continues kite loops for 2 miles downwind to get back to landing spot .... My body was in pain and after removing wet suit I find my whole side full
of bruises around spleen .... that huge black and blue spot scare me to death ...... but after few hours pain start fading out I decided to wait with
hospital visit .... Day later .... Waist harness was making kiting impossible .... so I rent seat harness for rest of week in local kite shop ....
Bruises fade out after about 3 weeks ...... I am so glad that I have impact vest on me ...... I dont want to imagine how it would end up if I need
to go back 2 miles with broken ribs and no wind ......
Hope you like that short story ....
Again ..... kiting really change my life ..... for better ....
..... more friends ... more challenges .... more travel ..... more action..... more fresh air and sun......
... less stress ... less time with TV and stupid shows.... less feeling of getting old .... lol ....
Enjoy kiting when you can ...... and stay safe ...
cheezycheese - 14-7-2013 at 05:05 AM
Great article Kober..!! Very inspiring !!
mougl - 14-7-2013 at 05:52 AM
Great read!!!
3shot - 14-7-2013 at 05:57 AM
Thanks for sharing Kober!! Was wondering how that NC trip went. Glad you were ok! Don't think you posted a vid of that trip yet (the better parts that
is).
chris - 14-7-2013 at 06:19 PM
Conrad!
But you are late for your next OBX kiting adventure! No trip down in July? You are getting soft, man! :D
It's been a blast kiting with you (all over the place) these past few years. Looking forward to all the future sessions!
Kober - 14-7-2013 at 09:19 PM
Thanks Guys ...
Yep ..... I been lazy with my videos .... I have so much stuff that I need to go thru ..... probably about 3 or 4 videos that I start editing a
while ago still needs final touches .... Will do ... promise ,,,
... Outer Banks is THE PLACE to go for any kiteboarder ..... learning there is just so easy ..... downwinders are long .... wind is strong and
water shallow .... Love this place ...
,,,, and yes ... I be back this year again... NJ Kite Addicts crew is visiting OBX starting October 26th for a week .... and I hope I be able
to go one time before that ....
Michael Gaylan - 15-7-2013 at 04:57 AM
Great read... some how we have a little in common there too. Struggling here and there a bit .. BUT you gotta LOVE the time on your hands. I study a
lot (law) and getting into eBay. LOL Only thing not keeping me living under a bridge or something is - land and home is paid for and better half
works.
It's easy to get someone addicted to this sport. Just take em out and put a kite in their hands. I already infected 3 people... should I be ashamed?
roflmao
Bladerunner - 15-7-2013 at 04:31 PM
Getting out riding with you was one of the highlights of my trip to WBB . Even if on one run it was Benoig I was chasing and thinking it was you. You
both bring out the best in me !
I hope you find the perfect balance of work and kiting and we can ride together again soon!
rocfighter - 17-7-2013 at 02:48 PM
Thanks for the great article Konrad. Your a great guy to know and I'm glad to be friends with you.
Kober - 17-7-2013 at 10:21 PM
Thanks ....
... Now it is second week that I am working most of time ... and no kiting ..... no wind = no temptation .... but this weekend looks very good
... I just hope the temperature will go down .... Today was 108 when I was working outside and dreaming of cold beer ... and some kiting in cool
ocean ... lol...
Michael .... thats what I am doing when not working much ..... ebay .... but its not as good as few years back ....
Bladerunner .... I hope that you will back for another WBB event .... maybe next year ??? ... It was pleasure to meet you ....
rocfighter .... did you go to Newport Kite Festival ?? ... I have seen some pics on FB....