Logged 35 miles on the GPS today. That's a first for me. Rode for about 6 hours. Earlier forecasts looked like it was going to be a solid 2m day. Took the 2m Octane and the 3m just in case. Took the 2.4 Sting as a backup to the 2m and as an alternate and I was wanting to fly it to compare it(glad I brought it). Also took the 1.7 just in case(also glad I brought it.). Glad I had 4 kites because I used them all! One of them got used twice!



Got there at noon. Played it safe and started off with the 1.7m Sting. At times wondered what a 1.8m Rage would be like in those same winds. Wind slacked off enough it was affecting my upwind ability. And the lulls were factoring in too. Still felt a bit much to get out the 2m Octane. Played it safe and got out the 2.4 Sting. It was a good choice. That kite really reminds me of my old 2m Flow. Flew very similar and is very tame and controllable with no surprises or bad manners. Wind slacked off some and I was having to really work and fly the kite all over the place just to get around. Oddly when I had the 1.7 out, I only got up to 24mph at some point. With the 2.4 Sting, I only got 27mph.

When I got out the 2m Octane because the wind had slacked off to the point I wasn't getting around how I like with the 2.4 Sting; I immediately noticed the stronger pull in the handles from the 2 compared to that 2.4. Also; right away; my park and ride speeds were higher then anything I was getting having to fly the 2.4 all over the place just to get around. I was able to buggy anywhere; everywhere with the 2m Octane when I couldn't just previously with the 2.4 Sting. And did 29mph at some point.

At some point; the 2 just wasn't quite getting me around how I liked; so I got out the 3m. This kite is wicked. Second time ever flying it and got OBE'd again! It was bizarre. One thing I've noticed about OBE's is even as they are happening; it's like the brain isn't even recording what's happening as it's happening. Even right after it happens; I can never remember all the fine and exact details as to exactly what happened and how it happened.

It's like the 2m doesn't quite have that power to really cause an OBE and the winds the 4 and 5 get brought out in; the potential just isn't quite there. Something about the size or power; or maybe the wind speeds that the 3m gets brought out in I think is why it may be prone to it. So if you have the 3m; be very cautious and careful with it in it's upper wind range. It can and will surprise you.



So later on the wind picks back up and it's starting to cool off so the air is even more dense now. After having some tense moments; I thought it was a good time to get the 2m back out. While packing away the 3m and experiencing the wind; I decided on the 2.4 sting again since I wasn't feeling like chancing it with the 2m. Kept me from having anymore close calls. Not a bad day at all.

Sounds like a good day to me. Met up with some of the crew, Flea, Jim and Eli, around Sunset Beach for some fun. First go on the new.....to me, apex 3 5m(thanks southpadreburt). Weird/variable winds today, but at a pretty good angle. First time flying a depower, as straight forward as it is to fly there is still a certain "finesse" that it seems to like. When I got the hang of things the wind picked up a bit and I threw down a new PB of 45mph. Laid down 25 miles all together.....all in all a good day, good friends and ready for more tomorrow. I'm sure we will both sleep well tonight!

Had a blustery day at Ivanoah today. Wind was steady in the upper teens so I got out my 12m phantom II. On my second pass, the gusts that had been forecast came true and pushed me to way overpowered. Must have been over 30 moh winds. Pulled me to 58.8 mph. Previously I had been 58.4 with that kite in 28 mph winds. The kite wouldn't let me stop or turn upwind so as space was running out I turned dead downwind to bleed off some speed and was able to edge upwind to slow for a turn after slowing to about 30 mph.

Went straight in to change kites and my pants :D and went straight to the 6 meter which was a bit too tame since no more 30 plus gusts came through. Finished up with the 7m HQ Montana 7m as the winds started fading but had one run over 52 in a big gust.

I feel like I built some confidence today to go big next time the wind blows good.

Little Sting:



Big Sting:

Finally got out yesterday....but my conditions were not like yours. 10m kite winds today. Maybe 3-7mph.

...but I had a good time. Had a chance to put some lines on the Yakuza 10m and ride it again. I think it's been about a year since I rode it last.

I don't quite know why...but there is something I really love about being able to buggy in winds so light you can barely see the leaves in the trees move. Would have rather had a 15mph day but I'll take it. Wish I would have brought the 16m Vapor...that would have been fun!

What Meatdriver said What more could be asked for, winds, beach and friends were all very high on the great scale.

pbc and myself saw the amazing forecast and hit the beach Saturday. Got stranded on the north end of the beach miles from camp, then mother nature decided to dump rain on us, but still no wind. Walked halfway back when the the wind finally picked up (rain too!), and launched in some squirrely conditions to get back to camp. Tried to get a session in anyway despite the rain and the wind died ;-)

Glad you all had more success. All things considered still beats a day in the office

I got out yesterday myself- was only for about 1/2 hour before soccer practice and had to land but Andrew got some good footage, so hopefully i can share that in the next few days. I have been really enjoying my buggy time recently.