Sunday, January 03, 2010

A sunny afternoon at Hampton in 15 knots

Session 73, Sunday 3 January 2010

Kite: Switchblade 14m
Location: Hampton
Wind: 15 knots SW
Duration: 3:30 to 4:30pm - 1 hours

Got to the beach in the afternoon after a bike race in the morning then lunch with friends . It was blowing above 20 knots when I arrived so I was going to take out to 10m kite, but then it dropped so I took the 14m kite to the beach and set up. The wind dropped further so I waited for a while and chatted.

When it picked up a bit I headed out. Fine sunny day and not too hot, but a little more wind would have been nice.

Maybe I was spoilt after yesterday's downwinder, but going upwind seemed like a chore. I think the 10m Switchblade goes upwind better than the 14 - it seems to fly closer to the edge of the wind window.

I seem to have trouble getting the 14 to go hard upwind, but it certainly cranks on a reach. I did quite a few runs out and back, around the point to look back at Brighton. My right are was a bit sore around the elbow after yesterday's session and it got tired again today. Too much kiting? Not yet.

I am liking the impact vest for jumps - it certainly softens a hard landing.

A couple of fast cats came by; they certainly go upwind better than a kite. 15 knots is enough wind, but 20+ is better. And going downwind gives you lots of opportunities to try out some fancy turns, wakestyle riding and the like.



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