by Jessica Valenzuela

"I don't think I've ever done an adventure where I've succeeded the first time."

Virgin billionaire, Sir Richard Branson valued at $4 billion postponed his attempt to kite across the English Channel. The waves apparently were bigger than expected which made it unsafe for boat support. The Virgin Atlantic boss made it five miles out to sea when water conditions prevented the crew to continue. Branson wanted to continue, but the support team made a call to stop. His son Sam, daughter Holly and a nephew Ivo accompanied him on this adventure.

Branson prepped well for this attempt to cross the English Channel while kite surfing to mark his 60th birthday. His goal is to be the first oldest person to do so. Branson shared with the The Guardian “It was fantastic conditions for kiting but hellish conditions for the chase boats. The boats couldn’t have done it and it’s too dangerous for the kites to continue without them. We knew when we set off there was a risk of that. There wasn’t enough wind when I was trying to get my kite up. But it was full-on kiting [after that]. We had a big argument with the boats as we did want to carry on, but in the end sense prevailed.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever done an adventure where I’ve succeeded the first time.”

Reports mention that Branson will make another attempt tomorrow.

Branson is known for his stunts and love for extreme sports. In 1986 he broke the time record for crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 1986. He is also the first person to fly over the Atlantic in a hot air balloon. In addition to Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Media and Virgin Mobile Branson is launching his new space agency Virgin Galactic. Want a trip outside of the Earth’s orbit? It is possible with $200,000 a person.

Branson is also kite surfing’s only globally recognized Ambassador for the sport’s bid to the Olympics in Rio2016. He is also the main force behind the BVI Kite Jam. Thanks to Branson, this sport is getting some much needed media play.

More details via the NY Post, Forbes Blog and The Guardian.

by Jessica Valenzuela

Some peeps would probably simply shrug and say, “so the event changed roll with it.” And for the most part I can live with change. How information is shared about change is crucial. This is where the organizers of the KB4 Girls New York event falls short.

There were thirty women who signed for the KB4 Girls New York event which we actively promoted and supported sometime late April to early May. In a matter of two weeks all the required 20 slots were filled. Kristin Boese, professional kiteboarder behind KB4Girls who we all admire and respect decided to open it to 30 slots. I was thrilled! A number of my girl friends who kite in New York signed up, including a handful of newbies.

Without any proper information shared with the participants, Kristin decided to partner with Linda Argila, a professional “fundraiser” from  Solutions New York. At no time was Linda formally introduced.  Linda’s character came by way of an email on July 28 with a Dream Extreme flyer announcing a fundraiser event that offered an opportunity to kite with Kristin Boese while donating to victims of domestic violence. I ignored that email thinking it was a different event from the KB4Girls in New York. On August 4, I reached out to Kristin for clarification after seeing they fell on the same dates. Kristin replied with little information saying that “yes, this is the KB4girls event. All KB4girls events are fundraising events only that this one is going to be bigger and raising more funds.” I thought to myself well, I guess that is fine if Kristin wants to raise funds around the KB4 Girls event.

It was fine until I unearthed that the fundraising around the event would impact the thirty women who already signed up in April/May. It was brought to my attention yesterday by an attendee who reached out to me and someone from the  New York Kiteboarders Forum. The thread showcases a number of dismayed participants talking about the “sudden fund raising  requirement of $1,000″ to attend the KB4Girls NY. Someone from the forum even called it a “classic hustle.” This is the email from Linda:

Hello Ladies! Thank you so much for your support and cannot wait for Dream Extreme! Your involvement will save lives. *Everyday New York City shelters provide emergency housing for 1000 people escaping domestic violence. More than 60% are children.** *

1. Please call my office at 212 737-7896 to complete registration for clinic, and other details.

2. Keep in mind that clinic participants have a *fundraising commitment of $1,000*. (Space is limited so we must enforce this commitment).

3. To get started and help you meet your goal: go to *www.challengetotriumph.com *to create your personal fundraising page.

4. All are welcome to Join the Dream Team Committee. You do not have to be a clinic participant to attend event and join the committee. Many spectators, instructors, volunteers, etc. will be creating personal pages to help raise awareness and funds. Please spread the word. Have a great day, Linda

A number of participants phoned Linda for clarification about the fundraising requirement. According to the participants, a few times Linda was very frustrated by the questions and apparently hung up. She also mentioned that the reason for fundraising is because “Kristin does not have money to come to New York.” What what? Does Kristin really need 30K to host an event? From my experience at the KB4 Girls Sherman Island fundraising was not involved. I basically contributed $200 for boat gas money, beer and fruits.

I reached out to Kristin and Linda expressing my disappointment over the poor communications management surrounding the changes to the KB4 Girls New York event now called Dream Extreme. Kristin shared that “Linda is handling the event and I do not know much about it” Oh really?! An event by Kristin Boese, but she does not know that someone is fundraising money so she can come to New York?! Then I received an email from Linda saying how the “1K will cover for costs of the lessons, instructors are flying from out of the country and a great cause.” My response “1K for beginner lessons can buy a beginner 5-days of three hour one-on-one lessons at a proper school, why fly instructors in from outside the country when there are many local instructors in New York? Lastly, what value does $1K offer a non-beginner participant?” Linda further stressed that “US$50,000 has been raised from corporate sponsors for the event and that feedback has been great.” Am glad that a significant amount of corporate money is going to the event, so why hustle the thirty participants who signed up?

In a world where crowdsourcing is an accepted approach to raising funds for  startups, awareness, causes and personal projects why partner with a high-class “fund raiser”? There are a number of available crowdsourcing destinations that have helped fund many startups, projects and causes including Kickstarter, IndieGogo and Crowdrise to name a few.

We’re not adversed to supporting a cause, but when changes to the original expectations/requirements are made it has to be clearly communicated not shoved down our throats. Moreover, imposing a new set of requirements to participants who signed up months after registration and a month before the event is simply not cool.

The original thirty participants who signed up was looking forward to a chill weekend to kite, hangout with a bunch of women and meet Kristin, a major force in the growth of women who kite. That is what we signed up for. Not a weekend of fundraising parties and glamour in the Hamptons. We have that in the Big Bad Apple.

by Jessica Valenzuela

The bid for the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) to include Kite Racing as part of the Olympic Sailing Committee is official. An exciting time for the old school, new school and die hards of the sport! Undoubtedly there is skepticism around the idea, yet as a big enthusiast and voice of the sport Just Kite It is behind the IKA’s bid!

I’ve mildly participated in sailing races – primarily when a boat needs crew. Nevertheless I’ve not invested any real time nor money to learn sailing, as it is above and beyond my financial capacity. Kiteboarding on the other hand opened a world of discovery, travels, new friends from varying socio-economic backgrounds and a global community that is strongly connected and rooted to the wind and water. Anywhere there are shorelines with wind young, new, old, veterans, men and women kiters gather to share the experience of the sport. While cheering on those who push it to the next level. I strongly believe that with Kite Racing in the Olympics, the kiting community will stand behind and support its athletes, encourage new kiting enthusiasts and influence new viewers. Kite Racing as an event will positively impact the performance of the Olympic Sailing events and help satisfy the economics that comes with a production as big as the Olympics.

Kite Racing is the next main event: Get behind the movement!

The IKA’s Campaign

The IKA released their campaign on August 2nd for the inclusion of Kite Racing as part of the Olympic Sailing events for Rio in 2016. The organization highlighted three key points in the strategy deck: 1) youth movement 2) economic and gender accessibility and 3) global presence of the sport. The 62-page strategy deck provides an extensive explanation of the arguments, which we are summarizing in the bullet points below.

Challenges of the Sailing Olympic events as noted by the ISAF Olympic Committee (the recognized international sailing federation):

The IKA does not agree with the minor proposed adjustments that the ISAF Olympic Committee is proposing. The paper continues to state that “radical changes must be made.” Here’s why the IKA thinks that kite racing will offer a solution to the challenges presented:

• Kite boarding / kite surfing as a sport is progressive and a growing sport around the world. Since the improvement in equipment there has been a significant number of young kiters across gender getting into the sport.
• In comparison to sailing courses and equipment, the purchase of kites, boards, control bar and other accessories are inexpensive.
• “Sailing looks old” in comparison to Kite Racing.
• The media is disinterested in covering sailing events, while Kite Racing could offer a deeper connection between viewer and racers. With the support of technology and powerful audio and video equipment commentators could bring the individual experience of the racers on the water to the big screens and on the shorelines.
• Kite Racing can create a closer connection with the audience.
• The economics of the Olympics – only 0.1% of the sailing tickets are sold during the Olympics. With the inclusion of Kite Racing the performance of Olympic Sailing events could improve.

Mega Star Supporters

Recognizable names in the business, technology and kiteboarding are behind the movement, including Sir Richard Branson, Bill Tai, Neil Pryde, Markus Austin, Kristin Boese, Steph Bridge, Michael Gebhardt, Ilya Vinokurov and Bruno Sroka. Read more about the Kite Racing Olympic Ambassadors.

Sir Richard Branson, “Of all the sports not in the Olympics, kite-surfing is the most glaring omission..."

We caught up with Sir Richard Branson and his publicist for a statement on his support for the IKA’s bid.

“Of all the sports not in the Olympics, kite-surfing is the most glaring omission. Kite-surfing is right there in the original spirit of the Olympics. A sport of man against the elements. A fantastic spectator sport. The whole community of kite-surfers should get right behind this bid.”  Sir Richard Branson.

We also connected with Kristin Boese, 9x World Champion and founder of KB4Girls, a non-profit organization devoted to the encouragement of women into the world of  kiteboarding. She shares “I believe that kite racing would be a perfect addition to the Olympic Sailboat classes. It is a spectacular sport that transports a young and dynamic image. It has the potential to reach out and connect to millions of people around the world and inspire. I am more than happy to support the IKA.”

Will you support? Let us know by answering the three second survey.

Bill Tai, Principal, Charles River Ventures "Kiteboarding is extending the sport of sailing to new generations of people around the world."

Bill Tai, Principal at CRV and long-time event co-Founder of MaiTai Sports, an annual gathering of techies who kite adds,

“Kiteboarding is extending the sport of sailing to new generations of people around the world. It’s a dynamic, visually exciting sport that is very egalitarian and can be practiced by a broader set of peole that may not have the financial resources to invest in competition class sail boats. Kiteboarding represents the ethos of the Olympics – a sport that can reach everyone near water and wind – which represents nearly every country in the world irrespective of level of economic development. If kiteboarding is added, I’ll definitely be in attendance.” Bill Tai, Principal, Charles River Ventures.

The Road to Rio 2016

The IKA has been working through the ISAF on the bid to include Kite Racing as part of the Olympic Sailing event. The IKA became an official part of the ISAF in 2008, a campaign which started in 2006. What does it take to get Kite Racing included? According to Markus Schwendtner, Executive Secretary of the IKA “the folks at the ISAF need to be convinced that kite racing is the event/class that the Sailing category needs to boost its popularity during the Olympic Games. There is pressure from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the ISAF to become more spectacular, media friendly, shortening races and higher performance sailing classes are just a few of the requirements.”

There are two major decision points that will determine Kite Racing’s inclusion in the Olympics 1) The selection of events will be made in the Autumn of 2011 (e.g. singlehanded dinghy, double handed dinghy, multihull, windsurfer, kiteboard) and equipment in 2012. For more information on the programming of the sports in the Olympic Games check out the  IOC Programming Factsheet.

“I believe that the Olympic Games would be a fantastic opportunity to showcase kiteboarding at the worlds pinnacle sporting event. It is the dream of every athlete to represent his country at the Olympic Games. To achieve this goal the whole kiteboarding community needs to work together. We need to use our common power and contacts to make the world believe. If we believe in it, we can do it”. Markus Schwendtner, Executive Secretary, IKA.

Kite Racing, The Next Main Event Rio 2016

Be there! Start supporting the IKA’s campaign today! Big thanks to talented photographer and kiter, Erin Loscocco for the photographs  and colleague, Christopher for inspiring visuals and voice showcasing our support for the campaign.

Erin Loscocco, kite racer and photographer speeding in Brazil.

Chris Brown and son making a splash!

Will you be there? Let us know by answering a three second survey.

by Jessica Valenzuela

Linn Svendsen Ocean Rodeo Pro-rider, photo by Jeremie Tronet

I’ve been meaning to get an interview with pro-kiteboarder Linn Svendsen months ago specially since we featured her other half pro-kiteboarder, Jeremie Tronet a few months after we launched Just Kite It. Time flies so fast when you are having fun! A belief that Linn shares, so here we are happy to feature yet another pro-rider from Ocean Rodeo. Seems like a great time to do so since I am currently  in the Bay Area where majority of the kites flown at least at Third Avenue and Crissy are Ocean Rodeo kites.

Q. Who influenced your decision to learn to kite?

A. It was a coincidence really, I was at a friends house when there happened to be kiting on TV. I told my friend that it looked fun, and that I wanted to do that, he was sure I would never get around to it. And he would probably have been right, except he dared me to take his phone and sign up for a course right away, which i did. So I would have to say the person who influenced me to start is my friend, Morten Njaa.

Q. Did you engage in other water sports or board sports prior?

A. Not at all! But I have always been active, before I started kiting I used to horseback ride a lot.

Q. How long have you been kiting?

A. Almost 7 years now! Time flies when you have fun!

Q. When did you go pro?

A. About four years ago I met Jeremie and suddenly I was traveling the world with him. In the beginning I was just helping him film and take pictures, but he is always pushing me and training me, and suddenly I was on the OR team too. It was an almost invisible transition really.

Linn Svendsen with her Ocean Rodeo Zen free-style board and Diablo kite, photo by Jeremie Tronet

Q. Favorite kite spot/s?

A. I have so many! But my top two are Cumbuco, Brazil and Union Island in the Grenadines, not quite sure which comes first, they are both so amazing. But I think the kite conditions in Cumbuco are the best.

Q. Where in the world are you now?

A. I am in Stavanger on the West coast of Norway right now, many people don’t know how good kite conditions we have here. We have long beaches and great wave spots as well as smooth flat water spots and lots of wind! The only downside is the cold, but no problem for me, I got the Predator Drysuit from Ocean Rodeo:)

Q. Sponsors?

Ocean Rodeo, Zeal Optics, Alpinestars and Blue Glue Bikinies

Q. Can you tell us more about your travel videos?

A. We always work very hard in the beginning of every trip to make sure we have enough footage, in case something happens that we didn’t plan. But it almost never does, and we end up with way to much footage every time and Jeremie has a lot of work going through it all:) My job is to help take pictures and film, but Jeremie is doing most, deciding angles and setting the camera. He is also doing all the editing and retouching. I write most of the travel stories, but I don’t even do half as much as Jeremie.

Q. Which is your favorite video so far?

A. The Grenadines video, which is the latest one: http://vimeo.com/12307993

Q. Where are you headed next?

You can find out more about Linn and Jeremie’s travels @ Jeremie Tronet dot com.  More really cool photos of Linn in our Flickr set.

by Jessica Valenzuela

Chris Brown, Ocean Rodeo rider and Windy Devil owner ripping the secret kite spot.

I had the pleasure of kiting with the Ocean Rodeo team riders in the Bay Area. I didn’t kite since the spot is advanced with 6 feet waves, rocks and a possibility of getting blown downwind to the shark feeding area. I happily watched and took photos as they played. It was impressive to see the riders (not all Ocean Rodeo) so fluid and graceful ripping in the waves. The benefits of living by a windy Coast and urban shoreline is that you get kiting time almost every day or a few days a week during the windy season. Proof to the adage: practice makes perfect. It holds true for everything you do.

Secret Kite Spot

Unfortunately, I can’t share much detail as to the exact geo-location of the spot. I naturally did not check-in on Gowalla or Foursquare even when it was tempting to be the Mayor of a secret spot.  Doing so would have caused my getting voted off the island. Hiking and going down cliffs were involved. The riders enjoyed nice clean waves of at least six feet high. I was told it usually gets bigger. The wind so good, it could have been blowing in the upper teens and mid-twenties!

Wall of Ego

More a series of photos showcasing a perfect kiter’s wave riding day. A few photos courtesy of Erin Loscocco. Thanks to Ocean Rodeo’s Windy Devils for sharing the secret spot! I’d love to be able to kite there someday soon!

Seasoned kiters Paul Underhill and Stefaans Viljoens team tagging

Seasoned Bay Area kiter and Ocean Rodeo rider Chris Brown

Unknown rider at the secret kite spot

Boriana Angelova, Bay Area kiter who loves to ride Crissy!

Erin Loscocco, pro-photographer and Ocean Rodeo team rider

The tunes!

More in our Flickr set!

by Kim Soderholm

It was July 10, 2010 my alarm raged at 6.30 a.m. I got up – stoked! I patiently waited for this event to arrive. I knew it would be unforgettable. It is my first year to volunteer.

Kite For A Cure

I volunteered and was assigned to help count laps. The committee prefers to call it manage  “race logistics”, yep in Hood River everyone has an important title. 9 o’clock turns and riders from all across the globe to showed up – women and men, girls and boys, some young and some a little older. But they were all here for the same cause,  help raise money to fund regional cancer advocacy, prevention, and survivorship programs.

Close to a hundred kiters hit the water at the same time to race a 3 mile course for as long as they can hold out or for six hours straight. Laps are counted as riders round the buoy closest to the event site. It was a mad dash as all participants came around to make their first lap, truly a sight to see. First pack of around 20 came in and no one tangled lines, next pack show up and not a single accident, so far so good. After awhile into the race the wind starts to die down and we’re starting to see kites hitting the water, creating serious jam ups and a few tangled lines. Some ride steady and take the competition somewhat serious, others ride for a few laps then take a break and some show off for the spectators, pulling huge air and various tricks. For me it was the greatest show on water!

Interview with rider Man Cong

I met up with Man to find out more about his third year participating as a rider for KB4C.  He rides freestyle and is excellent at it.

Question: What inspires you, or drives you to participate in this event?

Answer: “My ex-girlfriend had breast cancer, even though I wasn’t dating her at the time I was with her for support. It was a painful process to see her go through chemo and radiation therapy, that is what inspires me”.

Question: Did you have any expectations before you signed up?

Answer: “I knew the derby race was going, but the Stand Up Paddle was new. You never know what to expect, it is different every year”.

Question:What was it like out in the water with 100+ other kiters?

Answer: “Felt like I was in a traffic jam. It was like, I don’t know. Kinda interesting, people tangling lines and kites, lots of traffic equals accidents”.

Question: Was there anything special you brought to this event that you usually don’t bring on a regular kite session?

Answer: “More intensity for sure”.

Question: Man, you pulled some of huge handle passes and various tricks for the crowd, what does it feel like when hundreds of people ohhhh and ahhhh?

Answer: “Just….I feel…in sync with the crowd”.

Question: Is there anything you would like to say or add? Something that might want others to come and participate next year?

Answer: “I think other riders should come help the cause. It’s fun and you meet other people in the small community of kiteboarding”.

Many rode a few laps but some rode an impressive six hours. One in particular was Jaz De Lille. Jaz rode her Ben Wilson Pro strapless starting out strong and finished 2nd of of all the ladies riding. WAY TO GO JAZ!!! At the end of the race 1096 total laps where counted and needless to say, the riders deserved to kick off their boards and relax before the award ceremony. Prices included t-shirts, hats, beer, gift cards, sweatshirts and the list keeps going. Whether you are volunteering as staff or donating your time as a rider, maybe your a part of the audience cheering.

You too can make a difference by supporting KB4C. Please come out and join in next year! This year am so proud to share that we raised $71,000! Congratulations to all the riders, the committee and audience for an awesome event this year!

First lap photo courtesy: Jennifer Reinhard

Rounding last buoy photo courtesy: Jennifer Reinhard

Jaz riding strapless photo courtesy: Jennifer Reinhard

Man going unhooked photo courtesy: Jennifer Reinhard

United Kingdom, July 15 – Sir Richard Branson announced about 2 hours ago that is is to mark his 60th birthday by kitesurfing the English Channel. The Virgin boss will be accompanied by his children, Holly, 29, and Sam, 26, and some of his nephews. The family will leave from Dungeness in Kent and embark on a 24-mile crossing to a point on the French coast, with the finishing position being dependent on wind conditions.

Sir Richard is 60 on Sunday and will undertake his latest venture – likely to take six hours – some time in August. He and his team have been getting fit for the crossing at the Virgin Active UK health club chain.

It was hard to find a photo of Sir Richard Branson minus naked Denni Parkinson. This one is from Day Life.

Sir Richard said: “Kitesurfing is one of my favourite sports. I absolutely love the amazing rush you get when going at high speeds, in high winds, with the most beautiful kite acting as your only guide.” He went on: “My wife (Joan) swears I get more barking as I get older. This year I’ve almost crippled myself running 26.2 miles in my first marathon and now I’m putting my poor 60-year-old bones through an arduous 24.4 miles, over water, hanging on to a giant kite. “Joan could have a point. But as Holly, Sam and my nephews will be doing it with me, at least I can claim the whole family is barking and at the end of the day they are Joan’s children as well – so she’s 50% responsible.”

Perhaps one of the most famous figures of kiteboarding, Sir Richard Branson is a major force in the Billabong BVI Kite Jam event in the British Virgin Islands and his photos of naked model, Denni Parson on his back while kiteboarding.

by Jessica Valenzuela

As I held on to the 7m Cabrinha Convert under the Golden Gate Bridge with giant wave rollers, ferries, ships and yachts around, the blast of the fog horn consistently drowning any audible sound I make, the fog close behind and San Francisco in full-view these words kept repeating in my head “OMG, this is so crazy, this is so crazy and wonderful!!!”

Not On My To Do List, It Just Came Up

Jessica Valenzuela and Capt. Jon Von Tesmar of Kite The Bay getting ready! photo courtesy Erin Loscocco

I have visited San Francisco a number of times and love exploring it. Truth be told, it was my number two option when I contemplated a move  from Chicago five years ago. Instead, I spent the summer in New York and stayed. I am back on the road this time for kiteboarding, a sport that I fell in love with a year ago. It has taken me to places I otherwise would not visit and met a number of remarkable and memorable people along the way. My life is taking a new form. I find myself caught in the poetry of the wind, change, the places I visit, friends I make and the consistent longing for the Big Apple, a City I now call home.

Learning to kiteboard was not on the to do list. Neither was kiteboarding Crissy under the Golden Gate Bridge. Yet time and again I learn that anything unplanned brings the best and fondest memories. Before going in the water under the Golden Gate Bridge Capt. John Von Tesmar of Kite The Bay reminded me “it should be in your heart , feel it. This is Mother Nature at her best.” When it feels right, don’t question it. Just kite it!

Kiting Crissy and The Golden Gate Bridge

Is definitely for the brave and highly-skilled rider. A world-class windsurfing and kitesurfing spot NOT for beginners. So what was I doing at Crissy? With boat support and encouragement from our previous Ripping It feature, Erin Loscocco and Captain John owner and IKO instructor at Kite The Bay, I thought why not? As we were heading out from the Treasure Island Marina the current seemed stronger than usual or so I thought. I’m not super accustomed to choppy water. I learned to ride well in flat water. Admittedly I have not mastered the art of body dragging back to my board, but getting there. Little knots were beginning to form in my belly as the two advanced riders stoked over our mission: get Jessica to kite under the Golden Gate Bridge. Erin probably sensed that I was quietly turning pale as we approached the mighty Bay Area icon which was and mostly partially covered in fog. Fog so thick that from a distant view it looks like someone streaked white-out on the bridge enough that you’ll only see the tip of its towers.

Todate, an attempt to kite under the Golden Gate Bridge open to nature’s elements and moving vessels is number one on my list of crazy things I’ve tried. Was it worth it? Yes and yes! Feeling so small under the mighty bridge with winds blowing in the upper 20s, giant waves rolling around you, the sound of the fog horn drowning every sound I make, the incoming and outgoing vessels and the skyline of San Francisco in full view — I’ve not felt completely dependent on a kite, the skills I’ve learned in the past year of being a water woman and the boat support. Will I try it again? Certainly. I can’t wait to gain better skills and confidence to ride Crissy again! It will be a long and windy road before that day arrives and certainly worth the patience and skill-building.

Photos! Professional photographer Erin Loscocco shares his Golden Gate shots from the Fort Point collection. Check them out! More photos from Erin  on kiting the Bay Area.

Eric Due, regular Crissy kiter throwing it down under the Golden Gate Bridge, photo courtesy of Erin Loscocco

Crissy Kiters

They look like little fireflies over water in the Bay Area. You can’t help but experience kite envy when you see them at play. The show gets even cooler when a large vessel like a tanker, a cargo ship comes across in and out of the Bay Area. Kiters swarm like moths to a flame behind the vessel and ride the waves that the wake creates.

Charles Dietrich, CEO of tech startup SlideRocket under the Golden Gate Bridge photo by Erin Loscocco

I’ve heard Erin Loscocco, Bill Tai, Konstantin Othmer, Pierre Wolff, Steve Gibson, Charles Dietrich,  professional kiteboarder Chip Wasson, World Racing Champion, Adam Koch and many other Crissy kiters share their kiting stories under the Golden Gate Bridge. Charles Dietrich, CEO of SlideRocket, a content management system for presentations ++ has been kiting for 10 years and learned at Crissy. “I love to kite Crissy because of the diversity of conditions, swell, eddy lines, waves, cargo ships, flat water, floods, ebbs and it is 1/4 of a mile from my front door.” Spoiled! He splits his time between his wife and two little ones, leading a tech-startup and playing (kiting, biking and skiing) in about that order. Pierre Wolff  who often is seen kiting with Charlie is a kiter of 10 years and a Crissy kiter of 8 years. Meanwhile, Chip and Adam are most often seen racing at each other’s heels during the Cabrinha Race Series hosted every other Thursday by the St. Francis Yacht Club. Erin says that “most Crissy kiters including the regulars who are familiar with the conditions have been rescued by the Coast Guard at Crissy at one point or the other. With perilous wind shadows and ever changing currents moving faster than you can run or swim – you can find yourself in trouble rather quickly.”

How amazing and beautiful it is, yet how unpredictable! The unpredictability of the condition is when danger rolls in. Dire situations that can happen in a quick second when you least expect it. Should you or your kite fall and if you are unable to re-launch quickly depending on where the currents are going, you could find yourself in the middle of the Pacific Ocean or washed in the Alcatraz rocks or nearby islands. The consistent vessel traffic in and out of the Bay Area is definitely an important factor to be constantly aware of while kiting. The rollers are large and fun! Wind can be inconsistent and gusty. What to know about kiting Crissy:

• You must be a truly advanced kiteboarder.
• Be aware of the wind conditions. The Bay Area’s wind conditions vary in different spots. It can be nice and consistent on certain days under the Golden Gate Bridge like yesterday, but it could be gusty and super inconsistent by the beach and launch area.
• A few things to prepare when you kite Crissy (courtesy of the Bay Area Kiteboarding Forum): thick wetsuit (150mm thick), race board, marine radio, swim fins, life jacket, safety whistle, camelback, rescue boat (minimum of 8), oxygen tanks, waterproof marine charts, gps with tide tracker, portable wind sensors, remote control (submersible), shark repellent or shark cage, cab fare, jock strap, strobe light. Obviously, not all of these items apply.
• Know what your out is in any situation. Be prepared.

Pierre Wolff, tech consultant an dregular Crissy kiter, photo courtesy Erin Loscocco

I didn’t have the above items when I jumped since I had my own boat support. At best, make sure to bring a marine radio and a whistle. I hear some kiters bring flares too. Make sure you know how to ride rollers and waves well and can jibe! Be aware of the wind shadow in the South Tower and around the Bay. If the water is too flat — that means there is no wind. Before heading out, check what the tides and currents are doing. The locals have a little white book, aka Tide Charts to predict the behavior of the current and ebb for any specific day. Crissy under the Golden Gate Bridge is not a kite spot you want to fall in, if you do be prepared to self-rescue quickly.

Notes Courtesy Of  The Bay Area Kiteboarding Forum

Crissy Field is a world-class sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing site, but is definitely not for beginner kitesurfers. The extremely unpredictable gusty winds (5 mph to 45 mph) makes kiting here very challenging and is best left to the experts. Crissy can be a very dangerous place to launch. The wind is side-offshore and the currents are extremely strong. You must excel in up wind and jibing ability, be knowledgeable of ebb, flood, counter currents, and excellent swimming ability is a prerequisite for kiting here. Also, no matter how warm the day, the cold water and strong currents demand a full wetsuit all year long. Windsurf traffic, cargo tanker traffic and general boat traffic can be quite heavy – so keep your eyes open.

To keep kite access at Crissy Field open to all of us, you need to pay attention to what’s happening both on and off the beach. Windsurfers have been here for a long time, and kiters need to respect their territory. Generally, launch up wind of the windsurfers and head toward the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge. The beach is almost always packed with people with small children and dogs. THEY ALWAYS HAVE RIGHT OF WAY. Do not launch if people, especially small kids are in the immediate vicinity. DO NOT FLY YOUR KITE ABOVE PEOPLES HEADS. One accident is all it will take to put access to Crissy Field in jeopardy. Trust me; you don’t want to be the kiter who screwed up Crissy Field for the rest of us. Launch your kite and get off the beach ASAP.

Most kiters park at the end of the parking lot (end closest to the GG). Rigging on the lawn is OK. Once you go to the beach, the wind can be very light on the beach but nuking on the outside. Rigging the right kite size is imperative. Think nuking outside rather than mellow inside. Also, the wind can die on the inside, so make sure you are a VERY GOOD SWIMMER. The best place to launch is on the west side (GG side) of the lagoon (less people and upwind of the windsurfers).

The wind can be very light on the beach. Keeping the kite in the air can be challenging, and luffing into the air is a major concern. Also, your kite can fall out of the sky as winds drop to zero. Hence, be aware of people and get off the beach ASAP. Stick close to the beach until you are comfortable enough to head out the GG Bridge. Self-rescue at Crissy is very challenging. You typically are not washed towards the beach, but rather currents take you either out towards the GG Bridge or towards Alkatraz Island. Being rescued by the Coast Guard or a passing by sailboat is common at Crissy Field, but kiters must understand that these options are not always close by and the water at Crissy is VERY COLD.

Seriously, if your are new to kitesurfing, come and enjoy the view and meet the people at Crissy Field, but wait until you are more experienced before you venture out. Oh, and don’t fly your trainer kite over peoples heads at Crissy Field, go down to the Marina Green (near Safeway), where you will have more room and there is typically less people and better winds.

Be safe and have fun!

Kiting Crissy Under the Golden Gate Bridge, there ain't nuthin like it!, photo by Erin Loscocco

by: Jessica Valenzuela

Jaz De Lille, instructor and athlete Kiteboarding 4 Cancer, photo courtesy of Jimmy Stringfellow

Personal experience can move mountains. This is my personal belief.

A decision based on the will to live, the tenacity to succeed and the courage to explore inspires life. Everyday, families in care of a cancer patient walk the tightrope with no end in sight. Most of the athletes for Kiteboarding For Cancer know about the insurmountable courage needed when someone you care for is faced with it. Some of the riders are participating to support their friends whose families are plagued with the disease.

You and I can help by donating and asking your friends to micro donate. Every dollar contributed will help save a life down the road. Pick a team to support here. Good luck to all the athletes!

Meet Jaz De Lille

Jaz is my really cool instructor  who is riding for Kiteboarding 4 Cancer. We met when I first tried the sport in July 2009! In a sport were men dominate the scene, I was thrilled to have Jaz, a woman kiteboarding instructor to show me the “lines”. Watching her ride in high-winds and choppy water was so inspiring! As a young instructor, Jaz is super reassuring and encouraging. I remember the feeling of getting up on the board for the first time. It remains fresh and vivid in my memory. Jaz was there to cheer me on and snap a few photos! She helped make my first kiteboarding trip to Hood River, Oregon a truly memorable one.

Jaz De Lille ripping it in Fiji

For five days, every day we would meet up at the sand bar at 8:00AM sharp, sleepily get into wetsuits then play in the wind and water for three hours. Hectic! Second, she made the very difficult sport look like a lot of fun. Our sessions were always filled with laughter, inspirational chitchat and safety reminders. Jaz is a truly cool kite instructor and athlete who is loved and respected by her colleagues, peers and community. She’s riding to help recognize the efforts of many who have helped her brother, while recognizing the work of professional kiteboarder, Tonia Farman and Garrett Zalden the tour de force behind Kiteboarding 4 Cancer.

Jaz de Lille, instructor and kiteboarding athlete

Please help me, help Jaz meet the donation requirements to ride for Kiteboarding For Cancer! She decided to join a bit late in the game, though there is no such thing when you are a kiter. It is never too late! We have two more days to raise $1,000.00 and help positively impact the lives of cancer patients. You’ll receive a signed thank you post card from Just Kite It and a mention on a follow-up post after the event!

Donate a Dollar For Kiteboarding 4 Cancer

About Kiteboarding 4 Cancer

Kiteboarding 4 Cancer is a non-profit designed to sponsor kiteboarding fundraising events that donate proceeds to partnering cancer charities. In KB4C’s first event on August 25th, 2007, kiteboarders raised pledge money for one of KB4C’s partnering cancer research organizations, then competed in an 8-hour endurance kiteboarding race on the Columbia River. Participating kiteboarders won prizes for most money raised for their organization, longest distance kiteboarded, top female and junior finisher, and best freestyle expression, because, after all — this is kiteboarding!

Kiteboarding 4 Cancer is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, IRS tax ID #42-1737854. We fund our event and charities solely through tax-deductible contributions from private individuals, corporations and foundations. Please join us in the fight against cancer. We look forward to your support as a sponsor in KB4C.

KB4C is In Memory of Scott Farman, as well as the many otherwise active and healthy individuals who fought cancer and are no longer with us.

by Jessica Valenzuela

Jessica Valenzuela, Founder of Mavin Digital and Author for Just Kite It putzing with a 3m kite, Hood River, Oregon

Do you remember the first time you saw a kiter and said “oh, way cool. I want to try that!” Do you remember the first time you held a trainer or a big kite…got intimated and didn’t know how to control that thing up in the air, but you continued to hang on to the bar because you wanted to be a kiter? Do you remember your first time ever to ride that board a few feet then fell over? And repeat, then repeat until finally you were gliding not quite like a swan, but just gliding and staring into the horizon with your kite in full control? Then on to the next level of progression…and the next.

They say kiteboarding is like learning how to ride a bicycle. You’ll never forget once all the elements of balance and movement click. This is true and more. There is progression. A personal choice that one has  to make and commit to.

What I Learned

Learning is a staple. I personally like to try new things because I want to learn. Learning can be a lot of fun, specially in kiteboarding. Patience, focus and the ability to fund your fun are prerequisites of the sport. Then your world opens to new beginnings and experiences each time you get out and kite!

• A new way of thinking and being. One can only plan so much in life, but the truth is everything can change in an instant. You have to be prepared to make that change, embrace it and be happy with it.  The wind teaches you to be in that zen state of mind really well.
• Make a plan. Quite a contradiction to my first point. This is a lesson of preparedness. Come in the water with a plan of action, implement and know when and where to exit.

Jessica Valenzuela, progressing in kite and board control with a 12m in low winds, Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

• Age does not matter. Kiteboarding is a sport where an 8-year old or younger and a 60-year old and over can play together. That part really is so cool! It also reminds me that you can learn anything at any age — you just need to want it really bad.

• The right gear makes a big difference. I didn’t think I would have it in me to ride rollers. I tried a number of times in Maui and felt uncomfortable with my current board, which happens to be a really advanced board. I can only guess why the retailer who sold it didn’t recommend against the purchase at that time. Now that I have access to a board that fits my riding style I can bump and grind in the rollers that used to be so intimidating. Keywords here: know which gear is good for your level of kiting and riding style. Then try it before buying — always. What is good for Joe is not necessarily good for you.

Learning to snowkite, MaiTai Winter in Skyline, Utah, photo courtesy, Steve Gibson

• Travel is a great way to learn and add to your life’s palette, network and build your business. I’ve met some of the most wonderful people on kite beaches. I’m hoping to meet more of you in the many kitebeaches around the world! And yes, a number of my kiting friendships and non-kiting friendships have turned into business for Mavin Digital. Very cool!

A taste of Maui Magic, Jessica Valenzueal at MaiTai 2010, Maui, Hawaii

• Travel smart. You don’t need to spend buco $$$ to afford travel. Be creative. Be sincere. Be open. Remember, you’re traveling to learn how other people live and how it is done in their turf. Be respectful.
• Sometimes you have to do non-fun things. Like body dragging to your board or to safety, untying knots from your lines, self-rescuing because the wind died or you got blown offshore or it could be something else, walk back a few miles at times through tall bushes and uncut trails or be sitting for hours without wind (then you just paddleboard, surf, kayak or drink beers) and the list of non-fun things about kiteboarding is plenty. Remember, a zen life requires the ying and the yang for you to gain full-satisfaction and appreciation.
• Kiteboarding is a community. A growing sport were almost everyone knows everyone. While at Crissy on June 24, watching the race from the beach someone shouts my name and says “Jessica Valenzuela!”  It was Pierre Wolf who I knew on email via the MaiTai 2010 event. In a few seconds another voice asks me “are you Prezemek’s friend from New York?” A few minutes after that Bobby who I kited with once in Tobay Bay was saying “hey Jessica is that you?” Kiters naturally head for the kite spot whenever they visit a place. We tease each other about our kites, the face-plant after a kite loop and many other silly things, yet you can count that a kiter will help you out if you are having challenges in the water. And when you are out of the water.

What Is Next?

I can only look forward to progressing further into the sport, meeting fellow kiters and learning from the Kiteboarding Tribe. I hope to inspire those who are thinking of trying it -  jump in and get your feet wet! At first you may not like it because it is not the easiest skill to learn in the world, but as time goes by you’ll be thinking of ways to manage your schedule so you can kite when the wind comes. And that is only the beginning.

Jessica kiting Treasure Island, Bay Area, photo courtesy Erin Loscocco

I’m looking forward to checking new spots to kite, progressing into a few tricks, riding Crissy and under the Golden Gate Bridge in style!

Jessica taking a lesson under the Golden Gate bridge with Capt. John Von Tesmar. photo courtesy Erin Loscocco

Gratitude

Big thanks to my instructors from the different schools Bill (Island Riders), Jaz De Lille (New Wind Kiteboarding), Sensi Graves (Real Kiteboarding), Dominique Granger (Real Kiteboarding), Jeff Kafka (WOW Kite), Luke Svanberg (Luke’s Kiteboarding), Nick Obea (Kitehouse), Mark Stevens (Action Sports Maui) and Capt. John von Tesmar (KTI), the pros who spread the stoke of the sport daily, fellow kiters who inspire me to get in the water as much as I can and the non-kiting friends who have patiently encouraged and supported me with my kiteboarding addiction.

To the kiteboarding/kitesurfing tribe, be safe out there and wishing you good wind from the Bay Area!

Remember your first year as a kiteboarder / kitesurfer and want to share lessons learned? Write jessica@justkiteit.com.