Belmont Kite Haps: Great kite day, photos from Klaus & a new adventure

Tuesday August 10, 2010

Another great day of kiting at Belmont

Today Klaus wanted to try the new North twin tip. Here Robert, owner of Kitesurfari, lets him give it a spin. Let's see what the board can do on the water.

He said later it's one of the best up-wind boards he's tried.

He also said it was good for jumping too.

and for rail grabs. Except I didn't time it very well. Next time I'll use his camera. It takes a lot of pictures in a row when you hold down the button.

This shot might have been the one that convinced Klaus this is going to be his new board.

Then right in front of me there was a rescue. Actually Klaus was a small part of it since this guys kite came down over Klaus and he got a arm burn from the lines.

But I think I just wanted to share how fortunate we are here in Long Beach to have such great and dedicated lifeguards because the guard in the water had two guys backing him up just in case.

Klaus finally came in doing some kind of surfing stance. I think it was left over from him being at the surf contest in Huntington Beach on Sunday.

I wanted to close out the day with a group picture of the gang because Kristen (third from left) had such a great day on the water. Actually we all had a great day because the wind was so good and it lasted quite a while. We hope there are a few more good ones left of the summer.

Monday August 9, 2010

A new adventure

When Klaus came down today the said "What are we going to do for an adventure?" I said "I don't know, we'll think of something." Well if you can picture this, Klaus and I were out in the bay between Chaffee Island and the beach. Then he pointed indicating "Let's go to the oil platform." So off we went on another adventure.

Once we were at the platform we reversed direction and I thought we could get behind Chaffee Island, but we couldn't make it so we jibed and went past the eastern end of the breakwater wall. Once past it we just headed into the open ocean. Klaus was in the lead and every once in a while he would turn around to make sure I was still there. We just kept going.

The camera angle and depth of field are a little off but you can see that there are ships past the breakwater.

There were two ships behind the breakwater, but the lens does not give you the true perspective. Anyway we kited up to the first ship. Once there Klaus gave the guys on the railing something to cheer about by jumping and waving to the guys. They enjoyed the show.

We jibed and headed back to the breakwater. Then we had to decide if we were going to stay out in the open ocean or go into the bay. We choose the bay. The port tack we took was fantastic. The wind was very strong between the breakwater and Chaffee, and the water was fairly smooth. So we were going at a pretty good clip for a long distance.

This wasn't taken this day but it gives you the idea of the rough water, the breakwater and the huge ship behind the breakwater wall. When we got near White Island there was a wind shadow from Freeman Island so we changed direction. We were taking our time and heading home when Klaus's kite fell out of the air. A reverse of what happened the other day. Unfortunately you can't do to much while your buddy tries to get his kite back in the air..and he did. Thank you wind gods for puffing his kite in the air.

Once we got up and going I noticed Gabor and his friend Max kiting outside the breakwater wall. They were really out there!!!!

This is what the Queens Gate opening in the breakwater looks like from the air. This is going to be our next adventure, coming back through the Queens Gate opening.

Saturday and Sunday, August 7 & 8, 2010

Photos from Klaus