CWC Extravaganza

Here is a short video from our trip to the Wind Or No Wind Board Jam at CWC.  We had a blast riding the cable for 2+ weeks, its amazing how fast you can really progress.  I enjoyed every second of it!  Hope you enjoy!

Maui Vibes

After spending two weeks at CWC for the Wind Or No Wind Board Jam it was finally time to fly east.  Sensi and I will be spending the winter on beautiful Maui.  We have been here for just under two weeks, and Maui has already delivered.  We have scored some great kiting, surfing, and hiking not to mention the amazing food.  It won't be long until the rest of the Liquid Force team will be joining us out here for a full winter of fun.

Been loving my LF Envy!

Hana, Maui

2011 Wind Or No Wind

So the 2011 Wind Or No Wind is a wrap, whew what an event!  After having a few days do decompress and unwind, I took a look through the photos.  Unfortunately I don't travel with a 7D, so these shots are courtesy from Sam Medesky and Tom Court.  The event was quite amazing this year, everyone was stepping up their game this year.  Progression was the name of the game!  There were some 9's thrown, several 7's, and an unimaginable amount of sliders ridden.  

While the wind never ended up cooperating, we did get to get out behind a beautiful X-Star and ride the double stair set.  The days were long and filled with lots of sessioning.  There was plenty of partying as well, with The Gov going all out with dancers, fireworks, and never ending jager shots.

At the end of the contest I ended up winning the 2nd annual Go Pro Challenge with fellow rider Tom Court.  I also walked home with a 3rd place in the cable division.  I came out to CWC to have fun, so I was stoked to walk away with some awards.  I am working on a short edit, so keep your eyes peeled for some cable action soon.  Lastly want to thank Liquid Force for providing the ultimate shred stick, rode like a dream!

Brazil 2011

So after getting home from Brazil I put together this little edit from the trip.  I had a blast riding with everyone and I can't wait to see the full video!

There is also a short teaser from the 2011 Ro-Sham Throwdown, look for more to come soon!

From Brazil to Michigan

After a month long kiting trip to Brazil, the last thing on my mind was kiting in the cold Great Lakes, but once I heard the stoke in Bryan Elkus's voice I knew I was in for an adventure.

Sensi and I met up with Elkus mid day began packing the gear into the car and fueling up on food for the days activites.  We drove north to Montague Beach, a quiet little beach just north of Muakeegon.  The second I stepped out of the car the first thing that hit my mind was "brrrrrrrr".  All the while Bryan is raving about how nice the weather was, it actually was really nice sunny and 60.  We headed out to the beach only to find five other kiters on the water already, so we got our kites setup and suited up in the thick stuff.  Sensi was lucky enough to snag some booties, gloves, and a hood, just a 4/3 for me.

There was some really fun kickers on the inside, and a nice jetty to...I guess jetty start.  We had a blast riding some small, but really clean waves.  We ended up riding right up until sunset, racing back to the car to get warm at the end, we were stoked!  All bundled up and warm we headed back home for some much needed rest and to prepare for the next days adventure!

sunrise in my backyard

After a little bit of discussion we decided to make the long drive up to Frankfurt, MI to make the most of the Great Lakes swell.  When we showed up to the beach there were 10 people out kiting, and a handful of surfers already in the water.  The wind was cranking and the waves were rolling in off the jetty, solid head high and clean.  We ran back to the car and got setup alongside plenty of frothing locals.  One thing about riding on the Great Lakes that blows me away is the level of stoke.  Everyone had smiles ear to ear, I heard plenty of hoots, and met some amazing new people. 

The wind ended up just getting stronger and stronger, I rode my 9m Envy got litt, put up a 7m and Elkus got blown off the water.  I managed to slide the pretty gnarly concrete jetty and throw some mega boosts.  The color of the water even reminded me of the Caribbean, the temperature was just a bit off.  After our session we headed out the jetty to play a game of don't get wet with Lake Michigan.....we both definitely lost.  We made the long drive back home as the post session coma was setting in.  It was a great weekend, certainly one I never expected!

Hurricane Irene Kite Shots!

So I'm pretty jazzed to see the shots from Nate Appel and I's post Hurricane Irene disaster session made it into this months Kiteboarding Magazine.  It was a really fun sessioning all the destroyed docks, but it came at a heavy cost.  The hurricane ended up shutting down the island for 5 weeks and ruined countless houses on the island.  You can read the full story in the article

 Looks mellow, but to tap this pole you had to hit the downed portion of the dock as a kicker, and land on a slightly flooded slick island.  Sleazy and I couldn't stop smiling!

The slick island was completely flooded!

Taiba Trick Attack

LF Taiba Trick Attack from James Boulding - Steez Prod'ns on Vimeo.

So last week James Boulding took the long trip over the pond, Craig Cunningham and I linked up with him for a days shooting.  We scored a solid four hours in the lagoon, considering the short time the video turned out sick.  Steeze Productions sure doesn't disappoint, pretty stoked to be riding with the Liquid Force Team.  It seems we all have a like minded approach to kiting and it makes it really fun on the water.  I am also stoked with my first ever shoot on the camera side, check the shots of James Boulding for my camera work!

Welcome to Brazil

So my trip to Brazil started with missing the ferry out of Cape Hatteras..not the best start.  The following 36 hours of flights, airports, and taxi rides were by no means fun.  But when I awoke to the howling sound of the wind, it was all worth it.  I arrived in Taiba three days ago and the wind has still not stopped blowing.  The town reminds me of a old fishing village, possibly from some writers far fetched imagination.  Well at least the conditions have been unreal!  

 Flying in to Fortaleza

We have been sessioning mostly in the lagoon here in Taiba, it's just a short downwinder from the house.  Every morning so far has been 7m weather, the new 2012 Envy is amazingly smooth and predictable, even in the really strong wind.  My body is in shambles after only three days, but I'm hoping to just power through the pain.  I have however been progressing my personal quite a bit and I am excited to see where 30 days gets me. 

The Canadians arrive!

After the first few days we were joined by the Canadian contingent comprising of Sam Medysky, Craig Cunningham, and photographer extraordinaire Josh Pietras.  It's nice to have a crew of like minded riders to ride with, it definitely helps push the level of riding on the water.  We have had some epic session so far and I'm sure we are going to have a ton more.  We even managed to take a day trip to Caupie lagoon yesterday, its was a nice change of pace even though it was crowded.  The local kids here ride at such an amazing level, it was like sitting court side at a pro sports game.  

Overall it has been an amazing four days here, I can't wait to see what happens over the course of the next month.  Keep checking back to see whats been going on down here in the South American shred fest!

What a nice sand quarter pipe

2012 Envy

2012 Liquid Force Envy from Liquid Force Kites on Vimeo.

Just a short video and ad featuring the Liquid Force 2012 Envy.  I am really excited for the upcoming year with the Envy.  I have been using it now for a few years and this years incarnation is the best one yet, not to mention the amazing graphics.  Get out and get your hand on one....you wont regret it!

Getting Some Press

Just a few new shots that got publicized in the last few weeks.  I am really happy to see the sunset shot above to make the cut, it was the first time I rode 10m lines.  I am still stranded in NY as a result of Hurricane Irene, hope to get back on the island soon, wish me luck!