Here is an video embedof the local ABC news interviewing Damon Leroy, Jeff Kindt and me.

Here are some more of my pictures of yesterday races.

Bruno heads up wind.

The blue fleet comes into the start of the race.

Shawn Richman and other getting ready to get off the beach for the second race of the day.

Here are a few links to local articles about the event.

Gabe Brown article in the Examiner

Local report for the SFappeal view on the event. It includes a photo gallery and on of my kite cam pics.

Kron 4 News video.

What I would report is that the score will be changing after today because we will get a throw out of our lowest score.  Notable Jesse Richman will jump into the top 10.  Also today Chip will be racing head to head with Bruno without Farley.

It was a great day for the start of the Kiteboarding Course racing world Chamionships.

Check out the Shot from my kite cam on the start of my first race. Not the Smoke of the gun coming off boat.

John Gomes get ready for his 1st race.
the view of the beach at Crissy Field.


The Richmans and Martin Vari talk about the day of racing at the St Francis at the kick off party.
To follow the race live here are some links.

The St Francis Race cam

The twitter feed

Our Wind Twitter feed

The last month or so Crissy Field has been a drag strip with local and international riders gearing up for the 1st ever Kiteboard Course Racing WORLD Championships.

After ever session I can’t help but think of one of my favorite sports photos where you see the Tour De France riders helping each other light cigarettes at the end of the race. 

I am not sure of the year of this photo but I am sure they where in a similar place.

Technology is changing race to race.  Some riders are paid and some are not.  So here are a few pics of what has been going on at Crissy Field in San Francisco.

There are  a few ways the locals have been training.  I think you can see why the smart money is on Chip.  Not only do I think he is currently the fastest local,  I think he has a real shot of winning the whole thing.

Heading to the start of the last race before the Worlds.

Dylan found a new toy as Stefaans mourns the lost of his favorite board.

Paolo Rista tells Jeff Kafka and Gibby  about the board be built for himself and Bruno Sroka.

Mike Gebhardt working on some fins. I hear he has 7 boards right now including a few Zajicek boards.  You can also see Paolo working on a board in the background.

And here is what I am sure you really want to see the fins.

We will be post updates here though out the event and a recap at the end so check back.

So we have been testing the 2010 Rise prototype this week.
We are giving our feedback to OR, but the kite really sweet.
The major changes are the strut placement.
Here are a few pics.  To see a bigger pics click on them.

Mako King

The Mako King is already receiving rave reviews as the hottest new board design for 2010. Ride it Mutant or Twin Tip, you decide.

Twin Tip Mode:

When set up in twin tip mode, the King has fantastic light wind performance, however unlike many light wind specific boards the fun doesn’t stop if the wind picks up. The huge concave combined with our time tested Mako shape provides a smooth ride in ALL conditions.

Mutant Setup

This is where the Mako King really shines. By shifting the straps back on the symmetrical Mako King shape, the board comes to life, offering hard carving slashing turns that match or exceed most well designed directional surfboards. If you’re still learning to ride toe side, the Mako King is the perfect transition board. Both riding and jumping backwards are easy and comfortable on the Mako King!

As in twin tip mode, the Mutant setup delivers great performance in both light wind and heavy conditions.

Checkout the 2010 Makos.

They will come in sizes 130 X 35 140 X 40  150 x 40 and 165 X 45.

Below are the graphics of the 130, 140 and 150.  I will post the detail on the 165 “The King” in my next post as it is a little different than the rest of the line up!

Checkout the 2010 twin-tips.

They will come in 131 X 39 133 X 41 135 X 43.

Checkout Ocean Rodeo’s 2010 kite bar.

Check out the new 2010 Rise Venturi XPD

XPD Technology


Larger LE panels at wing tips increase projected area, reduce drag and provide direct steering input.

Also a transition to smaller LE panels at the middle better matches the TE curvature, provides better air flow and lift, leading to more power and higher jumps.

6 Strut Construction

6 struts exactly match XPD Panel Layout.

The addtional strut better supports the canopy for less drag and distortion, particularly at the wind tips.

The removal of the middle strut opens center of the canopy and allows for better canopy definition and air flow providing better lift and leads to more power and higher jumps.