Every year there is brought something new to make personal tuning easier or getting to water quicker. Now North kiteboarding has released new straps with easier system to setup the straps and have more personal customization options.
North Entity combo instructional video.
Nobile has introduced a new fin setting system to their kiteboards.
maanantai 19. syyskuuta 2011
sunnuntai 18. syyskuuta 2011
Short evolution of the twintip
This is not a complete history of the twintip kiteboards but some views on how the twintips have changed in the past years.
Twintip evolution has had several trends until they have been formed into the ones we use today. The first twintip boards I recall make me smile as they looked like big bananas. They were thick, long, had a big rocker and looked like two noses of the directionals were glued together. It was common that these boards were 160 to 190 cm long. There were even longer boards as some of the school twintips were way over 2 meters long. Compared to modern boards, it was hard to get upwind and jump with those boards.
There were some so-called wakestyle boards that were similar to the modern boards but they required more skill to ride and they required almost overpowered conditions to get upwind. I had one of these after the first plastic 180 cm long twintip. It was Airush Wakestyle 137 2002. It was only 35 cm wide and had pickle fork tips. It was not quick to plane but it kept the edge when overpowered.
In the next step, the majority of the boards changed from big plastic twintips to follow the way the wakestyle boards were. The big twintips were still produced as beginner boards. There was a twintip sidestep of mutant boards that could be ridden both ways like twintips if wanted. However, one direction was preferred and the one tip of the board had bigger fins like directional boards. The latest mutant-like boards are Nobile Shinn Wave and Ocean Rodeo Mako but those shape is far from the Naish Mutant in 2002/2003.
Twintips got shorter. Many boards were 130-160 cm long and usually they were 35 to 41 cm wide. Naish Stubbie 2003 had the shortest length of all production boards with only 115 cm of length. The boards did not have much flex and in chop they were harder to ride than current boards. The missing flexibility was replaced by the small size.
Many kiters made boards by themselves for lighter winds. It was easy to make a reasonable board (compared to the productin boards at that time) from plywood by taking a sidecut from some successful production board and adding some width. The simplest boards had plywood core bent to wanted rocker and boat varnish on top. Some kiters added layers of fiberglass or even carbonfiber on top of the plywood core to make it a little stiffer and to keep the wanted rocker better.
During the next few years the board shapes were tuned but no major changes were made to the length of the boards. As the change was more subtle, only some centimeters were added to the smallest boards and the lenght of the longest boards was reduced a little. The change was more in the board width. The boards were getting a little more flexible and the bottom was shaped more. This made it possible to make a little wider board that could be still ridden in high winds also by lighter kiters. Refining the board shapes and usability took some years. This evolution created boards like Nobile 666 2008 that is some kind of a legend here at the local beaches. It was mainly a flat water freestyle board but due to its unmatched ability to plane in light wind and keep the edge and pop, people ignored the fact that it was not a good board in choppy water.
The sport itself evolved and this created a need for different types of boards. People had always ridden freeride or waves but now kiteboarding companies started to release more beginner, intermediate, freeride and freestyle boards. A requirement for a lightwind board was also emerging. Kiters wanted to go out there in lighter winds when the range of kites was getting better in low winds and most of us do not live in the area where it is over 20 knots of wind daily.
New construction methods are introduced to make lighter weight boards with much more refined flex patterns in the boards. Another change is that there is more shape on the bottom of the board. One example of new construction is North Select, which has been made light and has that magic feel when you ride it. One example of the new shape is the new SuperShinn by Shinn kiteboarding.
Specific wakestyle boards are making a strong comeback. There is a requirement for these boards from the people who want to ride with bindings. Kickers and sliders are built and people are visiting cable parks. Hadlow Wakestyle board and North Gambler are answering the call in addition to the boards we have had from Liquid Force and some other companies. It is good to see this kind of a new breed emerging. May the evolution continue.
Twintip evolution has had several trends until they have been formed into the ones we use today. The first twintip boards I recall make me smile as they looked like big bananas. They were thick, long, had a big rocker and looked like two noses of the directionals were glued together. It was common that these boards were 160 to 190 cm long. There were even longer boards as some of the school twintips were way over 2 meters long. Compared to modern boards, it was hard to get upwind and jump with those boards.
There were some so-called wakestyle boards that were similar to the modern boards but they required more skill to ride and they required almost overpowered conditions to get upwind. I had one of these after the first plastic 180 cm long twintip. It was Airush Wakestyle 137 2002. It was only 35 cm wide and had pickle fork tips. It was not quick to plane but it kept the edge when overpowered.
In the next step, the majority of the boards changed from big plastic twintips to follow the way the wakestyle boards were. The big twintips were still produced as beginner boards. There was a twintip sidestep of mutant boards that could be ridden both ways like twintips if wanted. However, one direction was preferred and the one tip of the board had bigger fins like directional boards. The latest mutant-like boards are Nobile Shinn Wave and Ocean Rodeo Mako but those shape is far from the Naish Mutant in 2002/2003.
Twintips got shorter. Many boards were 130-160 cm long and usually they were 35 to 41 cm wide. Naish Stubbie 2003 had the shortest length of all production boards with only 115 cm of length. The boards did not have much flex and in chop they were harder to ride than current boards. The missing flexibility was replaced by the small size.
Many kiters made boards by themselves for lighter winds. It was easy to make a reasonable board (compared to the productin boards at that time) from plywood by taking a sidecut from some successful production board and adding some width. The simplest boards had plywood core bent to wanted rocker and boat varnish on top. Some kiters added layers of fiberglass or even carbonfiber on top of the plywood core to make it a little stiffer and to keep the wanted rocker better.
During the next few years the board shapes were tuned but no major changes were made to the length of the boards. As the change was more subtle, only some centimeters were added to the smallest boards and the lenght of the longest boards was reduced a little. The change was more in the board width. The boards were getting a little more flexible and the bottom was shaped more. This made it possible to make a little wider board that could be still ridden in high winds also by lighter kiters. Refining the board shapes and usability took some years. This evolution created boards like Nobile 666 2008 that is some kind of a legend here at the local beaches. It was mainly a flat water freestyle board but due to its unmatched ability to plane in light wind and keep the edge and pop, people ignored the fact that it was not a good board in choppy water.
The sport itself evolved and this created a need for different types of boards. People had always ridden freeride or waves but now kiteboarding companies started to release more beginner, intermediate, freeride and freestyle boards. A requirement for a lightwind board was also emerging. Kiters wanted to go out there in lighter winds when the range of kites was getting better in low winds and most of us do not live in the area where it is over 20 knots of wind daily.
New construction methods are introduced to make lighter weight boards with much more refined flex patterns in the boards. Another change is that there is more shape on the bottom of the board. One example of new construction is North Select, which has been made light and has that magic feel when you ride it. One example of the new shape is the new SuperShinn by Shinn kiteboarding.
Specific wakestyle boards are making a strong comeback. There is a requirement for these boards from the people who want to ride with bindings. Kickers and sliders are built and people are visiting cable parks. Hadlow Wakestyle board and North Gambler are answering the call in addition to the boards we have had from Liquid Force and some other companies. It is good to see this kind of a new breed emerging. May the evolution continue.
torstai 15. syyskuuta 2011
Influenced by
As any other sport, kiteboarding has its celebrities and idols. Every kiteboarder has their own view on who is the best or who has influenced the sport the most. In the past few years kiteboarders that have influenced the sport a lot are Aaron Hadlow and Ruben Lenten. They have brought their powerful style to the sport. There are also many other kiters who add to the sport and there are many more still to come. It is always nice to see how some people have possibilities and energy to renew the sport by pushing the limits. Whether it is inventing new tricks, adding technicality to the tricks or just raise the bar higher in freestyle or waves.
The one person that has had the biggest influence on me is Robby Naish. It goes back in time when I was still windsurfing and I wathced videos of US-1111 ripping waves in Hawaii or competing across the globe. I really liked Robby's style and his attitude to the sport and people. He was referred to as a legend already back then. When I started kiteboarding, Robby was becoming one of the big names of kiteboarding with Lou Wainman, Flash Austin, Pete Cabrinha and Mark Shinn. Robby was again the one who made me practise more. Reflecting this, it was very nice to see the latest Naish marketing video about Robby. Enjoy.
The one person that has had the biggest influence on me is Robby Naish. It goes back in time when I was still windsurfing and I wathced videos of US-1111 ripping waves in Hawaii or competing across the globe. I really liked Robby's style and his attitude to the sport and people. He was referred to as a legend already back then. When I started kiteboarding, Robby was becoming one of the big names of kiteboarding with Lou Wainman, Flash Austin, Pete Cabrinha and Mark Shinn. Robby was again the one who made me practise more. Reflecting this, it was very nice to see the latest Naish marketing video about Robby. Enjoy.
sunnuntai 11. syyskuuta 2011
Surf Expo 2011
The annual surf expo was last weekend in Orlando Florida. All of us that could not take the time and make the travel to visit personally can enjoy the videos made by The Kiteboarder magazine about kiteboarding companies showing what they have for 2012.
Surf expo videos by The Kiteboarder magazine
Surf expo videos by The Kiteboarder magazine
torstai 8. syyskuuta 2011
What is kiteboarding?
I guess that is the first and the most frequently asked question when people are starting a discussion with me about my hobby. I am very enthusiast to explain it to anyone and it takes a lot of words and time to explain everything. As a picture is worth of thousand words maybe couple of videos do the same and answer this question.
For most of us kiteboarding is freeriding and enjoying the wind and water or snow. This is the base for the sport.
In addition to freeride there are other styles of kiteboarding. It is up to you where do you want to go.
As seen in the last ten years kiteboarding is evolving quickly. This is what kiteboarding is today but tomorrow it may be so much more.
For most of us kiteboarding is freeriding and enjoying the wind and water or snow. This is the base for the sport.
In addition to freeride there are other styles of kiteboarding. It is up to you where do you want to go.
As seen in the last ten years kiteboarding is evolving quickly. This is what kiteboarding is today but tomorrow it may be so much more.
keskiviikko 7. syyskuuta 2011
North Vegas 2012
Just released new North Vegas 2012. Enjoy in freestyle and in freeride with new setting options.
North Vegas 2012 information here.
North Vegas 2012 video here.
North Vegas 2012 information here.
North Vegas 2012 video here.
maanantai 5. syyskuuta 2011
Action in DR 2011
Very cool short teaser cut from the Dominican Republic showing Aaron and Tom rippin. There is a rumor in a forum that Tom is riding a new not yet released North board. Waiting to get more information if that is true.
perjantai 2. syyskuuta 2011
Up north
Days are getting shorter and the air is colder. Hopefully autumn brings some stronger winds than the summer did. There is now more time in the evening to start planning the next summer and a kiteboarding trip somewhere where the warm wind blows constantly and you can check the force of the wind just from the watch and do not need any real tools to measure it. When I started to look for locations on the web, I went through the places where I have been. You might think that some place with palm trees and warm winds would be the most memorable location I have kited but actually no. One of the most exotic trips I have taken was to a distant location in northern Finland.
It was in April years back when I loaded my car and started the 1100 km drive from southern Finland to Lapland. During the drive you see the how the landscape changes from lakeland to big forests and swamps before you reach Oulu and get close to the sea. The next 650 km drive starts from the seaside and follows a river until the hills start to get bigger and finally you can see small mountains in the horizon. Finland does not have too high mountains but all of the peaks over 1000 meters are in the area where I was heading. It was cool to see how you can drive from zero snow cover to complete winter wonderland with high peaks around you.
Finally the drive was over and I could unload the car at the log cabin that was reserved for our party. When I arrived there, it was the scenery that really struck me. It was so exciting to see Lake Kilpisjärvi surrounded by all the mountains and especially the Mount Saana that stands by the lake. I immediately started to look around to see which area could be used for kiting and where to go next. The closest spot is Lake Kilpisjärvi itself. It felt that the best winds are N, NW, E and SSE-S. However, the lake is just big enough for almost every wind direction. You just need to select from which end of the lake you lauch the kite.
It was a S-SSW wind, the sun was shining and air temperature was just below zero in celcius. I launched my kite from the southern end of the lake. It was gusty and I knew that I should have gone to the other end of the lake but it was just too nice to walk 50 meters from the cabin and lauch the kite. I rode closer to the center of the lake and the wind got better and much more stable. The scenerey really opened around of me and I got a 'life is good' moment when blasting through the lake in this unbelievable scenery.
After the day of kiting we took a little snowshoe safari to the top of the closest hill. The sun was just setting down behind the horizon at eleven o'clock in the evening! One month later it would not have gone done at all as from May to August the sun does not go down.
The area is on the border of Finland, Sweden and Norway. You can go to a place where all three countries cross and step from Finland to Sweden and then to Norway on the second step. By the road from Kilpisjärvi village to Norway, there is another spot just after you cross the Norwegian border. There you can also find some elevation you can surf like big waves. That brings the real 3D experince to the sport.
If you want use some time to find new spots, you can book snowmobile rides or helicopter flights to go kite or downhill ski to a totally new area. On top of the unbelievable locations you can enjoy the beautiful nature around you more. One thing to remember is that you need to respect nature and cannot ride the snowmobile wherever you want as there are marked routes you need to follow.
To see something else you can take a ride to Norway. It is only a 50 km drive by car to Skibotn which is the village closest to the border. It is located by a fjord next to The Arctic Ocean. There are beaches where you can launch the kite and go ride on the water. Just remember to have your drysuit, hood and gloves with you, the water is freezing cold.
Kilpisjärvi is not a party central but much more a place to enjoy the scenery and leisured days. After a long day kiting, exploring the surrondings and having a nice meal you are much more likely to fall asleep in front of the fireplace than want to dance your heart out in a disco.
I can highly recommend the place due to its exotic location. There will be some days without wind so you should plan other activities and the local services can keep you busy. You can find Kilpisjärvi village location and services information from http://www.kilpijarvi.org . If you do not like to drive all the way from the south to get there, you can try to get flights to Enontekiö and hire a car or book a taxi there as it is still over 170 km to Kilpisjärvi.
It was in April years back when I loaded my car and started the 1100 km drive from southern Finland to Lapland. During the drive you see the how the landscape changes from lakeland to big forests and swamps before you reach Oulu and get close to the sea. The next 650 km drive starts from the seaside and follows a river until the hills start to get bigger and finally you can see small mountains in the horizon. Finland does not have too high mountains but all of the peaks over 1000 meters are in the area where I was heading. It was cool to see how you can drive from zero snow cover to complete winter wonderland with high peaks around you.
After the day of kiting we took a little snowshoe safari to the top of the closest hill. The sun was just setting down behind the horizon at eleven o'clock in the evening! One month later it would not have gone done at all as from May to August the sun does not go down.
The area is on the border of Finland, Sweden and Norway. You can go to a place where all three countries cross and step from Finland to Sweden and then to Norway on the second step. By the road from Kilpisjärvi village to Norway, there is another spot just after you cross the Norwegian border. There you can also find some elevation you can surf like big waves. That brings the real 3D experince to the sport.
If you want use some time to find new spots, you can book snowmobile rides or helicopter flights to go kite or downhill ski to a totally new area. On top of the unbelievable locations you can enjoy the beautiful nature around you more. One thing to remember is that you need to respect nature and cannot ride the snowmobile wherever you want as there are marked routes you need to follow.
Kilpisjärvi is not a party central but much more a place to enjoy the scenery and leisured days. After a long day kiting, exploring the surrondings and having a nice meal you are much more likely to fall asleep in front of the fireplace than want to dance your heart out in a disco.
I can highly recommend the place due to its exotic location. There will be some days without wind so you should plan other activities and the local services can keep you busy. You can find Kilpisjärvi village location and services information from http://www.kilpijarvi.org . If you do not like to drive all the way from the south to get there, you can try to get flights to Enontekiö and hire a car or book a taxi there as it is still over 170 km to Kilpisjärvi.
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