“Warning Cabarete Local” graphics. –rr - The Kiteboarder Magazine

THINK
Coming to terms
Recently, I came
to the harsh
reality that I am
now considered
old school. Living
with two young
up and coming
kiteboarders
here in Corpus
Christi has made
me come to this
conclusion. I
have learned to
embrace my old school ways and am ok with it. For those of you
out there who are still coming to terms with your old school ways,
it is really not that bad of thing.
The Kiteboarder Magazine compound is split into two levels. The
boys live downstairs in the coach’s quarters, and I live upstairs in
my own area. The six-bedroom house is situated on one of the
best kiteboarding launches in town and my editorial office looks
out over our little flat water wonderland. Most of you probably
think I am crazy to live with two young bucks, but they are under
threat of death and know the compound is a training center and
not a party house. Everyday I learn something new from these kids.
What I once thought was cool and legit, I am quickly learning is not
cool anymore.
Zach Kleppe and Josh Griffiths teach lessons for South Coast
Kiteboarding during the day and at night they pour over the latest
kiteboarding DVDs, magazines and forums, critically examining
every detail. Hand placement on the bars, extensions on kiteloops,
where you grab on the board, the angle of a kite during a
powered moves; nothing gets past these kids. If it isn’t legit,
they call bullshit. Sitting back and watching this is an education
in itself. They heckle me for flying bow kites, but respect me
for getting out there and trying. It’s usually just hot air and
testosterone, but this has made me realize how important this
process is to evolve our sport.
As I said, I have come to terms with the fact that I am old school.
I started kiting on a two-line kite and a Jimmy Lewis Picklefork.
There was a time when I was just as adamant about “legit” riding,
and I called out the “posers” myself. I have definitely changed my
thinking over the last eight years. While I love watching the boys
push each other to up their level, I also have to remind them to
have fun. Over the years I have learned that kiteboarding is about
personal progression. When I go out and pull that new move I
have been dreaming of trying, I feel like a million bucks even if it is
not “legit” in their book.
It’s ok to jump high and wiggle. I still get the same rush as when
I learned to jump on a two line. I try to grab, but if I can’t, I am ok
with it. I don’t want to do knee-breaking kiteloop handlepasses,
but I do try to loop my kite. My main goal is to go out and have
fun and live to kite another day. So to all of you old schoolers out
there, keep charging hard and progressing your level on your own
terms. Don’t worry about trying keep up with the young bucks.
And, to all you hardcore young riders who are critical of everyone
around you, keep pushing the level, but don’t forget to have fun.
*ATTENTION TO DETAIL
Why compromise when you can have it all.
A hybrid SLE kite for freeride & waves or
5-line, no bridle, C-shape performance for
freestyle & wake.
One kite, that delivers all riding
styles – the Ion2 by Flexifoil.
Size range > 6, 8.5, 10.5, 12.5, 14.5, 16.5m2
The Ion two delivers
• Increased upwind performance
• Quicker turning and precise control
• Elevated Jumping and increased
hangtime
• Light even bar pressure
• Absolute stability
• Single point inflation
‘07 Lineup
Freestyle, Waves,
Unhooked Riding,
Freeride
...You choose
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1 Kite, 2 Setups,
All Riding Styles
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