This trip is full of surprises. On Weds night the crew headed to a new fish restaurant on the island and after listening to a great acoustic singer, they set up a karokee machine. The rules were made....if you want a ride back you need to sing. I was surprised to see Mike Mckinney sign up first and do great job. I was surpised when Tom Grace got up and busted a move and danced to a rap song. After everyone went once the craziness began. The kitesurfers from Minnesota...a few yeah sure ya betchas were shouted, created great humor for the locals. We all ended up on stage belting out Send (Take) it to the Limit, One more time......Those of you coming down next week may not want to admit you're from Minnesota.
Another huge surprise. Mike Granger who had only ridden previously a few times in the winter, is riding comfortably and staying upwind already. Damn I wish it had been that easy for me. And he's on Fuels.
The northerly that came in yesterday chilled the water to just this side of frigid. We were on the water by 8a, cause it was forecast to die by noon, and the temp was 45 and the water in the Laguna feeling colder than that. The only one warm was Mike who had brought his wet suit. Half the clan headed to buy/rent wetsuits.
Steve you may be buying Darlene her wine coolers. She's consistently getting 10-12 footer and riding a lot.
What a great time. Everyone is progressing and looking great.
Steve...Diane said your new kite is awesome.
Looking forward to seeing the new crew arrive next week.
out
The Mayhem Continues...
Moderator: MK
The Mayhem Continues...
Tighe
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steveb
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 3:31 pm
- Location: sblain@frontiernet.net
Darlene....go for it, how cool is that?. Has she stopped grinning yet?,Tighe.
See what happens when someone says they'll take your gear to SPI for you, next thing you know it's getting sand on it and getting wet.
Tell Dianne I'm still waiting for that bladder, it's shipped and on the way but I think they used the slow donkey for the delivery....fingers crossed.
As far as crazy minnesotans go...we're from Wisconsin
See what happens when someone says they'll take your gear to SPI for you, next thing you know it's getting sand on it and getting wet.
Tell Dianne I'm still waiting for that bladder, it's shipped and on the way but I think they used the slow donkey for the delivery....fingers crossed.
As far as crazy minnesotans go...we're from Wisconsin
Craziness continues.
nathan and co. hosted a bbq and bon fire on the beach last night. Jan Marie was jamming on her guitar, crazy stories were being told, and the bubbly was going down. There was close to 20 'sotans hamming it up around the fire. A few of us were standing, looking out into the raging surf and a nude body went cruising by us out into the surf, then another and another. crazy.
Yesterday was a gas. The wind was NW about 17-20 and we did a downwinder from the end of the road 6 miles down. The whole coastline was full of kites, at least 50-60 of them spread out from the end of the road to the Jetties. What a sight. The waves were 5-7ft by the end of the day providing incredible glossy faces and quite a roar. Our Hotel is about midway and we hung for a bit and watched rider after rider rip down the line. Some incredible riders. Local crew cruised by, Nathan on the Ranger and a skim board, Terry D, Diane, Tyson, Kurt...etc. Lot of crew kept on riding out in front of our hotel after the downwinder. Jeff G and John did a second downwinder at sunset. Scott stayed on the water and put on quite a show as we soaked in the hot tub.
The whole crew that came down in our group did great. Darlene was out in the waves yesterday, ripping it up. Mike M., Dave, and Tom were looking dialed in those monsters. Leah and Mike Manger dialed their riding and transitions in a lesson with Jeff yesterday. Jan Marie came a long way over the past week. Half the crew took off today. The other half, like me, changed their flights to get some more.
Today's forecast is for 17-25mph NNE. We're hitting the flats for a few hours then plan to do another downwinder since the waves have been building all night.
The Minnesota clan gets bigger and bigger each day. Looking forward to seeing others arrive throughout the week.
nathan and co. hosted a bbq and bon fire on the beach last night. Jan Marie was jamming on her guitar, crazy stories were being told, and the bubbly was going down. There was close to 20 'sotans hamming it up around the fire. A few of us were standing, looking out into the raging surf and a nude body went cruising by us out into the surf, then another and another. crazy.
Yesterday was a gas. The wind was NW about 17-20 and we did a downwinder from the end of the road 6 miles down. The whole coastline was full of kites, at least 50-60 of them spread out from the end of the road to the Jetties. What a sight. The waves were 5-7ft by the end of the day providing incredible glossy faces and quite a roar. Our Hotel is about midway and we hung for a bit and watched rider after rider rip down the line. Some incredible riders. Local crew cruised by, Nathan on the Ranger and a skim board, Terry D, Diane, Tyson, Kurt...etc. Lot of crew kept on riding out in front of our hotel after the downwinder. Jeff G and John did a second downwinder at sunset. Scott stayed on the water and put on quite a show as we soaked in the hot tub.
The whole crew that came down in our group did great. Darlene was out in the waves yesterday, ripping it up. Mike M., Dave, and Tom were looking dialed in those monsters. Leah and Mike Manger dialed their riding and transitions in a lesson with Jeff yesterday. Jan Marie came a long way over the past week. Half the crew took off today. The other half, like me, changed their flights to get some more.
Today's forecast is for 17-25mph NNE. We're hitting the flats for a few hours then plan to do another downwinder since the waves have been building all night.
The Minnesota clan gets bigger and bigger each day. Looking forward to seeing others arrive throughout the week.
Tighe
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scottchapman
- Posts: 608
- Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 10:47 am
- Location: ScottChapman.com Bloomington, MN
- Contact:
Well at least it is warmer here when I got back. I think I kited every day but arrival day in SPI. The two down winders were great. On the last day out in front of the hotel I got to kite with a pod of dolphins. I saw two initially. I dropped in front of them a couple of times and they disappeared.Then as I was trying to find them on my many reaches I spotted a 4-5 foot wave forming and then about 5-6 dolphins riding the wave in front of me...I slashed a nice turn in front of them and I looked down and one of them was swimming below me...I thought I saw him wink at me...confirming that we are all having fun in the Gulf of Mexico aren’t we!!!
Awesome reports...
What a gift. While not there physically, you're accounts are stunning and easily make for a spirit connection. I'll never forget a similar dolphin experience in Hatteras. It just doesn't get any better. Friends, food and music on the beach, waves, dolphins...
Great way to move down this Thanksgiving week. Thanks to all the comrades in riding...our energy feeds one another. Thanks to all who make this website possible...to everyone who helped us safely move along the kiting learning curve...to those who've generously donated their time for Minnesota windsport events...to those who traveled so far to attend these events...to the positive vibe of this site and all the learning that comes from it, to the young and their fresh energy entering these sports, to the patience of those in the middle struggling to get ride time, to the peace and stewardship from the aging riders aiming to ride to our last breath, to the tolerance and understanding of our significant others, to the spirits of those who've long since stopped riding, but carry on through us, for sunsets, dolphis, eagles, and that rare blend of wind and water that so few really, really get to taste. What a wonderful world.
Great way to move down this Thanksgiving week. Thanks to all the comrades in riding...our energy feeds one another. Thanks to all who make this website possible...to everyone who helped us safely move along the kiting learning curve...to those who've generously donated their time for Minnesota windsport events...to those who traveled so far to attend these events...to the positive vibe of this site and all the learning that comes from it, to the young and their fresh energy entering these sports, to the patience of those in the middle struggling to get ride time, to the peace and stewardship from the aging riders aiming to ride to our last breath, to the tolerance and understanding of our significant others, to the spirits of those who've long since stopped riding, but carry on through us, for sunsets, dolphis, eagles, and that rare blend of wind and water that so few really, really get to taste. What a wonderful world.
Ride...just be it!
www.just-be-it.com
www.just-be-it.com
The hits just keep coming @ SPI. Some of the highlights, hitting the dance floor at the Rad with our locals. Scott C....you've got moves that would make MC Hammer blush. Then there's you Darlene (bahama mamma) and Jan Marie (light foot) and the rest of the MN crazies.
Hanging out with John Doyl and testing 08-09 proto boards all day @Holly beach. only the 4 of us there the whole time!
Riding a 7 totally lit the whole time the first day (35-45) I guess.
Way too many belly laughs, great food and drink, and fantastic weather.
I'll be making this trip atleast twice a year from now on.
Oh yeah! almost forgot, the kickers @ the south flats and @ Holly are for anybody to use. Just put them back when you're done. They belong to
cliff Stone and he's totally cool with that.
Hanging out with John Doyl and testing 08-09 proto boards all day @Holly beach. only the 4 of us there the whole time!
Riding a 7 totally lit the whole time the first day (35-45) I guess.
Way too many belly laughs, great food and drink, and fantastic weather.
I'll be making this trip atleast twice a year from now on.
Oh yeah! almost forgot, the kickers @ the south flats and @ Holly are for anybody to use. Just put them back when you're done. They belong to
cliff Stone and he's totally cool with that.
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steveb
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 3:31 pm
- Location: sblain@frontiernet.net
What a trip! Got to know some really cool people. Fun times with karaoke, Catch Phrase, bonfire, Jan-Marie's beautiful voice & guitar, techno-dancing with Tom Grace, hard-core foosball with Todd Hansen (yes he carries a grip around in his pocket in case he plays foosball 
), dancing at the Raddison, laughing at Dave's sense of humor & eating his tortilla plate & all at Manual's, a $10 "Bahama Mama" that Scott Chapman ordered for me 
, BTW I was NOT one of the nude ocean swimmers/streakers. Saw 2 beautiful sunrises. La Quinta is right on the ocean, just kite from the beach, when you're done rinse off with warm fresh-water showers at the waters edge, then jump in the hot-tub & enjoy free happy hour, all for $48/night including tax! 3 girls in a room=$16/night. Didn't have time for yoga on the beach 
Did do some kiting too .......5 days in a row......blisters & cuts on hands & feet are starting to heal. I'm sorry to report I won't be getting those wine coolers, I had a jump that felt like 15' but Tighe said it was only 12'
New kiting experiences: 6-mile downwinders, 45 MPH winds
, 6-8' ocean waves, but the scariest was when Tighe put his kite thru my lines & being completely wrapped up in both of our lines 
.
Leah was doing toe-side & transitions, awesome!
Unbelievable how fast Mike Manger got up on his board, staying upwind, doing transitions, and I hear jumping 6' & landing it!!
Can't wait till spring! (Ok, winter will be ALL-RIGHT too).
Darlene
), dancing at the Raddison, laughing at Dave's sense of humor & eating his tortilla plate & all at Manual's, a $10 "Bahama Mama" that Scott Chapman ordered for me , BTW I was NOT one of the nude ocean swimmers/streakers. Saw 2 beautiful sunrises. La Quinta is right on the ocean, just kite from the beach, when you're done rinse off with warm fresh-water showers at the waters edge, then jump in the hot-tub & enjoy free happy hour, all for $48/night including tax! 3 girls in a room=$16/night. Didn't have time for yoga on the beach Did do some kiting too
.......5 days in a row......blisters & cuts on hands & feet are starting to heal. I'm sorry to report I won't be getting those wine coolers, I had a jump that felt like 15' but Tighe said it was only 12' New kiting experiences: 6-mile downwinders, 45 MPH winds
, 6-8' ocean waves, but the scariest was when Tighe put his kite thru my lines & being completely wrapped up in both of our lines .Leah was doing toe-side & transitions, awesome!
Unbelievable how fast Mike Manger got up on his board, staying upwind, doing transitions, and I hear jumping 6' & landing it!!
Can't wait till spring! (Ok, winter will be ALL-RIGHT too).
Darlene
What an awsome trip! A great group of people and unique personalities, I allready miss hang'n out with them.
Lessons from Jeff and Bryan at Air Padre were awsome, thanks go to Tom, Dave, Tighe, Scott, and Mike "McSkinny" for all the tips and instruction.
I would like to give a special thanks to Leah and Darlene for the kick in the arsh when I was being a Sally (I was a little nervous the first couple of times out on my own)
Jan-Marie, what an inspiration!
Tighe- Thanks for telling me to go out and send it! - I now know what a Heroin Junky feels like.
What a great place for a begginer to learn, I can't wait to go back!
Mike Manger
Lessons from Jeff and Bryan at Air Padre were awsome, thanks go to Tom, Dave, Tighe, Scott, and Mike "McSkinny" for all the tips and instruction.
I would like to give a special thanks to Leah and Darlene for the kick in the arsh when I was being a Sally (I was a little nervous the first couple of times out on my own)
Jan-Marie, what an inspiration!
Tighe- Thanks for telling me to go out and send it! - I now know what a Heroin Junky feels like.
What a great place for a begginer to learn, I can't wait to go back!
Mike Manger
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ice_kmauve
- Posts: 537
- Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:18 pm
- Location: St. Paul, MN
Of course, being my name is "ice_kmauve" the tropical water kiting environment is alien and hostile to me (that's a joke), but I was still able to manage to have a good time in Padre. Wink Wink.
As far as compadres and night life, I think Darlene's post pretty much sums it up for me. We had a crooner in our midst, plenty of pizza, beer, shrimp, that nutso word game, Mike's awesome kiting and "kayak porn" videos, and numerous and other sundry aspects of our group. I did eat a burrito that was larger than the plate (cost - $5.50) by holding the plate up to my lips. Hey I thought that was a dignified japanese traditional service method. What??
I think I was able to drink every night, yet I entirely escaped hangovers. A bit like riding the exact top of a wave. Which will be a great way for me to remember our last day, during which we had the pleasure of a long (5-6 miles?) down winder starting at a beach with pure white sand. That led to a long session in front of our hotel, working our way in among 6-7 foot waves (hey they're enough for a new guy all right), launching off a few lips, riding swells and rollers.. you know the routine. I guess I missed the school of dolphins, but I've heard they're attracted to intelligent life forms which might be why they were around Scott and not myself. Wink wink.
The 35-45 mph day was extraordinary. I was frankly too intimidated to even get in the water for a while, however, Kurt showed how it could be done with his five meter (which was plenty of kite). I will remember that as one of my top sessions ever, I just had so much freakin power.
Damn, I'm kicking myself knowing Todd got to demo Doyle boards at Holly. Oh well maybe next time. I guess we would have had to miss our downwinder to get in on that.
Personally as a kiter, I was able to develop a little bit of toe-side ability, maybe not enough to go upwind toeside, but enough to be able to use it, particularly to Ollie into a transition. Also, got some higher jumps than perhaps previously, I'm not sure. Got to try a few new kites: Mike's 2005 15m Windwing Rapture, a very solid C with an amazing amount of depower, 5 m waroo, 6m TD. I guess that's it, well, it was more variety than I'm used to anyway. Thanks for lending out kites guys.
Got to try Wakeboarding with Jan Marie (it was awesome, and she got up riding her first session out!). Plus I got to drive the Wakeboarding boat. Schwing!!
Our whole group got along famously (see Darlene's post) and made for some hilarious wackiness. Karaoke at Daddy's and tearing up the dance floor at the Radisson come to mind. It felt so good to just be on vacation in the first place, the kiting almost felt like added bonus to just hanging out in the tropics with great people.
If anyone wants to sit down and look seriously at possibilities for purchasing a house/condo or property down there for our minnesota group to use, I'd be willing to spend a few hours on it.
For those of you not intiated to Padre yet, one added bonus is that there are 3 full-service kite shops with a huge inventory for you to feast your eyes and wallets on. You can try out gear in some cases and it's not any more expensive than getting it over the internet. A definite treat in my opinion in case you get a no-wind day or just want to shop instead of kite. I'd never seen so much gear in one place.
Well, thanks everybody that made it possible. we'll try to get a photo CD or internet post together ASAP. Peace.
As far as compadres and night life, I think Darlene's post pretty much sums it up for me. We had a crooner in our midst, plenty of pizza, beer, shrimp, that nutso word game, Mike's awesome kiting and "kayak porn" videos, and numerous and other sundry aspects of our group. I did eat a burrito that was larger than the plate (cost - $5.50) by holding the plate up to my lips. Hey I thought that was a dignified japanese traditional service method. What??
I think I was able to drink every night, yet I entirely escaped hangovers. A bit like riding the exact top of a wave. Which will be a great way for me to remember our last day, during which we had the pleasure of a long (5-6 miles?) down winder starting at a beach with pure white sand. That led to a long session in front of our hotel, working our way in among 6-7 foot waves (hey they're enough for a new guy all right), launching off a few lips, riding swells and rollers.. you know the routine. I guess I missed the school of dolphins, but I've heard they're attracted to intelligent life forms which might be why they were around Scott and not myself. Wink wink.
The 35-45 mph day was extraordinary. I was frankly too intimidated to even get in the water for a while, however, Kurt showed how it could be done with his five meter (which was plenty of kite). I will remember that as one of my top sessions ever, I just had so much freakin power.
Damn, I'm kicking myself knowing Todd got to demo Doyle boards at Holly. Oh well maybe next time. I guess we would have had to miss our downwinder to get in on that.
Personally as a kiter, I was able to develop a little bit of toe-side ability, maybe not enough to go upwind toeside, but enough to be able to use it, particularly to Ollie into a transition. Also, got some higher jumps than perhaps previously, I'm not sure. Got to try a few new kites: Mike's 2005 15m Windwing Rapture, a very solid C with an amazing amount of depower, 5 m waroo, 6m TD. I guess that's it, well, it was more variety than I'm used to anyway. Thanks for lending out kites guys.
Got to try Wakeboarding with Jan Marie (it was awesome, and she got up riding her first session out!). Plus I got to drive the Wakeboarding boat. Schwing!!
Our whole group got along famously (see Darlene's post) and made for some hilarious wackiness. Karaoke at Daddy's and tearing up the dance floor at the Radisson come to mind. It felt so good to just be on vacation in the first place, the kiting almost felt like added bonus to just hanging out in the tropics with great people.
If anyone wants to sit down and look seriously at possibilities for purchasing a house/condo or property down there for our minnesota group to use, I'd be willing to spend a few hours on it.
For those of you not intiated to Padre yet, one added bonus is that there are 3 full-service kite shops with a huge inventory for you to feast your eyes and wallets on. You can try out gear in some cases and it's not any more expensive than getting it over the internet. A definite treat in my opinion in case you get a no-wind day or just want to shop instead of kite. I'd never seen so much gear in one place.
Well, thanks everybody that made it possible. we'll try to get a photo CD or internet post together ASAP. Peace.
"They call me Doctor Love.. Doctor love!!" - an obscure rock band.