Airtool MKVI

Key features :

• Progressive flex
• Balanced internal weighting
• Stiff nose area
• Lipped rail and shallow concave to promote laminar flow and lateral resistance
• Refined plan shape for greater speed and ease of use
• Beveled rails
• Rock solid build and killer graphics

7 September 2010

There was decent wind at Luderitz yesterday and Seb and Sophie clocked impressive speeds despite an unfavorable tide (spring high in the afternoon).
They had to wait until after 3pm for the tide to recede and caught the tail end of the wind, which was around 40 knots when they arrived.
Seb reckons the portion of the canal that's already dug worked well even at high tide.
Seb had a 57.5 peak, 50.91 5x 10 sec, and 47.43 500m.
Sophie had a 49.55 peak, 43.47 5x 10 sec, and 37.49 500m. Sophie has improved her speeds at rapid rate since starting kiting just over a year ago, and will now give most guys a run for their money. She has big heart on the speed strip. Keep a close eye on this las during the event, I expect great things from her.

On a sad note, Dr. Tom Chalko was in an accident over the weekend and broke 2 of his fingers badly. This means the development of the new jump-genie firmware will be put on ice for now. I wish you a speedy recovery Doc and hope you bounce back quickly from this set back.

There's a chance of some wind inland this Thursday so I can test my new board.
I'm feeling much better since yesterday afternoon, so I should be well enough to give it a go.
Work was mental yesterday, and more of the same expected today; but I'll gladly put in long hours now that I'm able, to make Thursday possible.

Russell Long (boat) and Marcel Lepine have withdrawn from the event, but several other riders have expressed an interest; some need to secure sponsorship and others are waiting to see results and conditions. Pictures of the trench will be made available soon.

My cold has thankfully improved and only a dry cough and blocked sinus remain. I hope to ease back into my training later this week.
There's little wind around besides a moderate breeze (20kts ?) this coming Thursday; maybe I can get to try out my new board.
Work has piled up while I was man down, so I expect a lot of work pressure this week.

3 September 2010

Seb and Sophie arrived in Luderitz on 28 August, and digging of the trench has commenced.
There's some decent wind heading their way next week, check the latest Luderitz forecast HERE

My new board arrived a day ago and I cannot wait to try her out; it's one sleek looking weapon.
There was decent wind yesterday, but I couldn't risk it as I'm still sick. Thankfully I started feeling a bit better yesterday afternoon.
Wednesday next week might have enough wind to give her a maiden voyage, I just hope I'm well enough by then.

I'll discuss my preparation and what you can expect at the event.

I had 2 days of great wind just prior to last year's event and then very little during the first week I competed;  I unfortunately broke the tail of my board just prior to the last big wind day. There were long periods without wind (up to 10 days), so I couldn't wait it out.

To set the scene for the event, here's some points of interest : 

• This is the first event ever that ALL 3 Disciplines will be competing on the same stretch of water at the same time, namely kiters, windsurfers and a hydrofoil boat. 
• Last year Seb experimented by digging a TRENCH to extend the contestable time period (tide plays a big role) and create flatter water. It worked very well, but was too narrow (2m wide) leaving very little margin for error. This year he'll dramatically improve the trench by widening it throughout, especially at the start of the run. Having a good start to the 500m is crucial to attaining a good average. It'll be made dead straight this year to further improve the averages. Sand taken from the trench will be placed just upwind of it. The trench requires much less maintenance than the wooden barrier, and it's safer. The trench was built after I'd already left last year, so I cannot give you advice in this regard, but the run in general is very broad. In the past the run started out squarish and ended very broad (150+ deg), this resulted in chop towards the end of the run which caused many a wipeout. The chop should be reduced by having a dead straight canal. The straight canal will result in lower peak speeds but better averages, which is what's required to set a new record.
• The average speed over 500m is calculated by measuring the time it takes between start and finish post (+ adjustment for current & error factor), so the most direct route will be fastest. To comply with the WSSRC rules, the minimum water depth must be the greater of 10cm or half the static immersed beam/width of the board/craft. You can find a full list of rules HERE.
• The WIND usually runs in 3-5 days cycles at Luderitz; it builds each day towards a windy spell, and then subsides over a day or two towards a few days of no wind. This was not the case last year, and they even had rain during a NWer in Summer, which is unheard of. The strongest wind is in Summer (Dec/Jan), but it blows more frequently earlier in the season (Oct/Nov). It blows about 30-60 knots on the windy days; 40 knot days are fairly frequent during their windy season.
• Since the WATER circulates in Second lagoon, it's much warmer than the open Atlantic ocean. So a shorty wetsuit will suffice, but I suggest you wear a full wetsuit for protection sake.
• The TERRAIN is very rocky, baron and dry. A steep gradient is created between the hot desert inland and the cold Atlantic ocean; throw in a High pressure system SW of Luderitz for something special.
• Typical kite sizes used are 7-9 sqm. Boards vary depending on rider build, but the most common width is around 27cm.
• When conditions get nuclear, it's advisable to wear PROTECTIVE GEAR as there's no bail out on such a broad course, especially in the trench. A helmet and impact vest are a must; neck brace, skin guards and back protector are optional. Ironically, the more protective gear you wear, the more prone you are to wiping out as it slows down your reaction time and range of motion.
• The kiters' goals are to firstly reclaim the outright record which currently stands at 51.36 knots set by Hydroptere, and secondly to set an average speed of 100 km per hour or 54 knots over 500m. The trench will play a vital role in this. 

Gautrain pulling into Sandton station

It's a great addition to the public transport system and much needed.
The line currently runs between Sandton and OR Tambo airport, with stops at Marlboro and Rhodesfield. It takes a mere 12 minutes to cover 19.8km including stops. 
The lines is currently being extended and will also run between Park Station in Johannesburg to Hatfield in Pretoria; this is due for completion in 2011.
The route map can be found HERE

It costs R21 to ride from or to Sandton and Rhodesfield stations, and R100 to go from or to the airport from any station (each way).
The latest Tariffs can be found HERE

A train leaves the station every 12 minutes during Peak periods (05h30-08h30 & 16h00-19h00), every 20 minutes during Offpeak periods (08h30-16h00 & 19h00-20h30), and every 30 minutes on weekend and public holidays (no buses then).
There is parking at each of the stations which is open 5am until 9pm.

Here's the route on Google Earth taken from the GPS track file :


You can download the 5Hz GPS track file HERE

11 August 2010 

We certainly had the wind and kited 3 straight days.

DAY 1 :
We kited at St. Lucia in the surf, and it was warm with decent waves and an absolute pleasure.
I came face to face with a hammer head shark just past back line which gave us both a big scare. I also saw two dolphins in a wave as I was approaching it. 

DAY 2 :
The front hit sometime in the early morning and it was windy with the odd rain squall.
I couldn't get a boat to take us to the sand bank, so we kited at Pelican island with the locals; what a nice bunch of guys.
I left my details at the ski boat club in the morning with the hope of someone taking us to the sand bank the next day. This paid off and we managed to secure a boat for the next day.

Day 3 :
Tuesday had the strongest wind and came in phases. It averaged 18-23 knots, but increased to 30+ every 15 minutes or so as a squall approached. I'd estimate the strongest wind was around 35 knots. We left the bank just before 12pm and it looks as though the wind improved thereafter.
There were little waves breaking on the shallow bank, but this was not an issue, the wind angle was the show stopper.
It was dead square to the bank which made decent speeds impossible. The only way I could jack up my speed was to bear away into the chop, naturally my averages were slow.
I had a 45.79 peak by doing this and just over a 40 average, which is not what I was after.


This was taken during one of the squalls (30+)
Enough juice for the 12, but no chance of hugging the bank during a speed run in the square wind.
I didn't need to beat back upwind once which is not a good sign for speed.

No fireworks I'm sorry to say, but a lot of lessons learnt for the future.
I firmly believe that Richards Bay will delivery the goods sometime in the near future, it's a magic spot with huge potential. 
The locals are super friendly and very willing and able sailors, I hope to see them again soon.

I'll go there from Sunday until Tuesday, and all indications are that it'll be an epic trip.
This is just what I need after months of very little wind inland and huge work pressure over the past 2 months.

Pictures and video to follow . . .


Solid forecast for all 3 days. Monday looks epic


Decent fronts locked and loaded - bring it on

more to follow . . .