DimiExter

Yesterday, St Francis Yacht Club was hosting a competition in the Bay area. I was lucking enough to have a friend of mine driving me on his boat (Formula F280, fast twin engines boat!) to watch the competition from the sea. Also gave me the opportunity to check what kind of shooting can be done from a boat at this spot.

Wind was pretty soft, the guys had to work their kites quite hard at some point.

I would not be surpised to get a call from Fredstem, I do not think he has shots like these ones !

Trying to forgot last friday's body drag session (my attempt to practice self-rescue at the end went wrong: I did not worked my lines well and ended-up being strapped in the lines and dragged by the kite, hopefully it was only about 4m of lines, and I stayed calm enough to get my knife and cut 2 of the lines ! - by the way, great learning!)...

I took advantage of a business trip to Orlando to go to Tampa.

Much better seats, Floor, row 10. Do you know what they say about better seats ?

Less space to dance, but better pictures!

Sound was a bit crap, especially in the beginning (Robert could not hear himself, Simon had Bass problems all along), and lots of echoe... but I survive. Very similar programme compare to San Jose, a little shoter on the Encore (still 3, but the last one was shorter).

Again, feels like a hundred years, but so good!

Fred (Fredstem) and I left the kites away on this not-windy day to head up to the HP Pavillon for an evening with The Cure. Feels like a hundred years...

A stunning mix of old songs and popular success: well, more old songs I have to say, the audience got puzzled several times - "is that The Cure ?" - only a handfull of people including the two of us in the back room got exited when they played things like "Shake Dog Shake - from The Top, 1984" (see on the picture, with a classic black and white background that reminds the Vinyl Album "Concert" 1984 that started with that same song).

An evening full of emotions, 3+ hours of The Cure...

The newly upgraded Fred One (Fredstem) made it to Alameda today and has been kind enough to kick my butt as usual... so I can finaly dare to get my 9m2 Swell Genetrix for a body drag ride!

Was pretty good, I am now ready for more!

A very nice way to start a good week-end... will celebrate this with nice korean food tonight (yes, french people eat korean food was they have a successfull kite session...).

Not to mention that I crashed the kite on locals on the first attempt to launch (sorry again guys, I owe you lots of beer)... 

Thanks a lot Fred!

In my dreams ?

But I sure had fun (elsewhere!).

Having fun with my Ozone Access...

Fantastic weather and spring conditions for snow!

A little bit of wind on the shore, was good to go play with small kites after snow riding. Video to come.

At a (boring) conference in San Diego,  I could escape late afternoon to go get some fresh air at Silver Strand...

And a few waves I have to say... was on the water (for photo shoot ) this timle again... the usual Fredstem was trying the foam, getting ready for Saint Patrick's Day ? Likely.

Btw, another nice picture featuring Genetrix kites... I still hope one day I'll get an email from those guys (yes, I know I am dreaming... keeps me from getting old!). You can't see it, but  Fredstem is riding his 2007 Hydra with the new 2008 bar, easy to recognize with its yellow front lines.

I did my first photo shoot of the (kite) season this saturday, march 1st. I am setting the bar quite high this season, going directly into the muddy water of 3rd avenue to shoot the usual suspect: Fredstem

Was fun, a nice new way to go to the Golf !

Aside from the photo shoot, the same Fredstem "convinced me" to do some body drag using my Ozone Access 4m2... given the wind, it was a pretty good start for the season. I was so scared to crash this 'non water relaunchable kite' that I managed to keep it in the air, I am pretty proud of myslef for once. I am thrilled, and I think I am now ready for Alameda with a real kite!

I did had a nice walk in Alameda sunday... but no wind ... not even enough to launch a small trainer and play with my little one!

No comment about my hair, please!