DimiExter

Can be summarized with this picture:

There is the usual kiter (Fredstem) behind the wave I am getting in the face! I got a really a lot on saturday, and just a lot on sunday. But was fun handling the camera in the water! Too much wind for me to body-drag, except maybe late on sunday, but was getting quite late. Will try to do Alameda this week!

Finally. I headed to Waddell Creek yesterday with my usual suspect Fredstem. I did in-water photo shooting again. I think I made a few progress, have a look at Fredstem's post! By the way, being so self-centric, Fredstem failed to post the best picture: this is Aida playing with a trainer kite . I had a little space left on my memory card while going back from the water to the car, and since I helped her re-launch her little kite, I thought she would be a good shot!

The big news of the day is that I finally got into my first body-drag with my 9m2 Genetrix Swell. Was a hell of an experience, I am still shaking a bit, but loved it. I guess learning in the waves is not such a great idea, unless you like the taste of salty water . Despite one stupid dangerous thing - Fredstem got really scared for 3 seconds when I started handling the kite with just one hand and lost control, but I survived, luck maybe, but I think I learn the lesson. Then I did rather well: Fred dropped me quiet quickly and I could work the kite a bit and start feeling the sensation.

I still have a long way to go, but at least this time when I opened the trunk back home, I could say it has been a great kite day!

I've been busy rellocating to California lately, so little progress, just a few sessions with my 4m2 on the beach at 3rd. Practicing kite control with one hand, trying to dive the kite to learn water start.

My friend Fredstem (one day I'll have to figureout how to post links to kite bloggers... Fredstem - Done!) is still working on my progression. According to him, I was ready for body drag, so we headed up to Alameda. See a picture of myself in my brand new wet suit, Genetrix Swell 9m2 in the backpack. And a nice O'Neil short that I probably should not wear before I am good enough not to get people laugh about me.... but, I am french, fashion...

The bad news is as we were getting ready to start, ie Fred was about to hand me the kite in the water... but we got stopped by Rebecca (not that I do not like Rebecca, she is sweet) - apparently, you cannot learn in Alameda anymore without going through official, certified, instructors. Liabilty she said.

So, guess what: the next day, Fred took me to Waddell. Yes, a guy like me, in his 40s, learning at Waddell. It's a tough world they say. I think I did rather well at launching and landing the kite exercises (hooked to the kite) on the beach - Fredstem was also amazed, I am not supposed to be able to do that apparently. Don't freak out, there are more obvious things I am supposed to know I to do that I do not do well :). But when time came to body drag, I got scared letting it go in the 3 to 4 feet waves... Thank you Rebecca.

Anyway, I finished with a great in-the-water photo shooting session, I guess you saw that.

So... more work to do. But it is defenetly fun to learn.