Date: May 13th, 2012
Location: Manzanita, OR.
Wind: 19-29 mph, on-shore/slight side shore
Kite: Cabrinha Drifter 9m
Board: North Pacific Epoxy 5’10 strapless

Not TJ ripping it up. Photo: Cabrinha Kites

This was my first week-end out to the Oregon Coast, riding legitimate waves with one of my favorite kites for 2012. The 9m Drifter does exactly what the name reflects: Drifts down the line, even when lines get slack. Not only does the simplicity shine in this three strut kite, but the performance is instantly recognized once the kite is in the sky. Faster turning speeds allow for clean down-loops, and the medium bar pressure is sure to extend your session.

The 2012 Drifter has already proven itself here in the Gorge, for both hooked in and un-hooked swell riding, and incredible flatwater freestyle/wakestyle. The Drifter will be packed with me for any/every Oregon Coast mission. Come demo one this summer from Big Winds!

Available at Big Winds.

Date: 4/15/12
Location: The Hatchery, WA.
Kite: North Rebel 10m
Kiteboard: Cabrinha Skillit 5’6
Wind Speed: 10-23mph

Cork is it! The limiting factor on the “epoxy chatter” may very well be the cork laminate. My initial hope on the 2012 Skillit 5’6 was that the new Eco Series cork construction would dampen the chop better than the pine veneer from last year, and did it ever. Light, lively and soft were the words pouring through my head after every pop, jump, and landing. Grippy, slashy, and flowing were the turns I was making on the swell, blown away in disbelief that I was loving on a Thruster board that was relatively short. Two straight hours of early Sunday morning bliss, all to myself, with the perfect set-up. Looking forward to more “Cork” boards (S-Quad review soon to come).

Check out the video of Big Winds’ Matt Elsasser ripping it up with the Skillet.
–TJ

Available at Big Winds.

Location: Roosevelt, WA
Date: 3/3/12
Time: 2-4:30pm
Wind: 33-47mph!
Kite: Cabrinha Drifter 7m
Board: 2012 North Whip 5’6″

I love the Eastern Gorge! Roosevelt/Arlington during the spring months are two of my favorite places to session as the average temperatures are much warmer out in the desert. What a great opportunity for putting the new 2012 North Whip to the test. First impression, the moment I picked up the board was, wow, this thing is light (7 lbs. w/ fin-set and footstraps!).

The footstraps are easy to adjust, even around my thick 6/5/4 boots. The Whip 5’6″ feels like a great size for boosting air and slashing swell, and just as was the 2011, super loose and skate-y. When the gusts would punch, the Whip can still lock down and grip, but once you lighten up your back foot, you can really allow the tail to slide, especially on the smooth swell faces on the Arlington side. Time to pick up a 5.5m Drifter for these nuclear Eastern Gorge days!

Available at Big Winds.

I had the opportunity to try something new today, and boy was I impressed!  The 2012 Naish Skater 4’8 I’ve ridden before, last summer, strapless. Naish is now offering an aftermarket front foot pad and jibe pad for the 2012 Skaters, along with straps. There’s something that builds confidence in my winter riding when riding with straps… I can jump, do most of my hooked in freestyle tricks (front roll, back roll, grabs, and kite loops), all without loosing my board and dunking  into the frigid waters of the Columbia. The Naish Skater now allows me this option. Super fun in small surf and swell and with the twin-fin set-up, it still grinds up wind, and throws heaps of spray, but when you want to break the tail free from the water, it does so effortlessly.  I’ve noticed one big difference between the small directional boards vs. a twin-tip. . .volume.  The volume of a foam board sure makes riding in various wind conditions (gusts and lulls) so much easier, as it really adds to the kites low end range. The Skater has more volume than most directionals, and you can feel it carry you through the lulls, even at only 4’8.  If I were to fly to a wind swell destination like La Ventana, or Los Barriles, I would consider putting a Naish 4’8 Skater into my golf bag along with a twin-tip.  Until that day comes, this is going to be a go to board for me in the Gorge:  strapped in the winter months, strap-less in the summer!  We are  demo-ing the Naish Skater 4’8 here at Big Winds, come give it a try!

–TJ

Available at Big Winds.