It’s James Lea. We’ve chatted recently about finding a good SUP wave. Thanks for the detailed reponse. Interesting stuff!!

After what you’ve said maybe I’m trying to park a little low. I also have longer than average lines. Think mine are 27m. I thought this was impeding me as the response time is slightly slower when I get in the dwang (usally trying to recover the kite from dropping), so it’s good to hear you use longer lines too….

My kite also doesnt seem to park or drift easily. I’m using an realitvely unknown Brand, MRK Zoom (http://www.mrkitesurf.com/pro/pro03.html). Was thinking its the kite but perhaps as you say I need to find the correct settings.

Im very keen to join you at some new kiting locations. Unfortunately I’m limited to weekends though. Got your links you sent me via facebook about 2 weeks ago. Let me know when you guys go next, whether SUP or Kite.

Thanks again for the advise!

Cheers
James

My kite in that picture is as about as high as you want to go and no higher or you start getting pulled off the back of the wave on your top turns. Too low is worse than too high for a few reasons. Mainly that you risk putting your kite in the water especially if you’re getting busy with a technical move or you’re in a barrel where you no longer get to see the kite and need to feel it more. The wind nearer to the water is also more unstable and unpredictable. The other factors you mention do not play too much of a part however every venue and wave is different but there is a “sweet spot” for parking your kite and you will know it when you find it as the kite will sit nicely in it with little fuss. You can park and ride on any wind, onshore downwind riding i.e. not toeside is the hardest.

I am one of a few people who fly 30 meter lines, most production lines are anything from 22 to 27 meters. I also loop my kite a lot to get around sections, out of tubes and then enjoy the extra recovery time you have by having longer lines but most of all the wind higher up in most instances is better.

Watching videos is key to progression in surfing, we all do it. My best discovery was a You Tube downloader app and then viewing the video clips using Apples free Quick Time player which allows you to control video playback speeds, forward and reverse using the arrow keys. It’s revolutionary.

Good old Durb’s funny that you mention it as I was down at Suncoast yesterday having a surf. Funny thing I think it’s my first surf in town in about 10 years. I don’t do the city anymore but last night with the promenade in full swing I thought to myself I need to kite “Oasis” “Mosee’s Basket” beach again as it is safer than Kitebeach (public wise) and it gets some good waves (toeside mainly.) Then 10 minutes ago I hear my brother car got stolen there with laptop wallet….etc.

Anyway generally I don’t kite town as it will hamper your wave riding progression. I have over the past 5 years been pushing hard for the discovery of new spots in both our prevailing winds for the cross-shore experience. The search has earned me the nickname of “Kingsley” (after legend Kingsley Holgate) and I have also earned huge rewards wave wise. A group of us now ride real waves with kites and not the sloppy shit that most others partake in. We have found spots that are cross-off in the NE with good wave faces. The SW spots that have been discovered are off the charts and some of the spots in 30 knot winds would have paddle in surfers chomping at the bit.

If you are seriously wanting to progress in your wave riding you need to ride where the waves are good. Blown out onshore is not going to be that place. Hook up with me on Kitesports or Join the Durban group on the Kitesports site, it’s where we operate from. http://www.kitesports.co.za/group/durban-kitesports

Till later, keep smacking it,
Dean.

I’ve been watching some wave riding vids of late, trying to soak up some knowledge. Ben Wilson just makes it look far to easy though!

In Durbans most common North Easter, cross on-shore: What angle is ideal to park at? Your kite in the last pic looks higher than I would have thought. Or is this too broad a question with too many factors to consider such as wave speed, strength, type .etc?

Cheers
James