This was the weekend of the London Kitesurfer's Summer Shakedown. Ed organised an informal gathering of the LKS at Southend where we had some fun in the 12knots odd we got. Not enough for real fun but enough to have a laugh!

I won the "Best Style trick" and "Least Style trick" trophies, so I'm proud of having such an up and down day!

Click on the image for a video of me from the weekend! (More to follow, hopefully)

Well it was another week of fun and games.
I've landed a new job and I start next week. I'm going to be contracting for a design company in East London, and the office just happens to be up the road from a Kitesurfing beach. How lucky is that!
(Naturally I'll probably be too busy to get out of the office in time, but I'm hopeful)

The weekend was once again spent at the cable park and the usual carnage ensued. The weather is bright and sunny (24 degrees) but not a breath of wind so it looks like I'm turning into a wakeboarder.  :o/

Adam was 'kind' enough to post one of my stacks on youtube, so you can check out my ball bustin' efforts at

Youtube effort

I'm wincing just looking at it.

More pics from the weekend:



Jump start from Damien





They start 'em young over here



Adam



Recovering from another faceplant!

Easter weekend was awesome!
Not only did I find a house for us to live in, but I also spent all 4 days at the Cable park in Bedfont.

I did get a little sunburnt, and I can no longer hear out of my left ear, but it worth it!

I've nearly nailed a few tricks too

Ok, a little bit odd. I was on my way home last night when I came across a party at Victoria station.
Lots of booze, lots of dancing, no music.
Yep, everyone had an ipod/mp3 player and was dancing to their own tunes, in a big group, in the middle of Victoria station.

I tried doing the YMCA but I got a few looks, so I caught the 19:12 home instead.

Video of the party

We hit the cable park again and this time Magnus, the snowboarder, came along.
Sadly he turned out to be a bit of a natural so we didn't get many good faceplanting videos, but it was a good day!



Magnus



Ian



Me!



Me trying a backroll

I had a week in Courcheval (La Praz) with Ian Storer and friends. There was about 13 of us in total with another 4 guests staying at the chalet we'd booked, which was fantastic. Food and wine included, with a guide everyday and people were fun, outgoing and up for a laugh.
Only three of us were boarders, so we instantly formed a little group of "Radical Riders" and determined to pull our weight amongst the pansy skiers.

The snow absolutely dumped on the first few days and the powder was immense! Better yet, the visibility wasn't all that great which kept most people off the mountain (or lower down the mountain in the sheltered parts) Unreal!
Lots of boarding, lots of wine, lots of cheese and plenty of beer. I couldn't ask for a better week.

(We even had a beard growing contest)



The chalet



Snow on day 2 !!



Top of the first lift



Magnus in powder, powder, powder



Tania charges down



Philippa on the piste



Ian on a speed run



Ed finds some more powder



Lunch in Meribel



Ian coming down



Waiting at the top of Jean Blanc (best run, ever!)
Note  the ropes closing it off



Ian on Jean Blanc



Mangus attacks Jean Blanc



Philippa judges Ian for the beard contest



Philippa judges the beard softness



Ed judges beard style

Dad and I went to see Birmingham play Crystal Palace this weekend. We met some of Mum's friends (who are Palace supporters, boo, hiss) and went for a few calming drinks beforehand.
After taking our money at darts, we all walked to the stadium and went our seperate ways to join our respective fans. I'm sure Dad and I were the most apprehensive, Birmingham aren't known for their friendly fans. So, Brummie accents in place, we took our seats amongst a crowd that could be best described as "electric" (some might say "drunk" and "high")

It was an awesome game, Birmingham played the far better game and we won 1-0! Result!

Dad made some remarks about certain supporters only going to home games, whereas real fans go to away games as well. :)



Go Birmingham!



1-0 up!

I organised an informal competition "The London Kitesurfers Big Freeze" for a weekend on the South Coast.
Sadly the wind failed to play with us but we still had a ball and managed to give away the prizes.

Adam : Best Trick
Tone : Going Big (A 17m Speed 2 foil kite might have helped!)
Ed : Best Stack (straight jump, kiteloop to faceplant in 12 inches of water)
Dave : Spirit of kitesurfing
Tom : Unluckiest kiter (dropped his brand new Atom onto some rocks)
Kev : Best wave
Jess : Best (and only) Girl



The stylish trophies



Talking rubbish on the beach.



Dave pumps up his new kite

Well, there's no let up so far in the weather, it's been windy every weekend since Christmas. Hurrah!

I'm still based at Tesco's and a bit of a weekend warrior at the moment. I've met a fun kite crew and I've even been on my first UK downwinder (only about 5km, but fun)

Not much else to report and no photos for now. I do have a competition coming up so watch this space!

J

Lots of windage again meant that I just had to get down to the beach again. Southend this time for some flat water sessions with the LKS (London Kitesurfing) crew.

Bit of a laugh, 20 knots and a few beers afterwards. Can't argue with that!
Took a few pictures from a pier that runs quite a way out. A nice spectator spot, if a little exposed.

  Tone

  Adam