Utah Windriders Association

A very gusty but well attended session. Sail sizes ranged from 5.3 (Mike and me) to 7.2 (Carl, who was wearing a wet suit!). Participants included the aforementioned as well as Team Dubock, Kevin Simmons, Paul & Angie, and several others. The darkside was also well represented; the only one I could identify with certainty was Whit, looking very stylish on a surfboard; he found the wind about the gustiest he's ever kited in.

http://homepage.mac.com/jsouthwick/PhotoAlbum88.html

BTW, Whit's not the only one who's been burgled recently in the Heber Valley; there appears to be a mini crime wave under way, with break-ins at several businesses in Midway.

Myself, Jacob, Spencer, Jesse, Charles, Todd, John Duback, new kiter Kevin were out keeping it real. Most of us on 11-13 we watched whit go out on a little 9 from the wind surfer launch but the rest of use where hanging out in the launch friendly area and as always its so hard to say hello to the poleboarders when we pass them........

Yesterday at Deer Creek was a lot busier and WAY gustier than earlier in the week. I parked and launched at the boat ramp after my theft on Tue. It is a shorter walk, but NOT kite friendly. A lot more rocky. Where Billy and Gang were launching is more kite friendly with smooth surfaces.

The wind was very up and down. I kited from 3 to 4PM and it was the gustiest hour I have ever kited in since I began in 1999. Thankfully I had a Bow kite which can handle those up and downs and a floaty 7 foot surfboard. Earlier I saw the boys out on their 15m's and boosting some nice airs.

Earlier in the week with the sun out, no clouds, and the cooler fall air it was good, fairly steady winds. All those clouds yesterday and the pre-frontal winds created extra instability in the airmass and was it ever gusty!!! I will not be going again for kiting if it is cloudy. I used to windsurf (20 years) and it is alot friendlier for windsurfing. Hats off to you kiters in those mountain gusts.

Dimitri and DC Jim showed for Carolyn's Photo show. It was a good turn out. Whit