Utah Windriders Association

Skyline was a whiteout when I arrived at noon. Went to Skyline Reserve wind was really up and down 10 - 30 mph. Jeff Kaufka was there pumping up an 11. The pow was deep so I pumped a 17 and pulled out my 192 Tanker board. I did a lot of downwind runs next to the road where the pow was thigh deep. It was awesome. Had enough power for big floaty jumps. Jeff took a snowmobile to the top of the hill and found there was an open area on top. The sagebrush and small scrub oak was still not covered on the hill. It was hard to get up the hill due to the brush. I had so much power that it was difficult for me to manuever and it was exhausting to boot. Managed to get to the top by jumping uphill in 20 - 30 foot increments over the scrub. Jeff made it look easy threading his way up hill. I was so tired once I got to the top I dropped my kite and took a breather. I decided to just glide to the bottom rather than try to mess with the scrub again. Fortunately, with a big kite and strong wind it is easy to glide high and far. Rode down to my car and packed it up. The session was only 2 hours, but messing with the scrub and going through the deep pow really kicked my trash.

Strawberry Reserve?

Jim,

Brain cramp!

Kenny

Kenny wrote:Skyline was a whiteout when I arrived at noon. Went to Skyline Reserve wind was really up and down 10 - 30 mph. Jeff Kaufka was there pumping up an 11. The pow was deep so I pumped a 17 and pulled out my 192 Tanker board. I did a lot of downwind runs next to the road where the pow was thigh deep. It was awesome. Had enough power for big floaty jumps. Jeff took a snowmobile to the top of the hill and found there was an open area on top. The sagebrush and small scrub oak was still not covered on the hill. It was hard to get up the hill due to the brush. I had so much power that it was difficult for me to manuever and it was exhausting to boot. Managed to get to the top by jumping uphill in 20 - 30 foot increments over the scrub. Jeff made it look easy threading his way up hill. I was so tired once I got to the top I dropped my kite and took a breather. I decided to just glide to the bottom rather than try to mess with the scrub again. Fortunately, with a big kite and strong wind it is easy to glide high and far. Rode down to my car and packed it up. The session was only 2 hours, but messing with the scrub and going through the deep pow really kicked my trash.

Kenny when are you going to learn, do you need to break another ankle to be reminded??? If kafkas pumping up 11 why would you put up 17??????? Sure he made it up the hill and made it look easy he was on a managable kite? I bet you would have had a blast on 13.. Don't get hurt again by riding two much kite its just plan silly! I am gettin more and more scared every time I see you make the "BIG KITE STRONG WIND" statement together.... STOP IT!

Billy,

I am glad that you care enough about me (and other riders) to scold me, but you do not have the complete story from my post. I can see how you could get the wrong idea from my post. In the future, you may wish to send a PM to a person when you wish to criticize them. I don't like to be the public whipping boy, but since I have been guilty of "big kite bravado" in the past, I will explain myself.

I did not mention in my original post that when I arrived I did not know the size of kite that Kaufka was pumping up. He pumped up his kite a hundred yards away from where I did. He started riding and he looked underpowered. The wind is typically very light at the reserve. The wind was on the light side while I was pumping up and the first 15 minutes of riding I was only moderately powered. The wind then picked up and I continued to ride. Yes, I would have much preferred to have been on a 13, but I had a kite in the sky that I had to wade through deep powder to set up and it did not feel unmanageable. I only rode about half as long as I normally would ride because the big kite, deep powder, and sage was exhausting. So guilty as charged for not rigging down, but I don't think I was guilty of deliberately rigging too big initially. Nor have I been making the "Big rig or go home statements" since my injury.

I think I have learned my lesson. The other day when I was at Skyline Jake was on a 15 and I was on a 13. The time before that we both rode 13's. I don't pull out the Silver Arrow if the wind is over 15. I don't want to set a bad example, nor do I want to injure myself again. Nor do I want to see anyone else injured as well because of statements that I make. Big kites are for light wind, small kites for strong wind.

The 192 Tanker that I bought from you has allowed me to rig smaller, yet still ride the powder without needing a much larger kite.

Kenny

Kenny,

i wasn't scolding you, my intent was to give you a bit of ribbing just poke fun at the big kite strong wind statement, Sorry you took it as such. Just want you to kite all season injury free....noticed the for sale post about the land board right before reading this thread saw the wife wants you to sell the "cursed landboard" just found it funny......only poking fun not trying to insulte or publicly whip you if that was the case i would do it on Kiteforum not at our on little peice of the web where we are all friends.

You can fly what ever kite you like. Your the one flying it.

Hey Billy,

I guess I took your comments too personally. I don't mind being teased, I took your comments as a scolding. Thought I had pissed you off or something... Glad that is not the case, I hope to ride with you soon.

Kenny