Now that's big air!

[jrfiol]

that? wha...?? costa rica ??? i want to go!! maybe in a couple of years.

[ed257]

Thanks guys!

Toby,
Its side off shore and flat there with that wind direction, it was blowing upper twenties or more that day. I ride wakestyle but love to bust those huge airs too. Have some video of multiple 8-10 second jumps which I landed that day, just didn't edit them yet.

Dan,

How windy was in the the NJ video? How do you get than high? No matter how fast I go, how hard I carve upwind, how hard I send it and how hard I pop - I never approach anything like that.

Ed

[Rhode Island kite freak]

Hey Dan,
I was there in CR when those shots were taken, definitely big winds I could barely hold down a 5 when you were going huge on that 7. cool video too!
I'll be in OBX next week 18-25 let me know if you'll be around.
Matt

[ronnie]

That's some jumping!

If you can go that big off the flat, you should get a Shadowbox and go for the record, which may be this 62.3' jump by a windsurfer.

[Toby]

cool video!

funny, those who are not meant to fly, have such a contest...and those who should go high, push the low mobe!

Wrong world!

Who runs a shadowbox contest for kitesurfing now?

If no one else, I will do it in Brazil end of the year!

Such a cool toy!

[loeuftok]

Toby, I am with you on this one...
definitely this video has got a wow factor that I have never had at any kite event these last years.

and as you say, it looks like the world is turning the wrong way around...

need to know more about those shadowbox...
Any info anyone?
I don't have time to research now as I am off for 2 days of total water praying madness for sonkran festival here in thailand..

[Toby]

there is a topic on the forum as well.

here the site; www.shadowboxlive.com

sooo cool!

[truthonwater]

funny, those who are not meant to fly, have such a contest...and those who should go high, push the low mobe!

It's because they don't dangle like piece of useless meat and their maneuver require big balls and not gay toe pointing...

[crash&burn]

Videos like that and RIP where Robbie Naish destroys all facets of the ocean were my inspiration for looking toward the wind and water for fun. I enjoy big jumps with the possibility of riding away much more though. That is why kiteboarding is better, not harder but more fun.

Dan that Costa Rica shot is pretty awesome, that is too big of air though for the Toby crew to be comfortable however. Chances are you were on something smaller than a 12 and we all know those sizes are too small to do the ballerina/baton twirler/figure skater pretty much any sport you wear a leotard super cool old school tricks.

Since you asked here are a couple big airs from my area, Dan I think you got one on us though.

pic taken from 3rd story balcony

[dandamangs]

C and B...sweet pics! Big air is awesome sometimes!
and sick videos!!

Shadowbox looks really cool! (but expensive.) Would be really neat for charting long trips too as will plot on googlemaps. I Hit 42mph on gps one day just f-ing around, but shadowbox would give details. Planning a 120 mile downwinder down the coast and would be neat to see the trip on shadowbox.

A number of asked "how to go big?"
I'm sure there's tons of info here somewhere, mostly opinions because its different for everyone.
My opinion:

You need some serious wind (gusting to 30ish in the video), must be riding towards the top windrange for the kite, and then good technique. I weigh only 155lbs but am typically riding the largest kite on the water, because I like to be powered and feel comfortable pushing the windrange. I've flown many kites but the Ozone Edges jump the best for me with big hang time.

As for technique, you've heard it all before and may think you're doing it, but get a video of yourself and watch it! You'll see what you're actually doing. Compare it to videos of someone going huge. Make adjustments / get input on it, then go big or go home!


What's up Matt!? I'll pm you my cell. Give me a call this week, we're down there the 26th for the week, some room in the house still if you want to stay! Took Vaca already for CR same time next year.