Foiling in the dark

[bragnouff]

Bad season at the moment in NZ, short days, getting colder, seabreezes are definitely gone, sessions are few and far between, yet, still very hungry for some more kiting!
So today, when the wind finally turned up at 5:15pm, while the official sunset time is said to be at 5:08, I thought, screw that, I'm going! I used to do that a fair bit in my pre-child days, when I seemed to have more free time in my hands, and some partners in crime to do it with. Anyway, today was the first time doing it with a foil. A quickie in the dark! Some stunning golden sky on my first tacks, and quickly getting less and less light and gray, and eventually it gets to a point where you actually start to see a bit better again. Plenty of lit up landmarks to know where I am on the beach and where I left my bag, and still some sort of reflection on the surface to see a little bit (enough to find the board after a fall).

Overall, that same feeling I've always had during night sessions windsurfing or kiting is that it feels smoother, faster, definitely more instinctive riding. That applies even more with foiling. Feels like you compensate for the lack of vision with the other senses, and it just works. No need to look at your feet to find out about stance, it just all comes in place naturally. And your kite over a backdrop of stars is helping fuelling the stoke. Anyway definitely something I'd recommend to try, provided it can be done safely.
I think it's illegal, though...

[Peter_Frank]

I've done this too now and then, mostly when bigger chop waves and I dont wanna stop because it is good, or I might have gone out after sunset as my only option to get out.

You are spot on, one can ride in quite dark conditions really okay.

Only difficulty is to avoid ventilation, as one can not see the throughs between waves really, but still quite managable after a while getting used to it.

It is best to be alone, if you are just two really bad things might happen, if you can not see the kites and distance clearly.

Peter

[Kitehume]

It’s great fun when the opportunity comes up at my local. Usually only once or twice per year. With a full moon, and some glow sticks on your board. Some awesome memories to be made.

[jumptheshark]

Never done it on water, but used to do it on snow all the time. If there is any moon, the reflection off the snow makes it all pretty bright. Usually you can see your lines all the way to the kite.

[JakeFarley]

Just watch out for the men in grey suits.

[Peter_Frank]

Just watch out for the men in grey suits.

We dont have any here

PF

[foilholio]

They are everywhere.

[tkaraszewski]

They are everywhere.

I kite in a river. Have not seen them here.