Theory of the Wind Rocker: Jetty Jam 2010

Jetty Jam 2010 was a huge success!!!

As you know from previous posts, the Jetty Jam, sponsored by Urban Surf and the Everett City Parks Dept was scheduled for this last weekend, June 19th -20th 2010. And I was asked to provide the music as the DJ for the event....

I woke up early and was out of the house by 8am heading up I-5 to Everett. Chuck was following me with the DJ coffin crammed into his car. He spent the night so that we could both leave together to get to Jetty Island fairly early and set up the sound system and tent above the gear. I had asked both Chuck and Josh to help DJ (aka Charles Sidious and Noisemaker) so that if windy, I could get some time on the water. Also, my parents were going to come out, so I definitely wanted to be able to have some time off of the decks to hang with them as well.

Anyways, driving up to Jetty was somewhat disheartening due to the fact that the sky was super overcast...which is not a good omen for wind at Jetty since we normally rely on thermal winds in order to ride there. We arrive there and try to maintain hopefully optimistic thoughts that things would clear up and we would get an afternoon thermal push that Jetty Island is known for.

When we arrived the SUP races were just getting underway. Glen ended up winning the 1 1/2 times around the island race...also known as the "who the hell is crazy enough to try this?" race. By the time they were done racing we had the sound system set up and were pumping out some tunes. The booth looked great with a Naish popup tent and flags, as well as a kite, leading edge down, in front of us to deflect the wind and sand.

Dj booth under overcast skies - Jetty Jam - June 19th 2010

Here is a picture of both Chuck and Josh in the booth. Thanks for the help guys!

aka Charles Sidious and Noisemaker

Around 11am the wind started blowing, only it was a huge surprise because the winds were coming from the SW, which is absolutely rare conditions at the Jetty. By 12pm the winds were more than ridable, my parents and Becky had just arrived with a few things I forgot for the DJ booth, so after taking care of loose ends I got Chuck and Josh to cover for me. I suited up to get out on the water ASAP. I mean, who really knew how long these strange winds may hold up?

So I hit the water, while my dad gets pics and video. My mom and Becky hang out and watch the action.

my mom at jetty island

Becky and mom hang out and try to stay warm

My dad even got video of me riding. Check it out!

So yeah, we ended up riding for almost 3 hours straight, at which point most people stopped riding and a few heats of racing took place. The directionals finished their heat, but then the wind died while the twin tips were racing.

Regardless, everyone had a ton of fun. I rode my new bird, the 13m Octane, for the entire time and was lit! I had soo much fun and I love my new kite. Super grunty, and yet very fast in the air. A rad kite!

picture of the turn out

Newbies got a chance to participate in a trainer kite clinic. Josh, Chuck, and Cameron all had fun taking part in that for an hour or two.

After the Jetty Jam we all went over to Lombardi's restaurant where a band was playing. Becky and I had dinner with my parents and celebrated Father's Day one day early. After dinner my folks took off and Becky and I joined the rest of the kiteboarding crew hanging out on the deck. Urban Surf then kicked down a bunch of free swag which everyone always appreciates and tears into with a fury. Here is a picture taken by Jim Stringfellow of Becky and I after grabbing some new gear. Becky is especially stoked!