IKO ITC day 1

IKO Day 1:

It's a 9am meet up at Tonia's house.  Tonia hosted the ITC for the IKO through her IKO certified school Cascade Kiteboarding in Hood River.

Donuts were provided..although of course I stopped prior to Tonia's for a McD's sausage McMuffin and a lo-carb Monster energy drink.
The session starts off with introductions and then some reading in the book.

Lunch came around 1pm, and at 2pm we needed to be at the event site for the start of hands-on training,  David Dorn of Action Sports Maui showed us some techniques for shortening lines, as well as converting a 4 line bar to work with a trainer kite to provide the student with the ability to hook in.

Below are some pictures from my friend's Flickr account, David of Morph Kiteboarding, of day 1 ITC training in Hood River - May 11th.  Check em out.

IKo day 1, a gallery on Flickr.

iko day 1b, a gallery on Flickr.

After the training, it was time to suit up and do the ride test.  The wind was a bit light, so I put up my 13m...and yes, I passed my ride test with flying colors.  OK, well maybe I did crash a nice backroll kiteloop directly in front of Jeffro...I think I even got the "naughty move finger shake" from him too.

When we got done with the ride test and wrap up it was roughly 6:30pm, which happens to be the earliest ending to our day for the whole week.

Anyways, after this we kit up Full Sail Brewing again..this time with most of the class.

Needless to say, I didn't stay up all that late, as I was tired from a long day.

Here is a quick little video, made from a bunch of flip video shots, that I quickly seemed together with music.  Probably not much to watch for most of you, but it will most likely bring back some good memories for those that were there with me taking this ITC certification course.

Also, here are a few picture that I took from the day.

Pat's farmer tan sunburn

the crew - day 1

demonstration

sumo wrestling..ok, maybe not!

Don't mess with the kook....



It is official! I am an IKO Level 1 kiteboarding instructor...

But I think I am jumping ahead a bit... so how about a recap?  I mean, I assume that is why you are here anyways, right?  You want the dirt on the IKO ITC held in beautiful Hood River, Oregon.

I got into town a few days early as I wanted to get on the water and practice up.  I was feeling mighty unsure of myself, having not kited since the fall, feeling completely out of shape as I never work out.  I know right...what am I thinking?

Anyways, wind is up on Saturday, but I get there pretty late, so the plan is to ride on Sunday. 



Tomorrow is supposed to be good, and the crew will be arriving.  Pat and Jus10 from Seattle are going through the ITC with me.  Also, Jeffro (who runs the IKO Kiteboarding School for Urban Surf), and who I will be working for this summer, as well as David, the owner of Morph Kiteboarding in the Mayan Rivera, will both be working towards their IKO Examiners certification.  All four of them will be crashing with me at the condo.

On Monday, Jeffro and David are busy with pre-itc setup.  They were meeting with the examiner, David Dorn of Action Sports Maui, to get set for the week.

Meanwhile Pat, Jus10, and I all head down to the event site to get a session in.

Holy crap this water is cold!!!  Later in the week I got a whistle (require for the class) that has a thermometer on it... 48 degree water!  Yeah, real cold.

So cold in fact that when I would crash, I would get a brain freeze that would rival and Slurpee!!!

Once I even feel and got dragged from my board. After 10 minutes of body dragging to get my body, I was initially dizzy when I got up again and started riding, at least until I warmed up again.

After getting a good 1 1/2 hr session in I came in and took a few pics.

Pat Robinson on a Naish Park 2011.  Pat rode for at least 3 hrs +

After riding we met Jeffro, David, David and Susie Dorn at Full Sail Brewery for a little pre ITC beers and grub.  Then we headed back to the condo, drank a few more beers and prepare ourselves for the upcoming week.

Stay tuned for a ITC day 1 recap... coming soon to a blog near you!





Gorge bound...

That's right.  On this Saturday, May 7th 2011, I will be heading to Hood River, Oregon to stay for 7 nights.

Hopefully I will get a ton of riding in....but also, I am getting my ITC Level 1 certification from IKO.  Yay!

Actually, several Seattle kiters will be doing the same, and Jeffro from Urban Surf will be coming down to get his examiners certification.

Most of us...well, I think 6 of us, will all be piling into a condo I rented... which is right down town next to the British pub.

Here is a few pics of the condo.  Stay tuned...I should have some good stories..and some pics come next week.

Yeah baby...spring is upon us!  Time to ride!!!



It's official....

I am now a certified Asst IKO instructor.  Two weeks and counting until I head to Hood River for the week and get my IKO Level 1 ITC certification....and coming closer to my dream of living in paradise teaching others how to ride.

Asst ITC Course started...

Yep, that's right.  This weekend I started getting my Asst ITC in preparation of going to the Gorge in May from the 6th to the 14th......the last 5 days will be getting my IKO ITC Level 1 Certication.  This is the first major step towards Becky and I moving out of the country and following our dreams.

I have also been offered a position, from Jeffro head of the UB Kiteboarding school, for this summer to be working as an instructor for Urban Surf's kiteboarding school.  http://www.urbansurf.com/


Anyways, that is my update for now.  Stay tuned....the season is just about to ramp up and be epic.  I can feel it!

FAIL... but at least I was warm in my new suit!

So, Saturday, April 2nd, I made my first attempt at kiting the spring season.  I am itching to get out there, so even though it was a warm 47 degrees Fahrenheit, I headed out for the season opener with my two buddies, Ross and Jeff Loki.

As, the title of the post suggests, I picked up a NPX Zealot 5/4/3. I love it.  So much easier to get on and off, especially off, than my Mystic suit that is all shark skin.  Here is what Ben Wilson has to say about the suit.



Anyways, the three of us head to Jetty island on a cold, somewhat rainy day....however, a northerly push was expected when a convergence zone passed up Everett followed by a high pressure system.

Needless to say, when we get there it starts hailing.  Does this deter us in any way?  Not a chance, especially with a still slightly drunk and close to being hungover, Ross, who willingly pumps up the inflatable and offer to row across.

The hail and drizzle stops, the high pressure moves in and it ramps up to a good 20mph.  I grab my 10m RPM and my board at Ross's insistence that I hurry up.  The inflatable does not have much extra room with 2 guys and gear...let alone multiple kites and boards.

I thought about taking my Liquid Force Twin Skim and my 13m Octane.......and here is where I made the big mistake...... In a hurry with the wind howling....I say screw it and leave them both.

BAD MOVE!

I get to the island and it dies off.  Everyone else pumps up their big kites...13-15 meter kites, and head out.  Good thing their session only lasted 15-20min, so I was not near as miserable.

However, regardless of bringing a big kite and big board.... Jetty island essentials!!!...I had already made a huge mistake!  I had forgotten my kite leash...FAIL x 2!!!!

Somebody please put me out of my misery.  Ok, maybe it wasn't that bad. Everyone else was hella cold after getting wet...and since I was dry, I was warm and toasty. 

Another kiter even made me feel slightly better when he said to me, "You were the smart one waiting it out to see if the wind really kicked in....I'm hella cold bro."

I just left it at that...yeah right, I am the "smart one".

Anyways, first day out...epic FAIL...but we all have those once in a while.  Let's call it spring cleaning....or getting the rust out of the kiting system.  I can tell you this much though....when I got home, I walked in the house and walked right back out...leash in hand....and put that SOB in my car so as not to make that mistake twice.

Next stop....I need a powered ride to Jetty Island.  In the works!

Spring is here...I am back from hibernation

OK.  Sorry for the lapse.  One helluva hard winter!!!!   I need to get out of the PNW and get myself planted on a tropical island...and soon is not soon enough.,


Regardless, expect regular updates....starting very soon!