Puerto Rico trip (day 2)

Day 2 starts with me and my one-tracked mind walking out to check the wind almost as my feet hit the floor in the morning.  I probably had made two trips down the stairs and out to the beach before either Becky or Sean had even woke up. 

Here is a pic of our condo from the water...and as such a picture of the beach I made my wind assessments on each morning.

Already the wind is up and its only 9am.  After eating breakfast I pump up my 13m and head out.  Probably around 11am......

Unfortunately the beach at Isla Verde is not set up well for getting picture, as there is a buoy system about 50ft out that keeps swimmers from going out where there is boat traffic, but it also makes it hard to come jump near shore for pics.  Oh well.  Still I score a wicked 2 hr solo sesh.  I see at least 10 sea turtles who tend to dive when they see the kite, aka big ass bird of prey.

Also, at some points I was riding over the reef, which was not more than 2ft at most from the surface.  I would see fairly large fish run from me...most often what looked to be bright turquoise parrot fish.

Eventually I tire....

When I come in you know I head straight for a cold beer.

Not long after finishing a beer or two....we are all ready for some lunch.  So we decide to walk to the northern portion of Isla Verde and stop and eat at one of the beach side restaurants.

More beer, a pina colada, and a great tasting sandwich.  Fun staff too.  

Here's the deal...when in Puerto Rico it is helpful to know Spanish....but in most tourist areas it is not needed.  Take the above place we had lunch.  I take a moment to formulate my order in Spanish.  After listening kindly, the server responds with a smirk on his face, "No problem dude, I got you covered." This experience is repeated several times for us during our stay.

After lunch, it is probably about 4pm.  We decide to hit a grocery store up on the way back.  We score quite a bunch of good stuff from the Pueblo..although beer is supper expensive here, oh and not a good micro beer in sight.

After getting back with groceries we decide to walk up the beach into the sunset...and after a mile or two we walk back.

And they sure don't get much prettier than this do they?





During the walk, both into the sunset and walking back to our condo, Sean and I both take off our shirts and enjoy the tropical warmth.  Take note...this plays a part in tomorrows update.

Anyhow, we get back, drink another beer in the dark on the beach...or two....before heading to our room for some wifi and tv action...along with a rum and coke.

Puerto Rico trip (day 1)

Friday, July 29th was our day to fly out...or should I say "night" to fly out.   We had a 10:30pm red eye to Charlotte, and then from there to San Juan. 

Getting to the airport with 2 deceiver golf bags (see image to left) a additional kite, suitcases, and carry-ons was quite the Tetris experiment.  We could barely get the 3 of us, luggage, and a driver into Sean's Scion...but we did manage.

In our deceiver bags Becky and I both brought 1 board, 2 kites, 1 harness, and 1 impact vest.  Both bags weighed about 43-46 lbs.  I brought a 10m and 13, and Becky brought a 8m and 11m...so yeah, we have a decent spread to work with while we are there.

Also, US Airways charges $25 for the 1st bag and $35 for the 2nd.  Becky and I shared a suitcase so overall luggage fees where $170 for the round trip.   This leads me to thinking next time I will look into a 1st class upgrade where luggage would be free...and of course so would the drinks.

At the airport we started off our vacation with a few tall beers and some grub. Go figure.

packed in like sardines!

Seattle to Charlotte was a uneventful flight, although with all 3 of us riding in a middle seat, I think none of us got the shuteye we were hoping for.  In  Charlotte we have a 3 hour layover, so we decide to find some food....low and behold we run into George, a kiting buddy of ours.  Last year on vacation we ran into him in Caberete.  At first I am shocked to see him and my mind races thinking he may be heading to Puerto Rico too.....but he was actually catching a flight to D.C. to visit family.  Regardless it was great to see him and we all went for breakfast and bloody mary's before catching our connecting flights.

So, we board for San Juan, but the flight gets delayed as the gateway motor won't turn on so that the gateway can be pulled from the airplane.  It takes about 45 minutes or so to solve this and then another small delay as we wait in line to take off.

So because of the delays we land in San Juan around 3:30pm on Saturday and get to our condo rental around 4:20pm.  As we fly in, I can see whitecaps on the water and flags, on a bridge near the airport, really moving in the wind.  However, by the time we get to the condo the wind is backing off....so no grabbing my gear and scoring a session.  Besides, I still need to unpack and get some fins and pads on my board.

We are also hungry, so regardless of wanting to score a sesh, I have a feeling my wife's hunger would have won out and we would have gone out to eat anyways.  So, on with plan B...finding food it is.

We opt for a quick walk down Isla Verde Ave, until a Mexican restaurant caught our eye.  Lupi's.   The food was tasty..although like much of the food you find on an island, it is somewhat sub par compared to what we get in Seattle.  Still, it did hit the spot with an ice cold Presidente to wash it down.

When we were done eating, it was getting dark.  Beings that three of us are all from Seattle which gets dark at 10pm in the summer, it was a little strange to be walking back to the condo in the setting sun at 7pm.  Never-the-less we were feeling good walking home in the 80 degree evening.

And what better than a good swim in the ocean when we got back.  Here are some pics of us horsing around during the final stages of dusk.

So I know what you are thinking, "Enough with this boring crap, what about the kiting?"  No worries.  Tomorrow I get out on the water, so stay tuned.

Back from Puerto Rico.....

Yes, you heard right!  I just got back from 9 days in beautiful Puerto Rico.  What an awesome place.  Both Becky and I love it there...and I have a ton to tell you about. 

I rode most of the days I was there...although I took a few off to see the sights and explore the island.  8m, 10m and 13m conditions depending on the day....and get this, most days I kited the above bay in Isla Verde by myself...that's right, solo-sesh galore.  A few of the days I was joined by a local or two...all of which are uber friendly.

So stay tuned this week as I update my blog with more pictures, videos, and stories...... 

P.S. Sorry for not getting you pumped before hand, but I took the advice of others and did not advertise that I would be out of town through social media....not saying any of you would rob me....but just sayin :)

Jetty Island 7-23-11

I took some pics of the local homies killing it during a sunset session.  I was already packed up so I decided to get some pics and vids.



pUmPDATE (pump update)

The pump was fully tested this weekend at Jetty Island. And.... dat da-da daaaa....it worked GREAT. Yes few people remarked that I am just "plain lazy" but I think they were just jealous ;)

Ok, so here is the deal. Pumping up takes twice as long as with the traditional hand pump. However, while it pumped my kite to 8psi, where it then stopped on its own, I was getting my wetsuit, impact vest, and harness on, and I had time to lay out my lines.

Then I grabbed my kite, hooked the lines, and I was off riding. I easily got on the water before my buddy who started setting up at the same time. In fact, I rode for 10 minutes or more before he got on the water.

Further, I pumped my 13m twice...and I am pretty sure it still has 2-3 pumps of my 13m left on just this one charge.

Not bad for $50!!!!

a better way to pump up a kite!!!???

 Hello again. 

 So I am excited. 

 Why?

 Well hopefully my days busting my back while pumping up my kite are over. 

 Check out this pump (click on the image to the left), which by the way is on sale at Amazon.com

 What do you think?

 Pretty interesting, huh?  Great price too!

It looks like it will do the trick.  It is about the size of a soccer ball, weighs 5 lbs, and you can set the desired PSI and the pump will auto stop then it reaches that pressure. 
It also appears it will have enough battery strength to pump several kites each charge.

Here is a promo video:




I will report back in about one week and tell you how it fares...but I am hopeful!

I picture myself plugging the pump in, turning it on, then walking away and getting my wetsuit and harness on (and if course board shorts too), then walking back to my kite, where it waits for me fully pumped up to 7-8 psi..... I just cap the valves, hook up the lines, and launch.  Sounds too easy doesn't it???!!!

IKO level 1 instructor

Not that is wasn't official several weeks ago.  And I have been giving lessons through Urban Surf....but IKO just officially updated their website with my new level 1 status.



Oh, and if you are reading this....I am heading to Puerto Rico, with my wife Becky, in a few weeks to look at land and check out the riding conditions.  More to come on this.....