HippyMchop

Hey guys, So I have been gone a while from Ainsdale; I have been doing a snowboarding season out in Canada and am coming back in the next few weeks to the UK. I have just applied for new BKSA insurance and am wondering what the current situation is for permits for kitesurfing at Ainsdale are. Do you still need to take your insurance to the hut above the beach I assume the winter summer and bird zones are still the same as before. Cheers guys, hope your all well. Dave

I am but then u already know that

Hey, Firstly I have only ever kitesurfed n land boarded, this will be my 1st season snow kiting so my opinion is mainly from a water perspective. I have flown both PLs and flysurfers but only ever owned flysurfers. The difference between Pyschos 2 and 3 is huge i had a 7m P2 and now have P3s 8 and 13m. The depower on the newer P3s is at least 3 times what it was which allows you to push it a lot more and still feel safe. Un hooked the kite is a lot faster with less backstall and a lot quicker both on the turn and through the air. I personally would not look at P2s if I had the money. Have you looked at the pulse?? it is very similar to the P3 just a bit less freestyle orientated and a bit friendlier. I had the original pulse and have to say I loved them they were excellent in gusty wind because of the thick profile and low aspect ratio they are however not as aggressive as the pyschos. I really can't comment on venoms as have only flown one for 30mins all I would say is i found launching can be a bit tricky but the wind was quite strong and gusty. Once it was up though it was very user friendly i think given the choice i would prefer the P3s simply due to the feel of the kite in the air but then i would say that. One last thing worthy of note is the P4 just been released there should be a lot of P3 coming up for sale soon as people upgrade. Hope some of that helped

Hey guys ok so now found a few spots to try and even think i have found a few people to tag around with. I need one last bit of advice currently in the process of packing (fly Tues) and wondering what people thought is the best kite to take. The 13m or the 8m Flysurfer Pyscho 3 as am a bit lost as to how powered I am going to want to be. I am thinking the 13m as it is better to have more than not enough. In an ideal world would take both but at the mo the 13m is pushing my baggage allowance (strapped to my board n thrown in my board bag). Thanks guys!! Dave

Right then time to get some vac sacs i think!! gonna have to try n get the 13m as small as possible, thanks for all your help guys

Hey guys doing a season in Banff from oct thru till may next year and was wondering if it is worth taking a kite? Have never tried snowkiting before as normally just kite surf / snowboard. My luggage is fairly limited so was wondering if anyone has been and seen anyone snowkiting in the local area before / have tried it themsleves there, or if there is even anywhere to do it? Cheers guyes I am completely new to this side of the sport and if its looking debatable will prob just settle for a season of conventional snowboarding. Dave

Not been across to the dale for a few months now and have instead been going to rhossy. I have to say tho now my permit has expired I don't think I will be returning. After reading the past few ainsdale threads on here and kiteboarder it has left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I wish all you guys the best in sorting this one out. I also agree that anybody with a financial interest in the beach is not the correct person to be carrying out any work administrative or otherwise in both the running of the club or the beech and to do so is a conflict of interest.

You got your student loan well early!! Waiting on mine to go shopping for end of season snowbaording gear!! Woot bargains!!

Thanks Loki, Meant to add stickers are only vynil so will come off easily

The Board is a Kitedeck Reflex and is about 2yrs old however is in great condition. The board has barley been ridden (not more than 4 outings) and has been mounted on a wall for the vast majority of its life as I discovered Kite surfing about 2 months after buying it and not looked back. Selling because I am going to spend a gap year in Canada and it seems a waste when someone else could be using it (also need to pay for new snowboard). It is a kite deck shaped 12ply deck with 15deg tips, which easily supports me at 11stone (kite deck recommend this deck for 10 – 12 stone). MBS F3 ratchet Bindings with grip tape. Revo trucks in matching red to the tyres. MBS rock star hubs with MBS T1 tyres (8” / 200mm). Weighs in at aprox 6.5kg, axel to axel distance is 830mm, total length is 930mm, width 205mmWill be sent with a Scrub board bag although the internal lining is ripped but bag is still usable, full set of new bearings (current ones are still fine tho) and puncture repair kit. More Information is available here: http://www.kite-deck.com/board-reflex.html Looking for £175 + £15 postage or collection from North Manchester, Bradford or Ainsdale Cheers Dave, http://www.kitegallery.net/d/94437-2/IMG_2310.jpg http://www.kitegallery.net/d/94441-2/IMG_2311.jpg http://www.kitegallery.net/d/94450-2/IMG_2320.jpg http://www.kitegallery.net/d/94446-2/IMG_2317.jpg http://www.kitegallery.net/d/94452-2/IMG_2322.jpg http://www.kitegallery.net/d/94461-2/IMG_2326.jpg More pictures available: http://www.kitegallery.net/misc/sponge/spongegear/Kitedeck/

Hey guys, sorry not been able to get down to the dale for ages!! Should be coming to the paaartay hopefully be bringing a mate who has just moved over this way! If weather picks up before the 19th will both see you all down there!! Dave,

Anybody planning a trip down tomorrow? The forecast looks more chilled than it was for today

Hey guys normally kite surf over at Ainsdale, but home from uni at mo which means living in Bradford. It does tho have the bonus of been pretty much an equal drive to either fraisthorpe or Ainsdale. The weather is looking V good for fraisthorpe on windguru tomorrow (Cross on n 20knts+) so was wondering if anyone is planning on heading down? May not make the trip if I am likely to be on my tod as never feel that safe. Cheers, Dave

congrats pooly!!!

A proper climbing krab or wire gate shouldn't bend out of shape from a wipe out, the reel leash should break before that. Standard wire gates are normally rated to 20kN+. I currently use an old Stainless steel wire gate which i have had for ages you should be okay with a steel one tho if you wash it off in fresh water when u get home, just don't use it for climbing after! Have a look at http://www.needlesports.com

God damit; off camping n kayaking that weekend in the lakes! Every single time... yet to make it to one of these dos, if it falls through will b there tho!

@TINY:- I am thinking I am going to go back to uni first finish my main degree and then go on from there. There is no way i am missing a year as when I go back I would be forced to pay the new £3000 fees!! @Rob:- lol, come on... there is room for one for one more for a year

Sweet pooly!! Only a month more of been stuck in bloody Bradford having to work, before back to uni and surfing whenever its windy. (aka getting to beach, there been no wind and ending up sat in your van for 2 hours)

I took a year out as a production engineer working at a company called Actaris, based in Manchester. I finished after 9 months as I had decided it wasn’t something I didn’t want to do with the rest of my life and production engineer isn't really on the up and up at mo either. I am now working at Kirklees Council as a Civil Engineer but still not thinking it’s for me, I can't get used to being at a desk all day, as I am a really active person. I think I may well end up doing a PGCE and become a teacher as I really enjoy working with kids, I am also looking at joining the police. TBH I was wanting to spend more like 9 to 10 months where ever I end up, which is why I didn’t like the idea of the majority of stuff only being 3 months max! I may go the way of travelling and earning money as I go, so the traveller’s visa sounds like a bit of a plan... i.e. work in a bar and surf may just have to try recruiting some people.

Hey guys, I am just about to finish a year in industry (which I haven’t really enjoyed) and go back to uni for my final year after which I should walk away with some class of BEng in Aero Engineering. Before I am forced by money / personal life / career (in whatever I end up doing) to settle down; I am thinking / wanting to take a year out, to do what I am not sure. I have a few possible options in my mind as to what I can do but was wondering what other people have done. Some of the things I am thinking of are; I have the option of going travelling with a friend of a friend but not sure how much I want to do this and realise it is likely to cost me a fortune and won’t be for a full year. Try and find a job somewhere nice for a year in another country which will hopefully have something to do with kite surfing where I can relax / have fun and kite surf. Prob be on my own for this one... The final option is to try and find work at one of the many children’s camps abroad for a year as a councillor as I have done this for the past 5 years through summer for a local school as an assistant open boating instructor and is something I really enjoy. So if any of you guys have taken gap years abroad or have ideas speak up and share ur experience! I Know its still a year away but need something to look forward to other than work for after uni! lol Thanks for any thoughts / Ideas guys! Dave,

Yesterday, Wind was up and down a lot in the morning and in the afternoon a big squall hit in with some big gusts overall it was a good day! Managed to get the pictures of the water lads sorted, here are a few there are loads more at: http://www.kitegallery.net/misc/sponge/spongeainsdale/28thMayAins/ http://www.kitegallery.net/d/88024-2/IMG_1862.jpg Hanging Around http://www.kitegallery.net/d/88063-2/IMG_1888.jpg Downwind Shot http://www.kitegallery.net/d/88081-2/IMG_1911.jpg Bobby and His V Nice Board http://www.kitegallery.net/d/88090-2/IMG_1915.jpg And After http://www.kitegallery.net/d/88096-2/IMG_1919.jpg Pooley http://www.kitegallery.net/d/88132-2/IMG_1949.jpg Pooley's Loop Dave,

Anyone down Ainsdale tomorrow? Looking cross shore to cross on later in the day; not the windiest day forecast but should still be a laugh. Dave,

I thought you were joking about the nitrus lol How did he do it though? I mean I saw his kite go down but how did he bugger his toe up?

We could be here all night Yeah hope both guys are ok the second looked pretty nasty!!

Cheers Pooley, What do we think summer or winter wetty for tomorrow?? I'm thinking summer