The Freeman Hammerton Leete Speed Ladder (FHLSL)

The FHLSL is a bit of family fun which will be run between Chris (Bahrain/Maui) Andrew (UK) and Tom (Maui) in the first instance. With all three riders currently in different locations it will be interesting to see how different conditions will affect the times.

The fastest rider will be the holder of the glass trophey. Tom is currently the fastest but Andy has got some new gear and the possibility of nuclear winds and flat water, Chris is currently without any speed gear but with an abundance of flat water in Bahrain and Tom based in Maui has both wind and waves but not much in the way of flat at the moment.

Tom's current best 100m speed is 37.3 knots
Chris's current best 100m speed is 33.2 knots
Andrew's current best 100m speed is 27.52 knots (which was recorded on a late in Kent with an 8.5m)
Pics and more details to follow...

Project Kite - Up Up & Away

The last day of term before the winter break and a slightly earlier finish than normal meant that Carl and I had a window of opportunity to get his kite up in the air. Since last posting about the hole in Carl's kite he's been home to South Africa and hooked up with a friend who gave him a lesson and got him on the right track.

With about 8 knots of wind we rushed to the beach with his 14m to see if we could have better luck than last time. It took us a while to detangle the lines, I guess that is something that you get better at with practice but finally got it sorted and all attached.

One final check and and few instructions from Carl and it was time to launch. As the kite filled with power Carl gracefully manouvered the kite up and then back down to land a few times then as his confidence build he worked the kite into the 12 O'clock position. There were a few mishaps but generally all was good.

I put my hands on the bar as Carl controlled to get some feeling of the kite although I am not sure if it was my fault that brought the kite down!

A couple more contolled flights and Carl got lifted by a gust which must offically go down as his first kite flight - although he flies Airbusses for a living so he is used to being in the air! Affter a slight bump, short drag and run to catch the kite we noticed a slight ding on the leading edge and had to call it a day. Those patches I bought are going to come in useful.

Overall a great fun session which represented a big stride forward for Project Kite.

More to follow...

Project Kite

Since I last wrote about kites not much has happened on that front. Then last week after weeks of no wind I thought that I should step it up a bit and do somethng about it so I decided to learn to kite so that I am on the water a bit more. Rather than spend lots of hard earned cash - which needs to go on new windsurf gear I thought that it would make it interesting to see how cheaply I could get myself set up to kite. Watch out ebay!

So what do I need?

1. 14m kite to suit Bahrains frequent 8-13 knots
2. Bar and lines
3. Board
4. Boots - sharp rocks and glass are the norm

Step 1 find a kite - sorted! £61.23

NORTH TORO 2 14M KITESURFING KITE

 Step 2 Kite came without bar so find a bar and lines. Not sure what bar to get but seems that the North 5th Element bar is good.... sorted!

North 5th element 5 line bar £50 plus £10 P&P

Every kite needs a pump - £24.99

After the holes put in Carl's kite I think that a few DIY pactches are in order.

At only £3.50 a complete bargain.

That just leaves a board. I have been looking and am trying to keep the budget at under £150. There have been a few about on ebay but nothing perfect, looking for a 2007-2008 132-134cm board for under £150. Fingers crossed one will turn up in time.

So a total spend of £156.72 so far.

More to follow...