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...

Will it ever be windy again?

20 second period, huge swell on the way for Maui but nothing here! Has been a rather quiet month with no wind or action to speak of.

The Formula 2 World Powerboat racing did come to Amwaj which was interesting, the only problem is as crowds (ok some people) lined the shoreline not all of the boats had made it through customs and the race was delayed until everyone had gone back to work the next day.

So it is fingers crossed for some wind before the water gets cold - not that it ever gets that cold but full suit is the norm for Jan-Mar.

More to follow...

Windless Bahrain

Well another week passes without wind and the windfinder forecast show none on the way... Time for SUP

Umm I don't have a SUP! On the plus side my foot is much better and have been back in the gym and running a bit.

Wind, Water, Dredgers and Sharp Rocks

After what was starting to feel like an age since it had been windy, my friend even asked the other day if I still windsurfed, I had to pause for a second before answering as I knew that I had not been back on the water since arriving back in the Gulf.

Despite not too much wind it was great to be on the water with lovely 35C air and 30C water.

Lots of boats around at the moment and spent much of my time weaving between the Noon Island pictured above (a 106 m dredger) and its sister ship Reem Island which were both at anchor. Its always a little odd being so close to such huge ships, they are fine so long as they are not moving but when they are coming in or setting off to sea it can be rather interesting!

Gutted that on the way back to shore I snagged my foot on a rock and I think I now only have 4 1/2 toes on my right foot, anyway looks like I will have to be out of the water and off running for a few days.

More will follow

Bird Island Crossing - The Planning

The plan is fairly simple, race from Amwaj to Bird Island. The race should be open to kiters and windsurfers and run when it is windy and warm with a holding period of April to June 2010. We will need a fair bit of boat and jetski backup for sure. Once there camp on the island and have the mother of all parties.... The island is small but perfect for camping.  

If there is enough wind there should be some ramps to jump throughout the channel and on the reef surrounding the island which is about 7 miles from the coast and probably 20 from Amwaj. I have sailed at Bird Island once before earlier in the year when my friend and I took gear over on the wakeboard boat and launched off the side.

Now the concept has been put in place it is time to research, plan and publisise the event.

Beautifully warm crystal waters are waiting...

Out for now...