Despite a promising morning, the wind never showed up today at the 2010 Pismo Beach KiteXpo. The marine layer moved in today and kept the weather at the beach cool and cloudy. Hopes are high for tomorrow’s promising forecast to deliver.

Today was capped off with a beach raffle, BBQ, and bonfire. Get ready for tomorrow’s wind!

Well, there was no wind today at the first day of the 2010 Pismo Beach KiteXpo, but that didn’t stop all of the participants who came out to check out all of the latest gear on the beach. The weather was beautiful here today, with sunny skies and temperatures that easily reached into the upped 70s.

With the wind being too light to even fly kites on land, many people took to the water on Stand Up Paddling Boards available for demo from the various vendors. Hopes are high for the wind to return tomorrow, and really turn on for Sunday. If you have never been to a KiteXpo before, find your way to Pismo Beach (Grand Ave. Exit on the State Beach) to check out the latest gear and meet and greet professional kiteboarders and other personalities behind the brands.

Tomorrow night features a raffle and beach BBQ. Come down and join TKB on the beach!

Designer Profile:

Name: Martial Camblong
Age: 43 years
Location: Biarritz & Leucate, France
Job Title: Founder, Boss
Designing: 12 Years
Kiteboarding: 12 years

Product name: Origin
Product category: SLE
Sizes available: 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15m
Release date: Available now

Tell us a bit about Genetrix and your background?
I started designing kites in 1998 when Eric Saurré and I made the first flat kite with a four line depowerable bar system. At the time, nobody was very interested in our design because the major manufacturers had already invested in the legaignoux patent and were looking to get some return on their investment. I kept working on R&D and brought the concept to market when I started Genetrix in 2005, and launched the first Hydra v1. We built Genetrix’s reputation on the Hydra, which is totally unique and still has the biggest wind range on the market, even four years after we introduced the Hydra v1. For instance, when Sébastien Cattelan smashed the 50 knot world record, he was flying a 9m Hydra v3 in 45 knots of wind! The Origin is a brand new freestyle kite from Genetrix.

Where does it fit in your product mix and what were you main goals in developing it?
We wanted to complement the existing Hydra by offering a brand-new design dedicated to wave riding and freestyle. For these disciplines, fast/smooth turning and auto relaunch were of prime importance, along with a good wind range and easy handling. Our experience with the Hydra also really helped us. For instance, we integrated one aerodynamic design feature (double center struts) from the Hydra, which gives the kite better stability and a much greater projected surface to the wind which in turns creates more power and a bigger wind range.

2010 Genetrix Origin

What was your biggest challenge during the prototype phase?
To make a kite better than the Hydra! I spent two years prototyping and testing before putting the Origin on the market.

What are some of the key product features and performance characteristics?
Quality, power, quick response, and performance. We use Teijin’s polyester fabric exclusively for all our kites. It is the most expensive material on the market and many brands don’t use it. We go the extra mile because we know that even after two or three years, a Genetrix kite still holds a lot of value, which is important to our customers. Freestylers will love the ease of unhooked moves. At arms length, the power in the kite is easy to control and the bar feels light.

What are the safety features on your bar?
The clean and efficient quick release (which conveniently incorporates the swivel), below-the-bar leash attachment, and no bulky QR with metal parts which can get in the way when doing unhooked moves.

Any other key features you want to point out about your control system or lines?
The bridle on the Origin is ultra clean and compact – all adjustments are made at the bar with custom tuning options on the wingtips where the rear lines attach. We deliberately avoided the use of any pulleys.

2010 Genetrix Origin

What style/level of rider do you think will get the most out of this product?
The Origin is a kite that will perform well for beginner to advanced riders and for those that are taking freestyle and wave riding to the next level. The fact that it practically bounces off the water when dropped makes it great for riders of all abilities.

What is your warranty policy?
We warranty our products for one year from the date of purchase. We proudly stand behind our products and want to make sure that the Genetrix name in the US has the same great reputation we’ve developed in Europe over the last five years.

What do you believe differentiates your product from your competitors?
Quality is synonymous with Genetrix. You can tell the quality of our kites from just looking at them on the beach – but you have to try them to understand how the advanced design features translate into world-beating performance.

TESTED: Marc Antoine Martin, Team Rider
The Origin is a versatile kite both for freestyle and wave riding. It also has a lot of hang time even though this is not its strongest point. With its round shape, it relaunches quickly and easily which is an incredible advantage in wave riding! In freestyle new school, the kite performs very well. The bar pressure is moderate and the kite turns very quickly while being gentle and smooth throughout the wind window. For 9m or smaller kites, I found it is ideal to attach the rear lines to the neutral position on the wingtip setting or even the forward setting to slow down the kite’s turning speed. Above 11m, the maneuverability is maintained but the kite has a substantive power greater than the 5, 7 and 9m. Its design is also excellent for kite loops – the kite moves back to the top as soon as it has finished its rotation.

Every winter, the temperature goes down and most of us don’t spend enough time on the water to stay sane. To get our water fix, we spend lots of money traveling to exotic locations where winter doesn’t seem to exist. Doing that keeps us happy, but it also costs a lot of money.

This year, why not do things a little differently? Here in the US, we have easy access to some of the best snowkiting available on the planet. Why head halfway across the globe, when we have such a great resource right in our own backyard? If you have never given snowkiting a try, make it a point to do it this year. You probably already own all the gear you need (your regular kite gear, plus a snowboard or pair of skis) and if you already know how to kite, then getting started on the snow will be easy.

Our suggestion to save a little money this winter is to keep things local and expand your horizons by taking a snowkiting vacation. After all, there’s snow place like home.

For more information on the US Snowkite scene, check out www.driftsnowkitemag.com

Skyline, Utah

By Heather Schenck

Skyline, Utah, has become a world-renowned destination for snowkiting, hosting riders from across the country and the globe throughout the winter season. Skyline is home to the US Open Snowkite Masters, and attracts riders of all abilities to enjoy its varied terrain. The small-town atmosphere allows for a relaxing vacation while having fun on the mountain all day. Rated as “The New Snowkite Town” by National Geographic and as an ideal place to learn alpine kiting techniques by Men’s Journal, Skyline offers something for every winter kiter.

Best Time to Visit: January- March for the deepest snow and powder conditions, with an extended season from December- April. Skyline is consistently windy November-April.

Typical Winter Conditions: Skyline’s playground is naturally set up to work with any wind direction, and with a few feet of snow, most of the mountain is open to ride by December. Wind rolls over the ridge at least five days a week, typically from the southwest. Storms can bring northerly winds along with potential whiteouts. During high pressure, easterly winds provide light wind sessions on the lee side of the hills.

Skyline is located at an elevation of 10,000 feet on the exposed Wasatch Plateau, which lines it up perfectly for catching valley thermals and upper-level winds almost daily. While it offers consistent wind conditions, it is also set up to grab incoming storms, which can turn a beautiful day into a whiteout. Be prepared for backcountry mountain conditions and drink plenty of fluids to combat the high altitude. Skyline’s snowplow drivers are known as the best in the state, and they diligently work to keep the pass open, but it’s always a good idea to check the forecast and be prepared for the day.

How to Get There: Fly into Utah’s Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and rent a car. Travel south to the outlying town of Fairview, a quiet outpost at the bottom of Highway 31. The riding area is 14 miles up the canyon and will be obvious as you crest the summit ridge of Skyline. The parking lot at Milepost 14 on Highway 31 is the spot to be.

Where to Stay: Mount Pleasant offers all amenities including a full service grocery store, the county’s only bar, and Utah’s largest kite shop along with the largest hotel in the region. Fairview boasts the closest food and lodging at the base of the canyon to Skyline. Check out Horseshoe Mountain Resort in Mount Pleasant (435-462-9330) or Skyline Motel in Fairview (435-427-3312) and stop by the Home Plate Restaurant for the best food around.

What to Do if No Wind: Kite Utah offers snowshoe rentals to check out the beautiful scenery or you can rent a snowmobile at Big Pine Sports in Fairview for the day and make your own adventures. Skyline is a huge destination for snowmobiling. You can also bring your own backcountry skis and tour across Skyline’s 100-mile ridge.

Contact for More Info: Kite Utah (www.kiteutah.com) is the local shop and school. Kite Utah is the only authorized school in the region and holds a permit from the US Forest Service to teach at Skyline. Kite Utah will be offering camps throughout the winter of 2009/2010 hosted by Chip Wasson, Guillaume Chastagnol, and Heather Schenck, along with private instruction (dates listed at www.FlyOzoneUSA.com). Kite Utah is located on the backside of the Triangle Bar, another kiteboarder-owned establishment.

Camas Valley, Idaho

By Monty Goldman

We are still exploring the Camas Valley and will be for many years to come. What makes this area unique and draws people from all over the world is the consistent wind and an unlimited variety of terrain. Rolling hills give way to mountains and beginner-friendly flats follow the road for miles. You can easily access spots with no trees, deep snow, and steady wind from your car. It is not uncommon to ride over 100 miles in a day. Many mountains and hills are positioned for perfect ascents with your kite.

Often, what looks like the top of a mountain is actually another large expanse of ideal snowkite terrain with more peaks and features looming in the distance. No matter how far one riding area is from another, it all seems interconnected. Once you discover a few ideal places to ride, the real fun is connecting the dots and getting to ride where no one has ever ridden.

Best Time to Visit: Head to Idaho late December-March for the best conditions.

Typical Winter Conditions: Expect lots of snow in January and February with plenty of sunshine between storms to keep you smiling. Temperatures plunge at night and remain in the 20s on most days. In March, spring kiting is in full swing with lots of sun and snow. This is snowkiting, not resort riding, so bring clothing that keeps you warm but doesn’t restrict your movements. Remember, even though your body is in constant movement, your extremities aren’t. In Idaho, the snow can get deep so a wider ski with lots of contact under the foot can keep you laughing on the surface. Alpine Touring (AT) bindings have releasable heels which make setting up your kite easier and keeps you safe for return treks to the car if the wind shuts down.

Snowboarders should take advantage of the boards with reverse camber recently released by kite companies, or grab your resort board and make modifications on your stance. Releasable snowboard bindings work wonders for all ability levels and can be picked up for next to nothing. Advanced skiers should bring touring skins and advanced snowboarders should bring a split board or snowshoes. Small snowshoes, while convenient, may not be the most reliable means of transport. Opt for a larger size to keep from getting stuck. Kite sizes range from 6 to 14m with the majority of days spent on the 12m.

How to Get There: Boise (BOI) and Sun Valley (SUN) airports are close to the Camas Valley. From Sun Valley, take Highway 95 north and Highway 20 east (about an hour and a half ). From Boise, take Highway 84 east to Mountain Home and then Highway 20 west to the Camas Valley (about an hour). There are no markers or signs that say “Camas Valley,” but most of the kiting is west of Hill City. We only started naming areas to kite a few years ago. Just look for kites in the sky and pull over or pop your head out of the car and find your own sweet spot. For a map, check out www.snowkitesoldier.com

Where to Stay: The resort town of Sun Valley offers a large variety of accommodations for all budgets. The Prairie Inn in Fairfield (www.theprairieinn.com) is the most convenient. Mountain Home is 30 minutes away with lots of cheap places to rest your head.

What to do if No Wind: Soldier Mountain Ski Area is 10 minutes from Fairfield and offers great riding. The mountain operates Thursday – Sunday so look for amazing powder days on Thursdays. Sun Valley Ski Resort is world-class riding at its best and is only a couple of cups of coffee away.

Contact for More Info: Snowkite Soldier (www.snowkitesoldier.com, 208-484-1620) offers a variety of programs to suit all abilities, ranging from basic snowkiting techniques for crossover kiteboarders and newbies to backcountry-guided services. You can also contact Idaho Mountain Sports (www.idahomountainsport.com).

Big Hole Valley, Montana

By Joel Beatty

The Big Hole Valley is a high-altitude remote valley that holds varying snowkiting opportunities. With only three small towns and 900 residents populating this 60-mile swath of land in southwest Montana, the Big Hole offers up a snowkiting experience that is unique to Montana. The valley is surrounded by three separate mountain ranges with ample terrain on public lands accessible by car, hiking, and snowmobile. The valley floor is mostly open rolling hills and gullies on private ranch land that can be accessed with landowner permission. The elevation ranges from 6,000 feet at the valley floor with some of the surrounding peaks reaching over 10,000 feet.

The locals are friendly and there is a long history of winter recreation in the area. At the northern tip of the valley is the well-established Mount Haggin. Its miles of open and challenging terrain make it one of the premier kiting areas in Montana. At the south end is Big Hole Pass, which produces consistent thermal wind and is a launching point to some bigger terrain. In recent years, most kiting has remained on the outer boundaries of the valley with much of Big Hole left unexplored. The massive landscape combined with consistent wind and snow make the culturally rich Big Hole Valley a unique snowkiting destination.

Best Time to Visit: The winter kiting season can begin as early as October and last into May, but the best time is February-April.

Typical Winter Conditions: The Big Hole is a high-altitude valley, so it can get pretty cold. The valley is fairly remote and unpopulated. You can kite all day and only see the occasional snowmobiler, hunter, or rancher. Prepare as if you’re going into the backcountry in the middle of winter. Snowshoes are a good idea as the snow can get fairly deep.

How to Get There: The Big Hole Valley is a 60-mile-long valley in southwest Montana. It consists of three small towns, Jackson, Wisdom, and Wise River. The valley has two state highways intersecting it, MT43 and MT278, and can be accessed from Interstate 90 from the north and Interstate 15 from the south and east or Highway 93 from the west. The nearest airports are in Butte, MT (BTM) or Missoula, MT (MSO). A four-wheel-drive vehicle is suggested. The roads can get drifted in fast and the snowplows take their time getting around sometimes.

Where to Stay: There are two small towns in the heart of the valley, Jackson and Wisdom. Jackson Hot Springs (www.jacksonhotsprings.com, 406-834-3151) has great accommodations with a lodge, restaurant, bar, and terrific natural hot spring pool so you can soak after a long day of fun. In Wisdom, there’s the Pioneer Mountain Lodge (www.bigholevalley.com/Pioneer_Mountain_Lodge.html, 406-689-3229), which is located in the center of the valley with kite spots nearby in every direction. In the northern tip of the valley, the Sugar Loaf Lodge (www.sugarloaflodgeandcabins.com, 406-491-3748) is located on the boundary of the Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area which is one of Montana’s premier snowkiting locations.

What to Do if No Wind: The Big Hole Valley has a long history of winter recreation. There is ample opportunity for snowkiting, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in almost every part of the valley. Every year, there are multiple events going on in the area during the months of February-April, including Winterfest in Wisdom, a Nordic Ski race at Mount Haggin, and the Montana Snowkite Rodeo at Jackson Hot Springs, March 29-April 4, 2010.

Contact for More Info: For snowkiting info, contact Montana Kite Sports (www.montanakitesports.com, 406-459-6898). For more information on the Big Hole Valley, check out www.bigholevalley.com

10,000 Lakes, Minnesota

By Nathan “Northstar” Borer

Minnesota is an amazing place for snowkiting. The accessibility for snowkiting here is unmatched with over 10,000 lakes that freeze over and offer the perfect environment for snowkiting. The frozen lakes allow kiters to drive out onto the ice and rig right next to their vehicles. On Lake Mille Lacs, Lake Minnetonka, and White Bear Lake there are normally ice roads from the fisherman that you can use to get on the lake without a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Swede Lake does not have many fishermen, so the NorthStar Kiteboarding crew plows their own road and sets up a terrain park with a variety of rails and kickers, including one huge kicker that also serves as a warming shack. Minnesota hosts a range of events including the Red Bull Kite Freeze, Mille Lacs Crossing, and the Snowkite Rally. You can also check out the north shore of Lake Superior, which offers awesome skiing and snowboarding with great lake-effect snow at the Spirit and Lutsen Mountain Resorts. If you are up for a cold-water challenge, bring your drysuit for some kitesurfing or surfing on Lake Superior, as the jet stream brings in north winds which kick up huge swell in Duluth and surf on the points of the north shore.

Best Time to Visit: The best conditions are in late January until early March.

Typical Winter Conditions: Minnesota has a bad rep for being cold and well, it is. In the winter you can expect below-freezing temperatures and blisteringly cold winds. A vigorous jet stream brings high and low pressure systems through quickly, which causes large temperature variations over a short period of time. In mid to late February, Minnesota starts to get zonal flows in the jet stream, which bring warmer weather and a nice break from the cold, so it’s really not that bad. Bring all of your gear because the weather changes quite often, but the most common kite sizes are 10-13m. Make sure to bring your serious winter gear as this is as close to the North Pole as you can get in the Continental US!

How to Get There: Fly in to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), located across the street from the Mall Of America. The NorthStar Commuter Rail can take you to downtown Minneapolis and 40 miles west of the cities. The airport is connected to several major highways for easy access to your destination.

Where to Stay: In Lake Mille Lacs, try the Garrison Inn (www.garrisoninnsuites.com), and the Country Inn and Suites (www.countryinns.com/plymouthmn) for Lake Minnetonka and Swede Lake. If you are looking for night life, downtown Minneapolis has an abundance of places to stay, but prepared to spend a few extra dollars.

What to Do if No Wind: Don’t worry about a lack of wind, as Minnesota is a winter wonderland filled with many outdoor activities such as hockey, ice climbing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and of course skiing and dnowboarding. Visit www.exploreminnesota.com/snow-activities for more info on winter activities. If you are into urban snowboarding or skiing, Minnesota is one of the best states in the US. Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth are filled with hits everywhere and many pro snowboarders are making it a destination to film and ride. If you want to get out of the cold for a day, head to the Mall Of America where they also have the Water Park of America with a wave machine and a wave pool. Minneapolis also has a thriving music scene (www.minneapolismusic.com/minneapolis-venues.htm) and is home to a lot of local talent including Brother Ali, Atmosphere, and Molly Maher, who is hometown Slingshot rider Laura Maher’s sister.

Contact for More Info: For more info on snowkiting in Minnesota, visit www.northstarkiteboarding.com, www.velocitykiting.com, www.midwestmtn.com, www.scubacenter.com, www.lakawa.com, or www.mnadventure.com

Anchorage, Alaska

By Tom Fredericks

Anchorage, Alaska, is the last major city on the Northern Frontier. Within a two hour drive, you can find endless snowkiting opportunities. The wind in Alaska is very dynamic and changes from day to day. The weather here is very complex because of the mountains and mountain ranges that surround Anchorage. Generally, you can expect to snowkite during frontal and high-pressure winds. Located about an hour from Anchorage, Portage Lake is a great place to kite because of the pressure difference between Turnagain Arm and Prince William Sound that creates a dependable wind flow combined with an annual snowfall of 240 inches.

At Portage Lake, be aware of open water and thin ice. If you don’t mind riding a mile and a half upwind to get back to your car, the far end of Portage Lake offers mind-blowing freestyle terrain. If you venture to the far side of the lake, wear your avalanche beacon. If Portage Lake is too windy, head to Turnagain Pass, 20 minutes towards the town of Seward. Turnagain Pass is a natural snowkite park. There are fun terrain features everywhere to play on, including quarter-pipes, table tops and glide slopes. Avalanche transceivers are a requirement here too, because of the natural avalanche chutes that rise above Turnagain Valley.

Best Time to Visit: Head to Alaska in February-June for the best conditions. Portage Lake is best from January until the beginning of April.

Typical Winter Conditions: Conditions will be cold. There is a chance that the afternoon will be sunny and warm, but the weather will soon become very cold again. Plan to dress like it will always be below freezing. Bring ski clothes, a down Jacket, three pair of gloves (one pair of light gloves), warm socks, thermals, a helmet, pads, backpack shovel, avalanche beacon, avalanche probe, skis with skins or a splitboard, sunscreen, hand warmers, and two-way radios. If you are heading for the backcountry, also pack a four-season tent, stove, water bottles, and a sleeping bag rated for below 0°. Bring two kites, one 12m or larger and a 6-8m and you should be covered.

How to Get There: Fly to Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage, Alaska. Anchorage has all of the amenities you will need.

Where to Stay: There are a number of choices for places to stay in the area. Portage Lake is a 20-minute drive from the town of Girdwood and an hour drive from Anchorage. In Anchorage, try the Spenard Hostel (www.alaskahostel.org) or any hotel near the airport. In Girdwood, you can go for a budget hostel (www.hostelgirdwood.com or www.alyeskahostel.com) or rent a cabin (www.alyeskaaccommodations.com, www.alyeskamountainchalet.com, or www.girdwoodhotel.com).

What to Do if No Wind: If you get skunked for wind, you can go skiing at Alyeska Resort (www.alyeskaresort.com) or give skiing the backcountry a try by snowcat or helicopter (www.chugachpowderguides.com).

Contact for More Info: Contact Alaska Kite Adventures (www.alaskakiteadventures.com), the local experts on snowkite instruction, guided snowkite trips, and local knowledge. For information on weather and snowkiting in southwest Alaska, visit www.eastofanchorage.net

Designer Profile:

Name: Tony Logosz
Age: Wise beyond my years
Location: Hood River, Oregon, USA
Job Title: Chief Designer
Designing: 29+
Kiteboarding: Forever!

Product name: Arcane
Product Category: Surf and Light Wind
Sizes available: 5’0”
Release date: January 2010

The Arcane is a light wind surfboard new to Slingshot’s 2010 board line. How does this board differ from a traditional directional made for kitesurfing e.g. what makes it light wind specific?
The Arcane differs due to its shape, volume, concave characteristics and fin configurations. The combination of features such as its single to double concave, concave deck, and down-rail with wing swallow make it very different than our other boards such as the Ben Wilson Pro, Celeritas and Verve 22. It is by far the most versatile surf style board we produce and the most user-friendly.

So if the board is light wind specific, how will it perform in powered conditions differently from a traditional kitesurfing or regular directional? What wind range is the Arcane ideal for?
The Arcane, due to its surf styling, will excel in surf conditions as well as in light wind. Because of its volume, it will float and hold edge in light wind glassy conditions. When the wind does pick up, it will transform itself to a deck that sits on edge, holds its rail and releases for effortless turns.

What are some other specifics that make this board different from other directionals offered in Slingshot’s 2010 Surf Program?
The Arcane is a true “trunk” board that excels in surf and light wind. Its versatility can’t be beat.

Can this board only be ridden strapless, are there inserts for straps or does it have Slingshot’s new Fastrack system integrated into it?
The Arcane is made to be ridden strapless. It does not have inserts or the Fastrack system. It does however have surf style pads and can be ridden with surf wax if desired.

What kind of fin system does the Arcane have and are fins easily replaced if broken?
The fin system is Mini Tutle — we chose this due to its durability and performance. The Arcane is offered with three custom fin options for maximum versatility: 2.0” Quad fin set up (stock, easiest to ride and stable); 2.0” twin fin set up, variation using stock fins (“skatier” and easier for learning spins), and option three with a 4.5” and 2.0” combination set up. The 4.5” fins are after market Slingshot surf specific fins. This is the ideal surf set up for more hook up, speed and a solid feel. This is what you want for surf.

Are there any tech, design or construction innovations that came out of this board that Slingshot is experimenting on for its 2011 line?
There are a few items that we are working on and regardless of the outcome, the R&D is always beneficial. A few highlights you will see in the Arcane include a concave deck (lowers center of effort and allows you to grip deck better for ollies and maximum board control), single to double concave (transitions towards the tail resulting in speed, drive and control from the bottom), down rail with wind swallow (for speed and release in the turns, makes the board highly responsive, effortless and smooth), the box wing, pulled in ‘swallow’ tail style (give tight radius surfing not usually associated with retro fish type boards). and surf-style volume (board has “weight” to deliver solid momentum and drive to pump all day long). Riders will notice, due to the volume of the Arcane that to successfully start up, they will need to set it on its side.

What is your warranty policy on this product?
Please see www.slingshotsports.com/support

What do you believe differentiates the new Arcane from what else is available in the marketplace?
The Arcane is heads and tails above what is offered due to its versatility. It’s a killer “trunk” board. In other words, when you only have room for one board and a range of possible conditions from light wind to surf, this is what you want to take with you. It’s compact yet stands up to anything you can dish out.

Slingshot Presents “The Arcane” from Slingshot Sports Wake on Vimeo.

Anything else you want to add regarding this new product?
You have to try it to feel what it has to offer! Surf style, speed and release, plus volume and float for light wind. Ben Wilson said it best: “This board is the Holy Grail for sloppy surf with an occasional nugget and it is the Ollie champ, great for learning airs, and goes upwind like a jet.” Ben has been riding this board for years.

TESTED: Jason Clack, www.gokiting.com
For those of you who ride in chop or in mushy waves, the versatility of a strapless directional like the Arcane and its light wind capability as an all-in-one board is a great addition to your quiver. You can easily tune this board with different varieties of pads and fin options or you can always just ride it waxed up if you like more contact against the board so you can really feel it under your toes. Various manufacturers keep trying to create the lightest board possible but this board has more weight to it which I feel is a change for the better, giving it more drive and a beefier feel so it doesn’t feel like a potato chip under your feet. I have my Arcane tuned with just dual fins for a loose, skatey feel, stock pad in back, and wax up front. Stock pad in back and wax up front. Spending time on the this board has really helped me to smooth out my strapless footwork and the wide platform makes jibing a breeze.

Check out the dates & we meet ya there!

C Street – Ventura, CA, March 17, 1pm
Kite Expo – Pismo Beach, CA, March 19 – 21
Santa Cruz, CA, March 23 – 24, 1pm
3rd Ave. – Bay Area, San Mateo, CA, March 26 – 27, 1pm
Belmont Shores, CA, April 2 – 3, 1pm
Tourmaline Beach, CA, April 9, 1pm

For more info about the tour check out www.liquidforcekites.com
Follow liquidforcekb on twitter for current wind conditions & location updates!!!

Hua Hin, Thailand – Today was the first day in Hua Hin with unpredictable winds. PKRA Race director Olaf Van Tol decided to postpone the race and freestyle double elimination competitions today in anticipation that the wind would change in direction and pick up in strength. An extremely light breeze prevailed most of the day, until approximately 1:30 pm a freak storm hovered over the area for about 20 minutes.

The wind was so strong that it blew tents over, and caused a little bit of excitement around the event site. After postponing the competition for most of the day, Van Tol released the race and freestyle riders for the day and organized a stand-up paddleboard competition.

Stand-up paddle boarding is taking the world by storm. Whether you call it S.U.P, paddle surfing, SUP’ing, stand-up paddle boarding or beach boy surfing, it is a new addition to the waterman lifestyle.

Aside from being another way of catching waves, SUP is also an increasingly popular way of keeping fit, and improving core-stability. Flat water SUP trips, and ‘down-winders’ are both a great work out, and a good way to get on the water when the surf’s junk, or it’s flat – and a SUP session is definitely more fun than hitting the gym. Stand Up Paddle surfing is an incredibly versatile sport. You can take a look at the forecast and choose what you want to do with your SUP on any given day: and there won’t be many days when you can’t get out and do something.

So if you see a surf shop where they rent SUP’s, spend a few dollars and give it a try, the worst thing that could happen is that you have a little fun!

Tomorrow’s skippers meeting is scheduled for 10:00am to determine what the wind situation is going to be for the day.

Head 20 minutes south from San Diego on I-5 and you will find yourself in a wildly different place. As soon as you cross under the large green, white, and red sign that reads “MEXICO,” make sure you line up in one of the “Nothing to Declare” lanes and hope for a green light. A red light means you must pull over and attempt to explain yourself in broken Spanish, much to the amusement of the local authorities. A green light means “Bienvenido a Mexico,” and you continue onward into a new country.

The change is shocking: In less than 10 feet, you go from being in an organized, slow moving lane to a complete free-for-all in which everyone, especially the taxi drivers, seems to completely ignore all rules of the road. Stay alert and keep your eyes open for the sign that will lead you south out of town to the toll road for Ensenada. Breathe another sigh of relief once on the toll road. This sigh is because you know you are already through Tijuana, and you have heard the stories about what has been happening there.

TRAVELING TO BAJA

Anyone who has been to Mexico knows the country is full of some of the warmest and friendliest people on the planet, but unfortunately Mexico is also home to widespread poverty, corruption, drug and human trafficking, and organized crime. Tourism in Mexico, especially in Baja, has plummeted in recent years, due to the stories that are reported about the incidents that happen there. To explore Baja, most people cross through Tijuana where hundreds of criminals, police officers, and innocent bystanders died in 2008 due to the violence caused by organized crime.

The fact that the stories about violence in the border region are picked up and sensationalized by the media only makes the problem worse and has caused some people I know who have been traveling to Baja for more than 20 years to swear off heading south of the border completely. The saddest part of all of this is that the rest of the country is not at all like Tijuana and the other border regions — there are endless and incredible kiteboarding opportunities all over the more than 2,000 miles of Baja coastline.

THE REAL BAJA

To continue offering kiteboarding trips to San Quintin, a sleepy farming town 200 miles south of the border, the crew at Calikites came up with a bold idea: Instead of bringing kiters down in a 15-passenger van, they would rent a 50-person charter bus and completely take over the Desert Inn, a bunker-like beachfront hotel sitting in the middle of 12 miles of pristine sandy beach. They would also drag down a rescue jet-ski, a van full of demo gear from Liquid Force, Cabrinha, and North, and a pile of SUP boards in case the wind didn’t show.

Because of the recent troubles in Baja, it was unclear how many kiteboarders would be willing to travel down, but the buzz about how good the kiting is in San Quintin was enough to quickly fill the bus to capacity. Early on a Friday morning, the bus was loaded up behind the Calikites shop in Coronado with eager kiteboarders and tons of gear for the five-hour drive down. We quickly passed through Tijuana and were on our way to three days of kiteboarding in the real Baja California.

SAN QUINTIN

As soon as the bus was unloaded and everyone found their ocean-view rooms (every room at this hotel has an ocean view), the quiet beach was invaded by a hoard of kiteboarders eager to get on the water. San Quintin is the perfect place for beginner-intermediate kiteboarders to ride, as the wind blows anywhere from side-on to slightly side-off and there are no obstacles, except for the cars parked on the beach. The waves are usually very small and the wind is steady. This section of the Baja Coast is where deep ocean water is pushed up near the surface, so the water can be cold, typically 5-10° colder than San Diego.

Kite sizes in San Quintin can range from 6-16 meters, depending on the season, but after more than a dozen trips here, I’ve ridden every single time. After a little water time, everyone packed up their gear and headed back to their rooms for hot showers to wash off the incredibly fine beach sand that manages to get everywhere before heading a few miles down a dirt road to the Cielito Lindo for dinner, drinks, and dancing. According to one rumor, John Wayne and Henry Fonda once frequented the Cielito Lindo, but now it’s the spot for good food, cheap drinks, good dancing with locals, and a chance to meet a few of the local ex-pat American characters, most of whom look like there could have been a Jimmy Buffett song written about them. Watch out for the margaritas here, they’re strong enough that they may have to find the wheelbarrow that’s always nearby (the locals call it the limo) to get you back to your bed.

On the way back to the hotel, most of the people in the bus ended up riding back on the roof of the bus, which, for some reason, is just the sort of thing that always seems to happen down here.

DAY TWO

The next day, after sleeping off all of the excesses of the night before, everyone found their way to the beach and pumped up. The wind stayed fairly light, but most were able to get out and ride on 12-16 meter kites. Beginners worked on riding upwind or learning to jump while more experienced riders played in the small waves or used the shorebreak as a kicker to throw tricks. The amount of kiters on this trip was an unbelievably large group for San Quintin, so locals began showing up to watch the crazy gringos. Downwinders were organized and groups would take off and head the six or so miles downwind to the end of the beach, then pile into the Calikites truck to be brought back upwind. After a full day on the beach, everyone jumped into the bus to head to Jardines, a few miles up the road towards town.

Jardines is the type of place that makes Baja special. To get there, you turn off the main road and ramble down a washboard dirt road through a field for about a mile and then come to a beautify maintained garden full of all kinds of exotic plants and one of the most beautifully manicured lawns I’ve ever seen. In the midst of this unexpected oasis is a restaurant that serves great food and a small hotel with rooms starting at $35 a night. After dinner and a few (OK, many) drinks, a slideshow and raffle were put on back at the Desert Inn, and a few intrepid people found out that not only do ice chests keep food and beer cold, but you can also fit two adults in one and ride it down a set of stairs.

DAY THREE

Most people slept in on Sunday and then hit the beach, but it seemed like the whole town had heard of all of the kiteboarders riding in front of the hotel and had come down to watch. This created a bit of a traffic jam on the beach near the hotel, but since the beach is 12 miles long, there was still plenty of room for everyone to spread out. The Calikites truck was working full time bringing people back upwind after hour-long downwinders. While walking on the beach a local waved me over to join him and his family. They had an awning tied up between an old car and older van, under which the women were at work preparing a giant bowl of fresh ceviche. I was promptly given a heaping bowl and a few tortillas and they asked me to stay and eat with them. As soon as I finished, one of the older women handed me a sandwich gently wrapped in a paper towel. “Fresas,” she said, the jam on the sandwich being homemade strawberry jam. I stayed with the family for a few minutes, took a few pictures, and said goodbye to them and wandered off to get in some more water time before heading back up north on the bus.

Shortly after one more session, the bags were packed, the bus was loaded, and we were on the road, leaving the real Baja behind in order to go back to our real jobs. Despite all of the bad news about violence in Mexico, a bus load of 50 kiteboarders had made it down and back without incident, and everyone involved had a blast doing it.

Fact File:

Getting to San Quintin: Drive South on I-5 and follow the signs for Road 1 once in Mexico. San Quintin has a few landing strips, so it’s possible to fly down if you find an adventurous pilot with a small plane. For an easy trip, travel with the guys from Calikites (www.calikites.com).

Where to Stay: The largest hotel closest to the beach is the Desert Inn (www.desertinns.com), $40-$80/night depending on if they’re offering a deal or not. Things may be changing soon, as this hotel was supposedly just auctioned off to a new owner. There are other places to stay nearby, including the Cielito Lindo (no website, just show up) and Jardines (near San Quintin Bay, www.hotel-jardinesbaja.com).

Where to Ride: Ride in front of the Desert Inn, or anywhere else on the amazingly long beach. On Sundays, local families flock to the beach, so you’ll have to go upwind or downwind to find a quiet spot. If you are going to drive on the beach, a four-wheel-drive vehicle and a tow strap are highly recommended. You can also ride in San Quintin Bay, where the water is warm, shallow, and flat, but the bottom is very muddy.

Where to Eat: There’s plenty of good food around. For breakfast, the restaurant in the Desert Inn is very good. The food at the Cielito Lindo and especially Jardines is excellent and very reasonably priced. If you see a taco stand with a large crowd around it, you know it’s a good one.

About traveling in Mexico: Yes, there are problems in Mexico, but you can stay well clear of them if you use your head. Mexico is not the lawless land that many Americans think it is and you cannot do whatever you want here. Treat the locals with respect and act as you would at home. If you drive your own car, get Mexican liability insurance (you can buy it online) and drive carefully. It’s safest to only drive during daytime, especially outside of the cities where there may be cows and/or horses in the road and where some locals have the habit of driving without their headlights on.

Ozone Factory from Morten Gjerstad on Vimeo.

The forecast is looking great for the 8th Annual Pismo Beach Kite and SUP Expo March 19-21, 2010.

For the exhibitor layout, click on PBExpo_Exhibitor_Layout_vendor2010_public

UPDATES AS OF 3/15/2010:

Thanks to our Bronze Level Sponsors:

Keep yourself fueled with Monster Energy. Thanks to Monster for helping to support the collegiate kiteboarding club BBQ/Bonfire!

Be sure to check out the new boards from SU-2 Kiteboarding. A SU-2 twin tip of your choice will be our grand raffle prize at the Sat night BBQ – must be present to win!

All the way from New Zealand, meet owner Adrian Roper and test Underground’s extensive line of boards. A twin tip of your choice will be the grand raffle prize on Sunday – must be present to win!

PARKING, DRIVING ON BEACH, REGISTRATION

This year’s event has been moved to Grand Ave. Park in the lot by Fin’s Restaurant for free, or you can drive on the beach, downwind of the event area for $5/day. For directions, see www.xtremebigair.com/kitexpo

• Registration will be at the 26″ trailer, sponsored by luv2camp.com. Look for the Xtreme Big Air and The Kiteboarder flags. Use the sidewalk that runs parallel to Grand and next to Fin’s restaurant to enter.
• All registrants must be intermediate level kiteboarders able to go upwind and self rescue. You should also feel comfortable navigating and riding in tight conditions. All registrants must sign waiver and provide credit card info in case of damage due to negligent usage or loss of gear. All credit card info is destroyed immediately following the event. Registration is from 8:45a until 3p daily.

DEMO HOURS FOR SUP AND KITE, RAFFLE TIMES

• SUP will be available for demo from 9a until 12noon or whenver the wind starts blowing.must be set up no later than 9a daily. Demos will run until 12p or whenever the wind starts blowing.
• Kite and accessory vendors will be ready starting at 11a. Official kite demo hours are 12p to 5p.
• So we don’t interfere with Demo time, the raffle will only be held Sat night at the BBQ and Sunday around 12 noon (may do earlier if forecast is strong for wind to blow earlier). MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN.

PRO RIDER CLINICS

All clinics will be held underneath the Monster Energy tent and will start at 11am.

edit 3/16: Due to a cyclone forecast approaching Ben’s house in Oz, he will not be able to make it to the event for the clinic. We may get Caution/Airush Clinic with Brendan Richards, Bear Kearny and Cameron Biehl to take over the advanced surf clinic on Sunday in addition to their strapless riding and airs clinic on Saturday. Will post when more info available.

Brendan Richards: Caution is synomyous with wave riding and local Santa Cruz pro rider and instructor Brendan Richards is no stranger to the surf or quality instruction. Brendan will be sharing his knowledge with you in the Strapless Riding and Airs Clinic, Saturday, 11am.

Bear Kearny: If you’ve seen the trailer for Shades of Green or the February issue of The Kiteboarder, then you know that Bear Kearny from Airush is a name you will be seeing more of! Bear will be doing the Strapless Clinic with Brendan and Cameron.

Cameron Biehl: Sailing and surfing since birth, wave-riding is Cameron’s passion. Constantly pushing the limits of strapless kiting,  especially in the biggest waves he can hold onto his board in, Cameron will be a presenter at the Strapless Air Clinic.

Sandy Parker: Co-owner and lead instructor at Kit’opia in the Delta, Sandy, spnonsored by RRD/Live2Kite/Mystic has been passionate about racing since the first races started at Crissy Field in San Francisco. Recently back from the NA Championships, Sandy’s Racing Clinic will kick off the clinic series on Friday at 11a.

NEW 4×8 VENDOR BOARD AT REGISTRATION

We will have a 4×8 piece of plywood at registration with all event happenings for the day and any special announcement from participating brands.

INCREDIBLE WINEMAKER’S DINNER, THE ET VOILA EXPERIENCE Friday, March 19, 7P SHARP!

Tudor Wines (a local kitesurfer’s award winning wine specializing in pinot’s) is the featured winemaker at Et Voila, an outstanding French bistro on Los Osos Valley Road in San Luis Obispo, just 10 minutes from Pismo Beach. This is a culinary experience you won’t want to miss! $40 per person. Dinner Includes Wine Tasting & Light Appetizers unit 7:45p. Wine at dinner will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle. Please call the Et Voila Restaurant at 805.544.FOOD (3663) to make your reservations as seating is very limited!

MONSTER ENERGY BBQ/BONFIRE FUNDRAISER FOR CENTRAL COAST COLLEGIATE KITEBOARDING CLUB, 6p

Please help support the local collegiate kiteboarding club with a $10 donation for their BBQ and bonfire starting at 6p.Vegetarian version $5 donation. Email Ben Icard bicard@calpoly.edu to make your reservation.

Here are the results for the Third Annual Best Superfly Open, held March 11-14 at Powder Mountain, Utah. Stay Tuned, we will be following up shortly with more photos and an event report from roving reporter Alexis Rovira.

Mens Pro Rail Jam

1.    Sam Medesky       Best

2.    Brandon Scheid   Liquid Force

3.    Jacob Buzianis    Best

Mens Ski Pro Freestyle

1.    Jim Bison         Best

2.    Jon McCabe

Mens Snowboard Pro Freestyle

1.    Brandon Scheid   Liquid Force

2.    Craig Cunningham  Liquid Force

3.    Sam Medesky       Best

Mens Ski Pro Kitecross

1.    Jon McCabe

2.    Daryl Drown       Best

3.    Patrick Nedele    Ozone

Mens Snowboard Pro Kitecross

1.    James Brown       Ozone

2.    Jacob Buzianis    Best

3.    Oliver Palmers    Best

Mens Ski Amateur Kitecross

1.    Mark Johnson

2.    Richard Drelich

3.    Ravil Muslyumov

Mens Snowboard Amateur Kitecross

1. Juan Carlos Morales

2. Marty Lowe

Womens Kitecross

1. Heather Schenk       Ozone

2. Victoria Stevens

The PKRA World Cup 2010 has kicked off in Hua Hin, Thailand, the most amazing place if you desire consistent winds averaging 20 knots, beautiful blue sunny skies, and temperatures averaging 34 degrees Celsius.  This was the setting for the Asian kiteboarding qualifier event the past few days.

A lot of people have a misconception about the wind here in Thailand.  There are no proper weather predicting stations to allow for accurate wind measurements, however the wind blows consistently due to the thermal winds. Numerous amounts of spectators from all around the world watched as competitors from many different nations performed complex freestyle kiteboarding tricks.

The outcome of this well prepared, sponsored and organized event will be talked about for years to come. Four men as well as two female Asian riders were given the opportunity to compete in the PKRA World Cup which has kicked off today with the freestyle single eliminations.

Congratulations to all the winners, especially Nakano Hironobu (Naish, JPN) the men’s freestyle champion and the women’s freestyle champion, Aya Oshima (Cabrinha, JPN) who happen to both be from Japan. Yo Pudla (Ozone, THL) came in second place and Bobo Corniel (EH, D.R.) took third.  Erika Lindberg (Flexifoil, SWE) took second place for the women’s and Ramona Serea from Romania took third place.

A special thank you to all the sponsor, and to all who put so much effort and long hours into organizing such a fabulous event, Raam Schnitman, Eran Forshlager, Todd Schoenberger to name a few and to all of those who work behind the scenes you are not forgotten.

A mandatory riders meeting is set for tomorrow morning at 10:00am with the first possible start of the continuation on the freestyle eliminations.

Photo David Middlecamp

The forecast looks great for this weekend! On top of 22 companies exhibiting and offering demos of their 2010 gear and accessories, we have some excellent clinics to help you step up your game in racing, strapless riding and surf. All clinics will be held daily at 11am under the Monster tent and will last approximately one hour.

Friday, 11a: Racing Clinic with Sandy Parker of Kit’opia/RRD/Live2Kite

Fresh from the North American Kite Racing Championship in Mexico and prepping for the Worlds in Corpus Christi, TX, April 21-25, Sandy will share what’s happening on the racing scene and answer any questions you might have about gear, course strategy and how to get a racing series started in your local area.

Sat, 11a: Strapless Riding and Airs Clinic with Brendan Richards/Caution and Bear Kearny/Cameron Biehl of Airush

Get tips from the pros on how to get started and progress your strapless riding style on directionals and skims. This clinic will also cover basic first strapless air moves you’ll want to try to take your strapless riding up notch.

Sunday 11a: Advanced Surf Clinic with Ben Wilson/Slingshot

update 3/16: Due to a cyclone forecast approaching Ben’s house in Oz, he will not be able to make it to the event for the clinic. We may get Caution/Airush Clinic with Brendan Richards, Bear Kearny and Cameron Biehl to take over the advanced surf clinic on Sunday in addition to their strapless riding and airs clinic on Saturday. Will post when more info available.

For all the latest info, see www.xtremebigair.com/kitexpo

Photo Liquid Force

Cape Hatteras, North Carolina based kiteboarder Brandon Scheid is the latest addition to Liquid Force’s esteemed international team of kiteboarders.

Brandon’s riding has really caught the attention of the kiting community over the past couple of years. This past year he took second place overall at the Triple S with his powerful wake style tricks and smooth rail riding. He also placed second overall at the King of the Great Lakes in Muskegon, Michigan.

“Brandon is an amazing rider and ambassador for kiteboarding. He has a very stylish and aggressive riding style that matches Liquid Force perfectly. Plus he is one of the most friendly and approachable riders out there. We are happy to have him in the Liquid Force family” says Gary Siskar, Liquid Force’s Brand Manager for Kiteboarding.

For 2010, Brandon plans on continuing to push the envelope in flat-water kiteboarding and most recently snow kiting. His upcoming events include the Liquid Force Snow Kite Tour in Utah and coaching this season at Real Kiteboarding in Waves, North Carolina. His steady work ethic and determination should lead to some innovative tricks and make Brandon a force to watch in the upcoming year.

www.naishkites.com

Photo Jon Malmberg

It is time for another Naish give-away. Everyone is raving about the 2010 Charger kite and it could be yours for free.

Entering the give-away is quick and easy. Just follow this link: http://naish-email.com/index.html and the 2010 Charger could show up in your mailbox!

Here’s the clip:

Pro surfer Danny Wills first time kitesurfing from BENWILSONVISION on Vimeo.

The Snowkite Soldier event in Fairfield, Idaho provides access to some of the best snowkiting in North America. The terrain in Fairfield has it all, from rolling hills to huge cliff drops and extreme avalanche slopes, there is something for everyone. Despite having no wind on Friday and Saturday, Spirits where high and the Slider Project L.L.C.  setup sliders for everyone to session. The mood was elevated as Sunday delivered a light steady breeze and was enough to satisfy the kiting addiction.

The highlight of the event is a poker run. Where kiters race to a checkpoint and pick up a card. As with traditional poker, the best hand wins and the stakes were high with a 2010 Naish kite on the table for the winner. Event organizers Monty and Trisha Goldman did an exceptional job and everyone who attended enjoyed the local’s hospitality. Be sure to mark the dates on your calendar for next year.

-Matt Thames
(Matt Thames is a team rider for EPIC kites, Mystic Kiteboarding and Aboards Kiteboards

Here is the trailer for the sick new movie from Ben Wilson, The Dirty South. Right now, you can watch the full movie for free online at http://www.benwilsonsurf.com/dirtysouth/

The Dirty South – Teaser from BENWILSONVISION on Vimeo.

Event: KB4girls Maui 2010

Place: Action Beach, Kahului Maui/HI

Date: April 9th to 10th, 2010

Available slots: 20 (sorry, the spot is not the easiest one and we can not accomodate more than 20 girls in this event)

Registration fee: 30 US$ (that will be donated to the Surfrider Foundation Europe)

This KB4girls camp event is going to be THE chance for all female kiters in America to get away for a long weekend in paradise (or even longer if you wanted!). While we will camp out during the event we will have 3 full days of fun together and most likely a lot of wind! Local girls are just as welcome too of course!

Those that are not local will have to take care of their flights and transportation themselves but we will organize a camp spot for those that need a spot to pitch their tent.

With an IKO instructor course starting the day after the KB4girls camp this event also gives you a great opportunity to combine an awesome all girls learning experience with your certificate to work in the most beautiful places around the world! More info about the instructor course at: kite@–no-spam–mauisportsunlimited.com

note: As for all KB4girls event it is necessary that you have your own kitesurf insurance. And while we certainly appreciate the help of the guys on the beach we think that the participants enjoy the company of the other girls more when they leave their male parts at home.

see http://www.kb4girls.com/schedule/usa-maui.html for complete details!

I had some real big plans set up for this winter season and most of ‘em got stunted by unpredictable winds and freezing Florida temps. Riding’s been rough but things are looking up nonetheless; I took the downtime to get my big school requirements out of the way and some of my more abstract projects have now come to fruition.

One of my main homies who I started kiting with, Oliver Berlic, just moved back to Saint Pete after living in Brazil for three years, he’s been working there with some of the top street artists in Sao Paulo and helping run a kite outfit called Kite Adventures. He’s taken over our kite school now and helped bring some fresh new ideas to what Alex Fox and I have been working on. Between our core group and with the help of our good friend and renowned artist/entrepreneur, Fred Abington, we’ve started a Collective of artists, athletes, designers, and entertainers.

Our first big project asides from gathering alternative action sports content is an action sports inspired sustainable art gallery. The gallery will feature a variety of different pieces geared towards promoting the message of sustainability in everyday life and making use of action sports tools that are now either broken or obsolete (boards, kites, bikes…) The gallery will be expressed through multiple mediums and will take place for the first time this may in Saint Petersburg, FL.

Check out the new blog that will be getting updated a couple times a week. It will be showcasing action sports content as well as art, fashion, music, and culture items. www.AbingtonCollective.Blogspot.com Super big thanks to Fred for all the help and support in making this happen!

This blog is officially way to long now, waste some more time browsing these pics from my latest road trip to the keys. Myself, Neil Hutchinson, Alex Fox, Dave Scott and Chris and Davis from Shredtown went to the grand reopening for The Otherside Boardsports shop in Islamorada and raged all the way down to key west in process. Wild weekend, and believe it or not, Shredtown kites now too!

If you got any questions about what were doing or want to meet up for a session hit me up anytime!
www.twitter.com/matthewsexton
www.facebook.com/mrmattysexton

p.s. if you have questions about the title of my blog contact Neil Hutchinson at, http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=info&id=650426855, shibby, peace!
Mr Sexton