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Spring is here and that means the wind is on, the sun is shining, and it’s time for the annual Pismo Beach KiteXpo in California!

This year’s vendors include Airush, Best, Cabrinha, Core, F-One, Liquid Force, Mystic, North, RRD, Underground and Xenon Boards. Maui Mike will once again be BBQing up one of his famous meals to benefit the ThomasWong family @ $10 per plate, followed by our annual beach bonfire on Saturday night.

Raffle prizes are rolling in including a custom directional board from local kiter and shaper Gabe Loyd. Here’s what Gabe has to say about the board, valued at $650.

Gabe starts to shape his “kite rocket” for the 10th Annual Pismo Beach Kitexpo raffle.

The board I am making for the 2012 Pismo  Expo is a 5’8″ x 18″ x 2- 1/8″  swallow tail.  I call it the “Kite Rocket”  because it is the kite version of my traditional surfboard model the “Cali Rocket”.  To the normal persons eye it will look like a regular surfboard, but in surfboard design,  minor changes in measurements, outline and wide point definitely make this board built for speed, fast turns and most importantly, kitesurfing.  What have I done?  well to start, the wide point is pushed forward to center instead of behind center like a traditional shortboard.  This allows the board to handle speed better, go faster and be more drivey.  To complement the wide point on center I have widened the nose by 3/8″  relative to standard surfboard measurements,  this keeps a fuller outline forward which increases planing surface and again, speed.  Through the tail,  the business end, the template is streamlined out and slightly less curvy than standard surfboards.  This allows the board to track nicely at high speeds through the water without wobbling.  The bottom has heavy single concave blending into triple concave through the tail, nice tail rocker and V out the back to release water and keep the board very loose, lively and maneuverable.  The swallow tail is one of my favorite for kiting because it bites and pivots very hard off the swallow, yet releases into tail slides with ease.  Also, with the swallow tail, it tracks into the wind better than any other tail design.  So the overall package is a board that excels with the extra speed and power of the kite while still maneuvering and performing like a high-performance traditional board.”  Check www.loydsurf.com for more info on Gabe’s shapes and design philosophy.

For those of you coming in early, please join us for a benefit winemaker dinner on Thursday, April 12 starting at 7p at Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant in Pismo Beach.

The top voted Italian restaurant in the county for years, Giuseppe’s has teamed up with local kiter and winemaker Dan Tudor of Radog Wines to present an amazing five course dinner consisting of: Winter Salad of Red & White Endive, Fuji Apples, Morro Bay Avocado, Candied Spicy Oranges, Sheep’s Milk Feta, Moscato Vinaigrette; Pancetta Wrapped Scallops, Meyer Lemon Beurre Blanc, Quinoa “Tabouleh Style”; Veal & Swiss Chard Stuffed Cannelloni; Lamb Lollipops, Manchego & Piquillo Pepper Polenta, Dipping Sauces; Cannoli, and Whipped Lemon-Ricotta Stuffed. Seating limited to 60, cost is $60 per person. Please email [email protected] for more info.

For complete info and updates, see www.thekiteboarder.com and click on the Pismo Kitexpo 2012 tab or see www.xtremebigair.com/kitexpo

For info on why this event is a benefit for Kinsley ThomasWong of Xtreme Big Air or to make a donation, see www.friendsofkinsley.com

See you on Pismo!