The year is flying but Finally the editing for the Cannon Rocks Kiteboarding Classic that took place in January is done.

We are in the process of setting a date for the next event. We will make an announcement shortly.

In the meantime, enjoy the vibe, the sights, and the kiting.
If you were there, relive it.

Thanks again to all our sponsors who made the event possible:

Peter Lynn Kiteboarding (our major sponsor), The Cannon Rocks Holiday Resort, Cannon Rocks Home builders, and Pam Golding, and prizes donated by Afrikites, Thule, XS-Sports, Kittespotters, Oneil, and Peter Lynn.

Ced

Sometimes things just fall into place. A kind of magical moment in time.
In this case it was the swell and the wind.

2 Weeks ago, Cape Town got hit by some big swells and I just happened to be doing a photo shoot in Derdestein at mid day with Simone Vellekoop.
The magical thing about this session was not only the large waves which were getting bigger all the time, but also the fact that I was out mostly on my own. With winds of around 18 to 20 knots with some lulls, I had to play it safe on the 9m fury as crashing the kite in those conditions could have been nasty.

Plus I was mostly riding backhand as at my home spot in cannon Rocks I have the luxury of riding waves on my strong forehand with wind from the right as we have both directions. But in Cape Town it’s all from the left mostly. So my switch riding isn’t as strong as I would like it. Working on that.

And of course being in those types of conditions I was sticking to what I felt strongest on.

I tried to hit a few lips, but it was really powerful stuff, maybe on my forehand I would have been able to handle it? Got destroyed a few times, then started looking for the cover up.

The Fury handled beautifully in those conditions, I do normally preffer a 7m LEI size or smaller in waves, but because of the size of the waves, There was no need to change direction that quickly. Often i would just float the kite and ride.

It is a privilege to be able to out be in those conditions, to have that feeling of freedom and to have that spiritual communion with the elements. Even though I have been kite boarding for over a decade now, I still get flashes of the absolute amazing experience that it all is to be out there.

Cape Town has produced some great sessions this season, but this one will linger on in my mind. To see those mountains of water making their way from the horizon with Robben Island in view, Table mountain to the side is a difficult sight to beat.

There will always be something about riding big waves… Maybe it’s the surfer’s soul, maybe it’s more than that. Whatever it is, it’s magical

Getting nice kiteboarding photographs takes a couple of ingredients, Wind, Water conditions, sunlight, riders, and most of all dedicated photographers. Sometimes that role falls on professionals, other times on friends, girlfriends, family relations, anyone willing on the beach… But to get the shots takes dedication and commitment.

This is a thank you to all those souls who spend ours on the beach capturing those moments, getting wind blasted, putting that expensive equipment in danger.

Being on the beach without a kite in 30 knots is no fun and takes serious dedication.

Without you we wouldn’t have all the great shots we get to put out there. And thanks for the odd rescue

From the 5^th to 7^th of January, the 2^nd edition of the Cannon Rocks Kiteboarding Classic hosted by the Cannon Rocks Beach Club took place.

This year’s event was supported by various cash sponsors, like Peter Lynn Kiteboarding (our major sponsor), The Cannon Rocks Holiday Resort, Cannon Rocks Home builders, and Pam golding, and prizes donated by Afrikites, Thule, XS-Sports,Kittespotters, Oneil, and Peter Lynn.

This event was organized to bring together the professional approach to the sport and the passion that drives it under one sky. Not only to go beyond a mere competition, but also more towards an “experience” where winning is secondary. Where is all about sharing a passion.

The location, Cannon Rocks, is a beach hidden amongst the beautiful sand dunes of the Eastern Cape Coast in South Africa, and this is a perfect platform for such a competition. The uncontaminated natural surroundings is a perfect setting to highlight the adventurous nature of our beloved sport.

During the setting up of the event, one could feel the energy amongst the Staff of volunteers. They, in very little time, transformed the quiet beach into hub, with a structure which was to take center stage for the next four days.

Groups of inquisitive locals and tourists were immediately drawn to the area by the colourful display of banners and flags.

Day1- Day2

On the 5^th at 9am the music could be heard from the Judge’s tower and inscriptions were opened, the parking lot filled up with cars. More stands were erected, The Girls from Vitamin Water hydrating the competitors and the staff through out.

Next was the kites, pumped up and ready for action. Amongst those the brand new Peter Lynn Inflatable kites, the Fury and the escape, ready to be demoed.

A thousand colours on the beach, and expectations high, however… No wind.

The air so strangely still for Cannon Rocks, can’t stop the energy that is flowing amongst the people present, and in the early afternoon, an impromptu concert entertained the public and the riders, followed by a very South African Braai.

Day 3

A few of the competitors are trying jumps on the beach, chasing the very shy breeze.

The breeze still too soft for competing, the competitors try equipment, swop ideas, knowledge and numbers. The public patiently waits (beer in hand). While we wait for the wind, the organizers throw together a loop competition with a Peter Lynn Impulse (Trainer Kite) on the beach.

But this is only a taste of what is to come, and the public feels it.

By late afternoon, there is just enough wind to run a quick downwind slalom race which Anthony Berzack wins on an escape 11 he was demoing!

Everyone went home with much expectation for the Sunday.

Day 4

Finally the wind that is so common here is back the way we like it; The windsocks and flags from the sponsors indicated the direction and strength on the rise!

Even if it took a little while to filter through it finally settled around 20 knots and we were able to run the events back to back. The adrenalin was tangible on the beach.

First, two Races were Kurt Schmelzer emerged the winner in both. In the second one closely followed by Anthony Berzack. Great performance from local rider Hudson Cumings coming in 2^nd and 3^rd respectively. In the Ladies division Michelle Smith Dominated, but we saw great performance by another local rider Natasha Haller completing both races and coming 3rd.

The Wave event was then run in choppy conditions. Anthony Berzack took the honours with some great riding. Hudson Cumings in second place on a strapless doing some funky stuff, And then surprise of the day was Michelle Smith who had made it to the finals, sneaking in at 3^rd place (was a close call) by riding more waves and more consistently.

Freestyle Pro was a one man Race with Kurt Schmelzer doing some great moves. In Second place Bruce Hough entertained the crowds with some powerful maneuvers and spectacular crashes. In third place (another tight call) Brad Gilmour managed to sneak in by landing his moves cleanly.

The Open session for amateurs was a tight call with Dale from Port Alfred coming 1st and winning a Xenon Board from Afrikites. Natasha Haller grabbed the second place and won a Underwave Harness from Afrikites, and Manuele Zanutta in 3^rd won an Underwave double board bag from Afrikites.

All the other competitors went home with prizes from a lucky draw. It was great to be able to reward all the participants, we hope to be able to stick to that tradition in the future. A Big Thank you to our sponsors, but also to all the people involved on the beach, from the flags signals to the kite testing, from the buoy moving to the singing. Without the volunteers and their spirit, it couldn’t have been possible.

In the pipeline is a video production which will get produced in the next few months.

Till next time

Another Cannon Rocks Kiteboarding Classic down! Great people, great times, great spot… and finally after making us wait great conditions!

check out www.cannonrocksclassic.com for results and some pics.

A full report will follow.

And after all this organizing on the beach… it’s back to some kiteboarding!

Ced

As Peter Lynn gets ready for the release of the new Tube kites, I got sent a few of the printed models to take photographs.

Since the arrival of the much treasured package, we have been madly at work shooting everyday in all kinds of conditions and locations.

Next week we expect to be hitting some exotic locations.

Until then no sneak peak… But all I can say is the kites look kick arse.

Ced

Last Week I was lucky enough to receive a few new Toys, a new Underground Twintip.

The Styx 132 x 39.

Setting up the Styx 132

After only two sessions, I’m absolutly loving the board. Great flex, and pop. Also the channels on the bottom give the board awesome grip. Also digging the comfortable foot straps.

Here is a few pics of the board in action.

I have recently joined the Underground team and am looking forward to shooting some more pics for them. Great to be part of a company that is producing such outstanding boards.

You’ll notice on the pics, I’m riding with a Sultan Underwave harness that was sent to me by squadron kiteboarding  Found the harness really comfortable both in waves and in freestyle. Squadron is supporting me with accessories, check out their online shop…

Here some pics in some waves in stormy conditions with the sultan:

Thanks to Christopher Rössler for the pics

Till next time

Ced

In the southern Hemisphere, the summer is rolling in at a rapid rate!

Here on the East Coast of South Africa, the wind has kicked in nicely, and soon we’ll be wearing the short suits!

A few days ago the water and wind were just awesome for a little wave riding with the Peter Lynn Protos. i pumped up the 7 and headed out

Our normal kite spot offers waves at the back and slow rolling waves in the front.

But because there is a fair amount of sand driffting about, a sand bank has developed in the middle which means the waves jacks up and offers a quick hollow ride.

Thanks to Matthew I got these pics. He’s still learning to take pics and missed some of the more hardcore waves, but he’s getting better!

Landed some nice air floaters and did get a cover up and also some wipe outs

Hoping to do a little video clip real soon.

Back foot slipped out on this carve

Enjoy the rest of the pics.

Till next update

Ced

After traveling for the last two and half months in Europe, it was really nice to be heading back home. With the first days of spring really rolling in it was nice to hit some waves!

However the biggest surprise was to find that the winter rain has left these dams on many farm fields in the area. So the exploring began last week.

The first one we tried on a gusty westerly wind. so being inland it was expected to be gusty. I was out on a 7 slightly underpowered except in the gusts. My friend Hercu brought his Go pro and joined us for the afternoon. He then decided to edit this little clip:

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And here are the pics of the action thanks to Melissa Smith on the shore.

It was really strange to be kiting in amongst the farm fields. I’ll be checking some more inland options in the next while…

So long

Ced

After my trip to Sardegna (see other post) I spent some time in Rome to carry on testing the new tube kite from Peter Lynn.

I was hoping for some sessions, and got fairly lucky with about 2 to 3 outings a week.

Thanks to Tania Romagnoli I got a whole lot of pictures from those sessions.

I’ve also written a full report on the tube kites prototypes I had with me which is here.

It was nice to catch up with some old friends on the beaches of Rome (Mostly Fregene)

Of course i mostly rode the 11m, but it turned out to be great fun.

I am now back in South Africa where the winds at my home spot, Cannon Rocks, are starting to blow… Time to hit the waves, with a longer wetsuit though, and jam some tunes…

Here a few pics from around rome: