Once again Atmosphere kites organise a kite event which I am unlikely to forget for a long time! Last year was perfect and this year has set the standards even higher! I wasnt worried about the forecasts as this event brings together all my kiting friends that I have met from over the years and I knew no matter what, I was going to have a good time! Of course though- having wind was always going to make it better.
This year I set off really early (3am) to make sure I was able to ride the Friday at the event. When we arrived the wind was a little offshore and light but it still ended up being a good session! I took my 12.5 Ion out and had a blast landing some of my handlepass moves and some unhooked kiteloops. After our land session we headed to crow point for a flat water kitesurf session! It looked pretty chilly and seeing as I was without a wetsuit I just wrapped up and watched. A few hours later and we were ready to head back to our accomadation and get ready for a chilled night out at the event party in Westward Ho.
Saturday turned out to be by far the toughest conditions I ridden in at a kite event! The wind was offshore, gusty and pushing the top end of 40mph! I waited a good few hours before I went riding because there was constant rain showers making the beach wet and not very nice to ride. When I launched my 8.5 Ion, I couldn't believe how gusty it was- Not many people were riding at all so it was hard to judge how strong the wind really was but within minutes I had got the confidence to kiteloop and push some other big air tricks - There was no way I was unhooking in those conditions as I could hardly hold the kite down hooked in. After a hour or so I was pushing much harder and it all came together when I hit a massive gust during a megaloop sending me so high in which I then looped the kite another 3 times to land with each loop lifting me higher and further! This might not have been the highest or most powered loop I've done but it was by far the longest and most loops I have done and will probably be for a long time! There was soon a massive crowd watching us, as must people didnt even put a kite up because of the wind! I was joined by fellow Flexifoil Ion rider Dave Roberts who was ripping harder than anyone else does in the buggy! At one point he was looping his 8.5 nearly as hard as me, which is insane seeing as he is belted down into his buggy!! Our little show was put to an end when there was an accident later in the day which meant we all had to pack up and prepare for an air ambulance. I had a good time in the end even though the conditions were hard and thankfully the guy wasnt hurt in the end.
I wont go into to much detail from Saturday night but it once again it proved to be a good night out in Bideford town! We managed to persuade around 30 people from the event to come out in town with us instead of staying at the event to do some crazy partying! It was all abit to much for some people but it certainly added to the event this year!
Despite a heavy night out for most we all got up early Sunday and went to the beach despite the low offshore winds. I had a quick static fly but after an hour I decided to head home as it was a long 7 hour drive home. All in all this has been another smashing event and I would like to thank Atmosphere for hosting another amazing event!
www.atmosphere09.co.uk
Pictures copyright Alex Mckean, Dan Desborough, Alan Shrimplin and Craig.