This is just a quick post to remind myself (and others) that October is soon to arrive...and with it, marks an official end to the summertime doldrums.
I am looking for ideas, any idea, in terms of beaches to host some demos of Switch gear this fall.
I'll be out in the water until Christmas typically, switching to the drysuit sometime near the end of October.
I've got the new Element V2 13m kite that you MUST try!!
And hopefully, I'll have a new V2 Switch control system (bar) very soon too.
Email for more info: norriegga@gmail.com
Steve Norrie
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
A New Kite Cometh...Soon Enter the Element Version 2!
So Switch has just announced the imminent release of the next generation Element. Since I got my 11m and 15m version 1 Elements a little over a year ago, this has become my go-to kite for land and water based riding.
Especially forgiving in the gusty Great Lakes region, and with superb relaunch capability, the Element has impressed. My only gripe about the version 1 is the low end, particular throughout the turning circle of the kite when sining from the bottom up.
That said, Switch says they've addressed the low end somewhat on the version 2, and kept the best characteristics of the first version that I, and other Element riders, enjoy.
Can't wait to try one! In the meantime, if anyone wants to demo a version 1 Element, or Method or Nitro, shoot me an email: norriegga@gmail.com
Steve
Especially forgiving in the gusty Great Lakes region, and with superb relaunch capability, the Element has impressed. My only gripe about the version 1 is the low end, particular throughout the turning circle of the kite when sining from the bottom up.
That said, Switch says they've addressed the low end somewhat on the version 2, and kept the best characteristics of the first version that I, and other Element riders, enjoy.
Can't wait to try one! In the meantime, if anyone wants to demo a version 1 Element, or Method or Nitro, shoot me an email: norriegga@gmail.com
Steve
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Summertime Kiting, Good Times in Toronto this past weekend...
The wind picked up at the perfect time, early afternoon on Sunday. Westerlies built up from 6 knots to 12-13 knots in downtown Toronto, as about a dozen or so riders showed up at Hanlan's point on Toronto Island.
It was my first day out in two months. After having a kidney operation in early April and subsequently diagnosed with a kidney disease, I was ordered by the doctors to abstain from all physical activity for a while as my kidneys stopped bleeding. Heavy stuff, but over the last few weeks, as I waiting for the winds to come, I've been training hard at the gym.
As the winds built past 15 knots or more as a few fronts passed through, I was glad I had built up some muscle strength as I held down the power of the Element 15. The Element is such a sweet kite when it is powered up well.
If anyone is looking to try out a Switch kite, I've got two Elements for you to try. Looking forward to the next windy day! Steve
It was my first day out in two months. After having a kidney operation in early April and subsequently diagnosed with a kidney disease, I was ordered by the doctors to abstain from all physical activity for a while as my kidneys stopped bleeding. Heavy stuff, but over the last few weeks, as I waiting for the winds to come, I've been training hard at the gym.
As the winds built past 15 knots or more as a few fronts passed through, I was glad I had built up some muscle strength as I held down the power of the Element 15. The Element is such a sweet kite when it is powered up well.
If anyone is looking to try out a Switch kite, I've got two Elements for you to try. Looking forward to the next windy day! Steve
Friday, March 8, 2013
New Season Cometh
Winter is drawing to a close. I had a few really awesome sessions this year on the snow, and a couple really bad ones (skunked). This winter I rode Cook's Bay on Lake Simcoe and Luther Marsh near Orangeville. Not a typical winter for me as I never got out to ride the diverse spots, as I usually would over the course of a winter...
My winter riding was limited primarily as a result of two things: lack of good snow and lack of good wind. I'm wondering that, given climate change, whether the big dumps are pretty much a thing of the past...give me a few more years to make that determination.
In the meantime, my subscription to iKitesurf/Wind Alert has been paying off. Sure, I get out of the City less, because when the site shows me that the wind is crap, I don't get out there. But I don't get skunked as often. Most times that pays off - though once in a while I hear about someone's great session when Wind Alert under-forecasted the wind. Doesn't happen very often. The other side benefit is that I drive less, emit less unnecessary carbon, and save money.
Not owning a car complicates the kiting mobilization process. It costs me an average of $50 per day to kite, plus fuel. Every day I stay home and avoid getting skunked is 10% of the cost of a new kite. It would be 5% if I rode any brand other than Switch. These kites are so cost effective. I'm thinking of a new Nitro 2, 12m right now.
I'm also thinking that it's forecast to be 8 degrees and windy this Sunday. If I get out, March 10 would be my earliest water session ever had. Cant' wait, and checking my forecasts daily...Happy Kiting.
Anyone wishing to Demo a Switch Kite is welcomed to contact me by email: norriegga@gmail.com
My winter riding was limited primarily as a result of two things: lack of good snow and lack of good wind. I'm wondering that, given climate change, whether the big dumps are pretty much a thing of the past...give me a few more years to make that determination.
In the meantime, my subscription to iKitesurf/Wind Alert has been paying off. Sure, I get out of the City less, because when the site shows me that the wind is crap, I don't get out there. But I don't get skunked as often. Most times that pays off - though once in a while I hear about someone's great session when Wind Alert under-forecasted the wind. Doesn't happen very often. The other side benefit is that I drive less, emit less unnecessary carbon, and save money.
Not owning a car complicates the kiting mobilization process. It costs me an average of $50 per day to kite, plus fuel. Every day I stay home and avoid getting skunked is 10% of the cost of a new kite. It would be 5% if I rode any brand other than Switch. These kites are so cost effective. I'm thinking of a new Nitro 2, 12m right now.
I'm also thinking that it's forecast to be 8 degrees and windy this Sunday. If I get out, March 10 would be my earliest water session ever had. Cant' wait, and checking my forecasts daily...Happy Kiting.
Anyone wishing to Demo a Switch Kite is welcomed to contact me by email: norriegga@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
My Switch Kites Experience
This is my first Blog Post on Switch Kites Canada Blog. Over time, I hope to share my thoughts riding and testing Switch Products, and re-posting announcements from Switch on their expanding product line.
I jumped onboard with Switch mere weeks after the company launched their first products in mid-2011. I had been a dedicated foil rider, and up to that point my riding had primarily been on land and snow. I loved my Ozone foils at the time, and frankly didn't know any better.
My first ventures onto water were not the most fun or rewarding of experiences at the time as I seriously underestimated the learning curve going from land to water. I took a lot of lessons with different instructors, mainly to try out their kites. I flew several different brands of LEI kites and began to notice one thing that they all had in common: they all flew in the air. They all turned left when pulling on one side of the bar, and they all turned right when pulling on the other. They all pulled when flown through the power zone; some more than others but they all had pull. I wanted a quiver but at the cost of a Cabrihna, Ozone, North or Ocean Rodeo, I knew that I would have to face the consequences when fessing up to the ol' lady at home.
So, even though I lacked the finesse and talent to ride competently on water, especially going upwind, I had enough flying skill to not be a danger to anyone on the beach (aka. a 'kook'), so it was time to buy my own quiver. And then Switch Kites launches and I discover that I can acquire a whole quiver of kites with bars for about the same price as a single Ozone Edge! I was sold.
Armed with a 14m Nitro and 9m Method, I started to hit the water wherever and whenever the wind looked right. I got beaten down by waves or skunked completely at Georgian Bay/Wasaga, Lake Simcoe/Georgina, Lake Ontario/Toronto, Lake Erie/Pleasant/Long Beach, Lake Huron/Kettle Point/Port Franks and my personal fave, Oliphant. Oliphant is the only spot that didn't skunk me on one time or another.
A little later, I picked up a couple of Elements (11m and 15m). I started along the progression curve over several months: water starting, planing, transitions, going upwind, and now, catching airs.
Along the way I applied to be a Team Rider and was accepted for the Toronto area. I offer up demos of the kites in my quiver anytime. Hit me up by email: norriegga@gmail.com to schedule a meet up. I'm always happy to go where the wind blows and meet other riders!
Steve
I jumped onboard with Switch mere weeks after the company launched their first products in mid-2011. I had been a dedicated foil rider, and up to that point my riding had primarily been on land and snow. I loved my Ozone foils at the time, and frankly didn't know any better.
My first ventures onto water were not the most fun or rewarding of experiences at the time as I seriously underestimated the learning curve going from land to water. I took a lot of lessons with different instructors, mainly to try out their kites. I flew several different brands of LEI kites and began to notice one thing that they all had in common: they all flew in the air. They all turned left when pulling on one side of the bar, and they all turned right when pulling on the other. They all pulled when flown through the power zone; some more than others but they all had pull. I wanted a quiver but at the cost of a Cabrihna, Ozone, North or Ocean Rodeo, I knew that I would have to face the consequences when fessing up to the ol' lady at home.
So, even though I lacked the finesse and talent to ride competently on water, especially going upwind, I had enough flying skill to not be a danger to anyone on the beach (aka. a 'kook'), so it was time to buy my own quiver. And then Switch Kites launches and I discover that I can acquire a whole quiver of kites with bars for about the same price as a single Ozone Edge! I was sold.
Armed with a 14m Nitro and 9m Method, I started to hit the water wherever and whenever the wind looked right. I got beaten down by waves or skunked completely at Georgian Bay/Wasaga, Lake Simcoe/Georgina, Lake Ontario/Toronto, Lake Erie/Pleasant/Long Beach, Lake Huron/Kettle Point/Port Franks and my personal fave, Oliphant. Oliphant is the only spot that didn't skunk me on one time or another.
A little later, I picked up a couple of Elements (11m and 15m). I started along the progression curve over several months: water starting, planing, transitions, going upwind, and now, catching airs.
Along the way I applied to be a Team Rider and was accepted for the Toronto area. I offer up demos of the kites in my quiver anytime. Hit me up by email: norriegga@gmail.com to schedule a meet up. I'm always happy to go where the wind blows and meet other riders!
Steve
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