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