Old 2011, Crissy to Berkeley Live2kite Downwinder -JUNE 11th

[metabon]

[quote="le noun"]On a side note: metabon, did you take care of that cut on your foot? and did you end up riding at alameda that day?[/quote]

I ended up meeting the BBQ crew and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at Crissy.

Thanks for your help on the beach Vincent, see you at 3rd!

[SFPete]

I am sure I wasn't the only one who had a kiter retrieve a lost board. But whoever it was who got mine, thank you anonymous kiter. There was no bodydragging back to it in those conditions and without that kindness my day would have been over.

[Greg]

And MANY THANKS to MAUI MIKE and his crew for the AWESOME FOOD!!!
You guys stood there in the cold for hours longer then expected but you served up a HOT MEAL and thats Fo' REAL!

Well Done!!! =D> =D> =D>

And THANKS TO EVAN for having the GUTS and Brains to put that day together for everyone!!

Sick Job- L2K!!

Enjoyed-
Greg

[burtonac]

What a day! Compared to 2009, I'd take the insane gusts at Alcatraz vs. a 45 min swim at Berkeley any day. Hope we can do it again next year...big thanks to the L2K team!

[Third]

What are the stats?

How many people started?
How many people made it to Berkeley?
How many people rescued by the event boats?
How many people rescued by others?

(Has to be better numbers than 2009!)

[amir]

Big THANKS to L2K for putting on this event. This was my 4th and I had a blast. This year was pretty wild for sure. I was on my 10.5 Obsession with a TT. Fully powered until Berkeley, where 27 felt 'lighter'. Saw about 5 people land at Berkeley when I was down there, then rode around for at least 1 hour until the buses showed up and most kiters had landed. I do not know the official numbers, but I would say most (60?) made it to the beach out of 80.

As for rescues, I didn't really see them. I'm assuming most of that action was between Crissy and Alcatraz where the wind was super gusty and powerful, wind swell was big and water was cold. I did see the CG heli flying around Berkeley for the last hour and fish someone out. Anyone know more details about that?

Thanks for the yummy BBQ and :drinkers: . I really needed that after all the work.

All in all, SUPER FUN! :dance:

Can't wait for the next one!

[keithdkd]

Does anyone have video or photos of the event? The boats were supposed to have people taking photos, but also I saw a few people with GoPro helmet cameras. Post links in the thread if you have them!

Thanks to live2kite for putting it together. It was a challenge, but fun, and I'd do it again if there's another one this season.

As for rescues, I heard different numbers. The last I heard was:

signups: 100
kiters that launched: 80 (20 decided not to go)
rescued kiters total: 25
rescued by coast guard: 2

I heard the helicopter rescue was due to the water being too shallow for the boats.

[Third]

A toast to the 20 that decided not to go. If you show up at a launch and it does't feel right for the rig you've brought, you need the smarts to say, "maybe next time."

And you numbers suggest that Live2Kite did a fine job supporting this ride. Good to hear.

[jwest21]

I had a great time observing this event and watching all the details of people setting up and launching. Once almost all the kiters were gone I helped two kiters out that came back to Crissy overpowered (one guy with just a 7.5) and landed their kites safely. I was so impresed with the skills everyone had in the unpredictable gusts, as I only saw that one incident of a kite getting out of control, which was quickly secured.

Hopefully I'll get to ride the next one.

Huge thanks to Evan, L2K and everyone that helped make this event safe and fun.

[NCKite_Ryder]

A toast to the 20 that decided not to go. If you show up at a launch and it does't feel right for the rig you've brought, you need the smarts to say, "maybe next time."

And you numbers suggest that Live2Kite did a fine job supporting this ride. Good to hear.

Totally agree. This was my third sponsored down-winder. People were pumping and launching kites way to big for the scenario. At 11:00am it was looking like 10m-12m weather, then at 12:30 it was more like 10m weather. I was on the fence about what to ride and I am a pretty experienced kiter. I walked to the beach at 1:30 and decided the right quiver was my 8m and strapless surfboard. I was one of the first 5 people to launch, instantly knew I chose wisely, and was LIT until I got past Alcatraz.

The most wind I have seen on the Crissy-Berk down-winder for sure. Passing Racers tacking up wind, fly-by's of coast guard helicopters and air force jets (SO SICK), big rollers while weaving through the windsurfers at TI, and the best part were the glassy rollers right before the Berkeley pier (just perfect). I left my phone in my car and was going to GPS (google tracks) but got nervous about the dry-bag and the 600$ phone.

Catching kites on the beach got wild at moments. The gentleman with the injured arm, Gerrit (L2K), and I did our best to be organized and safe.... there were some sketchy moments. Hindenburgs as the day got later. people launching out in the busy zone while #'s of people were coming in, and a beginner that almost put his kite on the rocks/road at "ohh-shit" beach around the corner. (just for the record I jumped in w/ all my clothes on to save his kite. If you are reading this you owe me a BEER, or 6 Beers). Glad to help you out though as I would appreciate that for myself.

CHEERS L2K!

Kite-Mike