New sponsor: Grasshopper Porridge!
4th July 2008
I am now officially a Grasshopper! yep you did read that right :-) My new porridge sponsor, Grasshopper, is a young company, founded by sisters Fleur and Abigail Emery. They make Grasshopper Porridge: natural, organic, instant porridge in a recyclable one portion pot. It's such an awesome idea and I am a huge fan of the stuff!!
Check out their website:www.teamgrasshopper.com
I love porridge so much - it is sooo good for you and what Abi and Fleur have created is a awesome idea and the perfect snack for anyone in every walk of life - in the office, outdoors on the beach, at sea, in the mountains, travelling or even just at home! There are three flavours: chocolate, cinnamon and raisin, and coconut and date. Chocolate is my favourite so far. Soooo good :-)
I'm so stoked to be on the team along with some really amazing elite athletes : kitesurfer Neal Gent, and windsurfers Jem Hall, John Hibbard, who are all legends in their own disciplines. Sailor, and my fellow team-mate at Offshore Challenges, Hugh Styles is also on the team so we have been discussing our favourites flavours and other important matters regarding our porridge...
It is also really cool to be the first chick to join 'Team Grasshopper' and hope I can spread the word about Grasshopper Porridge because there are not many healthy, wholesome, energy-filled snacks that beat this one!! and the whoel world should know and eat Grasshopper Porridge :-)
Here is the link for the announcement on their website about me joining the team:www.teamgrasshopper.co.uk/news
If you want to order some Grasshopper Porridge, click on this link: http://www.teamgrasshopper.co.uk/shop/buy you know you want to :-)
Maximum power...!
26th June 2008
Tonight had a cheeky and unexpected session after work at Gurnard on my 9m - I could easily have been on a smaller kite but my little 7m has a slow puncture or leaking valve - not worked out what is wrong with it yet! (Took the bladder out, put it in water and can't find a hole...?!) It was pumping and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to hold the power on my 9m F-One Bandit! I've known the de-power on that kite is pretty good, but today really tested it and proved to me that it is pretty amazing! I was SO happy to be able to get out! Just wish the wind would calm down a bit at the moment so I could try new tricks, seems to have been pumping for a while now, we can't complain though - it's still good to get out in crazy winds - or any winds! it's all good practice! Going to the theatre tomorrow night but hoping to sneak in a quick session before! I need to have another look at my 7m tomorrow at lunch too, as Saturday, a few of us are kiting over to Hayling from the island and kiting there for the day! Hoping to be on my 9m but need to have my 7m ready on stand-by in case it picks up! Hope everyone has a wicked weekend of kiting - the wind looks good all weekend! Yahooo!! There will be lots of tired and aching people at work on Monday morning, after a weekend of full-on kiting! always a nice feeling though! Chat to you soon! :-)
2nd place at Round 2 - nice start to the season! :-)
25th June 2008
BKSA Freestyle Tour - Round 2: Barrow, Cumbria (13-15 June)
Check out my report on the Kiteworld website:
http://www.kiteworldmag.com/news/girls-on-tour-part-one/
After Round 1 at Watergate Bay was called off back in April, I was really looking forward to Round 2 at Walney Island in Barrow, Cumbria.My sister and I hired a car and drove up on the Friday - it took about 8 hours from the island after a few wrongs turns on the way! As we got closer it just kicked in how beautiful it is up there! And I couldn't help thinking that I really don't think I would ever have come up here to kite if I wasn't doing the BKSA tour and that is something very cool about it - the new places you visit that otherwise you might not have ever been to!
On Saturday morning, registration was at 8.30-9am so we headed down to Walney Island in good time! It was really great to see everyone again that I had met at Littlehampton last year (round 6 of 2007) and Watergate Bay this year for Round 1. The riders briefing took place at 10am where they explained the plan for the day, the order they would run the categories and how the competitions would work. In short, there are a maximum of three riders in each heat, and you have 7 minutes to do as many tricks as you can, in a box roughly 100m wide, normally marked by buoys in the water or two flags on the beach with two buoys on the sea so you can see how far out you can go. Only tricks landed in the box count, so you have to keep a good eye on where you are in the competition zone.
At the briefing they always run through how the heats are ran, as each heat runs straight after the next continuously, and there is a flag system so you know when you are up and you know on the water when your heat starts/finishes. Let me explain quickly how it works...3 minutes before the start of each heat a red flag goes up, then with 1 minute to go before the start, the red flag comes down so no flags are flying. At the start of the heat a green flag is raised, then with one minute to go before the end of the heat the green flag is lowered so no flags are up. Then at the end of your heat, the red flag goes up and that starts the transition in to the next heat. And it goes on like that all day until all the heats/finals are done!!! So you have to keep a good eye on what is going on when on the water!
The competition started at 11am so everyone started pumping up their kites, and getting changed and ready. It's quite funny seeing all the rider's family of kites on the beach of all sizes! When I had pumped up my kites, Sheryl, who also competes in the amateur ladies, and I went to check out which heat we were in, what colour rashvest we needed to wear, and what time we were on. We were both in the same heat! And three other girls were in the other heat. I went back to the car, got changed, had a drink and a quick snack. We went out for a quick kite before the heat, then came back in again. The wind was so so light. My biggest kite is an 11m and I could barely do any tricks because I was so under-powered, but it was the same for everyone else and you just had to remember that. Sheryl and I went out on the water about 5 mins before our heat and then when the red flag went up after the heat before ours, we knew we had 3 minutes to go til the start of our heat.
I actually felt quite calm compared to Littlehampton last year, I felt so nervous then, probably because I didn't really know anyone but you makes friends quickly, and once you get to know the other girls/guys you compete against, it makes it loads easier! I just went out there and kited the best I could and tried to just pretend I was at my home spot just doing my thing and having a good time!! Because at the end of the day we're all out there cause we love it and competing should be the same!!
Sheryl and I both struggled doing tricks cause we just had no power! But we did the best we could! 7 minutes is a short time but when you're out there sometimes it can feel like such a long time, and it's actually really tiring even though it is not long at all!!! Because you know you just have to do trick after trick and get in as much as you can!! I had learnt some new tricks in Egypt the week before the comp but didn't feel confident enough to try them in the heat, so just played in safe and did backloops, frontloops, jumps and backloop/jump transitions. With the cross-shore wind, it was really hard to stay up wind and in the competition zone so we all had to do a run up the beach once or twice to stay in the box!
The pro's commentate for the amateurs and during my heat I could hear Lewis (Crathern) call me 'Josie hangtime Robinson' and 'Jumping Josie' which was a massive compliment coming from Lewis because I have seen him do some huuuuuge and very high kiteloop! It was really cool and motivating hearing the judges who are really amazing kiters say nice and really encouraging things about us, even though what we do is pretty basic compared to the moves they are pulling! I ended up winning the heat, which I was really happy about although Sheryl is a good mate so felt a bit bad but I guess that's how competitions roll, and I know she will beat me sometimes too! (but hopefully not too much ;-) ) So I went straight through to the final along with the girl who won the other heat.
Sheryl and the two girls that lost the other heat went in to the losers final to determine who would take the third slot in the final. Sheryl ended up winning that so we met again in the final!! We had a few hours until the finals so I got changed, had something to eat, and just chilled and chatted to people. It was such a nice sunny day so was cool just hanging out on the beach!
By the time, the final took place the wind has picked up quite a lot, I reckon it was 20knots+ so I went out on my 9m to check I had chosen the right size but I was nicely powered so all good! My 9m F-One Bandit is such a beast - loads of extra power on demand but at the same time has loads of de-power - I love it! There was a real sense of adrenaline on the water with everyone getting ready for their final! After about 10mins, I came back in to check which colour rashvest I needed and put it on! I went out for a kite about 15mins before the final and the conditions were great! I love doing big jumps and the waves/kickers were perfect for timing it off a wave, so I was having a great time practising, almost forgetting that I was just about to compete! I got a little telling off later by my mate James who works for Naish sand my sister (in a nice way of course!) for doing big jumps with my final just minutes away, and how I should have just been cruising and playing safe. I guess they have a point and maybe next time I should save it for the final! I actually think I kited a bit too much before the final cause I felt quite tired, but I have learnt from that!
So anyway, the three of us went out for our final, and hit it!! I didn't try any of the new moves I had learnt the week before because it was so choppy and it was quite hard finding a nice take-off spot for a railey, so I ended up doing what I did in the heat, my usual tricks, and playing it safe again! Looking back I wish I had just gone for a couple of things in the last minute anyway, and I will do that at the next event! So when our 7 minutes were up, we got off the water and I was met by my sister and mate James. I was pretty shattered and bit annoyed with myself for tiring myself out a bit before the final but I reminded myself it was only my second comp so I shouldn't be so hard on myself, and I've learnt my lesson for next time!!
For the heats and usually the finals too, the BKSA officials usually tell you the results within 10 minutes after the heat has finished, but this time they decided to wait until the whole competition was over so we just had to be patient! And even Sheryl and I were being girly and going up to Glenn begging him to tell us , it didn't work and he wouldn't tell us - worth a try though hey!!
So we went back, packed up our kites away and got changed. The whole competition finished soon after and the results were announced - I got 2nd, Rebecca 1st, and Sheryl 3rd. That night there was a wicked party and I think we all had a few sherbets...! Was great to meet some more of the other riders - all really cool guys.
The next day (Sunday) after quite a big night at the party, we found out there was a briefing at 11am and they decided to run a 'best trick' competition just for fun, in heats that would last 20minutes! So the idea was we just had to do the best tricks we could and the best trick you did during that whole 20minutes counted, with the pro's judging. There were mixed feelings to start with, mainly because we had all had a really good night and perhaps one or two drinks too many and not a lot of sleep! But actually, speaking with a bit of experience (!) kiting usually fixes hangovers so I was really up for it and most people were!! It was actually really good fun and we all really enjoyed it - we went out with the senior men and just rode around for 20mins and we all busted the best tricks we could! It was quite cool having so much time out there and knowing that you had time to recover from a trick if you didn't land it! I would love to do this kind of competition more - we all really enjoyed it! Pretty shattered afterwards though! The lack of sleep and the one or two drinks too many the night before, started to kick in!
The pro's also did this 20minutes freeride which was called an 'expression session' - not competing, more of a show for everyone on the beach, and it was pretty cool to see what they can do.
The prizegiving took place at 4pm. I was pretty happy to have finished 2nd and it was wicked to finish on the podium! the top 3 in each category were called up and given a bag of goodies, photos taken and the pro's were awarded a nice cheque! (...must do pro's next year...!) Sheryl won the best trick comp with a F-16 (unhooked backloop kiteloop) - nice work buddy! Fully deserved! Then we all said goodbye and headed home!
I'm still quite new to the competition scene and have a lot to learn but even after just doing two comps now, I feel that I am learning more each time and I am more aware of what is happening in the heats and finals and where I am in the competition zone etc! So hopefully I can do better at Round 3 in Hunstanston on the weekend of July 4th-6th. Can't wait! Bring it on!
It would be really great to see more chicks at the events! It is such a good laugh and so wicked to meet other like-minded people! if anyone has any questions about anything then please email me and I'll be happy to help or even if you just wanna say hi and talk about kiting then please get in touch!!
Nabq Bay, Egypt: Day 7 (Thurs 12th June)
19th June 2008
Last day in Egypt :-( I don't want to leave - this place is kiting paradise! Woke up feeling loads better than last night - drank more water and had two more white rolls in morning for brekky, and then even more water! (looking forward to eating brown bread when I get home, they don't seem to have good wholemeal bread out here!)
I still felt weak after last night, so decided to do my packing and just see how I felt once I was up and about. By the time we got to the beach the wind had died :-( . It was a big shame but I was just glad to be feeling better and not sick anymore! had a cool afternoon hanging out with Tony, and the other guys at the centre - I've met some really cool guys there this week, I'll miss them! but hopefully come back again soon! in the next few months I hope! :-) The Egyptian beach dudes packed my kites up really small and did a wicked job!
We had to leave about 5 so after having a shower, I said goodbye to everyone, and to the camels and the horses on the beach. One camel, Whisky, bit my boob (!) and almost ripped off my bikini which could have been really embarrassing - it was quite embarrassing as it was - but luckily my bikini stayed on - just !! close one...!! Was quite sad saying goodbye and leaving but I'd really like to come back soon and my mate Tony who teaches out there is coming back to the UK next month so will be cool to go kiting in the UK with him, and hopefully he'll come to Skegness comp in July (Round 4 of BKSA tour), as he lives nearby. I am determined to be able to do unhooked railies by then! next up - kiteloops, riding blind and surface handle passes! So much to do and learn and so little time! It's cool though - I love learning new stuff! bit of a mental battle at times, as it can be quite de-motivating when you keep stacking it but I guess you just have to be patient and try and enjoy it even if you are not landing everything to start with! It will come - that's what I keep telling myself! :-)
As I write this, I am on the plane home. Driving up to Cumbria tomorrow with my sister for Round 2 of the tour. Will be cool to see everyone again, and good to get used to comps again! I did my first and only one so far last year - kiting in comps takes a bit of getting used to I think - restricted area (box 100m long with buoys) and time limit (7min heats) to kite in and people watching etc! I just gotta pretend I'm just out kiting on my local beach but I only have 7 minutes left to kitesurf in my life or something, to cram in as much as I can in that time! Anyway need to get some kip now, long drive up north tomorrow! It'll take about 7 hours - mission! but will be cool to go up there and check it out! More about Cumbria next time! :-)
Nabq Bay, Egypt: Day 6 (Weds 11th June)
19th June 2008
Had an early start this morning, two sessions before lunch, backloop to toeside and railey training - landed 3 backloop to toesides and 1 railey out of 3, soooo nearly 2! on my 2nd session I was one of only three kiters on the water - it was really light so involved a lot of walking upwind after a couple of tricks, but it was worth it, good to make the most of the flat, quiet water - not really enough for boosting or big front loops so just concentrated on backs to toeside and raileys. Chilled in the arvo, went snorkelling with mates Steve, Stu and a chick called Stevie we met out here. Ended up going through the sea urchin minefield! On my way back to the hotel room, I started to feel a bit ill and wjen I got back to my room I was sick, and sick again again three times that evening - not nice!!! think it musthave been the sea water! so spent the evening in my room and my big bro Jont looked after me and went to pharmacy to get some Electrolyte solution! Jont suspected it was sunstroke and said I needed to drink lotsof water, so drank 2 litres of water and a can of Fanta - Jont's new remedy for after you have been sick 'because it tastes nice'...from a doctor...I guess sometimes the simple things work?! Started to feel better later that night. Jont went to get some dinner and brought me back some white rolls, which jam which I ate and kept down! phewwww!!
