Several things to report on the Hawaii Kiting Scene!  First off the results from the test of the Naish 15.5 and Wipika 16.0 are posted.  Your patience in waiting for this information is appreciated.  The test was announced and completed last November and I know this piece is of high interest especially for those in lightwind areas and for those enduring cold winters and short daylight.  Thank God for the net to keep spirits up.  Many thanks go to tester and madman Graham Boltz, you couldn't ask for a better, more knowledgeable and conscientious kiter.  Go to the Equipment Review page to check it out on the menu bar.

If you haven't heard Graham met with misfortune on New Years Day.  We had a front come through which is a rarity for the Hawaiian chain.  Usually the low pressure systems stay above us creating that famous pressure gradient with a high below to produce trades.  In the winter the lows sometimes push down and give us a day or two of southwest rather than northeast winds.  Such was the case on 01/01/01 and we had nice and steady 15-20 mph all day.  In addition, we had been suffering from a couple week dry spell so it was really a treat.  It gave Oahu kiters a chance to try the southern shores.  There was a large crew a Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai on Oahu's southern tip, a mile long bay protected by a barrier reef a half mile offshore.  Smooth water and 9.5 bliss!  There was another crew at famous Waikiki Beach giving the tourists a show!  Lining the balconies of all the hotels, oohs and ahhs could collectively be heard as awesome airs and tricks were performed.  Looking for more excitement Graham found a 6 foot high by 15 foot wide rock jetty to jump over in front of the Hilton.  He cleared it a couple of times but there were no cameras present.  When photographers showed up of course he HAD to do it again.  The second time didn't go as well and you can read about it by going to the Hawaii Kiteboarding Association Page on the menu bar.  Graham is the nicest, mellowest and most humble guy you'll ever meet considering his athletic ability and prefers his actions to speak for him.  Though is endeavors are extreme (Solo channel crossing, windsurfing waves easily 5 times his height, boosting huge airs with huge kites) they are always calculated and well within his ability.  So he is not really a madman but someone with a lot of talent who loves to apply it to whatever mother nature can dish up.  The madman moniker does sound cool though and I'm sure he would appreciate it.

The past couple of newsletters have devoted a lot of space to the struggles Kailua kiters have been going through.  Thankfully, there are many who are willing to pitch in for the cause.  Fabian Frick is one of them and has devoted his web designing talents to building and maintaining the HKA site for FREE.  Thanks Fabian, we all really appreciate it.  Now instead of me having to report in this forum you can you can click on the HKA menu bar link and see the latest news, meeting minutes, proposed regulation, safety tips, weather, and contact and membership info in one slick place.  The struggles are not over and we have a long road ahead of us.  Just when we think we have stabilized the situation something comes up or someone complains.  HKA hopes that other organizations can learn from us and vice versa.  Wish us luck or better yet join and get an authentic, made in Hawaii, HKA bumper sticker.  Stick that on your board when you visit and no worries.

Before you leave be sure to check out the Advanced Tips and New Products pages.  There's a wakeboard tip article, some great new products and all the content has been updated.  It was interesting when I went through the site to see how much the sport has advanced in the last year!  I hope this newsletter brings a smile to those of you in cold, dark places, but then again maybe cold isn't so bad because you're snowboarding or even snow kiting!  Till next month, Alooooooooha!  JC.

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