Hello all
I am a soon-to-be kiter from Mozambique hence my name. I was looking for a kiting forum but couldn't find one close so decided to join Seabreeze. Seems like you guys on here are a very experienced bunch.
I live in Maputo and it is a prime kiting spot. The sport has taken off in the last few years here. Very flat sandy bottomed beach that goes out for a loooooonnnnngg way! After much research and three months of looking I decided to buy a kit that consisted of a 10m2 2009 Cabrinha Crossbow, 2 Cabrinha Harnesses and a Cabrinha Caliber board as well as the lines and bar. All for a reasonable price. I was told the kite was a 2010 model but I saw on the kite that it was a 2009 model. Anyway it is fortunately the model where IDS was introduced. Still safe at least. I weigh about 75kg and the winds here are usually between 15 and 26knots NE(Cross onshore from left) but the South can easily blow at 30knots or more!
Yesterday morning the wind was about 5 knots South-West. I have read a lot about kiting and the sport and therefore I decided to walk out on the beach and see if the kite would fly. Even if it didn't fly I wanted to take a good look at it whilst pumped up. So I proceeded to walk out so that I was about 300m from the shoreline and 300m from the nearest person. Pumped up the kite and rigged like I read up. Put the kite at the edge of the window but not even the slightest indication of lifting up(I had someone to help me launch). Still no success despite putting the kite straight down-wind. Just as I decide to pack up(the kite was barely pulling) the wind picked up just enough to lift the kite. So I decide to try again. I barely got it in the air but only after having to pull hard on the front lines. Once in the air, it flew for about 15 seconds before stalling due to lack of wind. But the bit I got to steer it properly was good fun and I got a good idea on where to fly the kite to get it powered and kite handling and launching it again after it crashed(softly) without assistance.
I was scheduled to get my first lesson that very afternoon but due to lack of wind it was cancelled. It was then rescheduled for today but alas once more no wind!!
So if all goes well I'm getting my first lesson tomorrow
Seriously looking forward to getting started with my lessons and getting into this amazing sport.
Thought I'd quickly introduce myself to all you kind folks. Hope to be able to share some of my stories soon and reading some of yours. Wishing you breezy days and happy kiting!
Cheers
Mozzie
