Well....It very slowly crawled into action. The wind was in at steady...check the graphs on this site for a run down. Basically it cranked early, didn't back off and some awesome kiting was seen.

I was a bit surprised at a few comments from riders that the wind was not being measured acuurately and their thoughts were that it was "too windy". From a safety perspective it was "testing" but when you see the Rat and Rich throwing massive kite loops and landing smoooth, you know there's a reason why it's the called the nationals.

The outstanding thing from my perspective is our juniors....look out, there's talent there.

Stand out performances?. Dean G in the role as CLO, Ian Y as TD, the judges and crew out on the wave boat. Every rider who isn't confident in waves getting out to Hells Gates and giving it a go.

I could go on and on with individual performances. The best thing is the sports direction is in the hands of everyone now, not a select few steering it and making calls without consultation. All can have input and everyone has had the opportunity to assist, it's a starting point from where our sport will develop credit.

A big thankyou from me and Geraldton tot he riders who followed the guidelines for safety as a priority. well done all. Day one down, five to go.

Gavin

Hi Gavin,

Good luck with the organization! Seems you'll be having some serious wind throughout the rest of the week. I wish I could be there to see the action, it's a pitty we won't be able to make it though.

Jose

Any one got any news? It would be great to know how the WA crew are getting on........please

The Rat won, good pissup at the pub fri night not sure on Dan but he put it in for WA. Dan was boosting big air in +30kn on tues night after the red flag was raised on the event due to big gusts coming through the point @33kn

Teresa ladies Champion ( unoficial)

Just arrived back - above post pretty much spot on.
PLUS -:
Mike Bergman took out the masters wave
Theresa took BOTH open titles - wave & freestyle
HOW GOOD IS THAT !!!!
(and in case I didnt get round to congratulating you on the BIG nite 'champ' heres congratulations from me )

Will post more details tomorrow if it still suits by then.
IT WAS 1 AWESOME WEEK - WELL DONE TO EVERYONE

"He who enjoys most - WINS"

Gossip Update
No ones posted details of the juniors yet ???
Cant recall the name but one (very cool) little eastern states dude pulled off both titles - he was with team slingshot.
Toby was knocked out early - not cause he wasnt ripping his normal style or that that style wasnt good enough - he just missed the zone too often ??? He put together some really slick & very smooth runs but it just didnt work for him this time - BUMMER but well done Tobs !!!
The Party.
A great night had by 1 & all
Well done everyone for their responsible, sensible & refrained behaviour even in the face of free alcohol. For a group of young ppl with an excuse to party you excelled yourselves and bought real credit to the image of kitesurfers everywhere
Just a few notes on that -:
To have a break from celebrating to maintain personal exercise programs was (I thought) exemplary. And what creative improvisation it was to use shade sails for chin-ups & big heavy pot planters for weight training (they needed re-arranging anyhow).
Then there were those thoughtful concerned onlookers who made sure none of those caught up in the mosh-crush would be taken out with dehydration issues - well done fellas
And I dont think that the barmaid had any call leaping the bar & banging heads the way she did
(RYLAND - I want to see that close-up footage you got - youre a lucky man thats all you got not to mention a brave one )
And afters @ 'the Zoo' - Well WCUS its aptly named & you all deserved a place there
Wave Riding
It certainly wasnt space monkey surf but each day served up enough swell & slop to allow the judges to accurately sort the sheep from the goats. Being on the judging boat a lot of the time as a non judge was interesting. Anyone who may think the judging isnt consistent think again! I was able to look over shoulders & compare individuals scores & they were remarkably consistent - there is no problem there at all.

"He who enjoys most - WINS"

Great event!

I was totally impressed with Gero. as a place for the event. The town had many nice surprises for those not standing in wind....but that is a tough ask.

As far as I know there were no mishaps, except perhaps for the guys smashing beer bottles over each other's heads (and then drinking out of the broken bottles.....WOW!). The Ogr. Comm. must be commended on a job well done. What a feat to hold an event as cool and risky as kiting with a hundred unleased fanatics, and have so few hic ups.

Excellent and exciting show....my suggestion for the next one would only be, to have a better sound system....it may help in communicating what's happening better, cheaper and faster.

For non-pro kiters the wind was too strong.....you had to get out from 7-10am....but what a place....you can kite all day in the coolest conditions I have ever seen, kiting 24/7.

Finally, the mens final freestyle was an awesome show....we were all treated to a varried spectacle....double kite loops, landing toe side in very high winds....(the Rat's winning move) and "one-armed" Dan the Man's arial ballet....well done guys!

I certainly plan to go back to Gero.

Nick