RyGoals for 2015: An Experimental Time in One Shop Rider's Life

Often times it's very easy to get set in your ways. You have a favorite restaurant, maybe a favorite musical genre. If you're really bad like me, you even have a favorite parking spot at all of your regular stops. Now imagine if you only ate Mexican and never experienced pizza in all its glory? Oh the horror!!!! Okay, all bad jokes aside, let me get to the point. In kiteboarding, like many sports, we often find a piece of equipment that we like and just stick with it, riding it out for years at a time. I know I am guilty of this. Sometimes I can be a terrible creature of habit. I have been riding the same size board since I began my kiteboarding journey in 2010.

Because of this, I am making it a goal of mine to try new boards, new kites and new styles. First, let me give you some stats and a little background about myself and my setup. My favorite riding style is wakestyle with boots, although strapless surf sessions are a close second. I have been riding strictly the  Best TS 9, 12, and 15 meter, 2013 through 2015 for my kites. For a board, I have a 135cm Best Procreator. For the record, I absolutely love this setup! I have been hooked on Best for a long time now. When I started kiting (2010), I weighed about 170 lbs. For the greater parts of 2013 and 2014, I let the desk job get to me, at my heaviest weighing in at 237 pounds. Nowadays, I’m hitting the scales at a healthy 183 lbs, giving me plenty of experience riding at different weights.

Working at a kite shop, I get to see all the new toys come in, and it really got me thinking about mixing things up. I have had my eye on the  Airush Livewire for a while.

The fact that Nate and Tucker are choosing to ride this board make me want to try it even more! That said, I have always liked Slingshot boards as well. They are made in the USA by riders. On top of that, Slingshot has been producing boards for over 15 years. This year we also started carrying more Naish kites. I am looking forward to getting my hands on a  Pivot and a Park.

This summer, I have constructed a kiteboarding ‘’hit list’’ to demo this year. On this list are the  Cabrinha Switchblades. Supposedly 2015 brought everything people loved about the classic Switchblade - huge wind range, tank-like construction - and paired it with the faster turning speed and lighter bar pressure of the 2013 model. On the light wind side of things, I really want to see what the Contra can do. When I think Cabrinha, I think quality. My first kite was a 2009 Switchblade. I have put it in two trees and used it for countless sessions. After all that use, it is still kicking somehow. Even though it has taken a back seat to my TS’s, I know Cabrinha is doing something right! Moving on to something a little more aggressive, the Slingshot Fuel. This year comes with the option to fly with or without the bridal options. I heard good things about the Fuel year after year from friends. Sticking with the Slingy line-up I need to try the Rally and RPM. The RPM’s turning speed makes it great for a foil. While I am yet to start drinking that kool-aid, Tucker tells me it is akin to snowboarding deep powder in the back country. Except that country is the beach, and water tastes like wine. Okay maybe I took that a little too far. The kicker though is that it can be done in next to no wind! With the light winds summer brings, I’m open to giving it a shot. From what I hear, our Slingshot rep Neil has a one kite quiver; an 11 meter RPM. If the wind is light, he breaks out the foil.

One brand I am very excited to see this year is Airush. I am interested in trying the  Lithium 16m One and the 18m Zero super light weight. I may pair this with an Airush Sector just to see how low I can push it with the light wind. The Varial X also has a lot of potential to be my next kite, depending on if I get a chance to ride one. I hear great things however. I’m also excited to see what Liquid Force has done with the newly re-engineered Envys. I have been a long time fan of the original Envy, as it is not a far cry from my TS. Also on the light wind side is the Liquid Force Solo 17.5 meter. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around a kite that has only one strut. Finally, I really want to see what North is bringing to the table with the Rebel, the Evo, and the Dice. I have heard from Jake Mitchell the Dice is the kite to keep your eye on.

After a long winter, I’m feeling the stoke and I’m ready to get on the water and see what the 2015 industry line up has to offer. It’s time to get out of my zone and trying some light wind kiting. I’ll be writing again soon, as I work down my “hit list”. Hopefully with some strong opinions and a moderate tan. Stay tuned kids.

Here's to trying new things, new experiences, and new friends.

Viver a vida água

Signing off, Rygo