Sunday, December 30, 2012

Day Off

Today is a day off for the wind. Although some days have been marginal, most days have been kitable lately. This week is looking great if the wind direction doesn't turn too northerly, which is a possibility. 
Looking forward to a great New Year.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Weak Weekend

Friday turned out to be a very nice day. Typical for the holiday season it was chilly and a bit crowded.

Today is looking light but could be okay. Nothing on Sunday. Next week is looking really good. Although the water temperature has dropped, it is still warmer than normal for this time of the year - about 65 degrees.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Merry Christmas

Hi all, I'm in Tucson for Christmas but it looks like San Carlos is about to have three great days of wind! Enjoy and boost some big jumps for me. I'll miss seeing you all. Christmas on the beach has always been a special treat. I also I want to thank all my fellow kiters for making this sport and this beach so special. You're the best!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

North Again

The last couple of days were pretty good, especially yesterday. The forecast was looking real good for Wednesday and Thursday but now both Windguru and Buoy Weather say the wind will be NNW, over 330 degrees north. If that is true, the kiting will suffer. Anything over 330 degrees usually means gusty conditions, at times off shore and at times big lulls.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

South Wind

People have been calling, texting, and emailing me about the south wind tomorrow. South wind is almost never good. You might luck out and get a good session but I wouldn't bet on it.

See you all Sunday and Monday, I hope.

Friday, December 07, 2012

Weak Weekend

The forecast has petered out and it looks like no wind until Monday. Poulette was kind enough to send me some photos of the action a few days ago. That's me in the first one and Jorge in the second.




Monday, December 03, 2012

Harness

First, a wind report. I didn't make it out to the beach today but it looks like it picked up after 2:00 pm enough to kite. Tomorrow looks really good and possibly Wednesday. Then nothing is forecast until Monday.

Someone left a pump at the beach and Daren has it. Problem is that he is out of town for two weeks. He was going to leave it with me but then we forgot about it.

About a month ago I posted about a lost harness. Well, there is a guy that comes by the beach and sells clams and sometimes he just hangs out. His name is José. He claims he found the harness and that he pawned it for $600 pesos and would need that amount to reclaim it. Bullshit. He later offered the harness to Jesus from Nogales for $300 pesos. I've known José to be a thief and a liar for years. He has been known to "find" equipment before it is lost and then tries to sell it back to the original owner. Be aware and watch your equipment when he is around.

Also, if you are the last person to leave the beach - please look around and see if anything was left behind. Pick up anything you see and let me know and I'll post about it here on this blog.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Clouds and Wind

Thursday was looking pretty bad early on. Sea was calm, wind was light and from every direction, and it was cloudy. Still, by about 2:00pm the wind had come in and we were kiting. More importantly, the forecast is looking good for a whole week. No nuking days, but good enough to kite. Water temp is still ridiculously warm, 70 degrees or more.


Friday, November 23, 2012

Unpredictable

We've had some good days and some disappointing days and the forecasts haven't been too good at predicting which days will be best. Today looks good and the next week looks weak.


Saturday, November 17, 2012

You Never Know

Here in town, San  Carlos, it can be calm or even blowing out of the south and yet it still may be blowing out at the beach. Most of this week has been like that. Yesterday looked terrible just five minutes away from the beach but we all had a good day, although a bit gusty. I am writing this at 11:30am and the sea is calm, the sky is cloudy, almost no wind, and the boats in the bay are pointing in all different directions, but I am still expecting to see wind when I go out there in a couple of hours.


Sunday, November 11, 2012

Okay

Saturday was okay but the wind started to turn to the north and got a bit gusty and weird. Sunday should be strong and nasty, really bad near shore.


Friday, November 09, 2012

Used Equipment For Sale

Sold!
Joaquin Palacios Molina, from Hermosillo is selling his equipment. He bought this stuff used, in very good shape and he never used it. The kite is probably 2007 or 2008. For more information call him at 66 22 33 99 44 or email at info@didactas.com
For $10,400 pesos this setup seems like a pretty good deal

Sold!

.Kite de 9 mts, marca Slingshot Turbo 2
.Tabla con funda de 138 cms, Liquid Force Influence
.Bomba de aire nueva
.Arnés (regalado)
.Quillas (regaladas)
.Kite Trainer (regalado, nuevo vale $100 usd)
Precio:
4 mensualidades de $2,599.97 pesos.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

North Winds

This weekend forecast is looking mixed. Saturday will be light but should be enough. Sunday and Monday will have more wind but the forecast says it will be from too northerly direction. We've had days lately that have been better than the forecasts, so let's hope that continues.

Update: They are predicting clouds for Saturday so it may not blow as much as I thought.

Saturday, November 03, 2012

Cold Water is Coming

Sunday we're going to have light winds, kitable but not much power. Monday and Tuesday look more promising. The water is cooling off quickly. It is already down to 77 Fahrenheit or 25 Celsius. Not cold but the wind chill can be uncomfortable.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Strong Wind

Good strong wind today that should continue tomorrow.

Marcos jumping:

Fireman John:

Wind

The season cranked up on Wednesday and it looks like the wind is going to really blow today. Maybe gusts over 30 knots. We've had a few beginner kiters showing up and making good progress but they'll get spanked today.

Here is a photo of Roland getting one of his first good runs on a board. Remember those sessions?

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Wind is Trying

The wind has been blowing WNW (or something close) pretty much every day but not quite hard enough. Tomorrow looks better and then it should really kick in starting Thursday.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Heaven

Friday was wonderful! The water and air temperatures were both in the mid 80's, and the wind was strong and stable. October kiting is the best. Tomorrow looks like no wind but several days next week could be good. Any day with NW or WNW wind has the potential to bring enough wind. Right now that includes Sunday and Tuesday and then for sure good wind starts Wednesday and lasts the rest of the week.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Harness Left Behind

We had a good weekend for wind, although Sunday was pretty light. The forecast doesn't look too encouraging. We are already getting some clouds from hurricane Paul, which should stay on the outside of Baja.

Dan, from Tucson, was kiting this weekend and left his harness. This was his email to me:

hey don, I was down kiting this last weekend and left my harness sitting on the the cement in front of the abandoned building.  it was left sunday at sunset.  its a dakine pyro black and white.  if you see it or hear that anyone has it, please let me know.
Dan Schur [dschur4@gmail.com]

Friday, October 12, 2012

The Season Has Started

The season is off to a good start. Wind was strong and the water is still warm. The weekend should be awesome.



Monday, October 08, 2012

Right On Time

It looks like the first multiple day stretch of good wind is coming. WindGuru says that it will start this Thursday and go at least through Sunday.

Thursday, October 04, 2012

Wind of the Week

It blew all afternoon today but it looks like we'll be waiting at least a week to see it blow again. Only a few showed up but San Carlos, Hermosillo and Ciudad Obregon were all represented.

Monday, October 01, 2012

Sunday Was Wonderful

Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera. It was a great day at the beach, which made it a little crowded with all the people in the water and on the water, also jet skis and boats. The wind and the water were the stars of the day. The water was warm and the wind was strong.

Buoy is calling for 10 to 14 knots today - not much, but maybe enough to have fun. The rest of the week looks weak.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Hurricane Miriam

Hurricane Miriam is weakening and staying far from here so it won't bring us the wind I hoped for. The wind forecasts never seem very reliable this time of the year.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Early Winds

Friday was good enough to be a lot of fun, and I heard that last Monday and Tuesday (I was out of town) were good.

Now we may get a southerly worth kiting thanks to leftovers of hurricane Miriam. Wednesday is looking good on Buoyweather and Thursday afternoon and Friday morning is looking strong on Windguru. They are calling for wind from the southeast so we will have to check out the beaches by Champs or Hotel Fiesta.

Then guru is also saying we will have NW wind on Sunday.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Just Do IT !!

I don't know if anyone made it out to the beach earlier this week but I'll be out there tomorrow. Buoyweather is calling for 14 to 19 knots.

Mmmm......warm water.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Wind in September

Buoyweather says today and tomorrow we'll have 13 to 18 knots WNW out at the beach. Unfortunately for me, I'll still be out of town. I hope someone gets out there to enjoy it.

Here are some photos from Cape Cod.






Saturday, September 01, 2012

Labor Day, USA

Wind has been much better lately at West Dennis, Massachusetts. A bit gusty and lousy near shore but nice 2 to 3 foot ramps starting about 200 yards offshore. Perfect for someone obsessed with jumping like myself. Ikitesurf says that it is blowing right now on the north side. I went and checked it out early, but there wasn't enough wind. Problem with returning now is that it is Labor Day and all the parking lots will be full with a line waiting for people to leave.

Happy Labor Day!!!!!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Wind at the Cape

I've been on Cape Cod for 10 days and today was the first day we've had enough wind to have a good kiteboard session. More wind coming.


Saturday, July 28, 2012

Summer

Summer is lousy for wind but hanging out at the beach is still fun.


Sunday, July 22, 2012

AESMAC 2012

Every year AESMAC (Asociación de Estudiantes Sonorenses en Monterrey )has a great party on the beach.






Friday, July 20, 2012

Still No Wind

We've had a month of NO wind. The last few years I seldom try to kiteboard during the summer. Even when it does blow there are often too many lulls to make it fun unless you have a large kite and all I use is a 10M kite. During the summer the wind blows out of the south and gives us choppy sea conditions. Because of this, plus the fact that warm and humid air is less dense and gives less push on the kite, we need a lot more knots to get out there. If it isn't blowing 20, you're going to have problems.

Saturday, July 07, 2012

No Wind to Talk About

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted anything but the wind has been abysmal. I went the the beach by the Estuary Soldado with Daren last week and watched while he gave it a try. The lulls were too much and the kite just wouldn't stay in the sky. That's what the summers are like here. Hopefully we'll get some winds when the tropical storms pick up down south. The storms also send us some waves to play on.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Sunday was Good

Sunday was a good day on the water. Wind was up by 1:00pm and stayed all day. Monday and Tuesday are still looking great.





Friday, June 15, 2012

Wind Tuesday

The wind never happened last Tuesday but it should this Tuesday. Sunday and Monday are questionable but possible. It's that various forecasts give various predictions. I'll be keeping all three afternoons open just in case. Check out Sailflow.

Update: 12 hours after posting the above message most forecasts have gotten worse. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Buoy still calls for 12 to 16 knots tomorrow.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Wind Tuesday?

El pronóstico del viento para el martes es solo 10 a 13 nudos pero del noroeste. Voy a estar en la playa. Estoy listo para regresar al deporte que amo. Hace 6 semanas que tuve un problemita con mi corazón y un derrame cerebral pero me siento 100% curado. Justo en caso que no hay mucho viento voy a traer mi papalote de 30M. Si, de treinta metros cuadrados.


If you need this post translated, copy it into http://translate.google.com/

Friday, June 01, 2012

Beautiful Day to End the Season

The forecast says that yesterday may have been the last day of wind from the northwest. The wind was mild, but adequate, and there was a good turnout of kiters and beach goers.





Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Surprisingly Good

The wind has been a little better than the predictions. Almost every day has had a few hours of kitable wind. Yesterday John and Fernando were out on the water for a nice session. Today is looking promising and tomorrow looks great. Below are photos from the weekend.




Sunday, May 27, 2012

Kiting in May !!

The wind was a bit gusty and we had a few kitemares, but Saturday was a good day at the beach. The beach, Soggy Peso, and Bonifacio's were all packed, but only a few kiters showed up. Today should be even better for kiting.

Marcos, check out the difference between your form and that of Kyle in this photo. You are too square to your kite. Straighten your front leg, twist your hips upwind, and relax.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Nice!

Sunday was a nice day at the beach. The wind was a little light but it was still very good. With luck we'll have another stupendous day on Monday.


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Possible

Wind is possible for today and Monday but I doubt that it is going to be much. The water temperature is perfect 26C, or 79F.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

It Was Great!

I wasn't expecting much but it was an excellent 15 to 18 knot day. I didn't take any photos but I stole this one from Gustavo's Facebook. (By the way, did someone leave a wetsuit at the beach?)

Again.....No

Once again the forecast is failing us as the day approaches. I am still planning on going out to the beach but I'm not expecting much. It'll be a good day for beginners to practice their skills.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Again

Once again the forecast is promising wind. This time it is for Sunday and Monday and I think we have a better chance of it being true this time.

Monday, May 07, 2012

Wind?

Buoyweather is calling for 14 to 19 knots on Wednesday. Other forecasts aren't so generous, so we'll see.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Nice Wind - Lots of Kiters

Two good days of wind as we near the end of the season. I didn't make it yesterday as I was at CIMA Hospital, but I made it to the beach today as did a great many of kiters. I won't be kiting for two months as the study they did yesterday showed that I am still at risk for more strokes. Hopefully it will be resolved within a couple of months.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

A Couple of Beach Days!

Thursday and Friday are looking good for wind. I'm hoping to make it out there, although I won't be kiting. I need to go for more tests before I get the doctors OK to pick up where I left off. If the next test shows no more threats of a repeat, I'll be as good as new and you won't be able to tell that I lost a few brain cells. Until then, they warn me that another incident would be catastrophic. I might not recover from the next one.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

STROKE

Friday night I had a massive stroke.


I had gone to Guaymas Friday to spend the evening with Manuela and decided to return early, about 12:30, since we had plans to spend Saturday night dining and dancing.

I was sitting at my computer for a bit before going to bed and suddenly I felt very tired. I passed out and fell right over on the couch. Around 2:00 I woke up and couldn’t sit up. My left arm could move and I grabbed the back of the couch and straightened myself up. As soon as I let go I fell right back down. I tried again, with the same results. I then managed to force myself to sit up and move my hand to the armrest and pull myself to lean to the left and I was sitting up. Yeah!

I looked down at my legs and I found that I could move my left leg but the right one was crooked and wouldn’t straighten out. I tried to get up but I got nowhere. I managed to kick my right foot over to straighten it somewhat and tried to stand. Success! For a moment, and then I fell to the right and tried to put my arm out to catch myself but the right arm was useless as well. I fell like a tree and ended up flat on my back. Couldn’t sit up. Weird feeling lying on the floor not able to move.

I struggled and managed to roll over and pushed up to my hand and knee. Eventually I was able to stand on one leg. My mind couldn’t comprehend what was going on, but I decided that I had to get to bed. Whoops, back on the floor again. Try it again. Once up, I braced my leg against the coffee table to allow me to reach the pull cord on the ceiling light but my right hand still wouldn’t work. Managed to get it with my left hand. Started to shuffle over to the stairs to the bedroom but the first step tripped me up again and I was on the floor. I couldn’t even crawl up the stairs without falling over on my side and fell back down the stairs a couple of times. There were only four stairs and I finally managed it. I grabbed a wall post to reach up to turn off another light and went back to all fours to reach the bedroom. One more light and I was ready for bed. Crawled into bed but it felt strange. I laid on my side and could feel that my right arm and leg was under me but there was no feeling to them. I couldn’t straighten them out or put them where they would be comfortable. I laid awake for a couple of hours and finally fell asleep.

Next morning I woke up at 8 and I had an appointment at 9 for a job. My leg had movement now and I managed to get dressed. Went to the bathroom to brush my teeth but my right hand still wouldn’t cooperate. I then looked at my tongue in the mirror as I knew that a sign of a stroke was a crooked tongue. Sure enough, it was off to the side. I was moving around in a daze, but I was coping. For some reason I thought that I could conquer it. My brain was mush. The phone rang and I picked it up. It was Phyllis about the job. It was then that I realized that I couldn’t talk, just some gibberish. I was still determined to continue on. I got in the car to go to the job. I couldn’t put the key in the ignition with my right hand so I did it with my left hand, and off I went. I was aware that I was driving well but wasn’t controlling my speed very well. Mostly I was driving too slow. I managed to reach my destination and there was Phyllis. She was showing me the job and I was answering her with monosyllables. She understood that something was wrong and had me sit down and try to talk to me. I couldn’t do it. She handed me a pad of paper and a pen and I couldn’t write any better than I could talk. She asked me if I had a stroke and I nodded yes. She immediately searched for a doctor and off we went. Now my leg was dragging again so she had to drive.



The Doctors Office

They got me hooked up to a heart monitor and then tried to get a needle in a vein for an IV drip. Several attempts in several locations before they had success. My veins tend to roll away when you push on them as there is no fat tissue to hold them in place. They gave me blood thinners and who knows what else and attached me to an EKG. I finally was able to talk some, but for some reason only in Spanish. Dr. Canale wanted me to speak only English in order to not lose my ability to speak my native language. I tried and tried but it was very frustrating. I was only able to think in Spanish for a few hours but eventually I got better.

They got enough medicine in me to do some good and sent me home. Phyllis drove me home and arraigned for someone, Roberto, to come babysit me. Phyllis was incredible the way she catered to me. She checked in on me constantly, drove my car home for me, bought me food and drink, even checked in on me as her last stop before going home, and she is coming here first thing in the morning. It is a good thing that I had an appointment with her, who knows how long I would have waited to seek help, if ever.



Recovery

It has only been a little more than 24 hours since this happened and my recovery is amazing. I still have some weakness and speech fails me a little but I am confident that I will get completely better. I’ll know more when they do a brain scan of some sort to see what damage was left, if any.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Light Wind

Friday was a little bit of wind. Later in the week we may have a little more. Nothing much. It isn't looking good.


Sunday, April 15, 2012

Strong Wind

We've had some good days. Today it was blowing hard as you can see in this photo:

Monday should be just as good, and Tuesday we'll hope. After that who knows? Nothing in the forecast. Good days may be few and far between. The end is near.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Sweet

The wind has been blowing strong the last couple of days. Early afternoon saw the sand blowing waist high but by 3:00pm it had mellowed out and was sweet. It looked like everyone was having a good day. Water is still chilly but the air temperature is nice.
George is nearing the end of his stay in San Carlos and has been putting in some long sessions and his progress shows it.

Saturday, April 07, 2012

Easter


I think that this photo says it all. Lots of people and not much wind. Buoyweather is calling for some wind today (9 to 13 knots) but I won't be going out there. Traffic yesterday afternoon was standstill coming back into town. This year they severely limited the number of permits for stands selling food and other stuff and very little live music and almost no parking in town. I returned home early, about 5pm but the party in town sucked. Very few people walking, everybody driving. Nothing going on.

Monday, April 02, 2012

Getting Busy

The beach is getting busy and today was only Monday. The rest of the week will be even more crowded. Forecast shows wind, then it changes to no wind. Right now it is showing good wind tomorrow and then later in the week. We'll see.


People kept getting in the way of my photos, damn.