Quick update.........

Blimey it's been a while since we did our last blogg!

So much to report....obviously it's been an amazing hot sunny summer but on the down side to this has been the distinct lack of wind here in S.Wales (and much of the UK)

Still there has been loads happening here in the world of Blast.

The Blast Bus is now pretty much complete and only a few minor things waiting to be done including a diesel heater for the winter months.

 

 Pretty easy to see where we got the graphics from hey!

Epic!

We ran our first full group trip to Hatteras in Outer Banks USA back in May
Ten of us flew out to Epic Kites home for a full fourteen days of wind, it could not have gone better tbh

The Hatteras Video!

 

It wasn't long after returning from Hatteras that we were once again flying off on a group trip, this time to our regular spot in Portugal.

Once again we scored 14 out of 14 days of wind especially the second week with consistant winds in the 30's plus!

 

A video of Sarah & I in Portugal
 

As well as all these trips we have managed to get quite a few lessons in when it has blowed. We also did a trip to North Wales for an awesome weekend lit on 5-7m kites.

When it hasn't been blowing we have managed a few cable sessions wakeboarding, great alternative for no wind days, and of course a few great sessions on the SUP's.

We have just returned from the National Watersports Festival in Hayling Island where there was very little wind but a great show of kite brands as well as all the usual windsurf ones.

 

We even managed to get a light wind session on the V3 Infinity...a testament to how well this kite works in light winds. For a good while it was the only kite flying upwind in the extreme low winds.

I'm pretty damn sure we have missed loads more but thats enough for now and we will update with more info when we remember what else we have done!

It's been long time coming!

Bad advert for Blast or Kitesurfing?

I really don't think so, we have been pushing ourselves kitesurfing for the past 12 years plus (almost 20 years between the two of us) This is the first time either of us have really hurt ourselves, and we'd both do the same again tomorrow. Both our injuries were from KITELOOPS.....they are punishing, and quite a few of the top pro's have injuries stemming from kiteloops, but they are very very addictive and the ultimate "high" that kitesurfing can provide!

Kitesurfing is still a pretty safe sport if basic guidelines are followed and indeed we have seen way more injuies over the years in sports like MTB, Skiing/Snowboarding/Wakeboarding etc etc Kitesurfing is safer now than it ever was, the kites have huge depower and a much bigger wind range, instruction is also very professional these days.

If you want adrenaline, you want excitement, you want to enjoy the total buzz of flying over the water then get in touch with us now!

Warning....it is very addictive!

As the titles says, it's been a long time coming!!

I like to think I have not held back from anything that I have done in life especially in the sports I love so much and anyone who loves their sport as much as we do knows the risks we also take every day.

Sports like kitesurfing are called "extreme" for a reason and we all put ourselves at risk every time we rig up our kites but this is part of the reason why we are addicted to them and the adrealine they provide us.

After a lifetime of enjoying the thrills of many adrenaline sports and also competing at a high level in many of them I have seen so many injuries over the years (some pretty serious) and you always know...one day it may be you.

Kiteloop Brazil

Over these many years I have enjoyed throwing myself of mountains both on snowboards (qualified instructor) mountain bikes (everyone should ride downhill in Morzine at least once in their lives) surfing all over the world at many of the best spots known and ofcourse kitesurfing since the begining of the sport here in the UK.



To be honest I've had so many good sessions and good times over the past two months or so...after our amazing wedding we hit N.East Brazil for two weeks of solid 7m days, some on the lagoons and some on the surfboards doing down-winders. Then we arrived home just in time to compete in the BKSA British Wavemasters where I won the UK Seniors title and Sarah scored 2nd in the ladies, I then immediately jetted off to the Hatteras USA to visit Epic Kites for their dealer week...this turned into two amazing weeks courtesy of Hurricane Sandy. Since returning home Sarah had her knee checked out as she'd hurt it bad in the comp and unfortunately it turned out she needed surgery to replace her ACL...which a week later she had done and is now on crutches and off work for a few months at least.

Hurricane Sandy USA

Over the last week or two I've scored a few more awesome days including a fantastic day down West Wales with mates..Andy9lives, Stubsy and Ian. The surf that day was pretty all time, plus we had a fantastic day at llangennith last Friday with Gareth and Ads, I was totally lit on my 5m.....so all was good in the world!

Sunday was shaping up to be a particularly nice day, 20 knots plus and cross shore winds with sunshine too. We arrived at Aberavon beach and met up with all our usual regulars...all buzzing for a great session to come. W/ends have been pretty poor for the past few months and at last the w/end guys could fill their socks.

Fresh West WALES

BUT like I said in the begining, it's been a long time coming, I knew I'd gotten away with so much (other than the usual sprains etc) So on Sunday I rigged the 9m Screamer for a change and took my Blankforce Advisory in for a boosting session as there was no surf at all and all my recent sessions had been on a surfboard and I do like to mix it up a little.

Waiting for the ambulance

I normally do a few minutes kind of warming up and sussing out the wind/conditions but this time I did a high kiteloop on my first run, then another and then on my third one I landed really fast and super powered, as I was trying to run it out I caught an edge, the board flipped over and the force of this ruptured my ligamnets in the ankle and snapped my fibluar.

Oh sh*t!

I now know why this kite is called an EPIC "SCREAMER"



The guys on the beach were all fantastic, calling an ambulance immediately, keeping me warm, and keeping the banter flowing too ( and keeping my mind from drifting into negative thoughts)

I was taken too the hospital and after X-Rays I was plastered from my toes to thigh and kept in overnight and told I'd have an operation on Tuesday. However after some more X-Rays they replastered my leg just below the knee and was able to leave late last night.
When I have the plaster removed hopefully all will be good if not then I will have to have the operation, so fingers crossed!

Whatever the outcome, I have got off extremely lightly both now and over all the years I have pushed myself in these such addictive sports.

If kitesurfing ever became totally risk free I am pretty sure I'd find some other "fix" but for now I can't wait to get back out there with my mates...living life to the full!

So after a lifetime of reckless abuse, time has eventually caught up with me, I've never had stiches, never broken a bone (lots of cracked ribs and cracked pelvis though) never been in hospital etc etc I still consider myself extremely lucky and intend to carry on once ready and fit to do so.

The Physio was an old student of Blast Kiteboarding, cheers for all the help Lucas

I'm now back home with my beautifull new wife and we're both wobbling around on crutches, both unable to drive and both itching to get back on the water! We were meant to be flying off to Barcelona today to meet up with Blankforce Boards  and also enjoy a few relaxing days sitting in cafes watching the world wizz past, something we never get to do as we are usually way to busy to do "nothing".

In the mean time it's business as usual at the Blast HQ and we are still really busy with orders especially with Christmas fast approaching, we are also both busy on the website and everything else we don't usually have time to do in the busy teaching season. I will also be down the beach evey opportunity to take photo's of the guys and offer advice for tricks (maybe not kiteloops though)

Also we have a truck load of demo gear available to try, obviously kites from Epic/Mutiny/Genetrix but also boards from Blankforce/Epic/Juice/Litewave and also some Dynabar's etc

so...ride hard but ride safe!

Sarah took this shot of my first run

Help

Marc

Brazil (the Honeymoon)

We have just returned from our Honeymoon to Brazil, we chose Brazil after checking all the things we required in a trip, mainly Hot, Sunny and windy! ;-)
Although it was a honeymoon, obviously we both share a passion for kiting, not laying by a pool so it was important that we ticked the correct boxes.

We had an amazing trip, partly due to the great people we met along the way. Trips to far flung kite destinations like this attract a certain type of traveller, easy going, adventurous, fun, happy smiley types from all over the world and Brazil was no different.

Each pousada (guest house) we stayed in we met more like minded kiters, all searching for the same adventure. We hired a simple car for the two weeks (thanks Rog at http://www.kitesurfexpeditions.com/ ) which aloud us to travel as we wished, so first stop was Ihla do Guarjuru where we met up with our freinds from the RAF on there annual "training" trip....great bunch of people who like to play hard!

After a few days in IdG we headed further north to Prea and Jericocoarar where we stumbled upon a local who would become our guide for the next few days, this guy (Pimbo) was amazing driving the car where beach buggy's would fail! Quite simply he drove our 1 litre hatch back not only along the beaches but also over impossibly steep sand dunes.

Sarah, ripping in the surf near Prea.





The surf in N.E Brazil is rarely big however it is usually a decent 3-6ft and cross shore winds so pretty much perfect for ripping in.

Marc getting his kiteloops low!

Getting the Darkslide dialled!

After a few days up north we headed back to Cumbucu to meet up with our good freinds Neil,James and Rog who we kited with each day doing some epic downwinders to Paracaru and Taiba etc We also spent way too much time drinking British tea at Neils appartment ;-)

Husband & Wife flying high!

Marc jumping over Sarah

So we are now back in the UK and summer seems long gone replaced with cold grey sky's, still at least we should get some decent winter winds and swells very soon, next week is the British Wavemasters in Devon and then at the end of the week i'm off to Hatteras, North Carolina USA to the Epic Dealers week to meet up with Dimitri & Helen plus all the other lucky Epic dealers from aound the world.

Epic Sessions in less than Epic Conditions!

We've had an amazing winter but recently we have had a few lack lustre sessions but....it has been transformed by the new surfboards we've had from Epic kites.

The 5'7" has been a real surprise to us and totally rips in small onshore slop....bring on the summer!

Another belter of a day here in S.Wales

This winter has been the best that I have know..ever!

It's been incredibly mild and the winds have been constant now since October...through November and now all of December too!

Each week has thrown another week of solid strong conditions....and plenty of surf too!

These are some stills taken from the video above

Kite is Epic Renegade and Wainman Magnum 5'7

Saturday 17th December - The day the snow arrived!

We made the effort to get up the Brecon Beacons on Saturday 17th December, fueled by the weather forecasts for our 1st snowfall of the winter so far. We arrived to find only a small amount of snow covering the lower areas near the carpark.

We met a few other keen kitesurfers eager to try the snow but as the snow cover looked so bad they headed off back to the coast, we decided to walk the dog up the mountain anyway and once up higher were pleasantly surprised to find plenty of depth to the fresh snow.

We then had to hike back to the van to get the kites and boards etc and once again trek back to the top - it was worth it though!

We had a few hours playing in pretty strong winds on the Epic Renegade 7m kite before we packed up to head back the 45mins to Porthcawl.

Rest Bay greeted us with a nice strong cross-shore wind and a super nice 3-4ft wave.We all had one of the best sessions i can remeber with the sun slowly setting on an amazing day here in S.Wales.

As it happened we had the Blast Xmas Bash that evening so by 7.30pm we were out with good freinds in the local pub for a well earned meal and one or two drink's too!

All in all, an amazing day!

Some vid's from Porthcawl over the past few days!

GoPro HD2

So we just got hold of the latest GoPro HD2 the new updated version of this now classic little video camera.

These camera's have been making shakes in pretty much every extreme sports due to their compact and yet rugged nature, oh and their amazing quality footage too!

We have just had some amazing conditions and it's a shame we didnt have it here in time for those epic sessions but we have plenty more coming next week. Today we had some nice beach break fun though and was perfect conditions to play around with the camera and get to grips with exactly what it can do.

We managed to get some awesome footage and also some half decent photo's as seen here:

Today's session was also the first time we have had the chance to try the all new 2012 Blankforce Advisory Carbon Board....this board has a lot to live up to but...WOW
This board seems even smoother than the last one but still has an insane amount of pop. These boards just make you want to try new stuff...every session.

Grannie Dee

Whilst in Hattaras USA recently I was lucky enough to meet this old lady at the beach and offer some assistance in her desire to take up the wonderfull sport of kitesurfing.....

The past few days.....

Blankforce Advsiory Carbon

Epic Kites - Dealer Week USA

I have just returned from an Epic Dealer Trip to Cape Hattaras in North Carolina USA.

Screamers & Renegade

It gave me the chance to try each kite back to back in a huge range of conditions, ideal testing grounds!

We were provided with amazing accomodation right on the beach in Nags head and each day we'd check the conditions then decide which beach to head too....flat water slicks on the Sound side or head high surf on the Atlantic side.
Dimitri is, well he's Dimitri!!
Crazy, on and off the water he's simply 100mph. This made for an action packed week with non stop kiting every day.
His enthusiasm is amazing and very very infectious, it was amazing to see and witness so many people who tried the kites there. There were so many genuine stoked people loving the kites and boards.

There are basically three kites in the range:

Renegade: Do-all kite, beginner, freeride, wave

Screamer: Old school boosting machine (the highest I have jumped)

Judge: New School Freestyle C Kite
and then there is also the Infinity Light wind kite, a true light wind kite that you can still have fun on inc jumps etc

Renegade....

Judge C Kite

Screamer 10m LTD

Blankforce UK Photo Shoot with ExPix

Over the past few months we have been trying to sort out a date with Ian from ExPix http://www.expix.co.uk/  for doing a lifestyle photo shoot arranged by Blankforce Boards!



Sarah doing her best Catalogue pose!



Eventually we had the whole range in...each size and model comes in a different colour so there are lots!

We were up in Mid Wales testing the latest Epic Kites which we had just taken stock of and had to set off early back home to Porthcawl. Ian on the other had was on his way back from the Atlantic Games with Hannah Whitely and Will makinson all the way back up too Manchester.

They had a horrific trip up to us with one traffic accident after another and finally arrived with us at about 4pm. The light was pretty poor and the wind virtually non existant, however this didnt stop Ian cracking on with the job in hand.



Ian setting up another perfect shot!



Ian got a load of sweet lifestyle shots on the rocks over near my favorite wave riding spot. This was with aid of our two resident "models" .....Tom Butler and Sarah Eager (both Blast Kiteboarding Instructors and team riders)

Later we thought it worth checking the wind as it was now looking (slightly) prommising. Tom quickly pumped up his Mutiny 12m P.Series and Sarah her Genetrix Origin2

Ian eventually ended up to his waist in the sea snapping away in what was pretty poor conditions with a very flat light and very light winds too.

However Ian gave us a few sneak peaks at some of his shots, both lifestyles and action...WOW

I cant believe the quality of the shots Ian was able to get..simply awesome.

We'll post some up here once we get permission to use some but believe me they make mine above look simply pants!



Tom & Ian getting close and personal



Blast Kiteboarding mini Road Trip

So we had no wind forecast pretty much for the whole of the UK this past week so we thought we'd take a trip up to Mid Wales to meet up with some freinds of Sarah's. The first day was a scorcher and gave us a great chance to chill out and check the latest Blast kit from Epic Kites. There was just enough breeze to fly the kites on the beach so we had a fun few hours in the sun.



Rachel



Later we got a call from Rachel to meet up with them for a session with the wakeboard boat in the estuary, the conditions were awesome....flat water and hot! We spent the next few hours blasting about with both the doughnut and wakeboards, tired we headed back to Rachel's family place nearby for a cold beer and a well earned curry!



Sarah





Me getting my arse handed to me on a plate!



The next day was a bit overcast so we went for a "full English" in a local cafe before heading back to the estuary for a spot of Stand Up Paddlesurfing. The conditions for this were ideal...flat shallow water.

Whilst playing on these for a while the wind seemed to be picking up so I pumped up the Epic Renegade 11m which we'd heard so much about, especially it's low end wind range. Sarah took it out 1st but it was pretty light, she was just holding upwind which in itself was good especially as now the tide was rushing in and taking a lot of the ooomph out of the little wind there was.

We even managed to both be out on the SUP and kite together which was really cool. Monty even thought he'd have a go and joined me on the SUP for a closer look, his 1st time on the board.

Me, Sarah and Monty!

The Epic Renegade 9m....wow!

Gradually the wind strengthened however and we both had a play on both the Renegade's 11m & 9m. These kites are pretty stunning, not just too look at which  they most defiately are but also to fly, we had a great few hours playing in the flat water lagoons before heading back for more cold beers and bangers and mash!



Sarah Epic & Blankforce



The next morning we had to head off home to Porthcawl to meet up with Ian from Expix for a photo shoot for Blankforce Boards....more on that to follow!