tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35616662024-03-13T22:09:12.954+00:00Power Kite SimeonStories of my trials and tribulations around my weird life of computer game development and my hobby of power/traction kiting.
This blog is my personal opinion and does not reflect that of my employer or any other person.Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-28333393476799788372011-05-24T10:30:00.001+01:002011-05-24T10:30:16.026+01:00Kitesurfing Lessons & HolidaysKitesurfing is an extreme sports which involves flying a large powerful kite to act as the pulling force to pull you up onto a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard). Kitesurfers can ride across the wind performing crazy jumps and impressiveRead more ...Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-8817098985121130742011-05-24T09:43:00.001+01:002011-05-24T09:43:43.043+01:00Privacy PolicyYour PrivacyYour privacy is important to us. To better protect your privacy we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used. To make this noticeRead more ...Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-6437770118813724762011-05-18T11:26:00.001+01:002011-05-18T11:26:24.457+01:00Learning to Kitesurf can be Fun and EnjoyableLearning to Kitesurf can be Fun and Enjoyable
Article by Jordan Rocksmith
 

 
 
 
 
 Water sports are seen where ever there is a body of water large enough to do them. Kitesurfing isRead more ...Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-83401873326779493572011-05-02T21:01:00.000+01:002011-05-02T21:01:50.206+01:00Back in the kite buggy saddleWell, I've been away from Kite buggying since our last eventual day at Talacre when we had to call in the services of the Welsh Air Ambuance to airlift one of the guys away.
After a turbulent 2yrs of work and relocating around the country I'm now back near my favourite inland kiting spot - Pontefract Racecourse.
With some trepidation I headed to Ponte despite the wind forecast being from the Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-48410479683332689562009-05-17T12:01:00.000+01:002009-05-17T12:01:17.038+01:00Bolton-Le-Sands - failed attemptWell, what can I say. I attempted to join the lads from RaceKites.com at Bolton-Le-Sands for a weekend of kite buggy action but the beach was a complete lake. The rain was just sitting on top of the hard bit of beach we'd usually use and it looked like it wasn't going to dry out within the space of a couple of hours. So, I didn't even get out of the car and headed straight back.
I dropped by Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comBolton-le-Sands, Lancashire, UK54.1069175102521 -2.808036804199218854.0817575102521 -2.866401804199219 54.1320775102521 -2.7496718041992185tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-57293298870561256682009-05-04T15:17:00.002+01:002009-05-04T15:20:21.162+01:00It's been a whileI was just re-visiting my blog and I didn't realise it was last year when I last posted!Still, a lots happened since then and I don't as much time as I used to and everytime I turn up anywhere the wind seems to disappear.Still, I've made a few visits to Pontefract over the winter and I dabbled in the water at Fraisthorpe last week *but* true to form the promised wind didn't appear so it was a bitSimeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-28733972674773739282009-02-22T12:12:00.000+00:002009-05-17T13:34:29.699+01:00Talacre or BustOn the 22nd Feb a few of us co-ordinated a trip to Talacre (North Wales) for a good days buggy action. By the time we got there only 5 of us turned up but we still looked set for a decent day. The winds hard turned direction to cross beach so we had to walk quite a long way south around the headland in order to be able to get some long-ish runs in but the best we could get was cross-onshore Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-21750913202908443532009-01-30T11:23:00.000+00:002009-05-17T12:29:12.889+01:00Bought – Flexifoil 10.5m Ion III (3)I recently bought a used Ion3 with the intention of plugging the gap between the 9m Atom and the 12m Atom. The main problem I have is that the 12m Atom is quite a heavy & slow kite so the bottom end of the wind-range is deceptively high. This means it rarely sees the light of day. I’m also hoping that the Ion re-launches a damned site easier than either of the Atoms do. They’re particularly Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-66473856911283719842008-12-29T09:46:00.000+00:002009-01-06T23:01:59.268+00:00Fraisthorpe BuggyDay at Fraisthorpe
Weather promised cross-on 15mph winds all day, low water @ 12pm. So it was going to be ideal.
A few others were there notably AlliDelta, Andy, Tom and some unknowns.
Arrived @ 10am, winds were 12mph, beach was wet.
Travelled all the way into Bridlington in the buggy.
Wind disappeared at roughly 12pm and never came back, so I left.
Flew 12m Atom with buggy. Top speed - 30mph,Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comEast Riding of Yorkshire, UK54.049714182106918 -0.2224731445312553.948934682106916 -0.45593264453125 54.150493682106919 0.010986355468749986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-82891829207264234542008-12-21T23:10:00.000+00:002008-12-23T10:19:25.785+00:00Ponte mud bathWent to Ponte again today with Paul (antler).
Winds were SW between 14-25mph.
Flying: 9m Atom
Riding: flexifoil buggy
top speed: 29.3mph
Weather: mostly overcast, occasional rain
Ground: soaked through & muddy
It was a muddy session and I got caked in it. :(Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-44530913476213269922008-12-01T10:43:00.003+00:002008-12-23T10:19:01.176+00:00Kite Riding Upwind - How To/TutorialI've seen a few people hit my blog looking for 'riding upwind' so I thought I'd write a small entry as it's one of the later skills you'll acquire after basic kite flying, staying on/in your board/buggy. The same technique applies whatever you're doing really.
Riding upwind is usually needed for you to get back where you started from and saves a lot of walking. :)
A few basics:
You need power! Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-77899796925375977012008-11-30T18:37:00.000+00:002008-12-23T10:19:25.786+00:00RaceKites at PonteMorning session at Ponte where loads of people turned up from Birmingham way, at a guess about 15 people in total. Winds promised 15mph from North so it was set to be ideal.
Sadly, the winds had all but disappeared and we struggled for 5mph.
To make things worse, there was also a 'Santa Dash' so the car park was full and there were loads of Santa's jogging about *and* the footy players decided Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-48899581476405096322008-11-23T11:11:00.000+00:002008-12-23T10:19:25.786+00:00Ponte - 22/Nov4hr session at ponte
good North winds - 15-22mph
top speed - 32.1 mph
distance - 26 miles
flying 9m Atom
riding flexi buggy
loads of people out for the rare perfect winds for the site.
temp was close on 0 degrees, absolutely freezingSimeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-90783802234254769472008-10-02T12:18:00.002+01:002008-12-23T10:19:01.176+00:00Review: RS Buggy - power kite racing buggyRS Buggy - power kite racing buggy
The preparation
After playing around with the landboard for sometime I was bitten by the kiting bug and craved more speed and an easier ride. A buggy seemed to be just what I was looking for.
In December 2007 I set myself a budget of £250 and started to hunt around for a nice kiting buggy. At this point I'd seen a wide variety of buggies in the flesh at the Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-63669111698319711772008-07-30T10:36:00.000+01:002008-12-23T10:19:01.177+00:00Flexifoil Atom reviewWell, I've had my 9m Flexifoil Atom now for quite a while and it's certainly been the best kite I've ever had - bar none.I use the kite for landboard, buggy and also the more typical kitesurfing.QualityIn terms of build quality, the Atom is obviously well put together and incredibly robust. I've accidentally dumped it a few times on land and it's never failed me once. I think this goes without Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-14601996582669496112008-07-22T23:14:00.002+01:002008-12-23T10:19:01.178+00:00Kite LinksHere are a collection of links I have with the label 'kite' - enjoyAssociationsBPKA - British Power Kitesports Association - the place to get advise & insuranceBKSA - British Kite Surfing AssociationIKO - International Kiteboarding OrganizationForumsRaceKites.comFlexifoil Forumskiteboarder.co.ukSheffield Kite FliersKiting Location Map UK - contributors wanted, contact me!How ToRaceKites - HowSimeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-28723380878686169952008-07-22T21:03:00.001+01:002008-12-23T10:19:01.178+00:00redcar [notes]went to redcar - add picsSimeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-51068654787502687512008-07-20T21:02:00.000+01:002008-12-23T10:19:25.786+00:00Ponte again[notes]
Went to ponte for 4hrs, flew Atom 9 & 12, met barry, good boarding sessionSimeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-88791218288969961932008-07-19T01:31:00.000+01:002008-12-23T10:19:01.179+00:00Kite Shuffle (again)I've sold a few of my kites now leaving me with a mixed dry/wet quiver. I've essentially replaced the 14m Waroo with a 12m Atom, which is better suited to my weight and ability.Dry range 0 2 5 7 9 12 15 18 22 25 29 32 36 39 43 46 50 mphAT-9 -------------XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX------------AT-12 ---------XXXXXXXXXXX------------------------Wet Range (guess) 0 2 5 7 9 12 15 18 22 25 29 Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-10476835141078512952008-07-17T20:26:00.000+01:002008-12-23T10:19:01.179+00:00Quick session at PontefractPaul and I hooked up for an afternoon kite flying session at Pontefract. The winds weren't great but it's a long time since we've seen each other and it was good to hook up.
I flew the 9m Atom and the landboard but there wasn't really enough to get back upwind. Paul similarly struggled in his buggy.
Still, there's something to be said for lying around in a field just chatting and watching the Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-68996306223573369992008-07-15T10:13:00.000+01:002008-12-23T10:19:01.179+00:00Injury (again) - cracked ribWell, it's been a few days since Bolton-Le-Sands and my OBE.
I seriously think I've cracked a rib on my right as it hurts when I cough and there's an acute pain when I breath deeply. There's also a constant pain there but my breathing is fine normally. Any kind of movement that rotates/stretches my torso is equally painful and I haven't slept since BLS.
Ironically, my impact vest arrived on Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-8297709513731305922008-07-13T08:47:00.004+01:002008-12-23T10:19:01.179+00:00Bolton-Le-Sands - 12th July 2008We made a day of a trip to Bolton-Le-Sands as the weather promised a good dry day with 15 mph onshore winds.As a quick summary I broke some personal bests and I had a *awesome* day.Max Speed: 43.2mphTrip Odo: 71.1milesMoving Time: 4hrsWinds: 18mph, gusting 25mph+Weather: Dry & Overcast all dayI was out on the buggy flying with the 9m Atom all day, the kite proved itself as a versatile, fast Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-39676327257929525472008-07-09T00:08:00.003+01:002008-12-23T10:19:01.180+00:00CleethorpesForecastThe weather forecast for today was looking pretty bad from the outset with easterly winds for the whole of the UK coupled with rain.It was looking good for Ainsdale but I couldn't go as I don't have a permit and the person I need to get one from wasn't available.This meant the only choice was the East coast with offshore winds, not ideal, definetly too dangerous for the water but Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-23598494410196817532008-07-04T13:37:00.000+01:002008-12-23T10:19:01.180+00:00Landboard, Buggy, Kitesurf - land/waterSo, I've given them all a bash now and admittedly the kitesurf was only a brief introduction.After considering dropping 1 of them so I can focus I've got the following thoughts.Land based events usually take place in large areas so you can get a good run on, inland areas need to be quite large and devoid of obstacles that block the wind from all directions. Most good inland sites have some Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561666.post-4663159319889178962008-07-01T22:36:00.000+01:002008-12-23T10:19:01.181+00:00FraisthorpeThe promise It promised to be the hottest day of 2008 so I checked www.xcweather.co.uk to see where the best coastal location was for some boarding.The predicition was about perfect for Fraisthorpe - 20mph cross-on winds, mid-day high tide (15:45) and glorious sunshine to boot! What could be better?So, I packed up all my kitesurf and landboard gear and headed out to see what I could find. I Simeon Pashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10790115182328647648noreply@blogger.com