I had a blast at the recent Kiteboarding 4 Girls Clinic up at Rio Vista. Kristin Boese (9x world champion pro kiter) and Sandy Parker (pro rider and owner of Kitopia kite school based in the delta) produced the event. I got to actually attend the event and sponsor the food and wine (cha!). The SFBA / San Francisco Boarding Association and North Kiteboarding also helped me to sponsor the food, and thanks to Lee Ann we were all well fed.
The clinic lasted for 2 days. Day 1 was our day to meet and greet, head up to Kitopia Island, get some trick demos, and ride for a few hours to practice our stuff. Day 2 was a simulator demo (no wind) and then many of the ladies took off for a sesh at Crissy.
Kristin (on left) and Sandy (on right) greeting our crew of 30+ women KB4 Girls participants.
Lunch break up at the island and introductions. We had a diverse group of girls from around the country, including a teen aged 17 all the way up to a lady in her 50s. Experience ranged from 1 year kiting to 11+ years of kiting. Everyone went around the circle to share where they were from and what they whated to achieve in the 2 day clinic.
We all gathered for a self rescue demonstration, led by Kristin, to make sure everyone could get back to the beach in case of any issues.
Nice self rescue! Kristin wore a permanent (and contagious!) smile all weekend.
Time to pump up 30 kites! I went old school with a hand pump, despite the available generator.
Everyone then went into the water so Kristin could demonstrate a bunch of tricks (and shred) in super light winds (10-12). It was chilly for the Delta (70s) but I stayed toastie in my Hyperflex wetsuit jacket.
Kristin demonstrates a chop hop into our faces.
How Kristin busted jumps in 10mph winds was impressive.
Nice! She went through jumping, back rolls, front rolls, unhooked riding, raileys, and a handle pass.
Many of the ladies totally ripped in the clinic. It was totally inspirational to all kite together up at Kitopia island and see a bunch of girls shredding!
Good thing we got some nice winds Saturday (I was on my 7m North Rebel later that afternoon) as Sunday was a warm and windless morning. We gathered for a bar simulator and learned some new tricks.
My first back roll. I will get one on the water once I try one! :)
This is just plain dangling.
And then there's Kristin....is that a backwards upside down dead lady? I wish I even knew the names of all the tricks she can do!
Group shot to end the wonderful weekend.
Thanks to all the sponsors of the KB4Girls tour and to Kristin and Sandy for making it all happen. What a blast. Hope you can join us next year!
Jane
Lunch break up at the island and introductions. We had a diverse group of girls from around the country, including a teen aged 17 all the way up to a lady in her 50s. Experience ranged from 1 year kiting to 11+ years of kiting. Everyone went around the circle to share where they were from and what they whated to achieve in the 2 day clinic.
We all gathered for a self rescue demonstration, led by Kristin, to make sure everyone could get back to the beach in case of any issues.
Nice self rescue! Kristin wore a permanent (and contagious!) smile all weekend.
Time to pump up 30 kites! I went old school with a hand pump, despite the available generator.
Everyone then went into the water so Kristin could demonstrate a bunch of tricks (and shred) in super light winds (10-12). It was chilly for the Delta (70s) but I stayed toastie in my Hyperflex wetsuit jacket.
Kristin demonstrates a chop hop into our faces.
How Kristin busted jumps in 10mph winds was impressive.
Nice! She went through jumping, back rolls, front rolls, unhooked riding, raileys, and a handle pass.
Many of the ladies totally ripped in the clinic. It was totally inspirational to all kite together up at Kitopia island and see a bunch of girls shredding!
Good thing we got some nice winds Saturday (I was on my 7m North Rebel later that afternoon) as Sunday was a warm and windless morning. We gathered for a bar simulator and learned some new tricks.
My first back roll. I will get one on the water once I try one! :)
This is just plain dangling.
And then there's Kristin....is that a backwards upside down dead lady? I wish I even knew the names of all the tricks she can do!
Group shot to end the wonderful weekend.
Thanks to all the sponsors of the KB4Girls tour and to Kristin and Sandy for making it all happen. What a blast. Hope you can join us next year!