KTA Boracay!!

I was so happy when I arrived Boracay again! This Phillipino island is well known as one of the best spot for kiting in Asia. Nice beautiful beach, good wind, friendly people, awesome party and... there are countless other good things.

However, these things were not the reason of my pleasure at this time. That is because the way from Japan was horribly hard. Not only I almost missed connecting flight in Manilla and ferry to Boracay, but also my huge baggages almost couldn't arrive there. So, I managed to get there with all of my stuffs just 9 hrs before the skippers meeting.

In the 1st day's morning, I finally realized "I'm here". I met meny friends for the first time in a long time. But I did't have time to feel delight because heats were starting then.

Freestyle has been started first. Wind was strong like 30kts and water was choppy. I was out on Park 7m2 and I won my first heat, but unfortunately I lost my second heat. So, I switched my mind into racing soon. But the 1st day has been full of freestyle singles. I felt frustrated a bit, then I went out on Charger 9m2 and Venturi race board. It was good session with my friend Sugi. So, I felt much better after that. I went to bed early and had good sleep to ready for doubles and races in the next day.

Day 2 and 3 also started from freestyle. I won twice but I couldn't keep winning any more. It was really hard because I had to try race also. They had 3 races each in the days. I couldn't do well  when it was windy, but I finished 2nd and 1st place when wind dropped. I'd never thought I could win the race even just once because I couldn't train enough for racing. I was happy and got confidence. But, at the same time I realized I have to train more especially in strong wind.

In the last day, wind was not really good. But we had one race in the afternoon and I finished 2nd again. After that, wind was dropping then no one could kite. So, everything over and time to ready for the party!

I got 6th in freestyle and 2nd in race. It was not too bad at least I made podium place. Thanks a lot for Naish, M-air, Mystic, GlobalAthlete Project!

Party all the night then got back to Japan with hangover. I miss Boracay already. Thank you KTA crews also to make such a great event!
Next one coming up in Feb in Mui Ne, Vietnam. Hope I will make it!

JPKA Finals

I've been in Omaezaki which is known as super windy place in Japan 3-4 Dec to try the final round of JPKA Japan tour 2011. 

1st day started with good wave and off shore wind. We had fun by surfing, SUP and slacklining each other. In the afternoon, we took rescue clinic on the beach. It was nice to learn how to use AED, how to carry soneone off from the water and to do CPR. At last, we couldn't have any good wind and released for the 2nd day.

 

We had party in Izakaya, Japanese style bar and then hanging out each other. Wind had started already in the night and it means 2nd day is supposed to be super windy...

2nd day, on my way to the beach in the morning, I saw white sea from my car. It looks so crazy because it was totally covered by whitecaps. Actually I don't like this kind of condition so much but anyway I have to try the heats. One of my friend was doing mega-loops when I arrived on the beach. It was amazing but made me feel blue at the same time.

Heats are started from freestyle men. Wind was 35-40kt with gust. So, all riders had to use their smallest kite and they almost can't do any unhooked tricks even if they are professionals. After about one hour, heats are changed into women's. Wind was still crazy strong. I went out with my Park 5m2 but it was super over power.

This my first heat was finals because just 2 girls tried freestyle. But it was fun! I was against the local girl who is former champion and I've never won to her. I crashed many times during my heat but at least I could land few tricks. Anyhow, they JPKA set 3 heats for us and it was hard to walk back to upwind everytime. I thought I can fly without kite...!

In the afternoon, wave class was started. I didn't try but fun to see that.

At the end of the day, I tried big air contest. Wind was still too windy and good for big air. But, suddenly dropping just before the heat. I was out with my Park 5m2 but it was not enough for big air. Anyway I had no time to change my kites. It was ok I've done kiteloop without board and made people exciting! For sure that was my best trick of the day! XD

All heats were over then we had prize celemony on the beach. I got 2 troffies again. One for the winner of this event, another one for freestyle champion of the year. I finaly won to former champion and got title again with my team mate Hiro!

Thank you so much Naish, Mystic, M-air, Gloval Athlete Project and people who support me! And also thanks for JPKA crews to make this fun event.

Japanese Tour season was over but KTA, Asian Tour is coming up in next month. Can't wait to be there in Boracay!

JPKA Biwako

I've got troffies again from JPKA (Japan Pro Kiteboarding Association)!!

 JPKA Biwako Cup was held on 23-24 Sep at the biggest lake "Biwako" in Japan. It was the 2nd freestyle round and the final race round of JPKA Japan Tour 2011. The weather was totally depending on the typhoon Roke then. Luckily it passed before the comp and left the wind for us.

 Day 1 was started from the freestyle. They have 3 classes Men, Women and Open. Wind was so gusty like 10-20+kts and water was choppy in the morning. It was a bit hard but I could do my best with Park 12 and Raskal. So, just I won the freestyle and it was changed into course racing in the afternoon.
 Wind was still gusty but enough for racing. However, we had problem then. There are lots of weeds under the water near the shore. It was so hard to get out with long fins! Even so, I managed to follow the men's champion with Charger 13 and Venturi and then finished 2nd place behind him. I was happy with the result. But, I couldn't do well again and finished 6th in the race #2.

 After that, wind was dropping and heats are over. We had BBQ party in front of the kite shop. Everyone enjoyed it but I drank too much of Sake and fell asleep early.

DAY 1 video from Kuma Movie

 On the 2nd day, it was no wind at all in the morning. But, luckily we got wind again in the late afternoon. So, race #3 started in 10-12kts. I managed to keep my position then got 2nd again.
Soon after that, freestyle doubles was started. I could keep winning and then finally all heats were over.

DAY 2 video from Kuma Movie

Results
1st Freestyle Women
1st Course Racing Women (RB)
JPKA Course Racing Champion 2011

 Thank you Naish, M-air and Kuma Movie make it come true! And also thanks for JPKA crews!

Looking forward to be on next event at Hamano (Omaezaki, Shizuoka) on 3-4 Dec.
 Now getting colder here in Japan. I'm gonna push harder and go for it!

Moved to Naish

I'm so happy I joined team Naish!

I'm gonna use Park kite and Raskal board for freestyle and Charger kite and Venturi board for racing.

Thank you Naish for having me. I'm gonna keep on trying and push harder!

JPKA 1st round Tokai Cup

The JPKA Japan Tour Tokai Cup was held on 25-26 June at Tatsuta, Kiso-riv.  It was 1st freestyle round and 2nd race round of 2011. We had 16 registered riders from all over Japan for the event. At this time, just one girl joined this event. It's me! So, I had to compete with all the guys not only racing but also freestyle.

The first day was no wind all day long as expected. At this time, normally we're due to be in the rainy season but it was sunny and really hot then. We were almost melting! So, we just had fun with SUP and rescue boat. After that, each riders was hanging out night on the town.

Day two started with 6-10 knots wind and looked like it's gonna be picking up. All riders pumped their biggest kite. After a while, first race has started. I went out with Crossbow 13m and Race 178. Wind was enough but I crashed few times because it was not so wide river. I had to tack many times and wind was gusty near the shore. I finished 3rd place at the first race.

Soon after that, freestyle was started. I gotta be ready for it soon. It was light wind 10-14 knots then. So, I decided to use Crossbow 13m. I knew Crossbow is not so good for freestyle but I've got more points than my opponent. I thought wind was too light for guys. Anyway luckily I could keep winning. Then I just realized I was on the finals already! Of course, it was against Hiro who is current Japanese Campion and one of the best rider in Asia. So, I was happy to take on him. But I knew it's impossible to win. I was just having fun during the heat.

In the end, he won the game and I've got 2nd. But I received a lot of satisfaction from the result because I've done my best. After the freestyle, we had one more race and then finished all the program.

Results
-2nd Freestyle overall
-3rd Race overall
and of course I won the women's category...

Next JPKA will be coming up on September. I'm looking forward to it.
And,,,, we need girls!!


Thank you for Cabrinha, M-air, Kaenon.

KTA 2011 Overall Titles!

Siccccck! I remember the greatful days ;)

Course Race Comp

 I've been in Karasu, Ise Bay on 22 May to join the course race event "Karasu Nagisa Cup". It's the 1st round of JPKA Japan Tour 2011 course race series.

 This event has race board class and twin tip class because still only few people has race board in Japan. However total number of participants are less than 10. I guess the reason is Japanese kiters don't know about course racing yet and kiting is NOT popular in Japan in the first place.

 Anyway event has started. In the morning, it was sunny and warm but no wind. Then wind was coming with dark clouds. So, everybody knew it was supposed to be heavy rain and that is exactly what happened. All we could do was just waiting for the rain to stop.
 After a while, rain was gone with wind! All we could do was still just waiting... After another hour, slight off shore breeze was coming and 2-3 guys went out and started cruising. It looked there was enough wind out there. Then race derector decided to start 1st race.
 Everybody got ready for start but wind was dropping down. Finally no one could ride when red flag was up. It was 5 pm already. Unfortunately no races have done on the day. I hope we have good wind next time!

 And I also hope many people join course racing! Why don't you try it?

-This is short vid of the day...

 See you at the next event, 25-26 June, JPKA 1st freestyle round!