It was blowing twenty five knots at Tokerau Beach as I watched brothers Ewan and Geoff make their way to shore at high speed in their five metre long, sit-in kayaks.Powering their rapid journey through the choppy water was the kite they've spent years perfecting and one of two Ewan and Geoff use on their forays around the coast of New Zealand's Upper North Island.
This time they were using one kite to power their two kayaks but sometimes they use one kite each.
They are fairly easy to deploy but like anything, it's only easy after a lot of practice.
Made from Polyester Rip-Stop kite fabric, the five square metre kite can be used in anything from ten to twenty five knot winds.
Another great example of Kiwi ingenuity.
From the bridle on the kite a line is attached by a carabiner to a line athwartships on the kayak.
Kite kayaking is not for the fainthearted but for the adventure loving Thompson brothers, it's one they look forward to at least twice a year...
You aren't about to tack into the wind, but what a downhill ride!
ReplyDeleteNow, if you can only get the wind to blow parallel to the beach.
ReplyDeleteMakes a change from kite fishing... What a fun thing to do.
ReplyDeleteSand in your face and a wet bum..wonderful!
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