Sunday and my friend Allan and I decide to go on a day trip to Balok Beach, Kuantan. I haven't seen him in like 6months, right about when I started kitesurfing. So this was his first time back since then. It was a three hour drive more or less and we had kept each other updated with, well, whatever. We missed a turn somewhere and we ended up taking a the longer route but that was ok since we were kinda early. We arrived a little past one and we could see the top of the trees moving so we figured that was good sign.
When we arrived I saw Andy another upcoming kiter. He was fixing his lines with Leo. Apparently the wind just started to pick up so we got our stuff and got it setup.
I got on my 12M and my 135 board, and as usual struggled to stay up. After a run at it, I put it down and chilled for a bit. Leo then took out his Wind X 16m and asked if'd like to try it. He's been urging me to buy it from him but I've always put it off. Now seemed like a good time to give it a go.
I launched the kite and borrowed his 145 Cabrinha board. Being used to a smaller faster kite, I struggled trying move the kite up and down, down wind. I could get up a bit but could not stay up long. The wind was just terrible. Probably 8 knots. After several run using the 16m, I gave up and decided it wasn't worth the effort or maybe because I had a lousy light breakfast and no lunch. Daniel had arrived with the new Wind X ultra-light prototype and went for a quick ride with it. I wanted to try it as they all said it was a great kite, unfortunately the wind wasn't on our side. Daniel ended up sitting down with us.
Allan did better and rode a bit but even he gave up and chilled also . There was only one guy kiteboarding, one of the local guys using an 18m kite (forgot what kind) he seemed to be enjoying as we just sat and chatted . After awhile we saw dark clouds approaching and rain soon followed. The wind switched direction and we quickly had to run to the kites and face it the opposite direction before it could get blown away. Allan and I decided to pack our gear and call it a day.
The rain stopped after 30 mins and the sun came out a bit, the water was pretty flat so Leo asks if we wanted to get pulled by his lil boat, wakeboard style. Well since Allan, Andy and I were still in our wet boardies, we went for it. Daniel (Leo's son) went first, then me, Andy and Allan. Andy being his first time did alright but then sprained or popped his shoulder when boat jerked forward as he crashed and failed let go of the bar. Lesson no.1, let got of the bar once your down. Leo's wife took him to the clinic to get it checked. Allan did ok too, I guess if you can kitesurf then kiteboarding would be easier. As for me I did a couple of runs and quickly got tired and decided I had enough.
Well at least now there is something to do when there is no wind. It wasn't a very productive day at the beach but it was not that bad. The ride home took a bit longer since it was raining and luckily I wasn't driving. It's now Monday, and my arms and legs are a bit sore. I'm tired. I hate Mondays.
P.s.
Sorry no pics, was too lazy to take em. Next time ya?
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