I posted this over in the kiting subreddit too so apologies if you frequent both places.
I really can't seem to find any decent wave kiting video content on youtube (or anywhere for that matter).
So here's my amateur effort of some waves in west Auckland, NZ. Muriwai is a pretty sweet wave (and twin tip) location if you're ever in Auckland with your gear.
Enjoyed that . Reminded me of a few sections of water in between Ledge P and Wedge I .
That walk just to land your kite on grass was scary . You must have a large pair as well .
Yep. It was an amateur vid. I'm not sure which was worse, the cinematography, the editing or the kiting, but either way I thoroughly enjoyed it, maybe because of the soundtrack, maybe because of the beers, maybe because I've had five minutes away from my kids or maybe because for just a minute I was able to forget about Covid. Either way, good post. Leo posts (or Luluz) some great wave kiting vids, I just don't like them. Maybe it's the soundtrack.
That landing spot is actually way safer than it looks James. :) In a SW that bush is perfectly placed for a dead-zone.
I can't believe you don't like synthwave psychojoe! Actually I can. Music is such a subjective experience. But then I can't figure on exactly what else you'd put in a kiting video. The muffled gopro sound of wind and waves is probably even less inspiring then musical genre you despise. If you have any links to Leo/Luluz videos post em up please! I remember when Ben Wilson was making content a few years back I found some good videos of wave kiting in Aussie but I haven't seen anything for agggeeeeessss.
The grumpy old man in me thinks you shouldn't kite between swimmers. That's very dangerous for the swimmers. Even if you are good, **** can happen and they can end up injured.
Rant over.
If you want to watch some local footage of the naki youtube stalk Gerald Hood.
Yeah the wife told me off for that one too! I agree it's a little irresponsible. I find it quite hard to predict where I'm gonna end up on a wave sometimes but should really err more on the side of caution.
Thanks for the link.
cool vid, looks like a fun place. Is the wind quite side-on there normally, or even onshore? At least you get to play around on some swell, unlike the majority of beaches here in Perth.
cool vid, looks like a fun place. Is the wind quite side-on there normally, or even onshore? At least you get to play around on some swell, unlike the majority of beaches here in Perth.
Muriwai is a shore dump beach break location. Its not ideal. But it can be very big and very dumpy and ear you up and spit you out. Not for the faint hearted on those days. The location I posted above is much better for wave/wind combo. But you need to know your **** because if you stuff up its into rocks and cliff. Glorious world class waves and wind though.
I wouldn't say it's a shore dump exactly. When you're kiting here it's usually either onshore or cross onshore and given that it's quite exposed the swell is typically really big. I generally find myself kiting reforms a fair bit and they can still get pretty punchy (and big) if you look for the right section. In a SW (cross onshore) it's also quite good for airs.
I've not wave kited on a point break before (I surfed in the Naki plenty but not had the kite down there) but I suspect if you're looking for unbroken wave-face type riding (like the Tai Road examples above) then you might be a bit disappointed with Muriwai. There's definitely open face riding to be found but it takes a while to get your head around how to make it work. I live here though so it's difficult to beat a 30 second drive to the beach. :)
Fair enough. Muriwai is definitely hard out when its pumping. Massive swell, massive sweep up the beach, decent sections of flat in between and wicked kickers to boost off. As you say, many reforms to ride. Getting out to past the reforms to the biggness out back is madness to behold on a big day. Then you are dicing with the devil to ride some double head plus monsters that quickly jack up try to smash you to bits.
Haha, yeah I've had some moments of sheer terror when screwing up a switch in front of a big, messy monster! Gets the blood pumping to be sure.
www.straplesskitesurfing.com
This has to be the best website for wave kiting videos. There is around 1500 to 2000 vids from the latest stuff to about 10 years ago. They collate any and all good strapless kiting vids so if there is something from the pros it will be on there. Regularly updated as well.
Really a gem for wave kiting content.