Upwind - Launch of a Sport. The history of Kitesurfing

General discussions about kiting: equipment, setup tips, safety, where to go, where you should have been, lost and found
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steve-0
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Upwind - Launch of a Sport. The history of Kitesurfing

Post by steve-0 »

For those of you who have not seen this, I think its one of the best documentaries on the history of kiteboarding ever. I could not find it on the web anywhere so I've put it up as a torrent. Grab a beer or some popcorn and enjoy!
http://thepiratebay.se/torrent/7915650
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JL
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Post by JL »

Great video :P Once you've acquired this torrent open with windows media player 8)
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Post by juandesooka »

looking forward to watching it, thanks for posting

I downloaded from here
http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/4369 ... ab=summary

pirate bay makes my virus scanner go crazy, I think it's full of malware
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JL
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Post by JL »

Oh well. I was overdue to run SUPERAntiSpyware !!! 8)
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dangerdane
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Thanks Steve o!

Post by dangerdane »

DL'ing now 3 seeders might take awhile. Hey JL get a Mac. I haven't had an anti virus program since 2000...;)
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Post by Trav »

Thanks for this vid. It iis really awsome to see the progresion. Those early days were crazy!
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Post by GregK »

This is a must-see for any kiter interested in the early days.

Reminds me of that excitement of anything's possible that was so strong when I started kiting in 2000. With a 8.5 Wipika Free Air and a very flat 9 sq. meter foil ( Windtools Mosquito ) which didn't come with any leash, saferty, or depower, every day out was an adventure. I'm lucky I didn't die trying to learn to kite with that Mosi.
Last edited by GregK on Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
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JL
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Post by JL »

I had to bring a bag full of parts from various stores including an aluminum boom extension to Ross H so he could build me a 4 line bar for my first kite. Then I rolled up the tips, tied on the 4 lines ( line was ordered online & sleeved @ home)attached the velcro to my wipika & I was ready for the magic of 4 line kiting. "Punch out" came years later. I had to crash my kite to unhook !!! Ah yes tea bagging. :P
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Post by GregK »

Yeh, did the 4-line conversion on the Wipika 8.5 but it certainly wasn't magical, hardly made a difference. The first Naish 4-liners, the AR5 and ARX were much better at depowering, maybe 50%.

It wasn't until SLE / bow kites came out in 2006 that I really felt in control of the kite instead of the other way around. Before that you wanted lots of room downwind, as you often needed it.

Good seeing Robby Naish getting yanked away from the interviewer in the film, even the great US1111 was at the kite's mercy, at least on land.
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Post by JL »

Good points !!! :P
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JL
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Post by JL »

Thermals are good.
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Post by thankgodiatepastafobreaky »

A good doc about Aaron Hadlow and kitesurfing history and is a similar style doc if Upwind leaves you wanting more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W8kXBn4B6c
curses - foiled again!
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Post by JL »

Thanks. Local intro. was following Richard around I.V. & asking if I could carry his board back upwind as he flew his ram air. 8) Once 4 line inflatable kites were available (converting the wipika to 4 line) I had Ross build me a bar from parts scrounged locally (aluminum w-surf bar ext. etc.) & the fun began :P
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Post by Alexk »

This inspired me to go back and look at old photos. This was with my AR5 sometime in 2001 I think. Pre-twin tip as well. My friend used to shape windsurfers, so his first few board styles were like mini windsurfer boards.
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JL
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Post by JL »

Thermals are good.
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