Rafaloco's Primero Duck Tackio

Raf's first Duck Tack - CKPerformance Clinic Cabo Verde March 2013

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Unfortunately we were all so busy with the wind and general frivolity that there isn’t a group picture from what was another classic week in Sal. The wind played ball and as a result the on water action was mesmerising. Two “departments” really stood out here, front looping a twin tip and fast track strapless progress on a surfboard. Kite beach is such a hero spot, inspiring confidence and encouraging everyone to push it. There was some healthy competition between the ladies and gents on the water and the omnipresent group belief off it, video de-briefs took positive motivation to team hug levels (quite literally!!) and our new surroundings added to the holiday feel when the whips weren’t out.

In place of a group picture we have this little video of Raf claiming his first ever Duck Tack, blatantly helped along by his much loved 9m Drifter and his shiny new PU Skillit:) – awesome. Luis’s strapless carving has become so balanced that he’s no longer sure whether he’s Goofy or Regular, and the tack is sooooo in the post. Uberto was gybing both ways beautifully whilst belting out Pucinni (quite fitting seeing as he was on a Sub Woofer) and improving his general strapless stance – get down James Brown. Jane was linking her strapless turns and gybing when she wasn’t impressing with her rather large front loops. Jenny added considerable height to her jumps and sorted lowering undercarriage to smoothly stomp her air gybes. Marcel and Konrad both went at it like men possessed – with Konrad casually going through jumping, air gybing and front looping, and Marcel adding plenty of altitude to his jumps, popping back loops and beautiful awe inspiring front loop grabs. Steve returned after a kiting hiatus and boom, after a couple of days of relearning to walk the fire lit and he was hammering out the hang time, powering through front loops, air gybes and generally bullying himself all over the playing field. Neil also had a swift year without kiting, but came back stronger. Some lovely strapless playing in the waves, some decent air and a couple of “intentional” front loops. Jelle arrived equipped with an abundance of moves, style and a thirst for more. He went home with a stunning unhooked raley, double backs, big fronts, freed his feet from the straps on the surfboard and added the gybe.

All in a great week, lots of fun and looking forward to seeing you all again, and of course going back next year.

This time in our Quick Tips we’ve ventured onto the surfboard to show you the tack. Strapless flat water fun with purpose:)

Surfboard Tack C&K Quick Tips

Quick Tips with C&K Surfboard Tack

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South Africa CKperformance Clinic 2013 – another exceptional week of wind, fun and games. There must have been one hell of a collection of good karma amongst the group because we were treated to non stop pumping conditions. Forget the energy drink which can’t be named King of the Air, we had our very own CKPerformance Chair of Air, and what a show it was:)

As usual off the water activities can be summed up in two words, STEAK _ WINE, oh yes and Malva Pudding! With the prospect of kiting each day the wine was enjoyed, compared, admired but ultimately respected. However there was a collective disposition concerning the regular over indulgence of fillet steak with many of the chaps succumbing to the call of a 500g fillet of an evening to prepare the flagging muscles for the next onslaught of mega wind. We recall once watching Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall championing the ultimate tender test, will it cut with the back of your knife – oh yes the cutlery serrations are completely superfluous over there. We can also reveal that a certain vegetarian who will remain nameless became so tired of our constant beef praise that she threw in the towel, jumped off the wagon and got involved.

The days followed a familiar routine of morning at the beach, ladies lunchtime sessions at the lagoon and then a convivial afternoon to sunset sesh. This year we had the pleasure of some home grown talent in the group, with Mike, Timo and Dylan (and their roady Raymond). As a result we felt even more welcome and at home, learnt the odd phrase of Afrikaans (was like the Waltons at night with the ring of Lekker Slaap around Friday Island as the lights went out), and received a masterclass on how to Braai.

So what went down on the water? Well apart from the chorus of “whoop whoop”, as we hinted earlier there was considerable effort placed on height and both Ben and Timo deserve special mention here, with some proper big’uns, the ones that make you scream, so gents we salute you. And yes your regular kite loop offs are now something of legend. On the subject of kiteloops we should bring Miguel into the frame, with what will most likely be the biggest ever back loop kite loop that we’ll see on a clinic – respect! Luis in his usual laid back style did delight with some whopping double back loops to compliment his BLTs and the oh so nearly surfboard tack, whilst Ian got comfy in his plush chair of air, more often than not with a cheeky, long held grab before casually moving onto the blissful art form that is the front loop. Liz for her part was also reaching for the skies with big boy height, cracking fronts and what about those raleys – and new toys too! At the other end of the scale was Dylan – it’s all about the boots. His enthusiasm for blind and wrapped, Oles and anything that could lead to a possible pass was only occasionally dented by the brutal eyes still open boot beatings – but hey the chicks ‘ll dig it. The lunchtime ladies club was the real deal of initiation into the kitesurf club with both Gu and Victoria establishing themselves as bona fide kitegirls. Gu’s easy upwind and delightful love the bar stance was a pleasure to behold and Victoria’s slide turns were things of great beauty.

Once again SA served up the goods, a perfect blend of wind, fun, food and good times. We’ve penciled next year into the diary already.

Released this one a few months ago but somehow omitted to put it on here. This is the last of the blind moves, next we’ll be moving onto the joys of  wrapped and strapless surfboard tips:) Enjoy – hope it helps!

C & K Quick Tips Front to Blind

Quick Tips Front to Blind - How to do a kitesurfing Front to Blind with Cabrinha Coaches Christian and Karine, CKperformance Clinics

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November = Brazil!

The fond memories linger of Brazil and everything that is wonderful about it. Admittedly this year lacked the strength of wind that we’re accustomed to but none the less what a great 4 weeks of clinics.

The wind was there, just a tad lighter, so there was still a ridiculous amount of time and effort put in on the water. Our new HQ rocked, and as always Valber, Joao, Leo and Zac at the club looked after us and made us welcome.

It was definitely a year for girls with the men sometimes being outnumbered by the fairer (?) sex, and also a revelation for many on the joys of surfboards. The conditions didn’t disappoint with a generous serving of both flat water and waves on the sand bar.

November kicked of in style with the 2 weekers. Our expansive new HQ had hammoks, bean bags, sofas, solid lylos and loungers aplenty, so relaxing and catching a cheeky siesta in between sessions or after an invigorating lunch of Acai was never an issue. Breakfast was always a plentiful mix of fruits, coffee and yes the cake. Junior often did us proud with his evening meals and BBQs, Rob’s sly purchase of the lobsters from who else but the fruit and veg man (!) was much appreciated, and as for the baby beef. Oh yes and the pitchers of Caipis, Ouro of course.

It would be easy enough to go on about the diversions but let’s not forget the kiting. James, Jane, Rowan, Simon, Sophie, Henry and Raf could not be accused of slacking on the surfboard front (nor in many cases the twin tip) with some bona fide slashing as well as cheeky transitions, and who’ll forget the downwind adventure:) On the twin tip side it was action packed too, Dagamara (thanks for being such a good sport) was spinning this way and that and got an addictive taste for the surfboard too. Bridget showed us how to mix kiting with holiday and yoga, a lesson in getting the best of everything in a 2 week break – great skills. Rob not only got his jumping consistent, but got the air gybes going, and shared his exotic food knowledge, educating us along the way. James’s was getting good air and lovely carves, Sophie’s Raleys…, Jane’s front loops and air gypes and Raf pondering the Raley to blind.

Once that rabble left we welcomed the next motley crew. The high energy, go for it and bon hommie continued with a competitive flair. Kevin as usual proved us wrong and demonstrated that it is possible to kite all day long (we mean all day long) and still progress and not get ill – oh those pops to blind with surface pass and that surfboard tack. On that note Adam styled it out too, and his now trade mark pop to blind with Ole was the envy of many a kiter, and his list of achievemnts would be too long to read:) Keith, what can we say, spectacular front loops, no mincing there, and as for your performance on fancy dress night??? Luis, huge fronts and backs when we’re wondering if there’s enough wind for you, and lovely carving too. Jen, the joy of carving and the start of a career in surf, good air, fab beach launches and don’t forget the front loop. Dave looking great in your FMH, supplied tea to the masses and claimed an awful lot too, props for wipeout of the month, great Raleys and BLKLs. Ian, groovy jumping, got up there nice and high indeed, carving underturns were special too. Matt as ever produced some Gucci kiteloops, was oh so close to that flat 3 and shifty to wrapped and managed to escape the slobbering clutches of Fingy each day. Rich, another revelation on consolidation, jumps went large and controlled, and then the front loop arrived just like that, along with those Raleys. Rolling on we were joined by James, got into the air, loved the air gybe and made the underturn his own. While Vicky went from a couple of lessons to upwind queen and joined the kitesurfing club, brilliant.

Somewhat longwinded, so apologies but what do you expect from a month of fun in the sun, and that was the condensed version – oh Dolce de Leche on Bananas..

Soon to be back, so we thought we’d put up the link to this feature from Issue 35. Was a conversation type feedback from all the guys and gals on our SA trip last year – a behind the scenes what’s it like on a one of our clinics according to you! In case you haven’t read it click away:)

http://www.iksurfmag.com/issue35/?page=155

Been rather hectic of late, so a tad tardy getting news up. However here at CK Performance HQ champagne corks have been popping, streamers flying, horns blaring and everything celebratory, short of a letter from the Queen (better late than never Ma’am). That’s right folks, we’ve reached and passed our century of moves in the hallowed IKSURFMAG. Feels much like a coming of age – it’s hard to believe that we’ve been at it that long since Rou and Alex conceived their baby. Here’s to the next 100… http://www.iksurfmag.com/issue35/?page=89

Gosh, what a week! The wind gods savaged us with their fury, 7 from 7, so that pretty much guarantees smiles and progress. In fact it was so sporting that it generally dipped at lunch time allowing for a gentleman’s siesta, and returned in the afternoon for a spectacular into sunset session. Made all the sweeter by a cold beer waiting on the beach when the body finally gave in.

Add to that the most convivial of atmospheres, living aboard and sharing a sufficiently large gin palace, secluded spots, flat water, jaw dropping colours, explosive sun sets, fresh lobster, amicable dolphins, squid catching competitions,  and the resulting bonhomie – really need we say more?

So how did this fine group fare? Well Ben C was the hands down squid champion, using the captain’s special lure he landed a whooper and has the ink stains to prove it. On the water amongst a host of other rather stylish moves the unhooked raley is now a reality and those mahusive toe side fronts are truly in the bag. His namesake, Bollinger, also claimed this most evasive of moves, mixed in with some stylish bone outs, decent blinds and look backs (at the camera), powered back loop kite loops, and one particularly entertaining sparring session with Miguel. This impromptu kite loop off witnessed the boys pushing each other higher and higher and still controlling some epic loops. Funnily enough Miguel also claimed the raley, extended his blind and impressively learnt his box of tricks on the other tack, downloop front loops included – just wait till he returns with his bionic shoulder. Magnus blatantly had one thing on his mind, and proved that a man of leisure can also dominate the chair of air. Good height and a refreshing return to front loops, with some exploratory backs too. Lotte was not to be outdone by her knight in shining armour, flying the flag very high for the girls corner, adding some joyous grabs, styling the airgybe too and the frontloop is in the post…. Rob joined us all the way from LA, had a bag scare but obviously had plenty of good karma stored up as everything arrived in good time before casting off. Rob had one objective, to leave as a jumper, and boy did he, new technique and all. Luis put everything into twin tip and surfboard, gybing both ways, large jumps with the now obligatory tweak, airgybes and the blue thigh award for frontloops. Nathan returned to his old stomping ground on the safari and picked up where he last left off. This time around it was all about air, and even someone Nathan’s height must find it a bit daunting up there, awesome. Ryan ended his hiatus away from kiting, got his feet comfy and showed some real finesse, working his way back through jumping and then moving both his fronts and backs into smooth doubles that’ll keep his brother impressed. Rafaloco invested some time back on a twin tip. His efforts rewarded with some solid blind, proper back loop kite loops and one stand out huge unhooked kite loop. Back on the surfboard his strapless airs are looking tasty, as he proved off the boat wake on the down winder.

And just to make the trip even more dream like, the resulting land sickness on our return was amusing to say the least – Sunday morning tennis has never been so difficult!

As a bonus for the Sri Lanka clinic being so popular and breaking all records in selling out in less than 48 hours, we had a many more of you keen as mustard, and so week two was born. On both a selfish and selfless note going to this part of the world opened up opportunities for us to reach out a bit further and welcome riders from the other side so to speak – this time Honk Kong, Singapore and The Egg.

Week two’s conditions pretty much mirrored the first week, as did the food:)  This week also witnessed some new kiting vocabulary including “push the canoe”, a somewhat enigma scrambled left field key point for the front loop, and “edgemanship”, the colonial version of la resistance.

Once again we had pretty much the full diversity of kiting, learning and improving being all the rage that it is. Both Kim and Meads rocketed through the kitesurfing stratosphere, from wobbly riding, through upwind, slide turns and onto the buzz of jumping. Meads did however miss out toe side, as to quote him “why would I want to do that when I can just jump”. Henry, spoken with a silent H, worked on his very own edgemanship, resulting in snow capped front and back loops, hanging air gybes, flat out blinds and also freed his feet and entered the exciting world of strapless. Andy was stylish as ever, penduluming his airgybes over the beach and camera, and generally showing off with all manner of jumps and spins. But his epiphany moment was his new found love, the Switchblade… Gez was already feeling this love and when not being naughty was pushing canoes, air gybing and generally flying around the place. Igor as usual was putting maximum height and effort into everything, coming out with lofty front loops and airgybes, oh and that speed. Dennis was omnipresent on the water and had the energy of an Eveready Bunny, and his newly acquired Dark Slide and Raley certainly looked the business. And finally Jon, who when not regaling us with tales of the unexpected, lit his kiting flame and walked away with the back to blind, blind judge and probably the funniest video clip ever “I love you Jon”.

Another brilliantly entertaining and productive week…..

This was our inaugural trip to Sri Lanka, and boy oh boy did it live up to expectations. Having very generously been handed an extra bank holiday care of The Queen, this trip was bound to be popular. That said we didn’t count on the wind putting Brazil to shame or the amazing food that was lavished upon us each evening, a veritable culinary delight which was never far from our minds. As a bonus the friendliest of locals always made us feel welcome where ever we went, and any trip in the back of a pickup was filled with waves, whoops and smiles and had us convinced that we were returning world cup winners or had just landed a Gold in the forthcoming Olympics.

Unsurprisingly the girls put on a fine show whilst all competing for aerial prowess. Jules, Frieda and Alison enjoyed placing some decent daylight between themselves and the water, initiating themselves into the chair of air and showing off with some air gybes too, with Alison throwing in some cheeky rotations to boot.

Whilst on the subject of air the boys do deserve a mention too. Matthew with a slightly shorter trip from Australia this time, was going large. Seeing a big man flying so high on an 8m pretty much summed up the conditions. His Raleys were to die for, as were his kiteloops and downloops – but his after lunch warm ups kept us entertained. Rich as always was gunning for the heavens even with a hefty dose of holiday flu! Pete controlled his jumps, nailed his air gybes and then went on to fully claim the front and back loops, 10 in a row wasn’t it? Brendan was floating around up in the heavens, , air gybing with style, working on his blind and claiming the Raley. Rafa was tempted back onto his twin tip by the afternoon winds for some  large air and powered back loop kiteloops on his 7, but continued his homework on the surfboard, and added the strapless airgybe to his box of tricks. Andy was on a total mission, with no thought spared for self preservation, stomping the pop to blind with surface pass, back to blinds and some frighteningly respectable kite loops, acquiring some nice bruises on the way.

A memorable trip on so many levels – oodles of all day wind, a gastronomic surprise, and a lot of fun!