Bryan Elkus

Author: Bryan Elkus

  • Pre-Trip

    This trip had a tough start to say the least. After getting the time off of work, it was time to schedule the flights. I checked all the typical online booking sites. I selected the 12 flights to the trip and went to check out. I gave my card #, but it didn’t go through. I then wound up spending 9 hours in two days on the phone with Orbitz, with no luck.

    I then talked to a travel agent at AAA. I gave him all the same flights and again it didn’t go through. He then found out that you can only book 8 legs of a flight onto one ticket. We then figured out the most economical way to split up the marathon of a trip. I called Orbitz back up, and booked the flights. The next step was packing a 50 lbs bag for the 12 flights, 5 stops, 3 climate changes and everything between a suit and boardshorts.

  • Cape Hatteras Photo Book

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    SOLD OUT !
    See Cape Hatteras and all its beauty through the eye of the photographer. The book traditionally titled Cape Hatteras, NC – A View From The Banks, is a collection of scenic photographs from and about the majestic Cape Hatteras National Seashore of North Carolina.

    After multiple requests, a coffee table book as been meticulously put together with some of the most amazing and unique scenic photographs taken in Cape Hatteras, NC over the last year. A View From The Banks is hard covered, 20 pages in length, and with over 35 beautiful eye-catching photographs. The book sizes in at 8.5” x 11” and will be avalible in two options: Hard Cover for $59.99 and Soft Cover for $49.99 (Both with Free Shipping).

    *Experience the brilliance of the Outer Banks of North Carolina through this limited edition of fine art photographs, which will become available in the near future, upon your request.

  • From the Banks of the Hood


    From the Banks of the Hood from Nate Appel on Vimeo.

    Nate Appel of Last Exit! Productions just released this new edit, “From the Banks of the Hood”. This video showcases some of the Mt. Hood crew, Joby Cook, Jake Cook and Nate Appel Grinch Winching their slider park in the Hood.

    Check it.

  • JS Mother Trucker

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    I came upon a deal that could not be passed up. I am now the proud owner of a 6’8 JS Mother Trucker. It’s a poly-board, which I am a bit nervous about. However, this should be a killer board for me on the shoulder + days. I headed out twice today to test her out. For the Dawn session, Jason, Zack, Joe and I rode Corbina Street. The waves were about head high and barreling. Sam, Jason and I went to Sea Haven for a lunch time surf. It was a lot of fun to be back out surfing again.
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  • Gear Update | Liquid Force 2008 Havocs

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    (photo: Chris Stephany)

    My season with the 2008 Liquid Force Havocs are quickly coming to an end. I have been very happy with these kites over the last 12 months. I rode the 8, 12 and 16m kites. I was a die hard Fuel rider for years, but for reasons above me I did not ride them. I must say, the 08 Havocs are a stellar kite.

    The 2008 kites are significantly better than the 2007 Havocs. I really did not like the 2007 Havocs at all, and this was why I was so nervous about switching to the LF Havocs at the beginning of the year. Its one a few kites that are honestly stable in the sky. The relaunch is incredible. I have dropped my kite while on a wave, and while still on the wave have relaunched it. I look forward to get by quiver of 2009 Havocs in the coming weeks.

    This is the review of my gear from the 2008 season. These are just my two cents about the gear I have ridden and the experiences I had with it.

  • Gear Update | Wainman 12m Boss

    (photo: Ryan Wykoff)



    Wainman Hawaii hooked it up with a 12m Boss. For the last 4-5 months I have been spitting my time between the Boss and the Havoc. I really enjoy riding the Boss. It’s a solid kite. It’s fat and short and pulls hard. The bar pressure is lightly more than the Havoc.  The kite its self is just simple, not a lot going on so not a lot that can break.

    I felt that the Boss depowered its self faster after you drop the bar than the havoc. It was easy to relaunch. The bridals are much simpler than the Havoc’s. I didn’t like the bar quite as much as the Havocs. The Boss’s bar has extensions on it. I took them off for a couple ocean sessions and really enjoyed the kite on short lines. I really enjoy having this kite in my quiver.

    This is the review of my gear from the 2008 season. These are just my two cents about the gear I have ridden and the experiences I had with it.

  • Gear Update | Liquid Force 07 Mission

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    The Liquid Force Jason Slezak Mission Pro-model board has been my favorite kiteboard. It is a terrific all around board. Its fun in the surf to blow off the lips of waves, but it’s even better in the flat water for wake riding. The 144cm has been my choice as it gives better pop. My two favorite features of this board are the rounded to squared off rails, and the single to double concave.

    The concave might be the best feature about the board as it breaks the surface tension, so the board does not land flat. It has saved my knees for the past two years. I have put this board though just about everything you can think of and the board is still kicking. This board is by far the best board I have ever had. I’m sad to see the LF Mission leave the line up in 2009, but I have high hopes for the 2009 Influence. Jason Slezak’s new promodel board.

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    (photo: Jimmy Butler)

    This is the review of my gear from the 2008 season. These are just my two cents about the gear I have ridden and the experiences I had with it.

  • Gear Update | Jimmy Lewis Chamber 6’5

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    I picked up this board in early August 08. I decided to go with the Jimmy Lewis 6’5 Chamber this time instead of the 6’3 that I previously had. I figured that for the over head days here in Cape Hatteras it would be a decent board to surf. The 6’5 floats a lot more than the 6’3. The 6’5 Chamber feels much larger under your feet while kitesurfing. It feels easier become overpowered on.

    That being said, I really like the larger size board. This is because its easier to “surf” the wave with the larger board. You get to feel more of a surfing feel while your on the wave. The durability of the Chamber has really been proven to me by my first 6’3 Chamber, which I rode hard all season and finally creased the board last early summer. The Chamber 6’5 is a great board but would not recommend it to most riders just starting out in the waves due to its size. The smaller sized chambers would be a better choice.

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    (photo: Chris Stephany)

    This is the review of my gear from the 2008 season. These are just my two cents about the gear I have ridden and the experiences I had with it.

  • Gear Update | LF 09 Quad

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    The (pre-production) 2009 6’2 Liquid Force Quad has been holding up very well since i picked up this board from REAL in September ’08. I was incredibly nervous to ride an epoxy board. I was very happy about how well my Jimmy Lewis 6’3 Chamber held up all (07-08) season. The Quad took a little while to get dialed in as the board turns and rides a bit different than a thruster.

    I’m not too stoked on the FCS fin as they have two short tabs that connect to the board, where the Future fins and one longer tab to connect to the board. This causes the FCS fins to snap off more easily than Future fins while kitesurfing. I have also had some heal denting up by where my front foot would be places on the board. This is to be expected in these boards. The only other beef I have with this board is the couple times the fins have tried to take me out. After riding the board for a few months I would feel more than comfortable to suggest this board to my friends.

    This is the review of my gear from the 2008 season. These are just my two cents about the gear I have ridden and the experiences I had with it.