Category: Photography

SLC ’09 Snowkite Trip Day 3

Day three of the SLC trip was the bet yet. It was the second day of the SuperFly Open at Powder Mountain. And we had wind! The day started off with a little chill time. Then we quickly hit up the grocery store for food and water to bring with us on the mountain.

We pulled up to the mountain around 10am to see the flags blowing and kites in the air. Scrambling to unpack the gear out of the car and get on the cat to the event location, which was about a mile from the parking lot.

The crew rigged up kites and headed out for a fun session. I hung out with Petter at one of the kickers watching him show everyone up. That kid has skills! The first event was the kite race followed by the big air.

After the events, Jason, Petter, Tekko, Arla and I headed to the downwind side of the mountain to grab some shots. It was a good time, though way more work than being on the water, but the crew was killing it. Petter and Jason found a couple cool natural kickers that they sessioned for a while before Jason put his kite into a tree. Luckily the kite received only minor injuries.

I headed back to charge my batteries for the camera in order to be ready for the evening shoot. There were some miss communications, which then made me walk from the lodge back to the event location and then back again. Needless to day I got my exercise for the day.

After getting back to the car I grabbed Jason for a couple quick shots with the new LF snowboard. Then I was to a well-deserved dinner and to bed.

Check out the full trip here: Day1, Day2, Day3, Day4, Day5, Day6, Day7, Day8, Day9.

March 16, 2009
Brandon Scheid in The Kiteboarder

The new issue of The Kiteboarder showed up while Jason and I were in Utah on the REAL Team ’09 Snowkite trip. This shot of Brandon Scheid made it into the magazine. The shot was taken around dusk at Kite Point, NC.

March 15, 2009
SLC ’09 Snowkite Trip Day 1

After a very busy day at work, I was able to finish packing for the SLC Snowkite Trip. I was able to get all my camera gear into two bags, and clothes and riding gear into two more. Jason picked me up around 9pm and we headed north to Virgins Beach to pick up new Real Team stickers and crash for our 5am flight.

We headed to the airport around 4:30am to then realize that our flight wasn’t until 7am. We still had to go drop one of Steve’s friends off at the airport, we would be just a little early for out flight. The luggage check in went smoother than expected. We got on our flight to Chicago in a very empty flight which we were both excited about.

Luckily, I have never been one to get uncomfortable while flying when there is turbulence. Unluckily for the lady across the aisle, she does. We hit a patch of “rough air” as the captain called it, and this lady just started flailing her arms as if she was trying to cool herself down on a hot day. Weird! We hopped on another flight and were headed for SLC.

We got picked up by Tyler, the event organizer, and Shannon Best. From there, we meet up with amy, tyler’s personal assistant, and Big Ted and headed for a quick lunch before going up the mountain to check into the room.

After we meet up with Big T we drove up to the mountain to get the housing in order. It was a great adventure with Shannon Best in the car. He is a character, full of some great stories. By the time we made it up there and got into the rooms we realized we had to bolt it back to Salt Lake City for a TV interview.

We barely made it to the TV interview on time only 20 minutes late. It was cool to see the interview go down. In the interview were Arla J. Funk (who has the best goggle tan), Jason and Tyler. It was a good short, interview on live TV (to add some nerves). We got to be in the studio while they were filming, which was pretty cool.

Then we headed back to Tyler’s house and packed up the rest of the gear and even had time to snap a couple shots along the way. Then it was another long drive back up the mountain. Finally out of the car and the gear in the condo we meet up with Llew Simmonds and Kristy Moller. After a couple drinks we called it a night.

More photos HERE.

Check out the full trip here: Day1, Day2, Day3, Day4, Day5, Day6, Day7, Day8, Day9.

March 13, 2009
Slezak’s Birthday Party

Last night we had a little surprise party for Jason Slezak. Jason’s birthday is not until this weekend, but we will be off in Utah for it. So, the crew wanted to celebrate in fashion. There was a little bonfire and the grill was going, what more could you ask for on a clear, late winter, night.

March 11, 2009
Waves and Sunsets

I missed the kite session today because I was busy working. I was kinda bummed about that, until I remembered I got to shoot the sunset now that it happens after work. Mel and I headed to the beach to get a couple shots. It was a great sunset and got a couple cool shots.

March 10, 2009
Chilly NW in The Slick

Today’s session took a while to come around. We were supposed to get a strong SW wind before the switch to NW kicked in. However, the wind didn’t come up until the NW came in and a strong cell passed over us. David, Ed, Ryan and I played around in the slick. I pulled my brand new crispy 2009 Liquid Force 8m Havoc out of my truck. I absolutely loved this kite. I didn’t feel like I had a ton of power, but I was cruising up wind will little effort. It was very stable and good turning speed. It was very cold and after being unable to land any tricks because my feet were completely numb I headed in.

Location: The Slick
Wind Direction: NW
Wind Speed: 21-28
Kite: 09 Liquid Force 8m Havoc
Board: LF 144cm Mission
Wetsuit: O’Neill 5/4 Mutant
Bindings: yes
Harness: DaKine Tabu

Check out more pics HERE.

February 22, 2009
Lulu LF Mavin Board Shoot

I woke up this morning to go surf. I head out the door to see a puddle in the driveway was frozen and walked right back inside. It was a cold one!

I grabbed a couple quick shots of Lulu. She needed a pic of her with her new LF Mavined out board. It was even colder tonight with the NW wind howling at 15 knots. We got off a couple shots and then headed in for warmth. The one good thing about the cold is that your drinks stay chilled during the shoot.

February 20, 2009
SBC Kiteboard 2009 Buyers’ Guide

SBC Kiteboard Magazine recently released their 2009 Buyers’ Guide Issue. I wrote an intro for a 6 page feature on Jason Slezak. Another of my favorite shots of Brandon Scheid also made it into this issue. Brandon is doing a huge tweaked Nuclear grab over my head in the Slick. Pick up your copy of SBC Kiteboard to check out the full interview with Jason.

February 16, 2009
The session that finally came to be

Location: The Slick
Wind Direction: WSW
Wind Speed: 18-23
Kite: 12m Boss
Board: LF Mission 144cm
Wetsuit: O’Neill 3/2 Mutant
Bindings: LF Escalades
Harness: DaKine Tabu

It cranked here all morning. I’m talking 25-30 WSW. Jason and I were so excited to head out for a kite at lunch. I get out there pump up my 12m and rig the lines, put on my suit and the wind dies. #@$%^! So we heard there was a little surf.

We go grab our boards and head to Mirlo. The wave is maybe waist high and barreling super fast. We drive back to work and see kites up in the slick. We go and pump up for a quick session. Two days in boots in the slick, feels so good.

February 12, 2009