Diagnosed by the Dominion Post with ADD, its official.


Learn to kite:
http://yakers.co.nz/2008/11/learning-to-kite-faq-i-get-asked-same.html

Auckland To Bay of Islands by Kite- 261km 13 hours- NZ Record

Well the first 200km from Auckland harbor was a flyer and I completely exceeded my expectations and that of people following me. Sailing next to the record setting Alpha Romeo boat at the start was definitely a highlight. The kite of choice was a 13m Cabrinha Crossbow (2010) and this turned out to be perfect for the conditions. I had done some extensive testing before the event and new that it would cope in 8-30 knots of wind and was the fastest most user friendly kite out there. The PredictWind forecast for the day was bang on and was foretasting 20 knots most of the way up the coast with it dying out around late evening/midnight time.

Doing the Coastal Classic was never about trying to beat the yachts and was more about physical and mental challenge. The 261km covered between Auckland and the Bay of Islands is however a new NZ distance record, so am happy with that result. I was averaging 17 knots for my best hour and sustaining speeds in excess of 20 knots with peaks of 23knots (42km/h). My time for the first 200km to Cape Brett was 7 hours, which is also well under world record (333km) pace for 12 hours. To put it in perspective the record setting boat Alpha Romaeo finished the Coastal Classic race in 6 hours 43 minutes.

PICTURE: ROSS GIBLIN COPYRIGHT DOMINION POST
With an outgoing tide and dying wind, it was always going to be difficult to get the last 20km into Russell on a kite. The plan was to take a wide berth at Cape Brett as the kite won't fly in less than 8 knots. The support boat was running low on petrol once we got to Cape Brett so a call was made for the boat (8.5m Protector) to head back into Russell and fuel up. That left me on my own for a bit, but with Spot Messenger, VHF, flares and a cell phone, Troutie Lights felt pretty comfortable on my own. I am really appreciative to the Coastguard for shadowing me until the support boat came back.













Full GPS track
In the end I pulled the pin 8nm from the finish at 10:30pm after the wind died around 10:15. I did consider swimming the last bit in the dark but was too far out to do this realistically. The body was still willing even after 13 hours and recovered well. The only ill effect was a sore wrist , which I got from sitting in front of a computer typing. Moral of the story, work is dangerous...(smile).

I was in Samoa immediately prior to the Tsunami training for this event and am thankful we returned safely to NZ. I really feel for those people affected by this terrible event. If you think kitesurfing the Coastal Classic is crazy or you would just like to support the Samoan community in their time of need, then please donate generously at:
https://www.givealittle.co.nz/coastalclassic/




Dirrect link to TV3 interview (may load a bit faster).

http://www.3news.co.nz/Kite-surfer-competes-in-Coastal-Classic/tabid/367/articleID/126711/cat/221/Default.aspx

Sponsors
My strategy is to get the best gear I can buy as I have to rely totally on it. All the gear bellow has been thoroughly tested and meets my high standards.
Cabrinha the major sponsor who funded the cost of the support boat and produce such fast usable kites. I have the choice to kite any kite I use Cabrinha by choice, they rock.
WildWinds and WSP kite shops for believing in the event providing friendly advice.
Predictwind for providing such accurate weather forecasts
Troutie for providing the head lights. He is a light genius and builds fantastic lights that outperform the commercial options for less money.
Cutter Electronics for providing LEDs, optics and drivers for the Troutie lights
Sweet Helmets for provide great looking and safe helmets
ICOM for providing VHF radios
Telecom- for providing mobile broadband data sticks
John Amundson- for producing my downwindboard at short notice.

PICTURE: ROSS GIBLIN COPYRIGHT DOMINION POST
To make an event like this happen it can't be done without the generous support of others;
Blake Cameron from Moorings for believing in the idea from the start providing accommodation in Russell, advice on local conditions, helping with logistics and boat driving.
Charlie and Brent for their boat support sorting food, kites, logistics and driving gear around the country. Mike Morris from All Crane was a complete star providing his 8.5m Protector (Gamma Protector) for this event. I was without a support boat the night before and he stepped up to help without having met me before. Also big thanks for driving and organising boat logistics to and from Russell.
Merinda for all her support over the last 10 months leading up to the race.
Luke Wigglesworth was helpful talking though weather and tactics. He is the master of this event on a windsurfer having completed it 3 times over 10 years
Lincoln for use of his kites for backup.
Richard Finnie from the Metservice for his weather forecasts.
Catherine Bennett from Westpac for her assistance with media
Lee Hales from Give a Little for help with fund raising and editing.

If anyone is thinking about giving kitesurfing a go, I have written an independent article on my blog about learning to kite and what the costs involved are.

Coastal Classic Adventure
When Louis Tapper rigs up his kitesurfer this Friday, he will attempt to be the first kitesurfer to complete the HSBC Coastal Classic. He has plenty of motivation to finish as he is raising funds for the communities devastated by the tsunami in Samoa, which was an essential training ground. Louis is up against 30 ft plus yachts over 220km and will finish in the dark. “It’s a huge challenge, in fact my biggest challenge,” says the man who was the first kitesurfer to traverse the treacherous Cook Strait.

Following his successful crossing of the Cook Strait in October 2008 the intrepid adventurer is planning to take on the longest journey on a kite in New Zealand. This Friday is the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic race where some of New Zealand's most successful sailors and yachts will line up for the biggest boat race for 2009. Louis Tapper is planning to kitesurf the 220km race from Auckland to the Bay of Islands and raise funds for communities devastated by the tsunami in Samoa. The south coast of Upolo island in Samoa was an essential training ground for Louis during his ten month 's of hard yaker and training. Kites and smaller craft are not able to enter officially however kitesurfing is about adventure and challenge for Louis

Louis will be tackling this distance alone and thinks it will take between 12-24 hours, finishing in Russell in the dark. Up until a few years ago, the world long distance record was close to the 220km so this will be a significant, physical and mental challenge. "This will be a true test of my guts and endurance. I have trained hard, kiting day and night in Samoa and along the Wellington coastline. Nothing is guaranteed, the thrill of the sport is being at the mercy of the wind. Due to light wind patterns it could be difficult to get out of Auckland harbour but from there with the wind playing its part, I hope it's plain sailing. Any less than 8 knots and the kite just falls out of the sky" " says Louis.

Louis returned from Samoa one day before the tsunami which completed obliterated the fale in Maninoa where he was staying. Samoa provided him with an idyllic training ground warm water, consistent wind and generous, hospitable people. "The communities and livelihood's on the south coast of Upolo have been devastated by the tsunami and I want to do my part to help those in need. If you would like to support the Samoan community, or just think my adventure is crazy please donate generously" says Louis https://www.givealittle.co.nz/coastalclassic/.
Louis, has put his professional risk assessment skills to the test. He has carefully mitigated the risks by using the Spot Messenger satellite trackers, VHF radio, flares, survival equipment and new Cabrinha kites. He has a standby boat and dedicated support team on the water for any incidents like ripped gear, injuries or the wind dying out. He will be starting 30 minutes before the fleet for safety reasons. You can track his progress in real-time at http://yakers.co.nz/coastalclassic

Mega Downwinder
I have been planning a solo kite board trip for a while and tomorrow looks like the day. It is with nervous excitement that I am posting this. The plan is to leave from Waiinui beach, north of Wanganui and go as far as possible. Makara may or may not be my finishing point. Start time will be at first light (6.00-6.30) and finish time will be dusk if everything goes well.
I will be sending updates via twitter and you can track real-time progress via Spot Messenger unit for those that are interested and have nothing to do at work. http://twitter.com/yakernz
This trip is definitely committing and will require full focus, as there are large sections of remote coastline. Now there will be a few people asking why am I doing it solo, for the adventure and challenge of course. Until you have done it it is hard to explain why in a few sentences.
P.S- food and water will be gratefully accepted along the way

8/4 5:40
I have changed spot unit and am using Alis one (link on the right)

Alis Kite Crossing Story

Donate to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter at: http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/kitethestrait/

Yep we both made it, albeit about 8 nm apart. I'd borrowed Kevs board which was way better than mine would have been but still not quite a floaty as Louis big barge. I struggled a bit in the light winds and couldn't point as far upwind as Louis so eventually ended up south of Tory Channel, Louis hit the mainland exactly as planned at Perano Head about 4 nm north of Tory
Channel.

Once out of the bay at Makara (total nightmare in light wind dead onshore and lots of kelp) we got good wind for about 40 mins then it dropped to zero and we hung out with kites in the water , the wind came back but it was only about 10 -12 kts , we both had to work the kites but Louis was a bit more efficient and managed to stay on the planned heading. I worked my way slowly south into the shipping lanes regularly hitting 5 knots.

We were about to pull the pin on my trip and the boat was on the way to get me when the wind came back and I got going again. After the ok from the coast guard and quick scurry across the mouth off Tory Channel. I ended up about 500 yrds of the coast up against some big cliffs. The wind started getting funky and I had the strongest gusts of the trip and a couple of lofts then it all died about 100 yards out and I swam to shore.

Meanwhile Louis was in good pressure further north and trying to tack up wind to give him a chance at a quick touch , turn and trip back to Makara. Eventually he touched land at Perano Head and keen for more headed back towards the North Island.

I was way too far south to contemplate the return trip and the cliff landing hadn't been nice to my gear so the boat came down and picked me up.

Louis was ripping in steady 18 -20 on the way back and we struggled to make ground on him, its way harder work doing 15kts in a 20ft boat in rough seas than it is doing 20kts on a kite.

With the magic of VHF, Spot and Telecom we tracked Louis down 2 hours later - he was about 7nm northwest of Makara. We knew it was 10kts lighter on the Wellington side so he had taken a wide northern circle looking to approach Makara downwind as the wind dropped of. He was making very hard yards of it in about 8 kts of wind when we found him. He persevered for another 1 1/2 hours relaunching every 20 minutes but eventually the kite could not stay in the sky so we pulled the pin 3 nm northwest of Makara.

It was quite cool at times bobbing away by yourself in the middle of the strait waiting (praying) for enough wind to relaunch, but next time I think we will wait for a gruntier forecast.

Ali




Thanks to Dion and Willi for the photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yakers/sets/72157610947914159/

Note: I came across this previous attempt which came close to our experience.

Kite Crossing a Success!
Just a quick post to say Ali and I did make it across and we are stoked with this achievement, especially given the light wind conditions we started and ended with.

Thanks guys for all your support and donations. If you haven't done so already please keep the donations flowing in http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/kitethestrait/ .

It took us an hour to grovel out of Makara before we headed out on our way. The 2.5 m shark swimming off the head of Makara certainly kept my senses sharp while Ali finally made his way out. We had periods where the wind died completely and the pressure was definitely on with TV3 there and news media wanting to know what was going on.






Both of us were having to work hard to keep upwind and maintain a bit of speed. Unfortunately Ali was struggling to stay upwind and ended up in a place where it wasn't possible to come back from. I spent a fair bit of time on the Perano Head side getting to a point where I could touch without a wind shadow. It also set me up for a steaming run back across, well, until the wind died and I ended up groveling in 8-14 knots of wind from 3:30 until 5:30

The wind died out, 3 mile from Makara, to around 5 knots so it wasn't possible to continue. I was ready to break out the Speedos and swim the last bit, but the support boat was getting close to being out of fuel and had to head home after having driven 140km.

Coping with the wind variation was key today and the combination of the new Cabrinha switchblade IDS kites and long boards really helped us out. I am personally feeling pretty good after having kited 7 hours with only stops in the lulls. It will be interesting to see how the body is tomorrow.

This crossing would not have been possible without the support from a number of people who have generously given up their time today. Big thanks to you all.

Thanks to Dion and Willi for the photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yakers/sets/72157610947914159/

Kite the Strait-Westpac Rescue Helicopter

Kiteboarders Louis Tapper and Alistair Quinn are making the first ever bid to cross the notoriously treacherous Cook Strait by kite, and raise money for the Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter while they're doing it. Chopper rescue services can mean the difference between life and death for thousands of New Zealanders every year. And you can't get more deserving than that.

Donate now at: http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/kitethestrait/

Louis Tapper and Alistair Quinn, who have spent more than six months pouring over maps and weather charts, waiting for the perfect conditions to be the first kite surfers to cross Cook Strait. They think the time might be right today (Monday 8th December).

The pair, who will raise money and the profile of the Wellington-based Westpac rescue helicopter, think it will take between two to five hours to travel the 26 kilometres from North of Makara to Arapawa Island and have chosen today because of the northerly winds.

“It’s got to be just perfect – we need steady wind, not too strong and not too light. It’s also got to be particular direction, and is not the prevailing wind in this region,” says Louis. “So we’ve had to be very patient, as well as very well-prepared. The real challenge in coping with the large wind variation that occurs across either side of the strait”

There have been several failed attempts in the past few years, Louis says, but he thinks his chosen wind direction and patience will make their attempt a successful one.

Louis, an IT Security Consultant for Westpac Bank, has put his professional risk assessment skills to the test and has “assessed the risks from all angles” as well as many practice runs along the Wellington coastline. He has also consulted with Met Service forecasters, police, local fishermen and the coastguard.

“We’re confident that with the weather playing its part, we will be the first to cross this notorious stretch of water. It’s been our dream since we started kitesurfing and I have used it to motivate myself to get fit over winter. It’s even better that we can also raise awareness of Lifeflight’s Westpac Rescue Helicopter, because we’re really passionate about the great outdoors lifestyle we have in New Zealand. We have a real appreciation of the rescue choppers service and their dependence on people fund raising, so we want to play our part.”

Louis and Ali will tackle the strait alone but will be carrying Spot Messenger satellite tracker, radio and survival equipment. They have a boat on standby for any incidents like ripped gear, injuries or the wind dying out.

Kite surfing popularity has grown significantly in the few years due to enhancements in the kite designs and safety. Kitesurfers have recently broken the magical 50 knots barrier, the holy grail of speed sailing. Want to learn to Kite? The following are some frequently asked questions on how to get started

Donate now at: http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/kitethestrait/











The following map will track Louis and Alis progress every 10 minutes via Spot Messenger.

View Larger Map