IKSA

Welcome to the second ever IKSA board and some Kite Safety tips, Beach
Newsletter, keeping you kiters from all info etc. If you would like to be
June
2010

o v e r I r e l a n d i n f o r m e d o n w h a t s interviewed on any kite issues, please

happening on the Irish Kite scene. The contact us as we’ll be glad to do the “You
season has truly started and the wind is tell us and we’ll tell them”.
picking up again (thank God!). However One of IKSA’s main aim is to
the swell in Ireland has been affected by encourage Irish Kitesurfers to join IKSA
all these Northerly winds and big Highs, for insurance reasons. Its always nice to
so much so we are starting to get surfers know you are covered when kiting on the
wanting to be Kiters! This means its also beach should anything happen to passers
IKSA 2010
a great time to learn/train for wave riding by as a result of your kiting!
on the smaller waves before heading to
Belmullet for Ryan’s mega waves (Rhino
Charge in September).
We interview 4 people from beginner
to pro rider. We have great articles on the
new Wainman kite and Underground Surf

KITE CALENDAR
JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

4-6th PureMagic/ 24-25th Sligo LSD/ 20th Wexford IKSA 18-19th Rhino Wave
IKSA Battle of the IKSA Sandy Burger event Charge
Bay
KNOW YOUR IKSA REP

You cant afford not to! Warren Vance - Northern Ireland

north@iksa.ie
New improved Insurance for Mark McCourt - Dublin
3rd party liability insurance to mccourtirl@gmail.com
Colin Irwin - SouthWest
cover you up to 5,000,000 colinirwin@hotmail.com
Niall Roche - South/SE
Free IKSA t-shirt info@hookedkitesurfing.ie
Fionn Shelly - Galway/Mayo
Free board sticker fionn.shelly@gmail.com
Free copy of KiteWorld mag Mark Barry - Limerick/Clare
Voting rights at the AGM msislerider@hotmail.com
Peter Armstrong - Sligo/Donegal
Supporting IKSA Events info@lsdkiteboarding.com  

EDITORS: Kyra McKenna

Ciaran Gilsenan

[1]
PLAN YOUR KITE EVENT
Not to be
Missed

Teresa Lynch

Just like the famous wave at Dollymount generated by the 4:30pm P&O Ferry

BATTLE OF THE BAY

The Battle of the Bay is over but we thought we would just remind our readers from abroad,
that it did happen and despite the fickle wind, great times were had by all (And these guys n gals
know how to party!) We hope you got a chance to be there. Big thanks to Francois, Catherine,
Christophe, Dominika and all the PureMagic gang and of course the visiting DJ Manu!

SLIGO LSD/IKSA SANDY

Sligo LSD boys have decided to launch a Sandy Burger for July 24-25th. Instead of a boot camp
the lads have decided something more laid back. Possibly a chance for those of you to try the
Wainman rabbits we’ve heard so much about (see the kite review). You can also avail of LSD
beautiful B&B which is cheaper and much nicer than many of the B&Bs in the area, plus you
can easily walk home from Harries or Austies after a singing session. Check with
www.lsdkiteboarding.com.

WEXFORD HOOKED/IKSA EVENT

IKSA and the gang at Hooked wish to show you why Wexford is the new kite destination for all
you Dubs who wish for clean waters and stunning beaches and don't want a big drive away from
home, its less than 2 hours from Dublin!! More details to come so check with Niall on
www.hookedkitesurfing.ie

RHINO WAVE EVENT

Cant wait for the premier event of the Wave Kiter’s calendar. Big waves and
incredible moves from the lads who turn up religiously for these events! Maybe its
the food maybe its the amazing talent or maybe cos you are convinced that you too wave
shall slash and burn those waves faces. You can book places on Ryan Coote website
and get a hoodie to boot and food organised for the weekend. Check with
www.rhinoswavecharge.com/register--contact.html

[2]
 cannot be viewed

EL PRESENDENTE as representative.
 
Whats the
difference
between BKSA
and IKSA?
No difference
really, apart from
the numbe r of
members. They
have some full
time staff working
also, which we
can’t do right
now.

When did it start

Introducing our glorious
President of the IKSA, a Galway
man, Phil McNamara. Its his first
year on the job and he explains
how and why IKSA was started.   killed me in Kinvara. There was no
  
How many years have you been
kiting?
Around 3 or 4 years now
 
Why did you get into kitesurfing?
 
Saw it in Hood River, Oregon and
was hooked. I saw the lads there
and it looked amazing. Then I saw
it in Thailand and said I had to
learn. I was supposed to be there
for a wedding, but spent most of
the time on the beach, getting
lessons from an ex Israeli army
officer who ran the local school.
(www.kiteboardingasia.com)   Why was IKSA set up?
What was your first kite?  from Dublin who had three main
It was a 2005 12m Naish Boxer
that a dodgy school in Tarifa sold
me for 600 euro – with no bar. I
didn’t have a clue how much I was
being ripped off. Then I bought a
very dodgy F1 that a dodgy
character from Galway sold to me.
Wow...so you’ve been around the
block...any good accident
stories?
With that same dodgy kite – nearly
depower in the bloody thing, and it
pulled me up about 10 feet and
slapped me down on the water
again – fractured a rib. Nothing
super serious.
How did you become president
of the IKSA...was it a coup
d'etat?
No one else could be bothered!
Ha...No, it is a great sport, and I’ve
never met a nicer bunch of lads on
the beach, and the chance of
leading the team came up and I
said yes.
It was set up by a group of kiters
aims:
1. Open communication channels
with local councils on beaches
regularly used by kitesurfers
2. Get an IKSA tour up and running
3. Encourage membership, as
without numbers the organisation
and who were
instrumental in
organising it?
Over the years
from 2001 - 2004
there was much
random talk on
the forums about
getting an IKSA
association
t o g e t h e r, a n d
finally in late 2004
a group of people
decided to take the first step. A
notice was put up on the
kitesurfing.ie site asking interested
parties to come to the Dollymount
House (RIP) and have a discussion
around what was to be done.
Approx. 30   lads attended the
gathering, and a number of
volunteers offered to put together
the first committee with a view to
getting things up and running.
It started officially in 2004 by
Kieran Sammon, Conor Lillis, Alexis
Ledoux, Oisin Ryan and James
Phelan. A number of other key
players who had acted as informal
liaisons with local councils also
offered their support in the
background, guys like Colm
Murphy who had strong personal
relationships with council beach
representatives through previous
connections such as life guarding.
Why aren’t you part of one of the
existing Irish sailing/surfing
bodies?
This is something that we’re
looking into – It may be something
that we can decide on during the

[3]
EL PRESENDENTE
next AGM, if all the members look at JP McNeese   looks after the money,
the benefits and we can decide that and makes sure we don’t get into
its good for us, then we’ll join. trouble
Matthieu Mayran looks after the
How does a school get IKSA website and makes us look good on
status? the web.
Right now, all you have to do is prove Michael Fitzsimons looks after public
that you are IKO or BKSA trained relations, and keeps us looking good
instructor, plus you have adequate for the media and sponsors, as well
insurance. From the end of this year, as with Failte Ireland
we are introducing some great new Ryan Coote looks after competitions,
safety qualifications for kiteschools, wave gatherings and organizing
which will be run by the Irish Water fantastic competitions
Safety organisation. They are running Francois Coloussi is the King of
these courses especially for IKSA kite l o o k i n g c o o l , b u t a l s o h a s
schools, and once that’s complete, responsibility for schools.
each school will be an accredited  
IKSA school. What’s your aims for this year?
 
I’d love to see the membership
Why should an Irish Kiter become
double this year. We want to get
a member?
some nice events organized, and
You’ll get lots of cool stuff! Well
make sure we keep our members
there’s that, plus you get insurance.
happy. We have bought a trailer this
Kiting can be a dangerous sport,
year, which houses all of our gear –
especially when we’re on public
tents, generators, music systems, etc
beaches. That why we have third
– which means we can keep warm
party liability insurance for every
when we’re standing around on the
member, that covers them in the
beach. We’re still working out a
event of an accident up to several
system for getting your membership
million euro. Not only that, when you
pack out to you, so please bear with
take out membership, you’re also
us!  
helping to keep beaches open,
 
because we work with local councils
I want to hear stuff – good and bad
and inform then that we’re a
from members – so please get in
responsible bunch of people, with full
touch (president@iksa.ie)
insurance.
 
Don’t forget, all members get a free t-
shirt, a free copy of Kiteworld
Magazine, an insurance tag and a
board sticker!
 
Why should a Northern Irish Kiter
become a member?
For all the same reasons – we’re all
on one island and the water in the
North is just as cold as here in the
south! We really want to welcome as
many people as possible into the
IKSA, and we’d love to organise
gatherings, all over the country!
 
Who’s in the IKSA committee?
Ciaran Gilsenan  and Kyra McKenna
are our fantastic secretary/journalists

[4]
KITE REVIEW
Kite: Wainman Hawaii Rabbit
Size: 9m Smoke
Year: 2008
Class: 4 line Bow Kite
Reviewer: Niall Fitzgerald
Kite Experience: 5 years
I started kitesurfing in September 2005 at
Banna beach Co. Kerry where Taz
O’Connor and Graham Kelleher
introduced me to this wonderful
obsession! My favourite style is strapless
wave riding but I am partial when
conditions are right to freestyle, and my
favourite tricks F16’s and down-loop S-
bends.
When I heard in late summer 2008 that
the legend that is Lou Wainman was
releasing a kite brand I was immediately
interested in checking them
out. As most
kitesurfers know,
Lou doesn’t
Think Killer conform to the
Rabbit..this aint n o r m s o I
guessed that any
cuddly kite brand he
would put his
name to would be
different to the rest of
the pack and he didn’t disappoint. Even
the name is a bit out there, the rabbit
gang! Now don’t be put off, the kites are
not soft and cuddly, try more like the
killer rabbit in Monty Pythons Holy
Grail! It’s just a pity they don’t reproduce you can break into Lou mode with 7m
like rabbits!
I got a 9m Rabbit Smoke on demo from
LSD Kiteboarding and after 10 minutes
on it I knew I had to have them so I
ordered the 6.5m Gypsy (now 7m) and
the 9m Smoke and 6 months later the
12m Boss.
What I love
a b o u t
Wa i n m a n
Hawaii is
that they
changed very
little on the
kites since I
bought them.
My 9m smoke from 2008 and what you
would order today is basically the same
kite.
From the minute you lay your hands on
the bag you realise that the quality is A+
+. When you unpack and layout the kite
the first thing you will notice is there are
graphics on both sides of the canopy, a
real nice
feature. Also
the colour
and graphic
are very
striking both
with the
black and
w h i t e
versions.
When the kite is inflated it is very
noticeable that this is a low aspect kite
with a very deep profile, centre strut on
the 9m smoke is about 6ft. The build
quality is excellent, loads of
reinforcement in the right places without
making it a heavy kite. In 18 months I
have only damaged my 9m smoke once
and that was not the fault of the kite,
these little beasts will take all the
punishment you can throw at them. The
rabbits have a simple V-bridal which is
very short with a pulley on each.
The bar and lines are simple and
uncluttered. It’s a true 4 line kite with
above the bar cleat depower which works
great and I haven’t had a single problem
with it after 18 months. Wainman have
also made things easy by having one size
bar for all kites so those on a tight budget,
like me! There are 3 options for safety. 1).
Suicide, which I use mostly as the
depower in the kite is really good, 2).
Double depower where a mini fifth line
can be connected to both front lines, 3).
Full depower by connecting the mini fifth
line to one of the front lines and the kite
will flag out when released. The release is
a very simple and effective. The lines are
24 meter lines 17m + 7m extension so
[5]
lines if you want!
On launching again
the shape of the
deep canopy is very
noticeable. I first
used the kite on
factory settings
which work great for
free ride. The kite is
fast in this mode but not too twitchy. It
has a great low end for a 9m and easily
gets me going in 16 knots on a surfboard
and I’m not small. Relaunch is excellent
because of its rounder shape, it just rolls
over onto the tip and pops back into the
sky in seconds. The kite boosts well but
there are better kites out there for pure
vertical pull. It is however a kite-loop
machine. Because it turns fast it is good
for newcomers to kite looping as it will
loop through the window very quickly if
the bar is turned hard. But as confidence
rises you can create much more pull by
turning the bar less vigorously to create
that mega loop buzz.
The real benefit of the kite and the
reason I was attracted to them is their
versatility. There are 3 bridal setting
MEDIUM for general freeride, FAST for
down the line wave-riding with quick
turning and light bar pressure and
SLOW for all those unhooked junkies
with slow turning and heavier bar
pressure. In 2 minutes the smoke can be
transformed from an excellent wave-
riding kite to an unhooked machine. The
back lines
also have 4
settings from
SLOW to
FA S T. T h e
bridle can be
replaced by
the supplied
pigtails to fly
the kite with
direct 4 lines which makes it fell like a
true C-kite. My favoured setting for waves
is bridle on FAST and back lines on fast,
and my favoured setting for unhooked is
bridle on SLOW and back lines on 3rd
fastest setting. This all seems very
complicated but don’t be worried, the kite
works excellently for all styles on the
factory setting and once you get used to
that you can experiment to you hearts
content!
These kites would suit beginners up. They
really suit people who like to ride in the
waves but still like to freestyle it up when
conditions suit. To sum up the 9m smoke
and the rest of the rabbits will put a big
smile on your face every session, don’t
take my word for it though, take them for
a demo and you’ll never look at a rabbit
in the same way again!
New Kite School in Co.Wexford tide. It works in any Southern or
Northern winds.
Tell us about yourself ? The other main spots are Duncannon,
Im Niall, and I just started a new kite it's a south facing beach and works best
school based in Duncannon, Co.Wexford. I in a SW, Our Lady's Island works in a
got into kitesurfing back in 2000 when i westerly all the way around to a NE, A
saw it on Eurosport, I was hooked straight fantastic place to learn new tricks.and
away, I spent months researching gear and Curracloe works in any easterlies, There
trying to find other like minded people. It are 8 other beaches to kite on but we'll
took me a year to get up on the board back keep them to ourselves :)
then. It was crazy especially when someone
can do that within a weekend course! Any deals?
Absolutely We run 1 day tasters for €160
How many years have you been and a full course for €310. We do
kitesurfing? weekend and midweek breaks with
Yeah nearly 10 years at this stage. I used to accommodation included, g roup
powerkite with flexifoil stacks before that. discounts are also available and a 20%
discount if you book before the end of
How long is hooked kitesurfing up and June!!
running?
We are up and running since March 2010 Where’s the best place to stay if there’s a
and work out of the blue kite hut on group coming down for the weekend ?
Duncannon beach. Lessons take place in I have a deal with the local Pub in
either Duncanon, Rosslare or Our Lady's Duncannon who have accommodation
Island depending on wind direction.There for €18 for kitesurfers. It is a beach front
is a spot of any wind direction down here. holiday home 2 hrs drive from Dublin
and is perfect for a weekend visit. There
What gear do you have? are plenty of other B&B's and holiday
We just got the latest Ozone Catalysts 2010 homes for weekend rentals too. Or if
kites too. My fiance Christina is the other you want to spoil yourself Dunbrody
half of hooked, She doesn't teach yet but Country House is only 2km away.
does lots of other stuff that comes with
running a school Any big plans ?
We have a few idea's up our sleeve like
We know you are organising an event in beach BBQ's in July&Aug for kitesurfers,
with the IKSA in August...what’s the story? Maybe setting up a South East kite club.
Yeah Wexford's 1st Kitesurfing Festival is
on Aug 20th in Duncannon, It has been Has Wexford got a
along time since any sort of kitesurfing kitesurfing scene? 
event has happened around here. we hope Or do have the beaches
to have a beach Campfire with some of all to yourselves?There is The
wexford's best musicians playing on one of about 12-15 regular Beach
the nights. Lots of outdoor activities for kitesurfers in Wexford. Hut
kids . We will be running all sorts of comps N o t h i n g l i k e D o l l y
over the weekend too.I'm hoping as many though : )
schools as possible come down to make it
as colorful and fun for everyone as possible

Tell us about  your local beach spots

including best wind directions, I heard
something about this amazing lagoon?
Ha! This lagoon is even unknown to a lot
of Wexford kiters.
It is in a place called the Burrow in
Rosslare and is super flat with waist deep
water. It is a small bit tidal but still plenty
of room around the sand banks on low

[6]
BOARD
s o I h a d a c h o i c e o f everything from super waves
kiteboards, this was the one to flat water.
for me! I’ve had it now for 4
months. Is it a tough board?

REVIEW
Well as I said Im not the
What is your weight? lightest guy and I do some
(must be truthful!!)  pretty big jumps on it,
15 stone strapless and strapped and it
is still here.....and so am I!
Board: Underground Why did you choose it?
Kipuna Freewave I use it because it is so Favorite move on this
Year: 2010 versatile. If i only had the board?
Size: 5’4” x 19” one kite-board this would be Back loop kite loop or the
Reviewer: Ryan Coote it. I can put straps on it to go simple transition
do so massive jumps and i
Kite Experience: 10 can take the straps off to do Worst kite crash story?
years some strapless wave riding or I have had some bad crash
tricks. The rounded nose doing kite-loops. But mainly
makes it much safer for me to it has been in monster surf
Ry a n from the do freestyle surfboard tricks when I get caught by some
RhinoWave Charge and and the rounded rail makes it unexpected grey slab of a
Kerry Wave Guru has really easy to catch and holed wave, lose my kite in the surf
been at the forefront of onto when it is really windy. and have to swim in..all this
Ireland’s wave kiting It also really rocks up wind. in the middle of winter. Now
based down in thats when its really scary!
Castlegregory who could Why do you like this
want for a more glorious brand? 
They are a really good bunch
spot. He has kindly given of friendly people that are as
a review of his “favourite passionate about kite surfing
obsession” as i am.

How did you get this Your favorite beach and

board? why?
I am very lucky to be When i think it has to be
sponsored by Underground B r a n d o n b a y. I t h a s

SECRET SPOT Tracht

ONE HOUR SOUTH OF GALWAY

Beach

Spot: Tracht Beach

Location: Kinvara, 1 hours drive
from Galway City
Best Wind: NW/W
Best Tide: Low tide
Riding Style: F lat Water but
sometimes choppy

Tracht beach is great cos its hard to find

and as good beaches are rare in the
Galway area, you should have this place
to yourself most days! Its located on the
south side of Galway Bay, and about 3
miles north of Kinvara. When the tide is
low, there's loads of sand and its super
shallow, and when the tide is high, you
can launch from the grassy area. There
are no major dangers around, apart from
the rocks on the extreme right and left of
the beach, and the odd cow or two.
Toilets are open during the summer
months. If you're hungry after your
session head down to Linnanes in New Kinvara
Quay or go to any of the places in
Kinvara.
ME AND MY VAN
Have you seen this French couple Ben
and Caroline out ‘n about with their
revolution kites on Dolly? Recently Ben
broke a few fingers from a dodgy
handlepass and still insisted on kiting in
the recent Sandy Burger in Achill! Ben is
also a carpenter so I was guessing his van
would be interesting to see...

What has it got? Has it ever broken down?

Everything you could want, kitchen, Shush...it might hear you!
lounge :), double bed, Storage for What do you cook when away?
Kitesurfing gear, flat screen tv for watching Well we are French so its the haute cuisine
France win the world cup! Only kidding of course!
about the tv... (Ed: don’t mention Mexico Can you get changed in the van, despite all
then?!) that stuff in there?
How much Oh changing in private, this is my main
gear can concern as a girl!
you stuff in? Does it smell?
S u r fi n g Only when Ben takes off his shoes!
b o a r d , Have you pimped it any way?
2xTwin What is this pimping? For a van?NO!
T i p s , Do you get strange stares from locals when
2xKites plus you drive by?
Tell us about the van?
wetsuits and No, we are lucky the van is really discrete,
2004 Nissan Primastar
all our maybe after we take all our kites out!
Any pet names?
clothes. What have you learned as a van owner?
Our pet names for it change on a regular
basis ... especially when something goes What size power source have you got? To keep it simple and efficient! (Ed: very
12V leisure battery + 300W inverter for French we think!)
wrong!
220v power and a small portable stove

KITE SAFETY TIPS RULE 1: Zone of Lift

Kite Obstacles - What do I mean by this? Always launch
Ok people/dogs/cows (Ed: where are you towards the
kiting?) are obstacles but there are other water
more scary ones than that. Like cliffs and
car parks and rocks!
Sea Beach
Just some tips for those of you who could
possibly forget....

RULE 2: Kite away from Cliffs/Hills

Rule 1: Launch you kite towards the sea.
If you fluff it, you will only get wet!

Rule 2: Kite at least 2 kite line lengths

away from a cliff. When wind blows onto a Wind
cliff or hill, it causes a build of air pressure
as the air is compressed against this Zone of Lift Cliff
obstacle. This results in a zone of high
wind turbulence and updrafts. If you kite
too near these obstacles you could find
yourself lifted up them! This is also a
feature many paragliders use to launch! So
just make sure you keep grounded and
avoid those cliffs and hills!
Turbulence 3 x times length of cliff
READER PROFILES - FROM BEGINNER TO PRO
Name:  Aifric Smith and sure isn't the best fun at the learning that I gave up my job to teach kitesurfing
Years Kiting:  3 stage! with a mate Manu. After some time I
From: Wicklow Wheres your next adventure?  gave up because teaching was taking over
Day Job: Ex Engineer cur rently Who  knows somewhere where is wind is my hobby. Now kitesurfing is 100% my
Hairdresser strong, the water flat  and the men hobby and I am so glad to see what
Age: Well really what a question to ask! bronzed!.

Name: Alexis Ledoux

Years kiting: 9
Day Job: Software Engineer and creator
of the kitesurfing.ie website
Age: Nearly too old for this sport
Where do you normally kite: Rush, North
Co. Dublin which is a nice place for S-
The SE-E winds for some twin-tip action,
Newbie Rossnowlagh Co. Donegal which is a
perfect place for SW wind and when the

Can you really call yourself a beginner kitesurfing.ie has done to the sport in this
after 3 years?  country.
Im a pro beginner! The Local What gear do you ride? Takoon Furia2
Where you do normally kite?  9m and 7m with
Anywhere and every where...usually random twin-tip
somewhere abroad and hot ...yes I am a but for sure my
fair weather Kiter!!! Slingshot SRT
Why did you get into kiting? whenever West.
I was facinated by it for years, watching What have you
all the pro kiters in Tarifa when I was got your eye on?
working in Spain years ago A new van as
Do you have your own gear?  unfortunately my
swell works or Belmullet Co. Mayo which first van passed away after an injector
Ashamed to admitt no one has got a sale
is definitely my favorite place because it disease. Luckily, I have my renault
out of me yet 
has so many beaches for all wind Laguna which allows me to sleep near the
What are you thinking of buying? 
directions and swell (most of my best spots when away west.
Someone make me an offer..too many
sessions happened there). Where did you get your kite lessons from?
choices
Why/how did you get into kiting? I saw At the time I started, there were no kite
Who did you get Kite lessons from
the first competition on Eurosport and schools around so I taught myself using
initially?  Pure magic ...Ill say no more
found it amazing. Headed to Dollymount other kiter's knowledge. Also when I
about my ability !!!
and realised some guys were doing it started kites were much smaller, boards
Are you still doing lessons? yes of course!
there. I was kiting 2 line kites since I was a were much bigger and only had 2 lines so
Any cool trips away? I’ve tried kiting in a
kid so after talking to the irish pioneers if I had any problems I could let
lot of countries, Ibiza, cuba, Brazil..... but
like EspearDub, Oisin, Garrett, Colly, everything go.
the best so far has got to be Dakhla,
Conor and Chris who were the only What is your best move?
Morocco, ah I love the lagoon!!!
kitesurfers at the time. I went to the bank Megaloop but it has cost me 2 broken ribs
Any injuries?  Dont mention that
for a loan and ordered my first kitesurfing which made me relax a bit on the extreme
word...Im very safety conscious ya know
gear. I got hooked quickly and started moves.
Lessons to tell us all?  If at first you dont
www.kitesurfing.ie webpage. Soon after
succeed try try again..but god loves a trier
READER PROFILES
Any cool trips away? I visited most of the
best kitesurfing spot in the world like
Sydney (Australia), Maui (HI, USA),
Cabo Frio & Cumbuco (Brazil), The
gorge (OR, USA), El Medano &
Fuerteventura & Oliva (Spain), Dakhla
(Morocco), Ras Sudr (Egypt), Mauritius,
France. I know there are plenty more
places I would love to try like Rodriguez,
Cabo Verde, Caribbean islands and I
hope I will be able to make it to them
some day.
Any injuries?
Well it all started with a open fracture
broken nose due to a twin-tip leash in
Castlegregory then a fractured foot due
to hard landing on shallow water which
lasted for ages as I wasn't able to rest.
And my last injury was 2 broken ribs after
an attempt of a megaloop in front of
Keith after a great wave session.
Lessons to tell us all?
You just can't beat nature so embrace it
Name: Dan Sweeney
Years kiting: 3
From: Worthing, UK
Day Job: 1st year Uni student studying
Graphic Design and Business
Age: 16
The
Cabrinha
Pro
We are betting your a paddy with that
name?
Yes I knew someone would spot that! I The same 10m Nomad is now of the
really haven’t gone into the history of my
background yet, but I think it might have
been quite a while since we left Ireland.
Is this your first time in Ireland?
Yes and Im going to Achill after this event
as I’ve heard so much about it. I got
invited over by the PureMagic team and
its been a great experience so far!
How did you get into kiting?
It was my grandad who started me on
powerkites using flexifoil stackers and
then it just grew from there. (Ed: A pretty
groovy grandad we think!)
So we know you have been signed up by
Pete Cabrinha for the UK team?
Well I got noticed after being recognised
through the Youth Empire in the UK.
A l s o I m t h e U K ’s B K S A Yo u t h
Champion and Park Jam Champion.
Alongside that my new newest sponsor
Animal, I couldn't be happier to be on the
team and I hope to yet prove myself to
them over the year and hopefully join the
likes of Susi Mai and Tom Court on the
Pro team next year
From the marketing, you seem to have
focused on Nomads, can you tell us
anything about the new 2011 range?
Ah thats top secret of course...but I’ve got
some of the new gear with me and I can
say they have more power than last year.
same power as the Switchblade. Also the
bar has some new stuff too but I really
cant speak about it. Trust me they really
are lovely kites this year!
Plans for 2011?
Completing professionally on the UK
circuit, producing a Triple S wildcard
video to hopefully gain a place at the
SSS. Projects with Virgin TG over the
year alongside trips to Maui and St.
Lucia. To gain as much International
coverage for myself and sponsors, while
pushing my wakestyle riding and having
as much fun as possible along the way
The
Irish Pro
Name: Sean Murphy
Years kiting: 6
From: Waterford
Day Job: Uni student studying outdoor
educational studies and now working at
the PureMagic Achill Kite Center
Age: 19
Sponsors:
Best,Xenon,Mystic
Whats your weapon of choice?
I ride Best Kahoona's, Xenon boards
Who did you get Kite lessons from
initially?
I didn’t do any lessons so was just me my
dad and my uncle just helped eachother
to learn.
Lessons to tell us all?
Always get lessons it speeds up the
learning process
Wheres your next adventure?
At the moment I'm in Dublin for Battle of
the Bay but will be heading back to Achill
teach on Monday which I just love!
 IKSA BEACH
SAFETY
Coming to a beach near you!! At last some
safety signage for the kiters who use our lovely
beaches and for the curious public to keep us
all safe!

This was carried out in partnership with the

Irish Water Safety Authority who have assisted
us in issuing these signs to the relevant people
in the Local Authorities.

The beaches listed are the ones that are

predominately used by Kitesurfers. We have
also indicated on which beaches the
Kitesurfing schools give lessons.

You will see on the list which beaches have the

signage erected, however it is taking time to get
all the signs up around the Country.

If you see one of the signs that’s not listed as

erected on the list can you please let us know at
info@iksa.ie

Donegal Kerry Dublin

Rossnowlagh (O) Dumps (O) (KS) Skerries (O) (KS)
Murvagh (N) Brandon Bay (N) (KS) Dollymount (E) (KS)
Scraggane (N) (KS) Sutton (E) (KS)
Sligo Inch (E) (KS) Rush (E)
Rosses Point (O) (KS) Banna (E) (KS) Poolbeg (N)
Lissadell (O) (KS) Sandymount (N)
Streedagh (O) Cork Seapoint (N)
Mullaghmore(N)(KS) Ballinmona (O)
Enniscrone (N) Garrethstown (O) (KS)
Coolmaine (N)
Mayo Garryvoe (N) (KS)
Keel (Achill) (E) Inchadonney (N) (KS)
Belmullet (E) LEGEND
(O)= Beach from original list where signage has
Waterford not yet been erected.
Galway Tramore (O) (N)= New Beach which requires signage.
Tracht (N) Wexford (E)= Signage Erected.
Curracloe (N) (KS) (KS)= Beach used by Qualified Kite School for
Clare Duncannon (N) (KS) Teaching.
Lahinch (O)
PRACTICE RIG
How to practice your more
advanced techniques??
Ciaran gives us an insight on
how to make your own Practice
Rig!

If you are looking to improve your kiting skills even
when there’s no wind then check this out its
something a couple of people could get together to
build. This is just an idea so we haven’t constructed
once but this the plan (see drawing below)
At the moment the only time I can try backrolls is
when I’m on the water which results in the
unexpected kiteloop which I never really landed
but I always had the guys back on the beach to
analyse what went wrong, all part of the fun.

[12]
This apparatus could allow you simulate these moves I’ve tried a more simplex version on my daughters
off the water so when you do get out on a windy day swing but I didn’t have room to rotate and she
you know what to do so you’re not starting from wanted to have her swing back so had to call it a day.
scratch. But just like kitesurfing you will need to stretch before
you give it a go, and you’ll find out which muscles
This is how it works – refer to diagram for numbers
need to be worked on. Drop me an e-mail if you
Get the lines and bar from a spare kite if you have want to give it a go and I can see if I can pull some
one (no scissors or parents supervision needed here!!) more detail together.

Get some bungee cord 2

pieces, the stuff used for
exercising not the big Detail A
stuff (image left).

Fix support hook to the

roof to hang a second bar
from, ceiling height needs
about 4m high.

Fix a second bar to the ceiling on a pivot which

allows it to rotate (see drawing). This bar is twice as
wide as the main bar to give the impression of the
lines fixed to a kite flying above.

1. Fix the 2 bungee lines to each end of the bar and the
other end to the top bar. The bungee is to give you
the feel of the bar just like kiting, pull in for power
and out to ease off.

2. A centre line is fixed to the chicken loop, through the

main bar and up to the centre of the top bar which it
is connected to.

3. Put some padded support on the floor to soften your

landing if something was to go wrong.

4. A seat harness is more suitable for this setup as you

are suspended from the rig all the times.

5. You will also need someone to assist you into position

and to swing you around and twist you a little

Once in position you can try

• Quick release An example of a practice rig from the H2O center

in Poole
• Back rolls

• Grabs

• Board offs

[13]
IKSA KITE CENTERS
AVOID THE DUST

KERRY ACHILL

Ryan Coote - kitesurfireland.ie Pure Magic - puremagic.ie

SLIGO WEXFORD

LSD Kitesurfing - lsdkiteboarding.com Hooked Kitesurfing - hookedkitesurfing.ie

[14]