Feel uneasy with deep water operations? Well many people do and the reason for it most of the time is because they learned in shallow water and have never had to do a full emergency release and self-rescue in deep water. Another fear is losing your board in deep water. Both of these items will be covered and practiced by each clinic participant in deep water on their own equipment under the watchful eye and instruction of Phil Midler from XLKITES.

We will cover each of the exercises on land, practice on land then do a actual board recovery and self rescue and pack down out in the deep water. This class has a limited number of participants so if you’re interested email the shop at houston@xlkites.com or call 281-508-6485 as soon as you’re sure you can do it. It will be run like a normal lesson so we’ll call each participant the day before to confirm the time on Sunday. It will most likely be in the afternoon after everyone is done riding for the day. Prerequisites for the class are:

1. Being able to ride upwind
2. Land/launch your own kite
3. Know emergency procedure theory (in shallow water etc)
4. Know how to swim (hopefully this is not an issue)
5. Have equipment with working safety release and safe operating condition

Price for the clinic is $35/person and can be payable the day of the clinic. it will be 1-2 hours long.

Testing the new Cabrinha Chopstick board

Forecast for this weekend looks good!!

Kiteboarding Repair in Houston/Galveston Texas

KITEBOARDING REPAIR in Houston/Galveston Texas:

Kite repair can be easy or very difficult depending where the damage
is located on your kite. Most kites come with a some simple repair items such
as sticky sail tape for sail repairs and bladder patches for pin holes and small
bladder holes.

Our full service repair center is at the Texas City store at the address below. We can do ANY kite repair including lead edge tears, massive sail rips, bladder repairs and replacement, valves, etc. Our prices are below for typical repair work. Just follow the instructions below and mail the kite to our center or come on in and drop it off most repairs are completed in 1-4 days.



Repair 1st 2nd or more
Replace Valves $9.00 $4.50
Take out LE bladder $20.00 n/a
Put in LE bladder $20.00 n/a
Leading edge bladder in/out $30.00 n/a
Take out strut bladder $7.00 n/a
Put in strut bladder $7.00 n/a
Strut bladder in/out $10.00 $5.00
Find and Repair Bladder $25.00 $20.00
Patch bladder $5.00 $3.00
Sail sewing $1.25/in n/a
LE sewing $4.00/in n/a
LE sewing access $20.00 n/a
Cleaning fee $15.00 n/a
Sail Patch $8.00 $5.00
Inflate and check $5 n/a
To send your kite to us for repair please make sure it is clean and free of sand as it will clog our machines and equipment. Next, package up the kite in the kite bag and ship it to us at the address below via UPS, FedEx or USPS to the following address. Make sure you get insurance on the kite when you send it to us incase it is lost in transit. In package include a brief description of the problem that needs repairing as well as your contact phone number and return mailing address. An email address is also a good idea.

Mailing address and contact information:

XLKITES-HOUSTON kite repair
524 9th Ave N.
Texas City, TX 77590

houston@xlkites.com
281-508-6485

Kiteboarding Down wind Ride Monday 16Jan12

Kiteboarding Down Wind ride in the surf in Galveston Bay near Houston Texas with XLKITES.com

What: 30mi ride on Galveston Island
When: Monday 16Jan12 ...Time is TBD check back on this page this weekend.
How: The wind will be South so we'll meet at East beach and car pool back to St Luis Pass then ride from there back to East beach...about 30 mi.

Remember to bring some floatation, hook knife, booties, cell phone in dry bag, water, keys. I always wear a small bag with waterproof audio, water, and a cell phone. If you are very uncomfortable with losing your board in deep water a Reel type leash may be a good idea as well. Remember NEVER attach any type of leash to your board at the handle or the straps! This is very dangerous and any type leash should only be attached to a lanyard off the fin screws.

Surfboards are the easiest way to get down wind in the surf but if you're more comfortable on a twin-tip that is probably a better option. There are a couple reasons surfboards are easier to go down wind in the surf, but the main reason has to do with the location of the footstraps. A normal twin-tip board has it's straps located equidistant from both tips. Going downwind in the surf on a twin tip you'll need to keep the front of the board up and out of the waves so you'll be constantly putting pressure on your rear foot. Alternatively, a surf board has the straps already set to the rear of the board so you can maintain your normal stance while riding downwind. The surf board will also have more displacement so it will float easier over the waves and swell. It isn't a big deal, but your rear leg will be tired by the end for sure on a twin tip.

Why is riding down wind hard for some riders? When you're riding down wind you're riding with the wind so your kite feels less relative wind. This lack of wind will test the skills of even an advanced rider when he/she is being pushed by a wave. Also, the front of the board digging in is common as many riders don't put enough rear foot pressure on the board when they ride down wind. The keys to riding down wind successfully in the surf are:

1. Keep rear foot pressure on the board to keep the nose up.

2. Keep the kite moving to produce relative wind while you're moving down-wind.

3. Use your edge to put tension on the kite lines when you're making large control movements...like a down loop or just the bottom section of a normal kite stroke to keep your kite out of the surf.

4. Stay relaxed...if you're up tight the ocean will tear you apart...just like surfing keep your knees bent and stay loose so you can move with the sea.

5. Have fun!

XLKITES has plenty of surfboards in stock that would be a good match for the Houston/Galveston area, here are a few:

2012 Slingshot Dialer 5'11"
This is a quad fin light wind machine. Lots of buoyancy to keep you up wind on light days or easily glide over mushy Galveston waves.

2012 Slingshot Pit 5'11"
This is a narrow fast board and is incredibly agile in the waves.

2012 Slingshot Celeritas 5'8" or 5'11"
This is Phil's Favorite surfboard for 2012 in the 5'11" size. The 5'8" would be good for someone who rides in high winds or is lighter than 170-180lbs. This board is a tri-fin with a pin tail so it is easy to move around in the surf and cut back on the face of a wave. It is also large enough that jibs are a breeze and you can get back up wind in lighter air.

2011 Wainman Gambler 5'7"
This was the go to board from Wainman for 2011, great in the surf and much lighter than any of the slingshot boards albeit not as strong/durable . This is a really good fit for a kiteboarder that already surfs and wants to get into kitesurfing.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Houston-kiteboarding-down-wind-ride-this-Monday-.html?soid=1101772250746&aid=AWkXyfAgrgE

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Houston-kiteboarding-down-wind-ride-this-Monday-.html?soid=1101772250746&aid=AWkXyfAgrgE

Litewave and GK demo Sat and Sun 27/28Mar 2010!
Who: Litewave Dave and the XLKITES crew
Where: Sat Texas City Sun will be at the Point West riding spot in Galveston. Location of Point west
When: Sat and Sun 27/28 March 2010 10am-3pm or so.
What: kiteboards, surfboards, GK 2010 kites.
Weekend Forecast

Questions: Call 281-508-6485 or email houston@xlkites.com for questions, wind forecasts, etc

The new 2010 Slingshot Key is in stock at all of our shops!! This is the best Beginner/Intermediate kite on the market which is now coupled with a great lightwind/newbee board at a killer lower price. Check it out below:
*KEY HD 7m Pkg and Ignition 140cm $1,549.00 buy now
*KEY HD 7m Pkg and Ignition 150cm $1,549.00 buy now
*KEY HD 10m Pkg and Ignition 140cm $1,649.00 buy now
*KEY HD 10m Pkg and Ignition 150cm $1,649.00 buy now
*KEY HD 13m Pkg and Ignition 140cm $1,749.00 buy now
*KEY HD13m Pkg and Ignition 150cm $1,749.00 buy now

Slingshot Key Package

*kite complete without board is $200 cheaper.

The new 2010 Cabrinha Switchblades are in stock in all sizes! These are on sale with the kite/board package.

Switchblade 6m with board package $1659 Buy now
Switchblade 8m with board Package $1724 Buy now
Switchblade 10m with board Package $1724 Buy now
Swichblade 12m with board Package $1759 Buy now
Switchblade 14m with board Package $1899 Buy now Switchblade Package

*kites complete are $200 cheaper without board

The new 2010 Slingshot RPMs are in stock in all sizes! Kites are on sale for locals only!
Slingshot 2010 6m RPM $1479 buy now
Slingshot 2010 8m RPM $1579 buy now
Slingshot 2010 10m RPM $1679 buy now
Slingshot 2010 12m RPM $1779 buy now
Slingshot 2010 14m RPM $1879buy now

2010 Slingshot RPM Package

*kites complete are $200 cheaper without board

Used gear for sale

Check out the used gear for sale right now..




Call 281-508-6485 or email houston@xlkites.com for more information.

The Spring season is here and what better way to start it off than by attending the hottest kiteboarding event of 2010!


2010 SOUTH PADRE ISLAND KITE ROUND-UP
MAY 1ST-9TH, 2010 - SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS USA


The 2010 SPI Kite Round-Up is the biggest kiteboarding event in North America! This year the event is scheduled for May 1st-9th, 2010 on warm and windy South Padre Island, Texas USA. Join the hundreds of participants taking advantage of the Industry wide equipment demo, competing for prizes in contests of all kinds, kiteboarding clinics, professional exhibitions, parties and more! check out www.spikiteroundup.com for ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.


Last year, at the first annual South Padre Island Kite Round-Up, 200 plus participants enjoyed ten days of steady wind and sunshine. With the success of the SPI Kite Round-Up in its first year, we look forward to seeing many more kite boarders coming back to the island for the 2010 event! Take a look at the 2009 South Padre Island kiteboarding photos and SPI Kiteboarding videos to check out the action and see how the event played out! We have also compiled available South Padre hotels, motels, condos and other accommodations to make reserving a place to stay easy for the 2010 SPI Kite Round-Up event. For extended information about registering for this year's event, visit www.spikiteroundup.com/register. Pre-register for the 2010 SPI Kite Round-Up to save money, and we will see you soon in South Padre Island, Texas!

To find out more about the 2010 SPI Kite Roundup, CLICK HERE or give our shop in South Padre a call at 956-761-9577.

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Speaking of demo's and new gear, we have an exclusive review of the new 2010 Slingshot Key! You can bet these will be in the air at the 2010 SPI Kite Roundup. Click the picture below or HERE for a video review by our very own riders!
The new buzz from slingshot is the debut of one of the easiest flying kites on the market for 2010. The Slingshot Key is a delta hybrid kite. We were able to demo the new Key a few weeks ago in various wind conditions. The reason we're so pumped about it here in Houston is because of its light wind ability for our summer teaching season.

So here's the skinny:The Key's bar pressure is more than the RPM, but a lot less than the T3. So, it provides feedback to the rider, but not fatigue. In extremely light winds, the kite will reverse relaunch by pulling on both rear lines at the same time. In high winds, the kite depowers as much as a normal bow kite. In the air, the kite is slower than any of the other kites Slingshot is making this year, so it is a good choice for beginner to intermediate riders. We were surprised by the jumping ability of the kite when we took it out in higher winds. The kite comes with a super simple bar and lines that has a 'below the bar' leash attachment similar to the Cabrinha IDS system. Self Rescue is easy and a breeze! The normal Slingshot stopper ball has been removed which is great for new riders and will eliminate accidental power lock from a sliding stopper.
Overall, we are very impressed with the kite and believe it will be the best kite for new kiteboarders in 2010. Super stable, easy to fly and depower, and with plenty of performance. The kite price is the best part!!!

2010 Slingshot Key
7m-$1349
10m-$1449
13m-$1549
*bonus* Ignition 140 or 150cm board +$200

Other Great Deals

2010 Cabrinha Switchblade Package
6m-$1659
8m-$1734
10m-$1734
12m-$1759
14m-$1809
*bonus* free harness with purchase

Click below to check out some awesome deals on used equipment

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As usual, hit up your local shop for new deals and hook-ups, but also check out our store. We are constantly adding new items and listing used gear, so look occasionally for great deals.

***Become a fan on facebook to receive special information and updates***
Stay tuned for more events

Ride hard and support your local shop. Let us know if you need any gear or lessons via email houston@xlkites.com or phone 281-508-6485.
Dallas, TEXAS: 817.676.7842 dallas@xlkites.com
Houston, TEXAS: 281.508.6485 houston@xlkites.com
South Padre Island, TEXAS: 956.761.9577 spi@xlkites.com
Fort Walton Beach, FLORIDA: 850.243.5483 info@xlkites.com

HQ demo tomorrow Thursday Feb4th from 9am-12noon at the Levee in Texas City.
Chris from HQ will be in town the next couple of days to let the local crew try the new HQ foil kites. Tomorrow winds will be light winds but will give us an opportunity to fly the new Hydra trainer foils, Neo amphibious foils, and HQ's whole line of relaunchable land foils like the scout and beamer kites. For more information just call the shop at 281-508-6485.

Surf Riding Wednesday in front of the Convention center on the seawall in Galveston. Wind should be ENE and over 20mph so it should be a good for riding the surf out there. Experienced riders only please. See you out there! We'll have to leave around 11am or so to go and open the shop but would like to see a bunch of the locals out.

2010 Kites and boards in stock. Check out the great package deals: http://www.xlkites.com/-c-33_39.html

Just in!! 2010 Slingshot Celeritus 5'4" surf board2010 Cabrinha Switchblades
2010 Slingshot RPMsUsed 2010 Octane 9m, 11m, 13m complete $900 ea or all 3 for $2400
Used 2009 12m RPM kite only $600
Used 2009 10m RPM complete $800

Stay tuned for more events

Ride hard and support your local shop. Let us know if you need any gear or lessons via email houston@xlkites.com or phone 281-508-6485.
Dallas, TEXAS: 817.676.7842 dallas@xlkites.com
Houston, TEXAS: 281.508.6485 houston@xlkites.com
South Padre Island, TEXAS: 956.761.9577 spi@xlkites.com
Fort Walton Beach, FLORIDA: 850.243.5483 info@xlkites.com