Cabrinha Stacks the Top Ten...

[bayflite]

well judging by the turnout (37 kites) out of 77 entry fee's, the interest in this race is waning a bit...i wonder why?
i attended, competed or volunteered in the races in the past untill this one was tried in the spring...that is when i said enough.
the disregard for local regulations by kent steve and chris was unbelievable to me.
chris is a super nice guy and it sux 2 loose a friend over this but if you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything.
i don't know if the no wake zones were observed this time.
i don't know if proper permits and insurance was obtained this time.
as for kent and steve...i am a free market guy and totally understand...a business MUST grow or fail.
rick, thank you for this forum.
peace

[Steve-O]

If your speaking of the past races like the one that started at Honeymoon years ago, Tampa Bay Kite Masters for example. I was there.

I dont recall any discussion of buoys then.
I would bet there were no permits or insurance.
The race start was a nightmare with folks getting trapped at Caladesi Island.
Everyone started on the beach with even great riders getting tangled with each other. Brian Eagle for example.
There was zero boat or ski support.

If that's a race your comparing this too, then I say hypocrite.

This race had zero issues at the start. Everyone in water with time to spare.
Ski support provided the entire way.
Trolley support the entire way.
And alot of money raised to a good cause.
Everyone respected the swim areas, no wake zones, no anchor zones, or whatever you want to define them zones.

You have your agenda Brian. I can respect that but I don't have to agree.

As far as your count, you are also off. Almost 50 kites were ready to rock at 10am. Unfortunately some folks either gave up on the wind or had other obligations. Not to mention we made the call very last minute.

For you to assume that a turnout to anything is a reflection of anything is like concluding if a movie makes alot of money it must be a good movie.

I busted my ass to make this happen and I am proud to be a part of the stoke of kiteboarding.

One thing I can't stand in this world is a hypocrite. If you want to piss on a charity fundraiser then go ahead.

I don't know how you are as a kiter, but you are getting pretty good at publicly embarrising yourself.

[uchuche]

My favorite quote from a kite shop when I first started kiting in 2004 and I was looking for gear..

"If you are going to buy a parachute would you buy the $1000 parachute or the $2000 parachute? Same goes for kites. Your life is on the end of those lines. "

Brilliant marketing. A little fear goes a long way, but I knew better fortunately.

Another good sales tactic is to call anyone who doesn't drink the brand cool-aid a "hater". I mean damn, nobody wants to be a hater!!

F'ing Brilliant!!

Sales people are f'ing brilliant. But, they have to be to earn a living.

Surprised they don't carry around those little iPhone credit card swipers on the beach at these races. Well, give it time!

No hate, just marketing awareness. I'll fly any brand of kite as long as the performance and price are within my requirements at the time.

[FloridaBoarder]

In celebration of the race, I was chilling with my woman and I decided to put the merlot away, and instead opened aromatic, full bodied.... CAB.

And I recommend it to all my brothas

Lata Bitches

[BigR]

uHmmm yeah........ I'm having fun this season........

[Unimog Bob]

First off, I don't "hate" Cabrinha. I have zero feelings toward any brand for brand's sake. I like a particular kite/product because it is good. I have always had mixed quivers. Which brand it is is not important.
I just get frustrated when people fracture themselves into "this" or "that" camp and remain loyal to it, no matter what. Be it foil riders/LE riders, powerboaters/blowboaters, Dems/Repubs, the list is infinitely long. From my perspective, the people pushing this mindset are those that benefit from it (sellers).
I should realize complaining about brand vs. brand mindsets is pointless. Just because I wish people were less obsessed with brands doesn't mean it will be so. There will always be people who get a sense of identity from a brand. It's moderately over the top with some people. I see it expressing itself very strongly with iPhones vs. Droids and other stuff. I have an iMac but will soon be getting a Droid. So, fanboy of anything I am not.
I just view it all as silly. Not hating, more like scratching my head and wishing it would just go away.

[CrazyJay]

I agree Scott. It's about each kite and it's performance.
I luv SS Fuels but they've had some flops (ie.the Link).
Btw. I rode the new 2011 Liquid Force Envy the other day. Probably the best kite I've flown in the last 11 years. I'm not a LF guy but that kite rocks!
Everyone likes different gear. Demo demo demo and ride what makes you better