How can it be a backward step - its the first step taken.
No-one seems to give any cred to the fact that we are new sport with no rules or regs or judging criteria anywhere that truly defines our sport. (other than grabbing bits from others with some things in common). The fact the we have now had an international wave riding event is a step forward. No matter how lame you think it was (& I have to agree it wasnt real flash) it had to start somewhere. If we wait till someone has the perfect formula it will never happen. The event has sparked comment like this worldwide. Im sure anyone contemplating future international (or any surf) events will take it all on board in their attempt to do it better next time.
The event happening was good thing- the comment is the way forward. Just doesnt have to be so harsh.
Anyone ever seen footage of the first Australian Surfing Nationals. It was run at suburban beach somewhere in 2ft waves where the winner claimed victory by standing on his head. A lame move even way back then - probably. But a backward step for surfing - no way. Just the first step up.
Trying to kite surf like a surfer is only one way of looking at it, and that makes the kite a handicap to be minimised.
Then there are stages all the way through to hooked in on a twintip.
I think its better to just let everyone take their own path and see where it all ends up. Usually something useful is learned from each experiment.
I can understand events being open and the winners being strapped. Events have to run if the conditions are unsuitable and competitors have to complete moves when the hooter goes. Its not like going somewhere with suitable conditions and making a video of the best bits.
^^ fair enough but cutting into a wave doing a lame hop and landing behind it to drop back over the top and doin lil backrolls has NOTHING to do with surf style.
letting people do their own thing and seeing what happens is cool, but for some reason its always the gayest sh!t that ends up getting the lime light... like the big pull up spin spin pull up phase and now this.
B .A .N .A .N .A .S ...........................................this sh!ts bananas
Strap riding can be pure.
No, really.
Strap riding can be powered ...
or it can be semi-powered.
It's your choice.
You can turn down the kite-grunt with a push of the wrist,
you can ease off the strap-power with less purchase from the foot ...
It's just feeling out the wave energy, you control the gas.
Coreness, legitimacy and purity.
