// March 12th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Liquid Force Travel, REAL Travel
After the first few days of light wind conditions all of us were ready for some solid riding! Wednesday proved to be that day!
Day 3
We woke early on day 3. Not because of the sunrise or the heat of the day, but because of the sound of the wind which was already cranking by 7am! All of the Kite Jammers headed in to land to taxi upwind to the settlement and the launch for the downwinder on the south shore of the island. The downwinder was incredible! There were 50+ kites on the water, two helicopters shooting both photos and video from each, media boats filled with photographers, and support boats helping out any kiters who needed them.
The highlight of the session for a group of us was scoring a solid jib session on an old shipwreck along the way. It is not that often that you get to session a park style feature that just happens to be in the water, and just happens to be lined up for the wind direction, and you just happen to be doing a downwinder with some of your boys, who just happen to be some of the best kiters in the world such as: Dre, Davey Blair, Tom Court, & Chris Burke just to name a few. The level of stoke was at an all time high for the week at the end of that session!
After a cruise through the mooring field near Potters dock we all took a break from the sun for some lunch at Cow Wreck again. After some much needed shade food and water it was back to Pomato Point for an afternoon scheduled heli shoot with a bunch of the crew. Susi, Tom, Dre, Chris, Davey, Tuva, Kristen, Jon, Richard Branson, Gretta, and myself hit the water for some fun cruising and goofing off together for Tracey Kraft up in the Heli. It will definitely go down as on of my favorite sessions with such a big crew in my kiting history!
Once the sun set we all gathered at Potters By the Sea for a great dinner and some Caribbean style dancing with music provided by a Tortola band that had made the journey over for the party. After shaking it up on the dance floor the crew staying on Necker said goodbye to Potter at midnight and headed back to necker for the night.
Potters dock at sunset
Day 4
On Thursday Dre and I joined Charlie, Scotty, Chris, and Ben (Aussi contractor for a few of Richards’ building projects) to piece together the finishing touches on the Kite Jam slider and kicker. Ben has to be one of the funniest people I have ever met in my life! The building of the slider was non stop humor and what took the top prize (at least in my opinion) for unlikely events during the week was when Ben decided he was going to, as he called it, “submarine the drill” and proceeded to fully submerge an 18 volt battery operated drill completely underwater to use it. The drill bubbled and shocked him a bit (actually a lot) but continued to work both above and below the water for the remainder of the day. (On a side note I found the drill 4 days later and it was still working!!!!!)
The Kite Jam crew chillin on the slider
Once the slider and kicker were in place in the Eustacia Sound we headed off to the Bitter End Yacht Club for lunch and to wait for the wind to fill in. Lunch at the BYEC was top notch and after words I lounged in a hammock in the shade for a few interviews with the media that was present. The wind decided to cooperate so we Charlie and Scotty opted for the second best thing….towing into the kicker and slider. Tom Court was the first to charge the kicker throwing some stylie grabs and spins. I went next and sessioned the up to flat which proved to be fun. Dre was next and schooled us all with his sleepy style on the slider and wall ride. Chris Burke took a session on his creation and you should see the pride in his smile when he was finished. And last but definitely not least Brian Wheeler from Kiteboarding Magazine killed it on the kicker hucking huge inverts and a massive spin or two to top it off.
Tuva & Gretta enjoying lunch at the Bitter End
That night we were back to the BYEC for dinner and a great slide show on the big screen at the BYEC Pub. The turnout was great and everyone was buzzing from the past few days of events. Our Necker staff and crew turned in early in preparation for the final day on the water and more importantly the final nights closing party!
Dre scouting the conditions
Day 5
On Friday morning Dre and I had an interesting wake up call. One of the Necker guests was standing in between our beds, inside the mosquito netting shaking Dre and me. “Dre! Jason! wake up, wake up!” As we both looked up as Jeff in slight dis-belief and confusion. “The surf looks really good right out back and I know you guys like to surf so I didn’t want you to miss it!”. At first we were both confused and then it hit me, Jeff was just so excited that there was ridable surf on Necker, that even though he does not surf, he wanted to make sure that we got to experience it. Dre and I hopped in a Necker Rib and collected our boards before heading straight to the spot.
Getting ready to paddle out on my Stretch Pug
As if Necker was not already a dream come true! Now to top it off there was a firing left coming in on one side of the small secluded bay AND an even better right coming on on the other side of the bay! Tom had already scored a morning session while we rounded up our boards, so Dre and I hit the water and Tom joined us a short while later. We were in the water by noon and did not get out until almost 4:30! It was such an amazing surf session that I will never forget! Towards the end of our surf Dre said that he could really go for a burger and fries. So with the thought of food and the need of some rest we headed back up the hill to the house. Just as we crested the last step Gazz, the Necker chef, stepped out of the kitchen and said, “You boys missed lunch. We saved a burger and fries for each of you. Just let us know when your ready and we will heat them up.”. Dre looked at me in awe and said, “This place is unreal, they can even read your mind!” We both got a good laugh and then dove into our burgers.
Dre off the top
The theme for the closing party was “tight & bright” and the setting was on a secluded beach on one of Bransons’ other nearby islands, Mosquito Island. Susi and Tom had packed the goods for the party, and with the help of the two of them and the Necker staff the four of us were soon outfitted in dayglow sunnies, headbands, bracelets, face paint, etc. The party had a great vibe with DJ Westy spinning beats and a huge BBQ spread for dinner. The Monster and Vodkas were flowing and just after the awards ceremony the fire dancing began with three skilled fire dancers putting on a show for the whole crowd to enjoy! The party was great with no drama and no problems. Props to Charlie & Scotty for putting on such a killer event!
Tight and Bright!
Fire dancers
A special thank you goes out to:
Richard Branson
The BVI Tourist Board
Necker Island
Sunsail
Billabong
Bitter End Yacht Club
Kiteboarding Magazine
Cape Air
Greentech
Charlie
Scotty
Gordo
Rich
Kathrine
Orwin
Anna
Lisa
Arthur
Lucy
Nick
Eustis
Gazz
Tracy Kraft
Jo
Abby
Anagada Reef Hotel
Moorings
Potters
Sand Box
I am sure there are many more to thank, and I am sorry if I forgot anyone!!! The event was a blast and I can’t wait until next year!
~ Jason
