Noe –
I think we underestimated how challenging it is going to be to ride, especially when the wind isn’t that good because yesterday the wind was pretty good and it was difficult to find the right lines. However, with time we’ll find the best ways to set it up. Maybe we just tried to get too tech on the first day instead of taking it easy. We were all trying to find the most technical hits right away – climbing up the stairs and whatnot. I don’t think I’ve ever taco’d a rail as much as I did yesterday *for those that don’t know what a taco is, imagine folding yourself in half over an obstacle-
But the challenge will push our level of riding higher and as much as I hated having all of those crashes on that rail, it’s the exact the reason why I want to hit it more; it will push the sport and all of our personal levels higher.
Colleen –
It’s the most fun obstacle in kiteboarding, period. I can’t express how much fun I had riding this rail for the first time. I was literally grinning from ear to ear for the entire session, minus a few pretty heavy crashes I had. After only one session on the new rail, I can see how this obstacle will allow the entire discipline of park kiteboarding to explore new manoeuvres and push the level of what’s possible in rail riding. With every tack, I’d approach the rail thinking of how to explore a different way to hit it or new transition to try. It was a huge challenge for me and pushed me way out of my comfort zone and I loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to go back to Hatteras and ride it some more!