2004 News Archive
These are the news items from 2004.
Tell the coastguard if you lose some kit 14/11/2004
Andrew has just spent some time today giving a talk to Kent and East Sussex coast guards about how to assist kitesurfers when they go down in the water. The good news for everyone is that the coast guard are very supportive about kitesurfing in general and are pleased with how we conduct ourselves in Kent in particular.
Buy a gift voucher online 13/11/2004
As part of our continual drive to make our site more useful you can now buy gift vouchers online. If you are after a present for a friend or relative, all you need to do is click here and find out about our vouchers and now book them online.
Drew leaves for the sunshine but not before causing havoc 31/10/2004
Many of the locals and students will know about Drew's recent run of misfortune but we thought what better way to send him off to the sunny Philippines [bastard!] for the winter than to let everyone know about it.
Quiet weekend11/10/2004
A credit to everyone that was down over the weekend for a completely incident free couple of days. At one stage over the weekend we had in excess of 25 kiters in the bay, however people spread themselves out with advanced riders at one end, beginners at the other and intermediates in between.
Showing off for the Aussies 08/10/2004
A beautiful northerly day - not that we say that too often as the wind cuts straight through you. The local boys, Mark and brothers Dean and Simon weren't going to let the beginners have all the fun though. Co-incidentally, Andrew's mum and dad had come for a visit all the way from Oz and hadn't properly seen what this kitesurfing thing was all about.
Look out and ask for help03/10/2004
Another windy weekend and another worrying accident. At Camber this weekend a rider hit a large aluminium sign which was lucky as he didn't hit the spiky fence or road behind it. The reason was because he was trying to self-launch his kite in 30kts of wind and didn't ask someone to help.
Board Snapping Wind21/09/2004
We mentioned a few weeks ago that the Wind God had decided to wake up a little early and it seems like He had a bit of a sore head today. All the boys were out today on dinky little kites [Lance 9m, Rob 7.5m, Andrew 10m and Mark on a 12m?!?!?!] waving them about in the 25 knot winds trying to become airborne.
Self-launching is bad for your health15/09/2004
Quick message out to everyone who comes down - please don't self-launch your kite off long beach [particularly in a cross-shore wind as it is VERY turbulent there]. If you need to launch, grab someone that is in a wetsuit to launch you off. One of the instructors or local boys will always give you a hand, but not if you don't ask.
Mark gets an Inflatable Toy!10/09/2004
Local Blade Bloke Mark Thorman has been spotted on now more than one occassion sporting a little inflatable number on the beach. Ostensibly for his son Josh, Mark has taken it out a few times now claiming it is "better than his blade" - the conversion of all the ram air boys to the dark side has started!
Bye to James08/09/2004
We'll miss not only his huge airs and competition winning ways but also his big smile and readiness to help out. James S is on his way to begin University down in Plymouth now and we hope he'll be back home next summer to continue on as a lifeguard and kitesurfing instructor as he does both very very well [he is pictured to the left helping one of the students to relaunch a land kite].
1-2-1-tastic01/09/2004
Now that we have Daryl on board for the rest of the season, we can start acommodating private 1-2-1 kitesurfing tuition at Whitstable. If you are converting from another kite discipline or looking to brush up on your skills then getting some tailored tuition is probably for you.
The wind god has woken26/08/2004
Everyone gets twitchy and tetchy in August [just look at the Forums at the BKSA] when the high pressures come in and kill the wind off. Well this week it seems as though the Wind God has woken up from his summer siesta and decided to let us have the wind back which can only be a good thing. We've all had evening sails this week providing lots of inspiration to the students.
Welcome to Daryl13/08/2004
A big welcome to Daryl, who after working with us for the last few months has decided to quit his weekday job and become a beach bum. Having Daryl with us means we can now do more courses through the week and in particular 1-2-1 tuition.
Packdown Central30/07/2004
South westerlies always cause trouble - particularly here at Whitstable where it is ever-so-slightly cross-offshore. In the space of only 2 days though we had kites falling out of the sky and people rescuing themselves [or not in some cases - you know who you are!] all over the place. There was definitely something in the water.
Well done girls11/07/2004
So we had an awfully cold day here on Sunday but we did have wind. The school was full and we have to give a huge well done to all the girls who, whilst as cold and tired as the boys, decided not to give up and stay in the water to catch the last of the wind.
George hangs on...09/07/2004
Rider of the day award really has to go to George who, in ultra gusty conditions spent a minimum of 5 hours in the water today. He looked like he was having a really bad time of it with his kite falling out of the sky one minute and then being totally powered up the next.
Slider Event Announcement 01/07/2004
We've now picked our dates so start getting some riding in!
Ken 3rd Place Skegness15/06/2004
Another member of the Philippine contingent, Ken, one of our instructors as our Weymouth campus has come 3rd place at the competition in Skegness this weekend. Well done mate and keep up the riding standard, whilst waving our banner!
Welcome Drew01/06/2004
A big welcome to our new instructor, Drew Sawyer who has been wintering in the Philippines and has ventured back to blighty to teach for the summer. Drew has not only taught in the Philippines but also in Cyprus as well. So accustomed is he to tropical weather that he doesn't even own a steamer!
Kent On Sunday30/05/2004
Kent's largest free weekend paper, the Kent On Sunday ran a fantastic article about Transition Kiteboarding in their Review section. You can see their fabulous cover shot here along with the article : Page 1 and Page 2.
Whitstable goes off!08/05/2004
8am at Whitstable is normally a quiet time - even on a Saturday. The students are generally just arriving and there may be a few people walking their dogs along the beach.
Transition Kiteboarding launches new site03/05/2004
Transition Kiteboarding [TK] is proud to unveil it's new look 2004 web site. The old site had been in place since the launch of TK last year and had previously only had basic content on it. This new site is more functionally as well as content rich bringing the site into line with the company image.
Kiitesurfer critical after being lofted20/04/2004
All the members of Transition Kiteboarding offer their support and sympathy for the Milton family after Ross [17] was "lofted" into a building on Saturday evening. Ross is in a critical condition and is in hospital after sustaining head injuries.
First new BKSA approved school in over a year08/04/2004
Transition Kiteboarding has been awarded "Approved Training Centre" status from the BKSA after only 6 months of operation. Within the UK there are only 10 such schools. Though the vast majority of schools have approved instructors, the certification from the BKSA for schools enforces a minimum set of standards on safety, facilities, ability of instructors and ability to respond to changing conditions and offer a safe, high level of service to the customer.
Biggest school in Europe?10/01/2004
Yes it's official, the Paracademy / Transition Kiteboarding schools are the biggest in Europe with nearly 1000 students passing our doors in 2003. This translates into nearly 3000 teaching days across the year. 2004 is looking to be even bigger as more schools come online across the country
Happy New Year01/01/2004
Happy new year to everyone from all the staff at Transition Kiteboarding. We are all in Oz at the moment where it is lovely and warm and the wind blowing nicely. See you in a month.