We think that kiteboarding is one of the most beautiful things anyone can watch on the beach (ok, maybe beautiful models is right up there too.) So when award-winning Producer and Photographer Erin Calmes from Keta Films offered Bikini.com a sneak peek at some very cool shots from one of her very cool recent kiteboarding productions, we just couldn’t resist. She was on a private pro athlete tour of Puerto Rico hosted by leading kiteboarding school 15 Knots Kiteboarding, with Pro Kiteboarders Kris Kinn, Shannon Best, Jon McCabe, Jeremie Tronet, Melissa Gil and Juan Carlos.

More on this trip and pictures on bikini.com.

I am super stoked to be participating in such an event. Dream Extreme is a fundraiser for domestic violent victims and Haiti. It is also, one of the few events that promotes Kiteboarding for women.

It is an honor to be chosen to represent Puerto Rico in such an event. The best is to provide my expertise to inspire others to try this amazing sport. I have been Kiteboarding for 13 years and teaching for over 9 years and this is the first time I get an opportunity like this to give a little bit of my time to help others in need.

If you can’t be there in person, make your presence felt by donating $25, $50 or $100.

Donate for Dream Extreme

Little by little, we will reach the goal to help this cause. Last year they raised over $150,000 for these needy causes and this year we hope to raise lots more! It’ss simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Donate for Dream Extreme

Many thanks for your support — and don’t forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

For more information visit Dream Extreme’s site.

Juan Carlos Morales

15 Knots Kiteboarding School – Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Ambassador for Dream Extreme

On August 31, 2011, I was challenged to teach Anthony, an amazing 12 year old teenager, to go Kiteboarding-Kitesurfing with me. Anthony was born blind, nevertheless, with the support of his parents he has grown and developed as any other kid.

When the family arrived to the school to meet me, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve been teaching Kiteboarding for the last 10 years, but never taken on a challenge like this. I was working on modifying an old big kite board so that both, Anthony and I could ride at the same time. This way, I would be able to control the kite and board steering while he experienced the thrill of the ride.

When I got introduced to Anthony, I noticed he had a great attitude and was all excited about trying it. He also, told me that he had done some research on how kiteboarding works so that he already understood most of the wind window theory and how the kite propels the rider. I was amazed! While I was finishing the adjustments on this custom board, Victor Bruno (instructor) showed him how to run the lines and to connect them to the kite and a little bit of the feeling of flying the kite on the ground.

Then, I put a go pro camera on the kite lines to film the whole experience.

From left to right: Juan Carlos Morales (15 Knots instructor), Anthony on the right (the star)

We flew a 2012 11m Cabrinha Swithcblade. I reviewed some basic kite flying concepts on the ground.

Then we went for a few body drags to get him used to the steering and the power from the kite.

Then we went for tandem rides on the board. During the ride on the board, Anthony was fearless, asking for more speed and asking to take full control without my assistance and when the right moment arrived, I did.

When I look back, I can’t believe that what started as a hobby and now is my work, allowed me to provide this experience for Anthony and myself.

Juan Carlos Morales & Anthony riding together on the kiteboard

Anthony takes full control of the ride to allow the instructor to let go of his hands

The races started at 11am sharp. A total of 4 races were completed. A 5th races was started but the wind died and most riders had to get picked up on boats. Out of the 4 races, John Heinkenken stood out with impressive speed making it look easy and finishing ahead by good distance. Damien Leroy from Cabrinha stood out as well with his 16m Cabrinha Switchblade 2012 and whooping 40m lines.

Here are the results at the moment of only the first 2 races:

Aerial view of the Kiteboarding race

Day 1 results and coverage

Day 1 started out with pretty light wind around 5-8 knots increasing later to around 14-15 knots during the first and only race. The race was a windward leeward in the waters of Punta Las Marias in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Top Kiteboarding racers from around the world battled for position. During the race, a few riders got sucked into dry reef knocking them off their boards and on to the water. Adam Koch was one of them, but he was able to get back in the board quickly enough to win first place.

The second race started out with the wind dying from 9-10 knots to around 5 knots. Some riders made it barely upwind before the wind came down, which was when other riders dropped their kites in the water and had to be picked up by boats. Others made it to the shore and had to walk with their heavy gear back to the event site. This race was abandoned.

The third race was cancelled due to a huge storm that filled in from west to east with lightning.

Overall one race was ran during day 1.

The forecast for the next few days is 6-11 knots. Stay tuned.

Results as of July 15, 2011

2011 North American Kite Racing Championships from Manuel Baez on Vimeo.

Damien Leroy and Gary walking to event site with a heavy load

The storm that finished the day of Kite Racing on the third race

At first glance, we noticed the new diamond style print which makes it look very modern. The shape seems a bit more medium to high aspect in comparison to the 2011 model. It should me even more all around than before. It still has 5 struts, sprint inflation system and similar bridal system. The option of A or B setting on the trailing edge for changing the kite’s angle of attack in the 2011 was replaced to just one setting on the back for this year’s Switchblade. For 2012, the Switchblade is a little faster and has a little bit less bar pressure than it’s predecessor. Overall, we were really impressed that the improvements were minor since the 2011 model was almost perfect.

For more visit http://store.15knots.com/.

Manufacturer’s description

The 2012 Cabrinha Switchblade has become synonymous with versatility. Its reliability and predictability are two of the reasons why it excels as a performance wakestyle kite as well as an all around freeride kite. The number one choice of Wakestyle riders world wide, the Switchblade delivers a stable source of power which transfers into incredible pop. Once in the air, the kite will steer effortlessly with minimal input from the rider. The Switchblade is excellent for unhooked or hooked in riding in just about any conditions. If there is one kite that can back up all of the accolades being thrown at it, it’s the Switchblade wakestyle, freeride kite.

NEW Features

- Repositioned and retuned bridle for improved handling on Wake and Freeride settings

- A lighter feel and bar pressure

- A new improved canopy material providing both looks and strength

Here is a few pictures from the 2012 Cabrinha Switchblade:

Blue/Grey/Red

See more pictures @ 15 Knots Kiteboarding

Full Color palette

Color C11 is a wildcard color. The Canopy is red, leading edge is black and wingtips are camo like 2011 C01 color in the picture below.

More colors in 15 Knots Kiteboarding

2012 Cabrinha IDS bar

The 2012 Cabrinha Switchblade comes complete with the all new Quicklink IDS control system, the first control system ever that has 100% capability for free spinning front lines, landing line, and leash independently. The Quicklink also has a wider center hole for easier steering and trimming of the kite, improved line winders, and a removable security pin.

15 Knots Kiteboarding has demos available to try at Cafe La Plage in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. Swing by or call 787-215-5667 to see the new 2012 Cabrinha Switchblade and IDS bar system.

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am – 12:00pm at The Beach House Hotel in Isla Verde, you can learn the basics of the sport and discover how to enter the world of kiteboarding in Puerto Rico.

The clinic is hosted by Juan Carlos Morales, leading instructor of the school and pioneer of Kiteboarding in Puerto Rico since 1998. Specials and gifts offered for those who attend. The clinic is designed for beginners. It is a basic introduction to the sport, equipment used and some basic kiteboarding concepts. You also get to learn how to fly a trainer kite. The goal is that after you complete the clinic, you understand the science behind the sport and how Kiteboarding works. After you complete the clinic, you can move on to taking lessons. The benefit is that you will start at more advance level.

The school is open everyday from 10am to 5pm. We are located in the Isla Verde beach, at the beach club Cafe La Plage, right across from the Howard Johnson hotel.

There are different lessons packages that you can choose from after completing the clinic. Each lesson includes private instruction, the use of our equipment during the lesson and damage insurance and liability. Most students take between 3-6 hours to dominate the concepts of our beginner course.

For more information, contact us. For directions see the map here.

Cabrinha’s team rider and 2010 champion Damien Leroy will be defending the title against Adam Koch and local talent. For those interested in learning about racing to participate on the event, 15 Knots Kiteboarding School, Velauno and Cabrinha, will be offering a FREE kite racing clinic in Cafe La Plage on Saturday July 9 & 10, 2011. The clinic will be hosted by Damien Leroy himself. Do not miss this chance to learn some tips from the champion himself and trying out the 2011 Cabrinha raceboard.

Velauno will be offering a super special price of $895.00 for the board complete. Only 10 boards are available.

Last month I was given the opportunity to visit Puerto Rico for the Kiteboarding Cup and tour the island’s countless kite spots as an invited rider. After having wind nearly every day except one I cannot say enough good things about how special this place is. No matter what you are looking for, PR has it.

Here is the rundown of all the places I was lucky enough to kite:

The trip started at a place called Tocones, it was a fun mushy wave spot that allowed for some huge transitions and big sprays. The next day we were 5 min from the airport at the Beach House Hotel which features a full bar, restaurant, beds, couches, and tourists. This is a great place for kiters that want to show off to the girls lying on the beach or just kick back and relax with a tropical rum drink after a fun session. From there, the Kite Cup kicked off in Levittown across from the extremely hospitable Comfort Inn, which I was given the opportunity to judge the freestyle and showcase a few moves for the spectators during the pro demo. It was really exciting to see how high the level of riding was for the competition and cheer with all the spectators that showed up for the event.

After we wrapped up the comp we headed to Rio Grande for epic buttery flat water at a secret location…

Read more and see the picture and video gallery: Jon McCabe’s blog