zEDITORIAL

n the midst of deadline mania

I received an email from a rider

RELEASING THE PRESSURE I

We've played the waiting game for so

on this story any longer. Absolutely

long this summer in the UK. Will the

removed from any sort of ordinary reality,

who's been in Fiji for some time.

regular sessions take shape in autumn? We

get ready to lose yourself in a world of

He recounted a few of his recent sessions

all very much hope so, but the temptation

discovery and pure joy. The good news is

in waves that were the best he'd seen.

Every day was a dream. He hoped I'd

been getting some.

I hadn't.

Beaten by the last deadline and bruised

after missing the sessions earlier in the

week, when everyone else in the office got

out, getting back in the water at the

weekend was a huge relief. Kiting, purely

for the pleasure of riding, I left all my

worries, stresses and strains on the beach

to find satisfaction elsewhere is great.

I began my kiting fascination in South

Africa in 2002. It's like nowhere I've ever

been or am likely to go. The African

continent has a naked charm and raw

beauty, and few riders find a single visit is

enough - it will grip and torment you until

you return. On the travelling wish-list of

venues for many kitesurfers, we bring you

the low down on the two most popular

riding districts in this effervescent and

that it's not as hard as it looks, either!

Fragile Power is on page 74.

Most manufacturers cunningly release all

their kit for the following year in autumn,

coinciding with your ravenous hunger to

get out and the improving conditions.

We had a sniff around and highlight some

of the shapes, styles and trends to be

looking out for in 2007 Heaven on page 98.

It can get too much to sit and wait for

it. Sometimes you have to go and get it.

for a while.

The wind was perfect 10 metre weather;

my favourite. Small clean ramps appeared

and my timing, for once, was spot on: the

first time I sent the kite and released, I

went higher and further than I had

managed for a long time. Every second I

vibrant country from page 60.

If you're looking to hit all the right

sensory buttons, snowkiting will send you

into a euphoric blur. I know we're a little

early for the traditional snowkiting season

but we were so excited after our first hit

in Iceland in July that we couldn't hold off

Enjoy the issue

Jim

felt lighter, my shoulders straighter, and

my mind clearer. Something this good

suddenly seemed worth waiting for.

Caption>Getting some. Felix Pivec Photo>John Bilderback