Anyone shot kitesurfing?

I've only shot kitesurfers off the beach on holiday, not events. Its a good sport to shoot as they seem fairly predictable (at least the guys I shot were). They do a run out into the sea, turn and come back in fast and pretty straight. If the sea is flat they come slose to a stop and use the wind to launch themselves to do the stunts, but if the waves are high enough they can rather suddenly jump mid-run. I found a fixed lens a bit restrictive since they cover a lot of ground. A zoom might be handy, or two bodies. I got lots of shots of bodies in the air doing stunts but it is hard to get the kite in the shot too without the subject getting really small. Also, you might want to get the sea in frame too to give some indication of height, and these guys can go very high if the wind is right.

Some shots here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianvecchi/sets/72157604427865065/
 
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Sit or stand and watch, look out for the guys doing the better tricks and watch out for them when the contest starts. Keep the hirizon straight. I guess you have some big glass 300-400mm ish, also get shots of surfers setting up on the beach. I know this is basic info but vital to do I think.
 
hmm I dont own any zooms but can go 200mm 400mm 520mm and 800mm using dif combo


would be well pleases if i got anyhting near those pics ian :)
 
I did some few summers ago - only got couple of hours of it, as I was rushing elsewhere to do other events.
A zoom-lens was a good-one, as they do move about a lot (with the jumps and stuff).
But I've always been a zoom-man - so...:shrug:
 
Hmmm Blackpool you say?

I might pop along too Tony :) nothing planned for tomorrow
 
well im a kitesurfer and a 'photographer' might head up tomorrow afternoon...few friends entering and its windy.....but only windy tomorrow.....
I generally shoot with my 70-200L...fast shutter speed...watch how they do the runs into the competition area...its onshore tomorrow so they'll be close to the shore line for the tricks...they have heats and finals...usually 10 min 'runs'....they blow a hooter for start and finish....usually 2 or 3 in a heat...be aware that there is a form for photographers (there is a junior event) @ http://www.britishkitesurfingassociation.co.uk/events/rules.html
You'll struggle to get the kite in shot with the rider (depending on the trick and lens) look for the powered moves the handle pass (when they are unhooked from the kite) and it can be fast and furious!!

anything else you need to know give me a shout!!!
 
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Rovers_Andy said:
Hmmm Blackpool you say?

I might pop along too Tony :) nothing planned for tomorrow
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Am going in time for start I think... dunno how long will stay.. julie likes a walk around cleveleys.. decent place.. might pop blackpool later.... your mobile still same andy. ends 262? have ya got mine... meet up there if ya like?
 
KIPAX said:
Am going in time for start I think... dunno how long will stay.. julie likes a walk around cleveleys.. decent place.. might pop blackpool later.... your mobile still same andy. ends 262? have ya got mine... meet up there if ya like?
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Aye still the same number, need to have a look on't website first and see what time its on from/till :lol:
 
Rovers_Andy said:
Aye still the same number, need to have a look on't website first and see what time its on from/till :lol:
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10.30 ish to about 5pm I think.. I am gonna set off from here around 9.30am

should be good fun and somehting to shoot just for pleasure with no preassure :)
 
danmon_81 said:
well im a kitesurfer and a 'photographer' might head up tomorrow afternoon...few friends entering and its windy.....but only windy tomorrow.....
I generally shoot with my 70-200L...fast shutter speed...watch how they do the runs into the competition area...its onshore tomorrow so they'll be close to the shore line for the tricks...they have heats and finals...usually 10 min 'runs'....they blow a hooter for start and finish....usually 2 or 3 in a heat...be aware that there is a form for photographers (there is a junior event) @ http://www.britishkitesurfingassociation.co.uk/events/rules.html
You'll struggle to get the kite in shot with the rider (depending on the trick and lens) look for the powered moves the handle pass (when they are unhooked from the kite) and it can be fast and furious!!

anything else you need to know give me a shout!!!
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Didnt know about the form.. nice one thanks... I will probably look for a furthur back spot and use a long lens... everyhting moves slower with a long lens :)
 
The pro guys were supposed to competing today, starting at 10am. I popped down there to take a look and there was no wind and no activity, I don't know whether they managed to start. The forecast for tomorrow (Friday) is for a 20-25mph N wind. Sunday is day of tricks so there may be some good photo opps.
 
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Sounds like this should be one for the event guys. Be interested to know if there is anyone covering this and offering on-site or web sales.
 
OneTen said:
The pro guys were supposed to competing today, starting at 10am. I popped down there to take a look and there was no wind and no activity, I don't know whether they managed to start. The forecast for tomorrow (Friday) is for a 20-25mph N wind. Sunday is day of tricks so there may be some good photo opps.
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Only got friday free so I guess its fingers crossed is it?
 
just so you no....there's not going to be much wind this weekend (annoying cause i aint been kitesufing for a while) therefore they're hoping to run 'everyting' today (friday)...its unfortunate but is what happens when you rely on nature for power. (most kitesurfers, water based, need 15mph + to have any chance of doing something fun!)
 
i was there this morning for a couple of hrs.. very windy... also dark as very cloudy... got plenty of shots... left about 1pm and it started to get bright and clear.. just my luck

need a long lens though.. 400mm was just about long enough

still out so will post some later
 
I've been down for an hour. The sun came out for around thirty seconds then went dull again but quite as black as this morning. I couldn't make head nor tail of the competition, whether anyone was competing or just practising but it was fun. In my wisdom I decided against a 400mm and took a 70-200 plus 1.4x and it was OK when they came inshore but that wasn't often. I'd definitely go again.
 
Yeagh I would go again.. really enjoyed it.. just home now.. shame it was dark and nasty this morning.. would have been better on a nicer day... but I should ahve plenty shots one way or another :) glad i did it now... cant go over weekend too busy
 
2 pics of the Blackpool kitesurfing in the Telegraph today. Didn't recognise the name on the credit though. One is a nice wide shot showing the competitors & kites plus some nice scene setting background, and the other is a smaller close-in shot of one of the dudes.
 
I'm heading down there again now. The light is good but there doesn't appear to be any wind.
 
Nothing doing at the moment. Pro men's/ladies freestyle was due off at 11.
 
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