Kitesites.com skyline vid
Utah Goodness!!!
Posted in Uncategorized on March 4, 2008 by bradley1975
If thousands acres of ultra-dry boot deep powder, constant wind, ridiculous riding terrain, (cornices, 35 degree bowls, natural kickers, road gaps, impressive vistas) and friendly locals sound like the ultimate snowkiting destination, than you must visit Skyline Drive, just an hour and half drive southeast of Salt Lake City.
While resently attending the 5th Annual Montana Snowkite Rodeo and snatching a win in the skiercross event. I wasn’t going to assume a repeat at the U.S Open last weekend, But I couldn’t imagine not attending and at least try my best against some national pros like Rob Whittal, Ken Lucus, Andrew Mclean, Zebulone, James Brown, Jason Slezak, Dimitri Maraminedes, Brian Schenck and many more (Alex Peterson didn’t compete).
The Skier/Boardercross event had intense action as the days forecast of 4okts winds were starting to kicking in, and at one point racers where getting completely blown off their tacks. Lucky I advanced through each heat clean and held on tight to a super lit 12m Havoc and managed not to crashing into one other (afterwards KenLucus’s GPS had a top speed over 55mph, …crashing would have been serious carnage!). Not too sound big headed but, after winning the race I had to kite far away from everyone else to savory that adrenaline stoked moment. I wish doctors could bottle that feeling up and give it to people that really need it!
The rest of the day was filled with good times of BBQing and partying in the Mountain Hardware/RedBull tents and watching Alex Peterson jump (not soar off a cliff) but load and pop over 250ft vertically up the hillside, and also “SATing out” (Yes he is a Professional Paraglider) I think AP still hasn’t found his limits and is pushing this sport into the stratosphere. Once again he stole the show…….
Sunday was the big bummer, Alex Podelack (sorry spelling) and I were freeriding in the “utah goodness” all morning. The intermittent blowing snow and flat light made for some tricky conditions which caused Alex to come up short on a 50ft gap jump and twisted his knee real bad. It’s a kitemare story in it’s own, with a snowplow truck nearly scraping him off the road, but the driver ended up being a huge help with his rescue, thank God it wasn’t worst.
Yesterday, was the solo session we had been waiting for the entire trip, the venue was now over and we had the entire place to ourselves under bluebird freshies . Alex in his physical state was gracious enough to document Stringy, Mike Hill, Christian (from Denmark) and I having someserioussnowkite fun.
Once again “Chainsaw Stringy” captured the photo goods when he wasn’t out there killing it himself.
All in all with some amazing local days out near Chelan and Lake Keehcelus, the comps, and all super deep sking days has made this one of the most memorable winter seasons. And it seems like everytime I talk to someone else, they are saying the same thing to me about different days, ….”Powder” to the people!
and some Vid Action coming soon
Thanks for visiting!
Brad Gordon
Baja es Super Bueno!!!
Posted in Uncategorized on November 24, 2007 by bradley1975Back from Baja three days ago but I wanted to give a trip report on our Seattle to LV road trip. Glen and I took off from Sea town around 2:00 am Nov 1 and made it to Sacramento to visit my family. From there we made it though the chard remains of San Diego and on into the Tecate border crossing. I will say with all the resent Mexico travel horror stories we had our guard up 24/7. As usual once your down in Mexico you find that 99% of the people are fair and friendly.
The first 300 K through Northern Baja is nothing special, past that zone it’s really cool with crazy rock formations and jagged mountain peaks. Our timing was unlucky with the wind and swell on the Pacific, just missing big swell forecast by days. Someday I would love to spend a month kiting the southern Pacific side, truly world class potential (on windy days). Then by the fourth day we pushed hard to get over to Sea of Cortez side, and the weather was perfect, a 20 degree improvement (flip-flops and shorts). My favorite area was 2 hours north of gringo develop town of Loreto . The Bay of Conception at sunrise is one beautiful place, I wish we could have stayed for a week. Try imagining islands that looks like Sedona, Arizona while meeting beaches of Dominican Republic with $2.00 margaritas.
O.K Bah, Bah, Bah we finally got to LV and it wasn’t windy for three to four days straight, and started to go bananas. But Glen kept it fun with the amazing fishing. We caught 30 Sierras, 2-25 lbs Toros, one 23 lbs Dorodo in two days!!! Then Bruce Sheldon took us helmet diving which is exactly like Jaquic Quisto diving 100 years ago but we used a kite pump to provide the oxygen, go figure. Finally the wind kicked in and we got some 12m conditions for six days straight and everybody was killing it. Glen was throwing huge and going for some new front roll kite loops. My girl Melissa was not only up and riding but doing 6 mile downwinders with the crew and I got a little closer to landing some newer tricks. We got some kite footage but none of the epic El Northe’s that I hope to capture, but that’s just how it goes. Since I hadn’t been to LV in three years I was shocked by the rapid growth, I’m so envious of all the people who got in five years ago.
So, don’t be a cyber puss and be freaked out by all those travel stories, when you finally go get ready for an a true adventure, with dusty roads, good tequila, fresh corn tortillas, garbage, teenage soliders with AK-47s, moonscapes, amazing sunset, cold Bahinhas, patience, and a whole lot killer kiting.
It’s all yours!
Vamos amigos!
“The Jay”
Posted in Uncategorized on September 27, 2007 by bradley1975 
“The Jay” is actually my big brother and whose life is the epitome of this blog site and a major inspiration in my life. Jay Gordon is one diverse guy when it comes to enjoying his free time. You would be hard pressed to find someone with as many skills across so many different action-sports. He was one of first dozen guys who started snowboarding around Lake Tahoe in the early 80’s. Jay and his best friend Ray Hanson were regularly forced to ride in the back-country until a little ski hill named Donor Ski Ranch allow snowboarders on their chairlifts. This area became home for many future pro-riders such as Shawn Palmer, Damion Sanders, and many more. Eventually Lake Tahoe became the epicenter for low budget 16mm film making, one of the most infamous was called Snowboarder’s in Excile. Jay was very much apart of this scene, especially when he would “freak out” snobby ski families as he would rip by at 30 mph sporting a black trench coat and a bright red double buzzed Mah-hawk! After a blown ACL injury he back off from the “going big” scene of Tahoe. He found similar addictions to Kayaking, MotorX, Windsurfing, Kiteboarding, and Snowmobiling. He’s currently addicted to competing in XC Paragliding events around Northern California or firing up his Power-paraglider and just flying around while taking amazing point of view photos. He resides in Lincoln CA, with his awesome wife Brandy, her beautiful daughter Micaela and their two dogs Yager and Bailey.
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