Kiteboarding Magazine

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2003-05-13 15:00:00 | 309 views | 0 Comments

KITEBOARDER, ADAM KOCH, COMPLETES FIRST-EVER KITE CROSSING FROM
CATALINA ISLAND TO CALIFORNIA MAINLAND FEAT TAKES ONE HOUR
FIFTY-FIVE MINUTES IN 15-22 KNOT WIND, 8-10 FEET SWELLS

April 2, 2003 Seal Beach, CA The wind gods smiled on kiteboarder
Adam Koch (Seattle, WA) and his support crew today as he completed
the first-ever kite crossing from Catalina Island to the California
mainland on a kiteboard. Leaving from Two Harbors on the leeward
side of Catalina Island, Adam departed the discreet rocky beach at
1:30 pm and landed at his intended destination, the popular “Kite
Beach” just north of Seal Beach pier, at approximately 3:20 pm.

Traveling over thirty nautical miles, Koch encountered 15-22
knot winds and 8-10 foot seas due to the strong northwest wind
swell and a large south ground swell that originated in New
Zealand. Before reaching his destination, Adam passed through one
of California's busiest shipping lanes leading into the Los Angeles
Port at San Pedro.

“I tried not to focus on any one thing before the crossing. I
had to be ready for anything because you never know what you're
going to get in Mother Nature. I got plenty of rest the night
before so I felt solid. It was super choppy in the middle and that
took out most of my energy. I got tired on some tacks and ended up
falling a couple times, but that isn't uncommon. I ended more
up-wind than I had expected so it was more like 32 miles instead of
26,” said Koch (24),relaxing at the local Hennessey's a block from
where he landed.

Koch, who learned to kiteboard on the Columbia River Gorge, has
been kiteboarding professionally for the last three years. In 2002,
Koch ranked sixth on the PKRA (Professional Kite Riders
Association) world tour and has soaring aspirations for the
upcoming season.

Catalina Island is a recognized part of southern California's
iconography and the channel between the island and the mainland has
long represented a challenge for a variety of sports. This will be
a first for the growing sport of kiteboarding.

Combining components of windsurfing, surfing, wakeboarding and
snowboarding, Kiteboarding is a relatively new sport that has been
gaining enthusiasts since its inception some six years ago.
Southern California in particular has strong kiting enclaves,
centered in the Seal Beach area; one will find avid kiters in
Belmont Shores, Torrance and further north in LA County.

Adam Koch's Catalina crossing will air later this year on Re:
Evolution of Sports on Fox Sports Net.

For more info. go to http://www.reevolution.tv

 

 

 

 

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