In March this year I spent a week in Kite Buggying Nirvana at the NABX event (videos coming shortly). While there I shot a few short videos of the Flexifoil team riders and, rather than frequent the casino floor (where I was staying), loosing money hand over fist, I spent my evenings either getting drunk with the guys or editing.

It seems that this was a good plan (well, not plan, “plan” implies intention – I was just doing what I always do)! Soon after returning to the UK I got a call from Craig Sparkes, inviting me and my camera to the inaugural Flexifoil Team Rider event in France.

Over a long weekend in mid April I had the privilege of meeting the whole Flexifoil family. We had an amazing time, spent mostly finding new and interesting ways to fill our time while we waited for the God of wind to make an appearance.

Obviously the old saying applies: “what goes on tour, stays on tour”, but all I will say is that I now know that, when they’re not kiting, youngsters play beer pong and REAL men play JD pong.

No wind on Friday, a fitful 8mph on Saturday, and finally, on Sunday morning, shortly before we all had to pack up to head home, the God of wind turns up with 16mph. Turned up with a hangover though, and presented us with a gnarly offshore breeze. No kite surfing then.

But this was a Flexi event, and these guys will always find a way if there’s wind.

The tide was with us, so out headed Will, Dave and Richy to show us how it’s done in a buggy. Finally some kiting to finish off the weekend!

So, here is my video of the first ever Flexifoil Team Rider meeting. I hope you like it.

If I’ve missed your name from the credits please know that it’s not personal! There were so many people to meet and talk to that my brain was overloaded with names; or possibly JD.

Other things you might want to know:

Edited in Final Cut Pro

Post in After Effects CS5

Titles inspired by an AE tutorial from Andrew Krammer

Shot on a Canon 5Dmk2 using a 24-70 2.8L and 70-200 2.8L

Other gear: Steadycam Merlin, Indykit Matt Box on homemade rails.

And, yes, you might have caught a glimpse of the new Blade 8.5.