Off to Hong Kong early March 2010....

Hey everyone just thought I would let a few locals know that I won't be local anymore! Leaving to take up a post in Hong Kong for a couple years or more if it works out. Have let a few locals know that I'm heading off so thought I should make it official.... Have had a great time learning how to kitesurf on the Goldie over the past 4 years and have made so many great friends and enjoyed your company on and off the water! I can now feel confident to show up anywhere in the world (ok not pipeline etc...) join the local crew without thinking I can't handle most conditions safely. (ok not unstrapped yet either!)

I would like to thank local kiter's who have been very generous with their time and encouragement during my steep learning curve. A special thank you to Fitzy who has always been extremely helpful and willing to offer invaluable advice to me on almost anything regards kiting - your help has been very much appreciated still remember the days at Loders 2006...

Thanks also to Paulio and the SEQKA committee for their hard work over the last few years helping to make kiting fun and safe in Queensland. I will miss my regular downwinders from the Spit to Narrowneck and visa versa..and I will miss all my kitesurfing buddies along the coast! I will be back for a couple weeks once or twice a year and look forward to catching up with many of you on the beach again. Duncan, Frankie, DK, Jono, Paulio, Fitzy, Tony, Jamie, Sam, Jake, Paul, Ang, Grant, (list goes on sorry if I missed anyone) and all the local Goldie Crew thanks for all your help and support over the last 4 years.

I still remember talking to DK and a group of guys at Narrowneck 2005 when they were kiting and I was still windsurfing and I inquired about kitesurfing and how to get into it...the rest has been a fascinating journey that has rekindled my love of water sports after 20 years of Windsurfing....

I would like to thank Simon (sa German) for striking up a deep friendship which transcended windsurfing, kiting, jujitzu and the 10th dimension! Simon was there from the start of my kitesurfing while we were windsurfing buddies then also migrating to kitesurfing while keeping his love of Windsurfing alive... Thanks to Simon for all the great times:- downwinders, kiting/windsurfing sessions, jujitzu, social events, dinners and hanging out time! Thanks also to Anna - Simon's partner - who has been a wonderful supporter of our water addiction often having to walk Zac for many miles waiting for us to finish! Big shout out to all the Windsurfing crew (wind wanderers) some of who have had a crack at kiting Pete, Cliff, Dan, haircut, Jason, the Scot who kindly rescued me with a spare harness in the middle of shear water after my kite pulled mine off - you guys rock!

Last but not least I would like to thank my partner Yoko who is coming with me to Hong Kong and who has been extremely supportive of my kitesurfing addition thru thick and thin. I must be the envy of many kiters as she drops me at the spit alone and 2 hrs later dutifully picks me up at Nobbies after some of the most titanic sessions! A couple downwinders from the Spit to Currumbin have been a solid test of our relationship! Many thanks to Yoko for allowing me to explore one of the most addictive sports on the planet today!

Will miss the Gold Coast and miss you all just as much! I wish you all good winds and great days at your favourite local and will see u on the water during my holidays back on the Goldie!

JOFFA out (for now)

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Permalink Reply by Paul on February 26, 2010 at 5:51pm: Dude, I thought I was reading your eulogy, hope you have a good time and I hope they have some waves so make sure you show them how Aussie kiters smash it up in the waves.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Schneider on February 26, 2010 at 10:25pm: Ah not much wind there at all so think it might be my kiting eulogy!! for a few years anyway!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fitzy on March 2, 2010 at 9:47pm: Best wishes Jeff.

It was a pleasure to help you in your transition from Windsurfing to Kiting. Its a sport easily transported anywhere in the world (less kit than that bloody windsurfing)

Hope things work out for you in the new country and don't worry about the wind, the monsoons over there ROCK !!!!

Cheers - FItzy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Schneider on March 3, 2010 at 1:49am: thanks Fitzy - just arrived today Tues 2/3/10 9pm 25 degrees 90%% humidity and this is 1st day of Spring! Checkout the new work environment! http://www.lrc.com.hk/site/index2.htm; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Schneider on March 22, 2010 at 10:14am: Soon as I leave you guys get the most wind of the season!! grrrrrr - I made the ultimate sacrifice! Been checking out windy places here and not Taiwan gets the most frequent strong winds around this area! Now all I have to do is get a weekend off and get my kites sent over from OZ... hi to all the hard core crew hope you have been eating up the conditions lately.... Joffa OUT; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by tony on March 23, 2010 at 9:50am: Mr Joffa I hope all is going well for you there i know your feelings re the wind cause here in Syd town there no such thing as wind anymore and when there is wind im out of town working take care matey make lotsa $$$ then come back to oz and make that wind machine you were talking about. Cheers T

Jeff Schneider said:
Soon as I leave you guys get the most wind of the season!! grrrrrr - I made the ultimate sacrifice! Been checking out windy places here and not Taiwan gets the most frequent strong winds around this area! Now all I have to do is get a weekend off and get my kites sent over from OZ... hi to all the hard core crew hope you have been eating up the conditions lately.... Joffa OUT; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fitzy on March 24, 2010 at 12:07am: Checked out the website Jeff.

Bloody Hell !!!

How much are you paying to work there ????

WInd has been pretty solid here, plus a big swell.

Spent some time out on the Bombie off the seaway last weekend. Pretty solid

Enjoy the new adventure and great working conditions

Cheers - Fitzy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Schneider on March 24, 2010 at 12:47am

wow u guys got out to the sth stradie bombie! Duncan and I have been trying to plan that one for the whole Summer but conditions and timing never happened! Getting my kites sent over and I'm buying a new NSP 5'6" Epoxy E2 fish for $2000 HK which is around $350 OZ (last seasons stock) lucky I brought my NSI stick on footstrap plates...although getting better at strapless, be back in OZ July see u all on the beach mid Winter I hope!! Joffa

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Schneider on March 24, 2010 at 1:05am: Hey Tony!
Hope all good in the big smoke - we just had 2 days of the most horrendous smog here... over 450 on the index and 415-465 is considered severe with schools in Hong Kong canceling or postponing all outdoor activities! Lucky we are located up on the hill and very elevated but don't know if it was better than Central HK which was 455 on the index - my throat felt very very dry the last 2 days... I think it has been even worse on mainland China! check my other post just a few minutes ago for more info regards kiting.... all the chicken breast MATE!

tony said:
Mr Joffa I hope all is going well for you there i know your feelings re the wind cause here in Syd town there no such thing as wind anymore and when there is wind im out of town working take care matey make lotsa $$$ then come back to oz and make that wind machine you were talking about. Cheers T

Jeff Schneider said:
Soon as I leave you guys get the most wind of the season!! grrrrrr - I made the ultimate sacrifice! Been checking out windy places here and not Taiwan gets the most frequent strong winds around this area! Now all I have to do is get a weekend off and get my kites sent over from OZ... hi to all the hard core crew hope you have been eating up the conditions lately.... Joffa OUT; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sam on March 30, 2010 at 8:18pm: Have a good one Joffa see you in the holidays dude!; ▶ Reply to This