Snow kite (desperation try #2)

My first attempt at snow kiting in Johnstown ended up a wash, enough snow, but just a few thermals to get the kite up, then right back down. Back in NYC this latest mega bomb storm thing looked like it had some potential, but the strong winds and -10 wind chill kept me in until Sunday.
I figured Floyd Bennett had the best shot (the surf cams showed no snow on the beaches). The wind had died down enough, but my worry was it had blown all the snow away. Sure enough, absolutely no snow on the tarmac, but about a spotty inch on the weeds (that had been mowed) in between the runways. Wind was light, but looked good enough to at least give it a try.
Wasted a good 30 minutes untangling the stupid ass 5th line on the 8m Eskimo - it wraps itself around the steering lines and makes a mess. Launched, everything finally looked good, so I landed and got my snowboard. I got Flow bindings a few months ago on sale, but this is the first real time using them. I realized I'm not flexible enough to reach back to clip them easily (I've never been able to touch my toes). I finally get them on, launch, and fall flat on my face. Finally get myself rolled over, launch from sitting, get up, lean back, get a few feet and the wind dies. Back on my butt. This time the wind is gone for good, and I can't get the kite in the air to pull myself back up. I also realize I'm too out of shape to lift my board over a giant weed stump using my stomach muscles and I can't pull the board close enough to reach the damn bindings. Now I'm stuck like a turtle. Pathetic. I laid there for about 10 minutes catching my breath and finally got up the strength to unhook the snowboard. I flop over, crawl a few feet and a voice says "You ok?, You weren't moving for a while." Turns out one of the Parks guys was watching, and walked all the way over to see if I had killed myself. How embarrassing. On the other hand, was nice to know I wasn't completely alone out there. I mean, besides the hordes of drug dealers that seem to have taken over the place...
As it turns out, the weed areas are protected space, so kiting there was a no-no to begin with. Not sure what bird would survive the giant lawnmowers, but whatever - happy to follow the rules to keep our spot. Wish I had tossed my ATB in the car, would have been a perfect day for it, not a drop of snow on the runways.
The few seconds I was up on my board felt pretty good. I think with the right conditions I could get up and going fairly quickly. Hope to get up to Scanadaga Lake at some point soon, seems like that's the closest spot to NYC. If anyone knows anything closer, let me know!

Thanks!

Thanks Kober! I'm not giving up on my Flows quite yet. I reset everything from scratch, and they seem to work a lot better now (at least in my living room!). I haven't been snowboarding in a while, so I've forgotten all the proper contortions. The knee trick sounds good. The backs are too springy and pop back up (I think because they're new) so it makes it hard to get my foot in position. I'm sure with time it will all work out.

Really good to know about the 5th line. I thought I was just doing something wrong, but it seems like it's normal that it wraps. It shakes itself out after a while, but it really feels unsafe when it's tying the steering line to the power line. I probably just need more practice (understatement). I'll just continue to check everything carefully, I seem to be a master at twisting my lines.

Was definitely way too much wind day after the storm for me, I'm sure FBF had decent snow then. From your experience, sounds like it was a good move sitting that one out

But your video from the river looked amazing! Let me know if it gets good there again, I'd love to check that place out. The only spots I know around here are FBF and the beaches - if there are any spots close to NYC - within a couple hours - fields, lakes, rivers, hills, whatever, I'd love to know about them. I have that noob gung-ho spirit!

Looks like good waves tomorrow, so time to dust off the surfboard!