Power Kite Forum

Aiken Meet Review

mgatc - 7-2-2009 at 06:15 PM

Great Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wind was good then bad then good then bad then good...... You get the picture. When it was good, it was very good. It really turned on late in the afternoon.

Many thanks to Pokitetrash for sharing his home turf. It's a great venue with nice grass (although it still took the skin off a few elbows) and PLENTY of room. The RV was a nice touch!

Three new kiters to the group were in attendance today. Sandman and Hardrive8 recieved the "farthest traveled" award carpooling from Hickory, NC. Kitedog wasn't far behind driving in from north Georgia. Nice meeting you Greg, Joe, and Shannon. Thanks for coming to fly with us.

Lots of very nice kites out today. Generally speaking, larger ruled for most of the day. The Neos flew well for me. The 8m powering the bug and the 11m driving the board. Several PKF members were flying new sails, some for the first time. I rode too much and missed the opportunity to fly a 12.5 Montana, 15m PL, 12.5 Flysurfer Pulse, "AST" (anti-skunk tools, Ask Tridude) along with several others that I can't remember.

Thanks for the great time everybody. I appreciate the company, the sharing of kites and gear, and all of the good advice that was passed around. I had a blast.

I'll get some pix up in the gallery in a day or two.

Mel

kitedog - 7-2-2009 at 06:58 PM

Just got back. Great day. Got my fix. Nice meeting all you guys...putting faces to screen names!

There were a couple moments out there. I was totally lit in the bug with the 12 mtr Pulse II. Completely sideways all the way across that field, dead bermuda spraying me in the face. That was a big long gust. While I was screamin' across the pasture that same gust yarded a couple of the other kiters. I'm glad no one got hurt.

It was cool finally nailing those hop 180's on the landboard. A day like that goes a long way...I need to string a couple of those in a row.

Mel...we're gonna be jumping across that road before this time next year!

I'll look forward to seeing those pics.

Greg

mgatc - 7-2-2009 at 08:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kitedog
Mel...we're gonna be jumping across that road before this time next year!



I was thinking more like jumping the RV:shocked2:

harddrive8 - 7-2-2009 at 08:49 PM

Just got back home a short while ago. I really enjoyed meeting everyone and getting to fly a large variety of kites. I think I found a few that I want to add to my quiver at some point in the future.

Winds were off and on all day. Large kites could handle the lulls, but were often overpowering during the gusts (at least for me).

The OOBE field is very open and large. Really couldn't ask for much better of an inland site to fly. Also got some entertainment watching RC planes fly across the field from us.

Overall, I had a great time and want to thank everyone for allowing me to become part of such a great group. I really picked up on some things today that I think will help me out in my kiting future. I look forward to getting to fly with all of you again in the future.

PHREERIDER - 7-2-2009 at 08:52 PM

pictures guys! come on

BeamerBob - 7-2-2009 at 08:59 PM

Are these days ever long enough? I got a lengthy turn on tridudes 15m synergy and while it was scary at times with all that power and me being a depower newbie. I just don't yet have reflexes and instincts with the bar that I have with handles. This kite deserves more attention though because it shows great promise and it was actually kind and gentle with me. I'm not scared of it any more. I got to fly our new Montana briefly but didn't get a chance in the bug with it yet. I asked Wexler if he liked the new Montana and got a smile and a nod that is very uncharacteristic of a 13-14 year old. He got his eyes opened with a 12.5m Montana III. He was lofted about 11 feet at his feet and once I saw him going across the field on his knees at about 10 mph. He covered over a hundred yards before he stopped in the runway for the model planes. I'm thinking the 9.5 is just right for him (and I want a turn in the bug with it next weekend). I flew the quadrifoil 9.6 but the wind picked up and that is a bad thing unless you are in the water. I didn't let tridude take it home so I can play with it next weekend on some sand.

And most fun of all was getting to do something this fun with people from 3 states with one common thread. Have fun with your kites, share your stuff, and help one another get better and have more fun. I used to be envious of the guys around the bay area having such fun together, but we really have it going on around here in Georgia and the Carolinas. Wexler wanted to take a ride in the buggy and the perfect kite for his buggy skills and the wind level was a beamer 3m. I commented that I had left mine at home because it was sold now and whooSH, there was one headed my way from harddrive8 and sandman's car. Borrowed a wichard quick release from kitedog because he felt I'd be safer with it than what I was going to use. It's always like that. Everyone gets a thrill of having something they can share with you. Thanks for all the selflessness guys and thanks for coming today. Here's to many more days like this with even better wind the whole day.

acampbell - 8-2-2009 at 01:20 AM

You are just about bringing tears to my eyes. I had a great day with new and one friends down in JAX today but was thinking of you guys a lot. Met a guy local to JAX who was taken by my pictures of kites and bugs. I think we can bring him over to the nylon side.

harddrive8 - 8-2-2009 at 02:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
I asked Wexler if he liked the new Montana and got a smile and a nod that is very uncharacteristic of a 13-14 year old. He got his eyes opened with a 12.5m Montana III. He was lofted about 11 feet at his feet and once I saw him going across the field on his knees at about 10 mph. He covered over a hundred yards before he stopped in the runway for the model planes. I'm thinking the 9.5 is just right for him (and I want a turn in the bug with it next weekend).


I believe the 12.5 MIV was a bit too much for Wexler on the gusts -- Especially once it pulled him to his knees. I really was expecting him to pull the QR on it not long after he started getting pulled like that. I got the chance to fly the 9.5m Montana 4, and it is a sweet kite. It really shined with the gusts without being overpowering.

Also had a turn at the 8m Neo. It too is a nice kite and zips around the sky nicely. Until I got to fly this, I really hadn't had a chance to play with the trim strap on a depower while in flight.

I didn't get too many pictures, but here are the ones I managed to take. OOBE Field

tridude - 8-2-2009 at 05:52 AM

thanks everyone for a great day out................good to see everyone made it home safe. Polo field, OOBE, is awesome............huge area, and smooth surface. Good meeting Sandman, Hardrive, and Kitedog...............Nice quivers out there as well. As we drove off, the kites looked awesome from the road.............look forward to flying at OOBE again very soon.............:lol::duh:

tridude - 8-2-2009 at 08:02 AM

did have a go on the 9.5 MIV.......sweet kite indeed.....plenty of power thru the lulls.........BB got on nice with the Synergy..........Pokite and I watched his first turn...........he stopped and thought about it for a few seconds, down-looped, turned, and the rest was history..........the only thing I FORGOT yesterday was my camera......................:lol::duh::duh:

yeah Wex was too far for me to run after him but pull that safety next time....................

Pokite was lofted as well a good 5 or six feet on his 7m Blurr.......he let the kite go but we quickly recovered it, no damage to Po or his Blurr...............

Sandman - 8-2-2009 at 06:55 PM

Only flew for about 5 min. yesterday, but the fun I had was a blast. I got to meet a lot of people that share the same addiction as me. Took some video of everyone cruising around on the boards and buggies. Learned a lot of stuff watching and talking with everyone. Had a blast watching Wexler show me and harddrive8 up on the 12.5 Montana. Next time around I will be more active and not laying low like yesterday. Just wanted to lay low and learn from the Pro's that were around me.


Me and hard drive went out and played around some today with the buggy and static and tried out some of the stuff we learned from yesterday. Had my first OBE today. Flying the 1.8m Beamer so I figured who needs kite killers. Jumped in the bug and went about 20 feet, flipped the bug over on top of me, left go of handles and watched the kite keep going. Good thing I crashed right behind harddrive, he took a step back and stood on the lines for me till I got to the handles.


So when is the next SEKO (South East Kite Outing) :wee::wee::wee:

BeamerBob - 8-2-2009 at 08:51 PM

I've been trying to think of a name for our little group of you Hickory guys, kitedog and kullas in N. GA. pokitetrash and I in the Augusta/Aiken area, and then phreerider, tridude, and acampbell to move our way down the coast. Add in promised newcomers from the Jekyll Island/St. Simons Island areas and we have a pretty closeknit group. I hope I didn't leave anyone out due to lack of sleep. We need a name. I think kitedog suggested yesterday SEKA SE Kite Assoc. Seko had possibilities too. So speak up insiders and those too far away to join us. It can even make fun of us in some way too. I see t-shirts in my crystal ball. Can you believe Acampbell, tridude and I were together for the first time only 18 months ago?

So sandman, are we going to be famous on youtube? Did you record Wexler's world record speed and distance on knees performance? or Pokite's landing? I'd like to analyze that one. Next time we need to share some space with you out there, and I still need to fly the 12.5. I was past due on the Synergy so I had to give her her due Saturday.

tridude - 8-2-2009 at 09:40 PM

S-outhern
F-lied
K-ite
A-ssociation


substitute "flied" for "fried" kinda catchy, ok corny but thats me for all that know me

or

S-outhern
F-riers
K-ite
A-ssociation

Sandman - 8-2-2009 at 10:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
So sandman, are we going to be famous on youtube? Did you record Wexler's world record speed and distance on knees performance? or Pokite's landing? I'd like to analyze that one. Next time we need to share some space with you out there, and I still need to fly the 12.5. I was past due on the Synergy so I had to give her her due Saturday.



Unfortunately I was not able to capture these two events. Just glad both were able to walk away from them.

Next time we get together I will be well rested and roaring to go.




Woke up at 11am Friday morning and spent the day running around town, then had to drive all night for my job. Then got home just in time to take a shower and head out to the field. Finally hit the bed at 10:45pm Saturday night.

Next time I will find someone to drive for me the night before. :)

lunchbox - 9-2-2009 at 08:51 AM

Thanks for sharing the pics Harddrive...nice field and a lot of nice looking kites!

Quote:

I used to be envious of the guys around the bay area having such fun together, but we really have it going on around here in Georgia and the Carolinas.


Think BB got it right...doesn't seem like a month goes by without you guys having some kind of get-together :thumbup:

mgatc - 9-2-2009 at 06:23 PM

I don't suppose the acronym for "Old Southerners Having Intense Times" for a group name would make it pass the forum censors:lol:

I'll work on another one............

BeamerBob - 9-2-2009 at 06:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mgatc
I don't suppose the acronym for "Old Southerners Having Intense Times" for a group name would make it pass the forum censors:lol:

I'll work on another one............


That's what I'm talking about being able to make fun of ourselves. If we could find another way to use the same letters then we'd know what they really meant.

PHREERIDER - 9-2-2009 at 06:44 PM

nice spot guys , harddrive coming thru with pics

southern fried good time! put the hog on the killin' rock boys whooooowooowe!good times is a flyin'

kitedog - 9-2-2009 at 07:03 PM

Hey Mel,

Didn't you snap some shots on Saturday? And I know someone took a group shot. Who took that pic?

G

harddrive8 - 9-2-2009 at 07:25 PM

I'm looking forward to seeing other peoples pictures as well. Most of mine were made from the back of the minivan, so they weren't too good of action shots.

mgatc - 9-2-2009 at 07:34 PM

Yep, that's where I've been for the last 20 minutes. Pix are up in the Gallery. Look under PKF MEMBERS for the faces and under KITES AND GEAR for the rest. All are under "Aiken Meet 2/7/09" titles.

There's not many. I spent more time riding than photoging! Thanks to Tridude's daughter for the group shot.

If we keep this up, we really need to petition for our own gallery heading. We could fill up several pages with past meet-ups, not to mention the ones I know are coming.

Off topic: Tridude, verrrrrrrrry niiiiiiiiiiice 19m PL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mel

harddrive8 - 9-2-2009 at 07:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mgatc
Yep, that's where I've been for the last 20 minutes. Pix are up in the Gallery. Look under PKF MEMBERS for the faces and under KITES AND GEAR for the rest. All are under "Aiken Meet 2/7/09" titles.

There's not many. I spent more time riding than photoging! Thanks to Tridude's daughter for the group shot.

If we keep this up, we really need to petition for our own gallery heading. We could fill up several pages with past meet-ups, not to mention the ones I know are coming.

Off topic: Tridude, verrrrrrrrry niiiiiiiiiiice 19m PL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mel


Nice pictures!

BeamerBob - 17-2-2009 at 11:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tridude
S-outhern
F-lied
K-ite
A-ssociation


I LOVE this. I somehow missed it when you originally posted it. Do the rest of you guys mind if we just adopt this as our loose band of kiters?

Good job Tridude!

Sandman - 21-2-2009 at 07:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Quote:
Originally posted by tridude
S-outhern
F-lied
K-ite
A-ssociation


I LOVE this. I somehow missed it when you originally posted it. Do the rest of you guys mind if we just adopt this as our loose band of kiters?

Good job Tridude!



Sounds like a winner to me. :)
:wee:

acampbell - 21-2-2009 at 07:54 AM

SoFKA (?)

BeamerBob - 21-2-2009 at 10:47 AM

That does get a vowel in there so you can make a word out of it. I think that is an improvement.