By request, we've added a new forum and photo album for the JIBE event. Please post all JIBE-related topics there and be sure to share your favorite pics in the album.

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=51

We are also preparing to add a new category for power kiting clubs. If you run a club with 30+ members and would like forum space on the PKF for club-related topics, send a U2U to PKF to receive more info. Please provide as much info about your club as possible. We'll consider all requests.

As a member of SOFKA and a participant at JIBE, I sincerely appreciate this gesture. Just one more reason why the PKF is my favorite!

Thank you,
Mel

Mel, I too have a sense of pride that JIBE is now considered one of the major US events now. Angus did a great job organizing the event, because everything seemed to just fall into place. You just can't beat the miles of undeveloped beach either.

Very nice, gratitude to all who make it possible, virtual and real. A beautiful collection of fliers and riders. Great work Angus!

Thanks to PKF for the nod and to all for the support. Looking forward to 2010 and will announce soon. Turtle Center will get about a grand and will know it comes from Kiters.

Jekyll Island Authority was there Friday while we were cruising down south and took some pics for their Facebook page. They were excited and pleased and throw their complete support for 2010.

WOW! :o I had no idea we would raise that kind of money for it. They should be begging the kiters to come back. You are creating the model of how things should be done proactively to not only avoid bans and restrictions but to be embraced as a vital part of the community.

I was impressed by the promotional model Angus did for this event. By organizing the attendees into a tour of the sea turtle center he routes money to the turtles and does it in the name of the event. This sends the message to the locals that kiters care about and support the place they are visiting. It's so much better than if each one of us signed up for the tour independently.

At the same time it helps educate the kiters that we shouldn't buggy at night because we really could could hit turtles. This reduces the chance of bad behavior spoiling the relationship.

Then to ice the cake Angus gives the proceeds to the turtle center. Very smart.

Meanwhile all of this activity that makes kiters look good helps Angus run his business by cementing his good relationship with the locals. This assures he has a place to show gear and teach people to fly.

Philip