Web site updated for 2013 with new dates.

I will tweak the site more, but the basics are there with boilerplate data and new dates.

Event registration will be up at the end of the year.

Feel free to contact me if you need travel advice or have any other questions.

It is official, or as official as 5 months out can be. I, we (wife and dog,maybe cat) will be making the trip to Georgia in May. The plan is to arrive there by May 7th, and be staying at the State Park.
Question, how soon in advance should I make reservations? Also, if I leave my rig at the park can I bicycle my buggy and gear to the flying area. I can work up a hitch to haul but not sure of distance and logistics. Would like not to have to move the MH and trailer each day.

Thanks, I'm excited to fly on the other coast.

Fletcht, I'll give you a ride in the truck if your up to it.

You can reserve pretty late and still get a campsite at the Jekyll Island Campground. The weekdays are very quiet though it will fill Friday and Saturday.

Standard Operating Procedure at JIBE is to dump the buggies on Buggy Mountain at the Kite Fort--Chris' motor home. I don't know if Angus has gotten the "Kite Fort Permit" for 2013 yet, but in past years this has worked marvelously. Chris parks the KF in the parking lot by Kite Beach half-way between the ramp and the walk over--it's a truly awesome location.

We erect some tarps, set up some lawn chairs, and hold the daily pre-event there. It's a fine social gathering. Bring food, beverages, your favorite traveling chair, and tips for the cookies jar.

Some folks leave kites at the Kite Fort as well, but sometimes it rains, so plan accordingly. Make sure you don't leave any gi-normous kites on the ground where the water will pool. Isn't that right, Dean? ;-)

As for the bike trip, the island is very bike-able with low speed limits, light traffic and lots of sidewalks. It's 3 miles from the camp ground to Kite Beach.

If you have trouble hauling gear or yourself, know that you will not be alone at the campground. There are 3 regular groups at the campground including my own. I'm happy to help haul gear and I might end up with a free seat or two as well.

I'm so glad you're coming. We always have a good time and would love to share that.

Philip

Road trip from Texas anyone?? Haven't been to JIBE so I really need to get it on my to do list for 2013. Wish I can bring the family but kids are still in school. Will have to see, I guess they can miss a few days .. haha.

Evans, great to hear that you are coming east for JIBE; I look forward to meeting you.

Philip did a good job of describing the environs (thanks!)

For 2013, JIBE is a week earlier due to tides and closer to the snowbird migration along the I-95 corridor, so I would recommend getting reservations early, just in case. Jekyll is a popular stop for snowbirds and the many RV's they drive.

We will no longer have the same Events Coordinator contact at the JIA (Jekyll Island Authority), as Beth has moved away, but we should have no trouble with negotiating for the Kite Fort. I met the Executive Director of the JIA the other day at a luncheon and he is fully aware of JIBE and offered his support for the event. I've heard nothing but positive comments from JIA staff about how gracious and friendly JIBE attendees are, so thank you all for that. We are not the biggest event on the island but they are aware that we do much to promote the destination.

Right after the new year I will start firming things up and let y'all know.

The campground phone is 912.635.3021

The new link is http://www.jekyllisland.com/stay/campground/
email: campground@jekyllisland.com

If anyone else has questions or needs assistance, let me know

I've heard great things!

Anyone from the Northeast willing to make the road trip!?
13 hour drive for me(from NJ) but if I get 2-3 more people interested count me in!

I will be there with a big smile and droopy eye lids. Going to drive from Seattle and stop at WWBB before I head south to JIBE.

Anything you all need from the PNW, like rain, snow, traffic jams, California drivers, coffee drinking women putting on makeup and talking on their phones as they drive to work? Maybe some kites, boardz, buggies, etc, etc?

Thank Angus for the link. I've made my reservations, and have been confirmed. One question however. This line was on the confirmation email I got from the Park.

"Do not use GPS once on Jekyll Island."

Are you guys in some kind of Bermuda Triangle area over there? Or, is it just best to not know where you are going? http://www.powerkiteforum.com/images/smilies/saint.gif

Looking forward to the trip.

Evans

Evans,

The problems only exist on roadways that due to construction. I thought that was done, but only Angus knows for sure.

The important details are: the buggy site is just a little bit north of the bridge; the campground is at the far north end of the island. Angus is kind enough to provide maps for the directionally challenged on his JIBE pages.

Philip

Quote:

Originally posted by fletcht Thank Angus for the link. I've made my reservations, and have been confirmed. One question however. This line was on the confirmation email I got from the Park. "Do not use GPS once on Jekyll Island." Are you guys in some kind of Bermuda Triangle area over there? Or, is it just best to not know where you are going? Evans

That''s pretty funny. You will not turn inside out or go back in time if you use a GPS, but it turns out you might be misdirected. I just got off the phone with Amber at the campground, and she explained that using a GPS to get to the campground will misdirect you to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel because the coordinates on the island are not accurate.

Luckily, navigating the island is easy. The main road is a big loop around the island oriented north- south, with one half of the loop along the seashore, and the other half along the Intracoastal Waterway, with a couple of east-west crossroads to bisect it.

You can get a map at the info center and Welcome Center on the causeway, but otherwise head north on the island past the convention center and the JIBE staging area and you will find the campground

Thanks guys, Philip, I'm not usually directionally challenged, but odd things happen when I'm on an island. With water all around every direction is west.. I was just kind of thinking maybe Jekyll island was in some other dimension, and our methods of navigating out west wouldn't work. Take me to your leader.

Evans

Quote:

Originally posted by fletcht Thanks guys, Philip, I'm not usually directionally challenged, but odd things happen when I'm on an island. With water all around every direction is west.. I was just kind of thinking maybe Jekyll island was in some other dimension, and our methods of navigating out west wouldn't work. Take me to your leader. Evans

As soon as you see the sunrise, your whole day will be going backwards.

Sandy and I have been discussing this more lately. If my health holds up We are planning a road trip this spring.

The JI campground is great, I've been there twice this year, and they're super nice and helpful. The campground is awesome. Very protected, and clean, great bath houses WIFI etc etc etc. Jekyll Island is an awesome, family friendly place and my family loves it. I'll prob. be making my reservation soon.

This will be my first JIBE,... I'm coming by myself on Wednesday afternoon and then my wife and kids will be arriving Friday afternoon. I'm excited to meet you guys in person!

Already getting excited!!!

House is reserved family and i will be arriving on the 4th- For all those thinking of coming to Jekyll- It is my little nirvana for landboarding and kiting. You will enjoy it (just to clarify how much i like it- its a 9 hr drive one way and i usually do it at least 3 times a yr)
Scott

5 hrs for me,... Thinking about going in the next month or 2... In spite of the cold,... Yea, that's how sweet it is.

13 hours here! If I can get 1-2 more pople interested in taking the road trip count me in!
Cough Jaymz/Konrad Cough...

Hmm, 41 hour drive for me.

Carpool Dino?

Quote:

Originally posted by Smeagol Hmm, 41 hour drive for me. Carpool Dino?

I approve of this message

Debating on this instead of NABX. hmm

Looks like the entire family will be coming again this year

Will be Dominics first JIBE! Hmmm...need to develop some sort of hitch to hook a stroller to the buggy...

Quote:

Originally posted by Smeagol Hmm, 41 hour drive for me. Carpool Dino?

I just did a 30+ hour drive to Alabama to visit the inlaws

As much as I hate to do it I would need to fly to this one. I would have to figure out another plan for my buggy. When I went to wild wood I think the final shipping total was around $450 if I remember correctly.

Dino...bro....you would only need to ship it one way...I'd give it a good home

Quote:

Originally posted by mougl Dino...bro....you would only need to ship it one way...I'd give it a good home

I can offer dry storage, sun-protected storage for your buggy. What's more, I'll take it out regularly to keep the bearings from freezing up and provide complimentary delivery to JIBE. :-)

Philip

Very fortunately for me, my family was able to work out our annual trip to St Simons Isl (neighbor to Jekyll) for the week after JIBE, so once my wife and kids and i leave JI, we'll be driving about 15 minutes up the road to meet my in laws for another week on the beach.

What's more is that my father in law rented us all a house right on east beach, thusly I can walk out the back door hop on the bug and ride.

My point is, if anyone is still around the week after JIBE and wants to check out St Simons too, let me know and we might be able to work out a ride!

Does anyone know the average wind speeds during that time of the year?
I'm still considering the Trip and trying to figure out how to make it work!

Quote:

Originally posted by acampbell Quote: Originally posted by Dagon This would be a fun event and I am thinking I could probably make this happen. What speeds do the winds usually blow at? The typical NOAA forecast for Jekyll island this time of year is 10-15 kts with some component of east built in. It will often start out in the day with much less, but in the afternoon when the seabreeze kicks in around 2 pm or so, it will build to something higher. This gives us on-shore winds with beam reaches. 20 mph + with smoking sand is frequent but not as constant. That's when the water riders get excited and we had some great winds this year for sure. This year we had 20 mph from the NE due to frontal conditions and early tropical storm activity. This was great for seasoned riders but awkward for some novices. Over the 4-day spread there is usually something for everybody. Dagon, if there is anything I can do to help with local info, let me me know. There is much to do here for the entire family.

Thanks Scott
Yeah starting in a few weeks the default weather pattern is the Bermuda High sitting off the Carolinas and rotating clockwise, bringing us some component of east wind. Then typically the sea-breeze effect in the mid day sun grabs that wind and pulls it on-shore more directly.

The exception would be to some frontal activity but that is less common starting late march going forward. In the last 5 or so years we have always had ridable winds at least 1 or 2 days or more for the 4 day event. Many stay a week and rent a cottage for the same price or less than hotel and make a vacation out of it. They always get a lot of rides.