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 for sharing. Don't feel bad. I've had days just like you describe in the not so distant past. Some days are just not meant to be. Sounds like mother nature was working against you. All part of the learning curve. Hope your next outing is better:D

heh - iPad won't post...
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I was actually having a great time - lying there like a turtle was hilarious :D (maybe not so funny for the guy who had to freeze his butt off checking up on me). And I got to fly the kite a bit, always a plus.
Every bit of experience helps - next time I go out I'll have the bindings fit correctly (did that tonight), and now I know what to expect.
Do you ever get any snow in Green Bay? (yes, I'm kidding)

That's a good first start. lol when conditions are not good it makes everything harder. kitesurfing and snowkiting can be tough on the body especially the learning stage so its a good idea to pick up a short exercise routine.

Thanks! Normally I surf to stay in shape, but between my job and spotty waves, I haven't been out in maybe a month and a half. Sitting at a desk was a torture invented by :evil:

I need a go-pro. I spent an hour recreating my turtle stance on my living room floor. Got the bindings worked out, and I now remember how to get my blob of a body back up after a fall. It's been a few years since I last went snowboarding, I can't believe how much I forgot.

I own Flow bindings and those are a nightmare to lock . So you not alone . My method is to go on your knees with feet in the bindings that will help push your feet in and you can reach behind you to lock it. After 2 seasons I upgraded to K2 bindings . Those are so much better in every way .
I was actually thinking about going to FBF day after storm but decided to go to local field . First snowkiting session of the year did not go well. I rode for 15min and my kite got bowtied . Wind was so gusty that i use safety to land it ( so dont complain about 5th line it makes bad moments so much easier to manage ) , and since I dont have 5th line on my Sonics I fight with my kite for good 10 min before it was wrapped so badly that wind was unable to fill up canopy. That was it . I try no fix bridles and l;ines for about an hour but it was so cold and windy that I give up and drive again 40 min to get home . lol ,,,,
So here ...... Hope that helps ... I been kiting for 7 years now and this happens a lot .... but I am still happy to get that kite time ....

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!

That "noob gung-ho spirit" never really goes away...