Just found out about what sounds like an awesome event. I haven't been there in years, but it's one of the nicest places i've buggied on the east coast!

http://www.coastalwindsports.com/JIBE2009.html

Thanks Dean. I'm pleased to report a lot of new faces signing on for 2009, as well as some of the usual suspects!

See you at NABX!

Just a reminder to you all that the largest east coast rally is about to take place, now that Wildwood no longer recognizes us as real people, the AKA has abandoned us, and blokarts are going to get all the beaches closed again, what are we to do but get together and ride while we can!!!!

aoxomoxoa awaits!

And it's looking quite promising. This weekend was the first "Mother Earth Festival" on Jekyll Island to celebrate Earth Day, and we were invited to participate by running demos of our eco-friendly sport on the beach. Turnout was great and a lot of folks flew traction kites for the first time. John Riggs came up from JAX to visit and helped out as did local Johnny Laing (thanks).

What was real nice is that the last of the Nor'Easters appears to have blown through, leaving us with our prevailing weather patterns for spring and summer. We had the perfect sea-breeze set up for us for some nice beach runs before the tide came in. Bodes well for JIBE.

Sea Turtle Center Tour is all confirmed for Saturday morning (during high tide) and everything else is falling into place with a strong field of registrants from as far as NY and TX.

Can BLokarts came to play too?
Looks like an amazing beach to sail on.
Jason:D

There is no prohibition that I know of for blowkarts and they would probably be classed the same as buggies. A few folks will be bringing landboards. The important thing is that we all keep it safe. The first puppy or toddler that gets whacked blows it for all of us.

Beach access might be trickier for you but I could be wrong. I use the stairs at Blackbeards and back the buggy down the stairs holding on to a foot peg or a leash. I drag it up the same way. Works well for 16" or larger wheels. There are about a dozen steps.

There is a public handycap access ramp about 800' to the south in the next parking lot next to the restrooms. It has an right-angle corner at the bottom though that might be awkward but you should be able to horse the thing around.

I use the handicap ramp because I pack and strap everything I need on the buggy at the car. The right angle isn't so much of an issue but the sand sort of corners you after the right angle. I have to pick a tire up onto the foot high handrail and then it rolls right on out onto the beach. Since it is only Wexler and I it might be feasible to get what little we need down the steps.

doh, its too late to book time off and get a flight over.

is this an annual event?

if so can we get a forum section going for it ... im sure more numbers would come out with enough advance notice.

PS. Can I crash at your house Angus?

This was announced back in October.

JIBE link

That would be fantastic for this to continue becoming a national or in Rips case, an international event.

Sorry Ricky, the one spare room is spoken for but we will announce JIBE 2010 shortly after this event. Last year's was in September and we moved it to spring to...

Get it out of hurricane season
no conflict with AKA or Wildwood (but Wildwood re-booked for our weekend anyway, ironically)
Be early enough to avoid beach crowds and late enough to be well after NABX

This year we ended up booking very close to Cinco de Mayo and hit Mother's Day weekend, but we were constrained by dates with favorable afternoon low tides and other Island events. Right after this year's event I will get with the Jekyll Island Authority and work on favorable dates for next year.

I am pleased so far in that we will meet the stated goal to double last year's registration and get about 2 dozen or more full registrants plus family members. We also have more corporate sponsor help (thanks Peter Lynn!) for cool raffle/ auction items to raise more for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and get the great local press and government support. I think that this will generate the critical mass needed for next year to...

Ask PKF for a permanent thread on the forum
Establish an anchor hotel on the island for discounts
Formalize the corporate sponsor program
Provide more amenities on the beach
Double registration yet again
Get the Canadians down here, eh?

But i get ahead of myself.

We do have affordable local lodging, though. Not casino-cheap like NABX but good options. On mainland 12 minutes away we have suite hotels for $50-60 a night and beach side for less than $90. John Riggs from JAX tells me he just booked camping space and that there are still spaces left at Jekyll Island Campground. The region is family-friendly with a lot to do (besides buggy) close by.

The event is easy to get to, being just 15 minutes from I-95 and 1 hour from Jacksonville Airport or a few minutes more from Savannah - Hilton Head Airport.

Thanks for all the interest and see you on the beach in a few weeks...

I posted in January! We're going!

I'll see about getting JIBE a forum if they want one!

For sure want to help this event out and see it grow.

Jason, if you come, you be careful, you know those Blokarts are dangerous man! They put razor blades in the sails!

aoxo~~~

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites doh, its too late to book time off and get a flight over. is this an annual event? if so can we get a forum section going for it ... im sure more numbers would come out with enough advance notice. PS. Can I crash at your house Angus?

:singing::singing::roll::roll::wee::wee:

anybody else going this weekend?????


aoxomoxoa:wee:

He says there are 24 registered attendees with the accompanying family and friends. Should be lots of kites in the sky this year.

Yep 2 dozen registered and drop-ins expected. We should have 30 or more for dinner and Blackbeards has a great menu planned with choices for any pallet.

We made the front page of a weekly island news rag, so we'll get some locals to watch and try the clinics. Already got some calls.

Getting pretty dialed in with just few more things to do.

Weather looks great. Winds forecast have some quirky west and south components but the Sea breeze has been dominant this week.

i have put the request in for the wind ..hopefully the location will be in the right place to harvest the fun.

We learned long ago, there is nothing you can do about Earl.

He does what he wants, when he wants, and all we can do is get the shot cars ready, have some offerings, do a little dance, and then go buggy if he lets us!

looking for aoxo~!