Stand Up Paddleboarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, shipwreck tours, adventures and snowkiting on Lake Champlain. Based in Burlington, VT 802.578-6120
Thank you riders, partners and volunteers of Kitestorm 2009
Congrats to photo contest winners below:
Action #1: And you thought there was no snow on Saturday. If you are Michael White (we could have a whole category of photos of him riding) you knew where the action was. Sarah Kjelleren captured the motion and the color.
Action #2: We pick these photos without knowing who took them so it is only coincidence that this shot by Andy Yager is a winner and the subject the father of the photographer who won this division (Gary Kjelleren is peeking at us as he takes off).
Action #3: Action can be a little cruisey too. We liked the kite's shadow as the Peter Lynn rider cruises back into the launch and land area. This one from David Pouteau.
Happy People Having Fun: This from Sarah is a happy Michael White having a lot of fun.
Happy People having Fun: Pro... this one from pro photographer Curtis Savard.
Happy People Having Fun: Pro... this is from pro John Snyder (marinemedia.biz). What can be more fun that your first ride?
Event Vibe #1: We loved Andy Yager's shot with the expanse of ice and the colors.
Event Vibe #2: This from Sarah Kjelleren. Bright sun and a kite, ahhhh.
Event Vibe #3 is another one from Sarah, we liked how the little guy is ready and waiting for his ride and watching everyone else out on the ice. It will be his turn soon.
A selection of pro Curtis Sarvard's photos. See them all at www.curtissavard.blogspot.com
Kitestorm is one of North America's biggest and longest running snowkite events. It was developed and is still dedicated to celebrating the great sport of snowkiting, to introduce it to the adventurous winter public, to bring together snowkiters to meet, ride and have fun and allow riders to try a variety of gear in a wide-open setting all while participating in some fun contests with lots of great prizes.
Kitstorm 2009 report
The theme of this years Kitestorm was, I cant believe how
well you can edge on ice. Saturday morning began with admittedly intimidating
conditions: what looked, at first, like glare ice. On second inspection though,
the ice had an edgeable texture and went on for miles and miles. Add gorgeous
blue skies, a perfect moderate breeze, free cookies, free clinics with fun and
able instructors, free demos from some great companies and generally happy
people and we have to say that a great day was had by all.
The low drag surface allowed some easy first rides (a little
more difficult for snowboarders, but they were well padded) and the more
experienced riders who were not demo-ing kites rode for literally hundreds of
miles over the course of the day.
The wind shut down in time for everyone to get back to the
hotel for some relaxation, dinner and to gather to chat, win prizes (just for
smiling at me) and watch the Project Cloud 9 DVD. Best of all, after the video,
we were treated to a slide show of photos from the day by talented, local
photographer Curtis Savard. He got some amazing photos of the scene, the
beginners in the clinics and especially action shots of some aggressive riders
tearing up the ice farther offshore.
Sunday was most enjoyed by those who checked the forecast
early and headed to Sand Bar straight away. We had some new snow that packed
down and stuck to the ice as the day went on and a moderate-light breeze that
waned into the early afternoon. It was a day for big kites and the dying wind
had everyone hitting the road with the opportunity to take the ride home in a
snowstorm nice and easy.
There would be no such thing as the Kitestorm without the
help of a group of able, fun and dedicated volunteers as well as the generous support
of some excellent companies:
: HQ ran the
busiest and best stocked demo area by far. Tim and Chris worked hard for the
entire 2 days helping riders check out the Apex, Montana and the new
water-relaunchable Neo kites (looks really good). And they hooked us up with
some great goodies including HQ sunglasses to give away at the After-Party.
:
Slingshot provided us with a great selection of their Turbo3 kites and a lovely
Rev 15 for people to check out. Shaun and Mike were there to answer questions
and show off the excellent features of the Slingshot lineup. In addition, they
generated the most excitement especially with the ladies of the Kitestorm by
sending us some very stylie hoodies and other gear to give away throughout the weekend.
: The Access,
Frenzy and Manta all flew over the Kitestorm this year and riders were able to
check out one of the first new edition Instinct Sport kites. Kelly was there to
point out features and help riders get sorted with some great Ozone kites and
we had some Ozone Ts and windsocks to give to lucky riders.
: From the
start, Dakine has supported Stormboarding and this event with a box of goodies
for us to give away that makes riders drool. In our opinion they do not have
equal in the kite/windsurf harness, accessory and bag department. They make
durable, comfortable and good looking gear and it is extremely generous of them
to continue their support.
: They have kept the price low, the place clean, the
cookies warm, the hot tub hot, one side of the bar open and a TV free for us
turn off the game and play snowkite videos for 6 years now.
: For
making food at the event a reality. They are a bagel deli at the Mobil
(intersection of rte 2 and the road to the ferry) and organized delicious
breakfast sandwiches, soup and brought in Island Beverage to cook up some
hamburgers and hotdogs for hungry snowkiters who didnt even have to take off
their ski boots to have a great lunch.
Curtis Savard Photography: Curtis was on hand from dawn on Saturday through the end of the
breeze on Sunday with his sweet camera and talented eye. We were treated to a
slide show of all of his photos on Saturday night. You can see the best 120 on:
then read his comments, they will direct you to the event gallery and login for
the Kitestorm photos.
: For
another year of COOKIES. Yum. What more can we say?
: For a great
pile of Ts, lip stuff, key chains and goodies for the bar.
:
For ridiculously delicious chocolate covered snack mix made right here in
Vermont.
: For hard work and some very cool stickers. Check out their website and variety of outdoor inspired sticker designs.
VT Dept. of Parks and Recreation and the crew at the Sand Bar State Park: These guys help us with the infrastructure, power
and other needs that allow this event to roll smoothly.
My great team:
James, Mom, Dad, Tom & Keven, Chris & Dan, Ellen & Barclay, Ernie
& Bette, Linda, the Carey-Lane family, our energetic shop manager Doug and
Hickory (the very friendly Newfoundland at the back of the truck).
Kitestorm media and other links:
--Check out Eva Sollberger's video from her Stuck in Vermont blog. A lot of riders are in this one...
-Check out an article in the Burlington Free Press Home Town section on March 4: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20090304/LIVING02/90303087/1098
Molly Savard showing off her prize for being the fastest women on the ice.
click to enlarge - this is a brand new kiter impressing everyone with some great rides, after just a taste of flying the kite.
click to enlarge - new snowkiters taking the first step - learning to fly the kite. Next is the first ride and beyond...
That is snowkiter (snowboard) Jessica Staples showing off her very stylie Slingshot hoody at the After-Party Saturday night.
Thanks to our partners: Dakine, HQ, Slingshot, Ozone,, Mt. Gay and Rex's Outrageous Snack Mix... there were a lot of goodies going out to snowkiters at the Upper Deck.
That is Chris from HQ Kites wearing his colors and having a good time with good people.
Slingshot team riders Mike and Shaun coming in from a long (but happy) day on the ice.
Look at those smiles - local riders Wayne, Scott and Fred after a good day riding. Ahhhhhh.
When you are waiting for your family to learn to fly a kite, why not just build your own bench to sit on? A little creative use of the elements.
For more information, to book a lesson/camp or order gear, please call Stormboarding at 802.578.6120 or e-mail: rachael@stormboarding.com