Crossing Ideas

[Tighe]

I've had numerous conversations with Mike about activities during the Crossing weekend. He's open to anything forming and taking place, he would just prefer that someone wants to make something happen that they spearhead making it happen. His focus is on the race.

I know we've talked about options before, and many times the conditions make it challenging or we just get a few hours of wind and everyone just wants to ride. I think it would be a good idea to have a few options available that if conditions warrant, we could pull together.

Some options:
Poker Run. This has been adopted by a few other events. Essentially there are cards out at different locations on the lake. You ride out, pick a card and go to the next one. Each person does it at their own pace. He/she with the best hand at the end wins. Wins what? Yet to be decided. Maybe it costs $10 to do and the winner takes all.

Speed Trials. Get some GPS's and give small groups of riders 10-15 minutes to get their best speed during that time. Winners from each round progress and eventually a winner is awarded. Craig watcha doing with your GPSs during the winter?

Freestyle comp.
During a time period everyone goes off and are either judged by judges, the peanut gallery or by their peers.

Costume ride. Weirdest costume wins

etc etc.

Other ideas? THoughts?

worth even considering or just ride?

[dave12341234]

I think the freestyle comp. is the best idea. I dont know about the older guys but i think us younger guys get bored doing long runs like the crossing. a freestyle competition would be fun to watch and do! Another good idea would be a big air comp.

[Barry P]

One thing I hope I actually do this time is demo some kites. When there's wind, though, its just hard to be willing to stand around and wait for a kite to be available. Maybe this is already standard practice, but could we sign up and be buzzed on our cell phone when we should put our kite down come for a demo run?

The speed trials sound fun. A trial for reach speeds, straight downwind (which is harder), and a tight up wind run... or a triangle course.

Maybe a prize for the biggest yard sale of the weekend.

[rahlberg]

Freestyle and big air for sure...not that I would enter, I nearly broke myself trying threes at the island this afternoon. I'd consider sponsoring some prizes as well for one or maybe both contests. hit rahlberg_at_ahlberglaw_dot_com to discuss details.

[BSMITH]

All those ideas sound good to me.
I like the freestyle judged by peers. Just have everyone vote like we did at the Kitefreeze.

[Tighe]

great ideas. Keep them coming. We need to get an idea of how much interest there is.

another idea that I forgot to include:

A few years ago we did some mini clinics. Did people enjoy them?
last time we did one on self launching an inflatable, jumping, and unhooked riding.
If there is interest we could see who'd be up for doing these. What areas would be helpful?

[kiteboymn]

Distance jumping and head to head short track drag racing. Great for spectators, fast easy events to control.
Kiteboy

[GrahamMansell]

does anyone know what the wind will shape up to be up there during the event?

[GrahamMansell]

i think itd be cool to do a clinic on un hooked riding/jumping.

[MK]

I'll grab the free mini clinics and run them. That's where I learned to jump. I can't say I am a lot better but it sure added a whole new layer of enjoyment and I really liked the instrction. This is a tricky element with huge fun but equal consequences. The combination of Chris's explanation and Mike B demonstrating helped advance my skills and safely begin to enjoy one of the finer aspects of the sport.

[Nathan B]

Im down to run the freestyle clinic , jumping, unhooked riding, rails etc... We will be bringing up a variety of rails for the event .

[MikeF]

Best freestyle trick > big air. Big air has to many variables that are not controllable by the rider.

10 day forecast shows 40% chance of snow on saturday of the event, good chance that wind comes with that disturbance.

[scottman]

Well when you really think about it nothing is really controllable when it comes to kites, strange things happen when you least expect it. Big air would be fun, this should be organized so that you have a gallery of people that judge this, 4 riders at a time and you have 5 runs past the people to pull the trigger, the biggest looking flyby judged by the cheers wins, easy enough.

[GrahamMansell]

Other than just a full blown race, another cool event could maybe be like a slalom course..haha im not sure. or you know like "kiter Cross"? where they do they skiier/boarder cross in the olympics...but kiting...? im not sure just kinda rackin ideas off.

[scottman]

I'm up for some crash and burn, what the heck.

[Tighe]

All great ideas.

Any can be executed. Sounds like Lakawa is going to take the Mini Clinics (or maybe Nathan...I'm confused). Who wants to take on planning and executing some of these other ideas? Mike will support anyone taking these on, such as giving you PA time during the Riders Meeting at the start of the day, PA during your event, Flags as notices etc.

Feels good to do good. Here's your chance to give back.

[JRN]

HOW ABOUT A GARAGE SALE SWAP MEET? JANMARIE HELD THEM AT THE HOTEL, BUT I'D RATHER LOOK AT GEAR, NEW OR USED, OUT ON THE SNOW, IN THE DAYLIGHT. I PLAN ON DRAGGING UP MY STUFF IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED! jrn (darn caps lock)

[wilderclimberdude]

I'd be down for a rail and unhooked clinic. Hopefully the wind starts looking up. I am also thinking of heading up Thursday night if anyone needs help setting up on Friday. Can't wait to see everyone.

Dan Wilder

[Perry Pearson]

Demos,clinics,the crossing itself,all great.
Since there is usually a little down time,
how about a kite tuning clinic? It would be
a good thing to have an extra set of eyes
to look at kite rigging and point out
possible areas needing attention or replacement.
Especially since there are several generations
of kites bound to be flying.

[Nathan B]

Sounds like we are going to be setting up rails etc.... early sat. morning anyone interested in helping/riding them a helping hand would be much appreciated. later in the day we can do a clinic on unhooked, rails , freestyle riding etc for all those interested, which def includes tuning of the kite.
Pretty sure Jeremy is bringing the Le Cranke for some no wind wind on the sliders again- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL-iyCXHKc4