utah wind riders desires for ultimate snowkite event.

[windzup]

what do utah wind riders want to see or expect at snowkite events this winter? with 2 of the nations top snowkite destination events held in utah in the same month, do riders want to see freestyle, gliding, or racing, or is just plain free riding and having fun what it is all about?
We want your feedback to make this year's winter 1 of the best ever. post here, or email info at windzup.com, or dial 43546 25303 and call us with your ideas.

The end of summer is almost here, winter is coming!

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

and by the way here's some good advice, like the boys at superfly always say, friends don't let friends fly lame kites.

[Don Losee]

Racing is cool but, that is not what we do every day. When Mark, Darryl, or Peter ect. ect. set up with a camera.... people go big.
My vote is. Set a course like a US Free-skiing comp. One area. Jam Format. Cameras rolling. And! Free Style. Glide hill, features, Kickers...fun stuff. Snowkite action. Is not captured in a course race.
3B

[Kenny]

Honestly, my vote would be for NO snow kiting events. Keep it core. The events jam the hills with wannabees.

Brian, please don't take this personally. I think you do a great job promoting the sport.

Frankly, like the back country skiers that have seen their beloved sport explode over the past few years, I don't like the trend of more participants in snow kiting. I don't invite my friends to try it, I don't talk it up anymore. I have come to realize that the best thing about snow kiting is the lack of crowds.

The best event is when a few locals get together and do a down-winder at Strawberry. That is what I think of when it comes to epic snow kiting.

[Todd Jacques]

could not agree more kenny. keep it real.

[Marty Lowe]

You know that most of the local kiters avoid the events,
They seem to be more for out of towners.

Racing was fun in the early days,
now it is to important to the sponsored riders.
and the fun is gone.IMHO

Freestyle is all up to the Judges, and hard for them not to be biased.

I liked last years Kite N Seak, for prizes.
and one lap long distance Windurro,
It got kiters out of the main area, and out on the south ridge,
many said it was the first time they had even seen the huge potential area at Skyline.

Marty

Kenny,
It Sounds like it's time for you to get a sled,
and head for the back country.
NO CROWDS!!!!

[Don Losee]

I love that you guys are weighing in on this. Brian has balls for asking the locals what they want. (especially after what he did to Billy) Phone call, guide business ect. ect. Ring a bell Brian? Kenny was amazingly strong... in being truly honest. DO we want a bunch of out of state kooks taking over our kiting areas??? Maybe? For a few days. It is not going to kill us, who ride almost everyday.
I, like Brian, own a Kite Business. Kite business is not good. World wide. I make a really good SnowKiteBoard. I lost Jake as a rider/partner because I could not make enough to pay him, what he was owed and he deserves. Jake is one of the best in the world. He should get paid that way.
Utah has the best snowkiting on the planet. Dry snow. Warm riding. Lots of wind. I for one want thousands of snowkiters to visit. Spend money here, and ride. AND HAVE FUN. Let's share our wealth. Brian you put on a great event. Keep on doing it. And Do it your way.
It is cool, but not realistic, to think snowkite events will not keep growing here in Utah. If you are not into it, and there is an event at Strawbs go to Skyline. If it is at Skyline go somewhere else if you do not want in on the madness. Let's grow the sport. Let's share what we have been blessed with.
3B

[Mark Johnson]

I like the snowkite events pretty much how they are. The racing gets a bit crazy and for me something fun to watch. I like the idea you had last year of theKite N Seak though I missed it. Something that everyone has a chance to kite and participate in can't be bad. Shuttle sevice to and from the bar would be a good idea, I think it is fun to meet the visiting kiters and have not had to much problem with overcrowding as I know I can just go kite somewhere else if I want to get away from the madness. Having the Triangle bar to party at is a big plus! It has also been fun meeting up at the old spot in the town hall building? or whatever that old building is. I really liked some of the past presentations where slide shows and or movies from others adventures where shown, all while drinking an ice cold SKA brew! I hope the events still keep happening. It does get to a point when there is one event right after the other and having to decide whether to go to each one or just go ride, that one has to just go ride,

[JakeWalker]

"out of state kooks", "wannabees" ??? The whole reason I am a big fan of the events is just so I get to ride with new people. I can be alone in the Utah backcountry any day of the year. But last year at Strawberry and Skyline I had the opportunity to ride with people I consider to be truly badass. Following Pascal and Wayne on a Strawberry downwinder was one of my funnest rides ever. Following Chasta for one day teaches me more than I usually learn in a season. We definitely have some local badasses too (Kenny and Jake included,) but for me the events are all about getting great people together. And really, even on the most crowded event day, it is kinda laughable to call it crowded.

I also like to race just for the fun of it, but I agree with Marty that it is too much about the sponsored riders. I would love to see more people competing in the races with a spirit of a backyard pickup game. But maybe that is just because I am slow and want more people behind me.

Last note: Kenny, every time I have students on the hill, you are giving tips and tricks and generally helping out. You have a great knack for it and seem to enjoy it. Seems like if you aren't pushing this sport to your friends, they are the ones missing out.

[Don Losee]

Jake W, we do not see you out that much. I love and respect everyone in the KWA. F, I am best bros with BMw guy. Events draw Kooks. Yep... I said it. F... some IKO brother was teaching people to body drag in the snow. The most stupid thing I have ever heard of.
I WANT SNOWKITING IN UTAH TO GROW! I AM COMMITTED TO THAT. Brian and I and others like Steve are not getting rich from Kiteboarding sales. BUT I still make boards. Why? Because we love our sport... and we love riding in Utah.
Brian and Heather. Jake B. and his wife..... have worked super hard to put on good events. They DID IT. I respect them!
I just think events can be more fun than what has gone down in the past. We need spectators. We need to put on events that make people want to learn and get into, Our sport.
3B

[Marty Lowe]

some IKO brother was teaching people to body drag in the snow. The most stupid thing I have ever heard of. 3B

When I heard this, that was my reaction also.

But like everything, there is always two sides to every story.

And once I heard the reasoning, I accepted the strategy.
I may be incorrect, but I believe the Google people that were in town that weekend,
wanted to feel the power of the kite,
so the instructors response to a lady kiter that had no experience with skis or boards,
and could not stand up with skis on,
got her wish to feel the power of the kite, by body dragging.
She was happy, and that is what matters in a lesson.

Not what spectators feel is 'kooky" IMHO

[Don Losee]

Just did some training in Maui and spoke about this with IKO's Master instructor. We do not teach body dragging in the snow. I am working with IKO on standardizing snowkite training. We have the best snow and snowkiting on earth. The top local snowkiters here know more about kiting and racing on snow than anyone. We should be showing the rest of the world how to have an event.
3B

[PeterMiller]

Comming up with the right mix is always hard thing to do.
Here are some ideas having professional as well as fun events I think would be the goal.
Races of course. But how about a Big Air
Best Front Roll Best Back Roll Best Raily and just for fun how about the 2 man pull,
Oh yea how about a 4 man/woman relay race remember kiting can teach life skills of leadership as well as group cooperation wouldn't that be fun to see the recruiting going on for the teams.
"You know all of Jakes team members would have on pink pants. Go Wookie Team"
How about best Picture and best Video to the people taking the pictures and videos.
"This would be a area that would pay dividends for the Event"
Activity Creates Member Retention.
Simply Just open the event up
Stack Your Awards Deep remember honest appreciation is one of the most powerful emotions

[JakeWalker]

Don, I know a guy in SF that puts on leather pants and teaches body dragging on grass...maybe thats where they got the idea! Anyway, you don't see me out too much in the summer because I spend most of my weekends teaching paragliding, but I do get out to the lakes once in a while (in fact, Don, we share a few students and should chat offline sometime.) I make it to the snow more often, but I am usually on a limited timeframe and ride more than chit chat.

My only point was that events bring out the very best riders in addition to the newbs.

[Don Losee]

You lost me at a "guy in SF with leather pants".

[Jason Klein]

You lost me at a "guy in SF with leather pants".

Now, that's funny