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Snow Kiting Expo 2010
The Island & Boulder Lake Snow Kite Exhibition
Saturday & Sunday February 6-7, 2010 (12-5pm)
Held at the Island Lake Bridge area off County Road 4 on Saturday
& Boulder Lake ELC on Sunday
Open to the public! No cost for observing and asking questions. Learn about snow kiting equipment, sign up for a one hour introduction session ($10), observe kiters in action and get answers to your questions. Kiters
with their own equipment will be free riding and can sign up for the Five Station Poker Run Challenge ($5).
The concept behind this new sport is very basic; use the power generated from a large controllable kite to propel yourself across the snow while riding on a board or skis. We need at least 10 mile per hour winds to use the kites so plan your visit according to the forecast. Even if the wind is calm the Snow Kite Instructors and others will be on site both days to display the equipment and answer questions. Visit www.boulderlake.org for up to the minute wind and weather data at the expo sites.
• On Saturday park along the shoulder of County Road 4 and walk out on Island Lake to the Exhibition area.
• On Sunday drive to the Boulder Lake ELC parking lot and check in at the upper level of the house.
• Wear warm winter clothing and bring some snacks if you plan to stay for a while. We think your perspective on a windy winter day will change dramatically once you discover snow kiting.
What to expect from a One Hour Island Lake Snow Kite Intro Session: $10 Per Person (Register on site. One or two people per session offered on first come first served basis)
•discuss site assessment, wind prediction, and kite design
•prepare a kite for launch
•identify safety equipment, define the wind window and safety zones
•learn control bar skills that steer the kite prior to launch
•split into pilot and assistant roles, prepare the kite for a launch in the wind
•refine control bar skills to steer the kite after it’s launched
•lower the kite in the neutral position and re-launch the kite
•fly figure 8 patterns, power strokes and loop patterns
•work on flying a quiet kite and then do walking cross wind reaches
•land and stow the kite properly to avoid line tangles
•learn about what to do next
Schedule
February 6-7, 2010 (15 miles north of Duluth, MN)
Saturday, February 6th - Island Lake
Please visit the white canvas shelter for registration and details on what will be offered.
• 11 am - Instructors, Dealers & Industry Representatives meeting at Island Lake Launch Site (see Island Lake Kite Map)
• Noon - 4 pm - Open registration for One Hour Intro Sessions held on a first come first served basis at the Island Lake Launch Site (see Snow Kite Expo Flyer 2010 for details)
• Noon - 4 pm - Open registration for the Five Station Poker Run (Must use your own kite). The Poker Run will take place on Saturday at Island Lake if the wind forecast is poor for Sunday.
• 5-7pm – Dinner Break (Porkies Restaurant, Island Lake Inn or bake your own pizza at Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center)
• 7-10pm - Snow Kiter Reception (FREE for all) at the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center, video from day one of the expo, movies, snacks, display tables, prize drawings. A map to the Boulder Lake ELC is available at the Island Lake Launch Site or on-line at www.boulderlake.org which also offers up to the minute wind data.
Sunday, February 7th - Boulder Lake
Please visit the upper level of the ELC house for registration and details on what will be offered.
• 8am - Staff breakfast at the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center
• 9am-Noon - Kite Exploration Session on Boulder Lake (Must use your own kite)
• Noon - 4 pm - Open registration for One Hour Intro Sessions held on a first come first served basis at the Boulder Lake ELC site (see Snow Kite Expo Flyer 2010 for details)
• Noon -4 pm - Five Station Poker Run Challenge, check in and pick up map from the registration table (Must use your own kite). The Poker Run will take place on Saturday at Island Lake if the wind forecast is poor for Sunday.
• 4 pm - Awards ceremony for Five Station Poker Run Challenge
• 5 pm - All wrapped up
Five Station Poker Run Challenge:
($5 per person registration fee)
The plan is to have the Poker Run on Sunday at Boulder Lake. However, it will take place on Saturday at Island Lake if the wind forecast is poor for Sunday. All participants must provide their own kiting equipment. Start by
checking in with registration to sign up and get the Island or Boulder Lake Map. The map shows where five stations have been located. Each station has a selection of playing cards. Kiters will visit each station and randomly pick one card from each station. After visiting all five stations you will have five cards that can be turned in at the registration table for a prize and the best poker hand wins the grand prize!
Please direct questions by e-mail or phone to: Randy Carlson at rcarlso6@d.umn.edu or 218-726-6177
Kiting Safety, Education, Access, Community Development and Adventure are the guiding principals for the expo. The expo site will be managed with specific safety policies that are designed to help everyone have an enjoyable experience. Visit the registration area for expo site safety details and keep in mind that as a group, we’re here to explore not to explode.
Take a moment to thank the expo sponsors, instructors and volunteers during the weekend. The expo’s friendly northwoods atmosphere at little or no cost is a direct result of their generosity and dedication to the
sport of kiting.
Enjoy The Life… Go Kiting!
Minnesota kiting equipment dealers, service representatives and PASA Certified Instructors will be on-site to provide you with up to date information!
