Power Kite Forum - International Pilots!!!

International Pilots!!!

ripsessionkites - 10-11-2010 at 04:57 AM

I’ve posted NABX on a few forums in the past for international fliers. Instead of everyone asking me by different emails, Ill just forward them to here to bring up the members count. This is my own experience from bringing others to NABX from Europe.

Main website and information: www.nabx.net

Please remember to register as well on the website as registration on the playa is frowned upon and you will be accessed a penalty for doing so. If you have trouble registering contact: deanjordan at gmail dot com.

NABX 2011 Dates: March 30 to April 4

Pre Event Dates: March 26 to March 29

Getting to NABX
You will want to fly into Las Vegas – McCarran International Airport

Flights / Transport of Gear:
The more people you travel with the more gear you can bring or I should say divide between all parties.
Some airlines charge you for the number of luggage you bring but not the weight and others charge you for both. Before booking your flight I strongly suggest that you review the airline company before booking. Some seat sales actually charge you even more for the luggage than if you bought a regular priced ticket.

If you’re travelling by aircraft:
Bring your kites onboard with you if you can. Check your buggy and clothing luggage for the belly of the plane. If your buggy is bigger than a Peter Lynn or Flexi, you should be able to get away based on weight but you’ll have to leave the tires behind, just bring the rims only. Another way to avoid weight charges or making sure it doesn’t count, as your baggage allowance is to place your buggy and/or kites into a travel golf bag. Stated by ALL airlines, golf bags do not count as your baggage limit. When they ask you at check in you want to say “golf clubs”, rather than stating sports equipment or there sometimes is a fee involved.

Are you renting a car?
Best price I found was from www.priceline.com (price bidding)
Another option is to purchase direct and if you need to price vehicles out I suggest using www.kayak.com
From Las Vegas Airport you will take a shuttle to the car rental center. All car rentals are in one place now.

Getting supplies:
Everything you need(except beer and liquor) is available on the playa. There will be ice, there will be food, there will be fun. If you need more I strongly suggest getting supplies before you leave Las Vegas, as there is only a grocery store.
Best place I found to shop was Walmart as its open 24/7, for those on a late arrival flight. Unless you want to head back into Las Vegas on the next day this is your best bet. Yes, they sell beer and hard liquor there too.
Walmart 6005 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Directions from Airport: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/8-J7mT
Directions from Car Rental: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/1-g6gY4Gua

Getting to Primm, CA:
From Las Vegas to Primm is about a 45min or less drive.
Directions from Airport: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/8-mj31
Directions from Car Rental: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/2-YB10
Directions from Walmart: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/6-q9Hk

Hotels – Primm, CA:
Information Website: www.primmvalleyresorts.com
There are only three hotels, in Primm. They are all in walking distance from one another and also there is a tram that connects the three together.
Buffalo Bills; It is very important to use the group code listed on the NABX website. It's the only way they have of counting us. This helps the event be able to sponsor riders. Most if not everyone stays here. If you have an odd number of guest they will provide an extra fold out bed for addition fee $10.00 per night. Keep in mind this is a first come first service bases.
Primm Valley Resorts; the more expensive of the three hotels, and this is one that also connects to you the Primm Outlet Mall.
Whiskey Pete’s is on the opposite of the highway from the two other hotels. Also if you are bringing pets this is the only hotel that allows this.
Another option is that you are allowed to camp on the playa, but you wanted to keep the noise down during the nights, as others are will be there as well.

What gear to bring?
This is always a hard question to answer, as winds are never the same each year but rest assure it’s windy. Based on the surface you don’t need a large kite that you would normally use on your grass/beach surface as you can get rolling faster on the playa surface. Whatever sizes you own, I suggest you bring it all but normally I found that I use 2m, 3m and 5m most of the time for speed runs.

I hear I will go through sets of tires:
It’s quite common to go through tires, but also you can get away with going through no tires. It really depends on what you’re doing and how much you’re speeding / freestyle / burning off speed. Having spares is never a bad idea and can be used the follow year too.

What is the best type of tires to buy?
Normally 4-Ply Slicks / Smoothies are used as you can drift over the dusty surface a bit better. However some will still prefer the Ribbed or BF Tires, and even Disc Wheels are an option. Brands that supply 4-Ply Tires are Kenda, Carlisle, and some other China brand I cant remember.

Can I buy tires there?
Its possible to buy tires on the playa, however its strongly suggested that you pre-order them ahead of time as there is to be NO BUSINESS conducted during the event.
You can order your tubes and tires from A Wind Of Change or Wind Power Sports.

I bought my wife and kids?
Honestly there isn’t much to do out in Primm. There is however the Outlet Mall for your wife. There is a swimming pool and Fun Park (Buffalo Bills) for your kids. You can always just drive back to Las Vegas as well. NABX is a family event however and everyone is encouraged to come and have fun. Tandem rides are available! Extra curricular activities abound, but can not be listed here.

Daily events:
Buggy Race (Course and Enduro), Buggy Freestyle, ATB Freestyle, and High Speed of the day contest, Out N Back Runs, clinics. There will also be a freestyle ramp.

Again if you do require more information the website will give you extra information. I’ve tried to state the main questions here.

Looking forward to seeing you all at NABX 2011.

Bladerunner - 10-11-2010 at 07:31 AM

Quote:

I bought my wife and kids
Looking forward to seeing you all at NABX 2011.

That's O.K. . Kite Mama Loves you now !

One other point. It can be very cold in the morning + night and very hot in the day. Be prepaired for both .

:wee:

Bladerunner - 10-11-2010 at 07:32 AM

Pink skirts optional.

deanaoxo - 10-11-2010 at 08:54 AM

Rip just earned his black TEAM NABX 2011 shirt!

Damn!

Way to go, sir!

aoxomoxoa

acampbell - 10-11-2010 at 09:27 AM

I also recommend a cheap disposable foam cooler at WalMart. There is replacement ice available at the small convenience store in Primm, but the only coolers I saw there one year were cardboard. The ice would last for two days in the cheap foam one. Beer, soft drinks and snacks will be more expensive (and limited in selection) there of course than WalMart.

bobalooie57 - 10-11-2010 at 09:40 AM

Better still, a softside collapsible cooler you can use again and again. Those styrofoam ones take 1000 years to break down!

flash - 10-11-2010 at 10:10 AM

better still... find me and use my cooler. I have a mondo one.... but I do charge a one beer a day storage rate.

ripsessionkites - 10-11-2010 at 09:14 PM

ill include the cooler information / ice from the hotel.

working on the NABX Flyer next.

csa_deadon - 11-11-2010 at 03:02 AM

Coolers at the Dutch/Canadian/US camp should number close to a dozen this year!
Mostly containing Red Bull!

ripsessionkites - 11-11-2010 at 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by csa_deadon
Coolers at the Dutch/Canadian/US camp should number close to a dozen this year!
Mostly containing Red Bull!

with that super sized bottle of Vodka and Patron. we have 5 days to finish it.

if 2 Canadians + 3 Dutch guys can finish a one litre bottle in 20 minutes, how many bottles do we need for 5 days based on shot glasses with the little clog shoe?
http://ricardo-kc88.com/Ricardo-KC88/Photos/Pages/NABX_10.ht...

prize will be a Peter Lynn T-Shirt.

Ruudje - 11-11-2010 at 03:30 AM

Hmmmm Ricky do we have to go to Hover Dam the day after :puzzled:
If thats the case you need Vodka & Patron for only 2.5 days :rolleyes:

O Yeah make it Patron Gold this year :saint:
( I think I gonna like that :tumble: )

Have Fun
Ruudje

ripsessionkites - 11-11-2010 at 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ruudje
Hmmmm Ricky do we have to go to Hover Dam the day after :puzzled:
If thats the case you need Vodka & Patron for only 2.5 days :rolleyes:

O Yeah make it Patron Gold this year :saint:
( I think I gonna like that :tumble: )

Have Fun
Ruudje

next day??? we drank until to 4am and we decided to drive to Hoover Dam 2 hours later I think.

DO YOU REMEMBER??? we have video!!!

Ozzy - 11-11-2010 at 01:47 PM

ooow dang, please don't let me remember that again,... pfffew I was soooo wasted ,.... :online:

csa_deadon - 11-11-2010 at 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites

Quote:

Originally posted by csa_deadon
Coolers at the Dutch/Canadian/US camp should number close to a dozen this year!
Mostly containing Red Bull!

It would depend on who is pouring the drinks Rip. However based on your numbers!
1 Lt every 20 minutes: 5 lt every hour: 120 lt a day: 600 lt for the five days.

But if you recall (Grayland, WA), if I'm pouring we will need to double the amount needed! :lol:

Morrie Williams - 11-11-2010 at 05:10 PM

Do you mean like you pour lemonade at SOBB?

csa_deadon - 11-11-2010 at 06:04 PM

I don't remember who was pouring at SOBB. I do vaguely remember something about rope, a picinic table, and a tent!

ripsessionkites - 11-11-2010 at 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by csa_deadon
I don't remember who was pouring at SOBB. I do vaguely remember something about rope, a picinic table, and a tent!

Sounds kinky

rocfighter - 11-11-2010 at 06:43 PM

You North Westerners are soooo weird!!! but you do sound fun!

BeamerBob - 11-11-2010 at 07:04 PM

If you guys put up numbers like that, the daily records are going to be a NorCal sweep! Or does the Patron help you go fast?

ChefCarl - 11-11-2010 at 07:53 PM

:eureka:***NEWSFLASH*****:eureka:
There will be Ice available for a small donation to NABX on the lake-bed at the big white tent... do not waste your money at the little store or at the overpriced gas station when buying ice..please use our self serve system the NABX support team will have set up just for you!!!
:bouncy:

-mj- - 12-11-2010 at 07:33 AM

Since we'll probably be back on the Playa as well :wee: there's also the option for European (mainland) pilots to ship your gear to Vliegerop and then we can ship it all in one go.
This will save you some considerable money over bringing it yourself.

Couple of pointers:
1) We will have to know this way in advance. (send email to marijn@vliegerop.com, I will keep you posted when time comes)
2) Nothing's certain yet I will have to look into this (start next year, busy as heck now)
3) Your gear will be away for a longer time then you'll be (about 3 weeks if not longer) so if you have races in that period....
4) We (Vliegerop) will not be responsible for any loss/damage, you yourself will be responsible for packing so pack efficiently and strongly
(North American UPS delivery quality is quite dramatic as I'm sure some people here can chime in on)
More details will be given in due time

DOWNHILL44 - 12-11-2010 at 01:46 PM

Great post can't wait hope the Pka dates don't clash.Cheers Dai

deanaoxo - 14-11-2010 at 10:48 AM

SRSLY, we had ice last year, for a cheap donation. It really helps the event as the ice cooler doubles as our food freezer.

If you will just get a bag every other day, we pay for the freezer, your food stays fresh, and we can keep doing what we do.

Please avoid Styro coolers. We'll keep your cooler for you in the storage shed till we run out of room, but as of now we still have a little room in there.

NABX is all about community and helping each other. If we can do it, you have but to ask.

aoxomoxoa

Ozzy - 11-12-2010 at 02:47 AM

oke guys, the Dutch crew is also present again, we already purchased our tickets and will ariver the 26st saturday evening in Vegas and leaving thuesday the 5th in the morning,..

All on Discwheels, better tires,...so we hope they will keep up during the whole week !...

Looking forward to see all of you guys again.

Best regards and Good winds,
Ozzy

BeamerBob - 11-12-2010 at 09:04 AM

Awesome Ozzy! It's great to know you have it all worked out. You should post up what you worked out on tires and wheels in another post so we can see what you've been up to.

popeyethewelder - 11-1-2011 at 02:03 PM

OMG....I have only gone and registered lol

still plenty to do yet though, and plenty to go wrong also

Ozzy - 12-1-2011 at 05:09 AM

Great Carlos to see you overthere !! gonna have a blast !

cheers,
Ozzy

acampbell - 12-1-2011 at 08:39 AM

Carlos, that is great news. We'll all look forward to meeting you.

popeyethewelder - 12-1-2011 at 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by acampbell
Carlos, that is great news. We'll all look forward to meeting you.

Not half as much as I am looking forward to meeting you guys

Ozzy - 19-1-2011 at 11:14 AM

Another Dutch Freestyler is joining us this year at the NABX, John Penders, land/flyboarder and also a PL Team member.
check a clip from him a couple of weeks ago:

http://vimeo.com/18825057

Best regards,
Ozzy.

flyjump - 19-1-2011 at 11:15 AM

i'm looking forward to riding with him:D

ripsessionkites - 19-1-2011 at 05:51 PM

Anyone know if alison and adrian are coming from the UK?

Ozzy - 19-1-2011 at 11:37 PM

They didn't made plans yet from what I have heared from them,...

Craig Sparkes - 20-1-2011 at 08:46 AM

Damn! be a shame if they are not there! We need more brits :D

Myself, Will & dave arrive on the 22nd and leave on the 4th!

Hotel Booked, Flights Booked, Car Hire booked! Kite gear there, and some still to be shipped!

Gonna be good!!

Ozzy - 20-1-2011 at 11:27 PM

looking forward to see you "brits" ripping hard !,......

cheers,
Ozzy