out of curiosity on the southern limit and protected bird nesting etc, is that all year long or is there a period where the island would be open to travel to the south end (assuming you had the right wind at that time to do it)? winter months? Fall?

Quote: Originally posted by D Cheek

The Wright Kite Festival graciously allows a bit of buggy riding during the festival only. One, two and Rev kiters HATE KiTE BUGGY !!!! We are not like them so they don't want us around! Wonder Why?????????? We're outlaw scum. We are People that have hi jacked the wind for speed and power and not for beauty, I guess. Well... you can't buggy with a 4 line Teddy Bear!!! (yet)

First, Wheeled vehicles are specifically prohibited in the federal park but during the festival they graciously look the other way. We appreciate it and graciously take advantage of it when we can.

So since I have 9 Revs, 6 other Brand Rev-alikes and 13 home made kites of the same design, I almost take offense to the remark. I also have 8 Powerkites ranging from 2M to 8M.. If you feel like Rev fliers hate buggies, you've been flying around the wrong Rev Fliers. FWIW, I've flown around a few of them myself. Some of them don't like other Rev fliers either.

Bottom line it's all about sharing the environment we all enjoy. None of this sport is exclusive AND we try to follow the rules of the area we are allowed. Since I fly both Rev AND powerkites don't expect me to leave one or the other behind for ANY event.

Quote: Originally posted by markite

out of curiosity on the southern limit and protected bird nesting etc, is that all year long or is there a period where the island would be open to travel to the south end (assuming you had the right wind at that time to do it)? winter months? Fall?

Hi Mark. Saw your post prior to work and just got back. I Checked the JIA code and it appears that the restriction is year-round by virtue of the fact that there is no mention of dates...

+++++++++
(9)
Wind-powered crafts. To protect nesting sea turtles and shorebirds, it is prohibited for any person to use or operate a kite buggy, beach-capable wind surfer or any other wind-powered transport on the beaches or in the dunes of Jekyll Island from the boardwalk at the south dunes picnic area (latitude 31.031854, longitude -81.415358) south and around the southern tip of the island north to a point (latitude 31.015594, longitude -81.433926) or equivalent to 2,000 feet south of the St. Andrews picnic area.

+++++

I was flying the other day and noticed that new this year after JIBE is a new sign at the above mentioned coordinates that announces pet restrictions (no walking dogs, on or off leash) south of that point. So we are not the only ones covered by the restriction.

The current Director of Conservation for the JIA is a kiter himself and quietly agrees that the ordinance, which was instated before he was hired, was arguably ill-informed as far as the geographical coordinates. That's mostly why we get the letter of variance to use the southern water tower every year for JIBE.

Old Ben is spot on about JIBE just being a gathering rather that an organized event or festival.

Hell, credentials aren't even checked!
Many who attend the gathering are not paid up NAPKA members thus putting the members in jeopardy if they were involved in an accident or an incident.

It's so casual that hold harmless release forms aren't signed, collected and filed. Again another possible crack in the dyke.

Angus, I want to personally thank you for the formal steps you take for JIBE to happen. I don't know how many others that have ever thanked you for what you do. And the others that just show up without playing by the rules(NAPKA dues and release forms) are taking advantage of your time and effort that you've devoted to this gathering for the last 11 years.

"These comments are reckless, ill-informed and just the kind of thing that can wreck it for everyone". I don't understand how it could wreck anything. "It appears" is the key observation as to why we used to and why we can't operate like the other events do during the same time.
When others are using the pavilion in the park for their events we (I) can't get to Kite Beach because the ramp is closed! There was even a fence. Where else can a 85lb buggy plus gear get to the beach easily?:puzzled:
Open eyes see that we have been pushed aside. This year, out of the park and to the pole if we get there early enough. Can we maybe reserve that area with some grass for our event?

Rip Stop in the air, well, we're just window dressing for the other events, another part of the aubance of JI during that time. A few colorful pictures JIA can possible use in a flyer or brochure. A small diversion for runners and athletes at the bigger "events". "Oh, look at the big kites"! "Is my pinnie on straight"? "Where's the start/finish line?"

And yes, we are all friendly folk by nature anyway and statements like that from JIA and others are just space fillers in conversations. Runners are not friendly? Tri-Athletics are mean?:megan:

I've been a professional concessionaire/vendor at festivals, State Fairs, "Arts in the Park" type events for 50 years. I made a good living do it for a living. We all can sit back and analyze what we thinks an event is but doing it takes getting off our ass, putting it together and to turn a gathering into an event.

An "organized JIBE event" would, imho, might give us more clout with JIA,GDNR, and the powers that be. Letting us have the area from the anemometer pole to the stairs on the grass for our committee tent, for credentials check,(just like the other events) and rally point, pop-ups, our exhibits of buggys and kites, swag, food?, arts and crafts, even kites for sale, of all sizes and kinds and colorful kites in the air. Plus our friendly folks smiling, shaking hands and making new friends the way we have been friendly for the last 10 years.

Even laid back gatherings need some structure. With NAPKA being the sanctioning organization it's time to make an effort to abide by the rules to keep the insurance in place as best we can.

This year several of us tried to pull everyone there together for fellowship and conversation with the "PanCake Feed". Many attended but not all. Some came, ate, and disappeared without adding to the gathering. We asked for a donation to help cover the cost of the meal. Angus, Jimbocz and my self made the financial effort pull it off. Donations totaled $42 bucks with $20 bucks coming from Ted & Holly that didn't attend and Frank & Chris and maybe a couple others. I'll do it again but really people! It figures, you don't want to pay NAPKA dues and you want to buggy and eat for nothing. Some kind of gathering huh? Eat & fly, bye bye.

We, as a group need to tighten up! Act more like a band of brothers. Have our social hours and conversations like we used to under the Kite Fort awning. Lay out our gear for all to see and talk about, etc., have a commons tent and a organized EVENT! Not a loose knit hi, bye, eat, fly, see you later, gathering.

I will volunteer my time, money and expertise to develop, operate and manage an event.Are there any others?

The old saying "there's power in numbers" is fact and if we gather together, act as a group we will save our buggy spaces. Our passion will shrivel up and die without space to fly! Then what? Paddle board?
_______________________________________________________________
Too much stuff.
Ivanpah with Big Kid mods and AQR.
1.8m Beamer 2.5m Beamer
3.5m ZebraZ 2, 4.3m Zebra Z2, 6m Zebra Z2,
Zebra 4.0m Checka, 10m Zebra Z1 on the way.
4.0m Ozone Access DP foil prototype
Wipeka 5.6m DP
8.6m PL Reactor
A- 9-12-16m DP's not flown yet. Like foils better
Other junk and stuff for kite fun and RC.

There is a good /bad reason most kite festivals do not have a buggy traction element. Insurance, the AKA had to withdraw power from their policy following two claims that were not even the fault of members but the claims went against a flyer and event. The cost of keeping power was too high and so it went. That was when the AKA had 2000 more members. Don't even try to suggest that where they went we had way more buggiers then as well.

Angus, check your email.

Angus and I were talking one afternoon. He told me that he's been trying to deconstruct JIBE for 10 years. Basically, the idea was we would have more fun with less structure.

Years ago Angus would have a box full of files on the table on Kite Beach where people would sign the release. I gave him my release form in the parking lot and showed him my NAPKA card my first JIBE.

That was good business then and it needs to be good business again!

I believe that the AKA insurance issue not letting buggy sports at their events should be a red flag for us to protect our event/gathering better with proper paper work. I'll volunteer as a recording secretary. Angus has his work already cut out for him with JIA, etc.

If we can maybe develope an event with similar structure like the other events we'll need others to get involved to do it. We need to tighten up fellows. If all we want is a Hi, eat, fly, bye bye thing so be it. I would prefer a committee tent, some swag, a vendor or 2, etc. Fun!
.
I just don't wake up one April and find out that JIA and the powers that be won't let us fly there any more. These are just my personal thoughts and ideas to help protect our gathering. Maybe some day have our own area up top on the grass. Promote our sport, make new friends, and have conversations as a group as we once had under the awning of the "Kite Fort". Let's bring the fellowship back to JIBE.

________________________________________________________________
Too much stuff.
Ivanpah with Big Kid mods and AQR.
1.8m Beamer 2.5m Beamer
3.5m Zebra Z 2, 4.3m Zebra Z2, 6m Zebra Z2,
Zebra 4.0m Checka, 10m Zebra Z1 on the way.
4.0m Ozone Access DP foil prototype
Wipeka 5.6m DP
8.6m PL Reactor
A- 9-12-16m DP's not flown yet. Like foils better
Other junk and stuff for kite fun and RC.

Quote: Originally posted by D Cheek

The Wright Kite Festival graciously allows a bit of buggy riding during the festival only. I stays pretty low key though.. All that sand up there and you maybe get to buggy some during that event only! One, two and Rev kiters HATE KiTE BUGGY !!!! We are not like them so they don't want us around! Wonder Why?????????? We're outlaw scum. We are People that have hi jacked the wind for speed and power and not for beauty, I guess. Well... you can't buggy with a 4 line Teddy Bear!!! (yet) We don't need to be a part of someone else's event but any event that we could be part of would be great but we could do our own thing. We can set it up, first year would be slow and then participation would grow with vendors and fun seekers. The hardest part is getting a permit! Then it gets a life of it's own and it grows. No matter what time of year there's always some vendors looking for a show. The vendors are what pays for the expenses to set up the events. A committee can manage that. We don't need participation by the public 'cause we'll be there. The event gives us some cred! We all have some 1 or 2 line fun kites that we can fly, put some color in the air. 2 or 3 Pop-ups, swag, flags and banners. Hey, we got a festival! Might be something the wives and kids could supervise and run. Fun fun fun We must organize to save our buggy locations.

I have had hours long conversations with some Rev Fliers, well Single and dual line kite fliers, just last year as a matter of fact. For the third year in a row, I have been invited, along with a few others to participate and buggy at the LBI kite festival in Norther NJ. Basically my conversation spoke that in e end, we are all just trying to fly kites, and that we need to come together as our group is getting smaller, to preserve our similar, yet different passions. My conversations have been very warm welcomed, heck the organizers of that event came to WBB last year and stayed most of the week and had a blast. Had them riding buggies as well and they couldn't have had more fun if they tried. Headed up again this year and they are more than pleased to welcome us with open arms. Conversations and good people skills helps a ton. They don't hate us, they just don't understand us so much. We are as worried and protective of our gear as they are and that has been heavily expressed.

Angus, we all know you have and continue to put on quite a good show at JIBE. Many conversations with you and a trip down there myself confirms our work is diligent and thorough. Thanks for all you do.

While some good points have been brought up, one thing I've never been crazy about is being too open to the public, as far as broadcasting the events anyways. Creates more of a liability. We have the luxury of having such a huge beach at WBB not to mention having the event on the shoulders of the seasons to limit beach goer interaction and liability. As stated, one incident with a bystander and it could be curtains. Handling bystanders on a case by case basis usually works best. (again we are lucky at WBB because there is always someone close by to talk to the curious ones and explain what's doing). Too many people can create quite a mess.

Hope that JIBE continues as long as it's meant to continue. Angus if you need anything, let me know!

Thanks everybody for your support, both on-line and off-line.

I think I'll go fly my Rev now...

Some of my Rev hoard & a Tensor laying on the pinball machine. Back in the ancient days a Rev 1 was considered one of the choices for powering your Land Lizard. SHBKF

Ok, all this Rev talk has got me wanting to take my old Rev out and fly it also. Lets all have a bit of fun.

My Rev remarks earlier was because of my small town kite festival, so to speak, where the Rev guy try to run the show with the Parks & Rec. Dept. in middle April. They hire a "Show Kite" company out of Atlanta, GA to hang rip stop in the air. Set displays, Sleds with laundry that won't stay flying, nuthing like Gomberg. and the stars are the Rev. guys with a poor attempt to entertain.

Well.... I went to the P&R Dept to ask if I could do a static display of my buggy stuff and enlighten people about what we do. They pulled up a You Tube of a buggy and an loft/accident and OBE and said hell no!
I explained all extreme sports have issues and everbody walked away. To finally shut me down the pulled up a P&R code saying rubber tired vehicles could not be on the soccer fields where the event is held. I could not even carry or tote and assemble on the spot under my canope my buggy. I was out before I got started.

The day of the event the P&R had a portable stage out there for the cloggers and Karate kids with PA, A state fair popcorn and cotton candy trailer 3 food trucks, a ding dong song ice cream van, a sausage w/onions & peppers trailer and all the rubber tyred pickups parked behind them as support.

The displays sucked, they sold dollar store plastic super hero deltas and dimonds for $5 bucks in a booth next to face painting next to the Sheriff's booth handing out stick on foil badges and temp. tattoos. WEEEEEE. I love the cops!

The field was marked off with "Police Line Do Not Cross" yellow tape that really marked the scene of the crime of a dead kite festival. The sleds couldn't lift any laundry, The ground displays weren't bouncing around and once in awhile someone would try to fly a stunter and then the Rev guy waited all day for good wind to do their act. 5-8 should have worked for me.

There were 2 open fly fields set at each side. The hero kites flew close to the sales booth and did have some instruction and help. I decided to open fly down by the sleds area that were grounded. Plenty room to fly and barely enough wind.

I popped up my 8.6m Reactor. Red/White/Black, she's a beauty. As I worked hard to get her up on 125m lines to the moving air I, all of a suffen felt a 'WOOOSH" and I had pulled all the spectators down to see the big kite do figure 8's. I even got a young man that wanted to try it a behind and hands on arms with KKer's instruction and he had a ball. The festival folks didn't see that.

Well... Horns were beeping as 2 golf carts of people, P&R folks and Rev guys skidded to a stop and demanded that I ground my kite at once. Yelling it was to dangerous.Too big, Not safe and told me I had to leave. "Get off the field!" the head Rev guy touted. Oh well.... 30 minutes of fun and 30 minutes of packing up to leave. They parked a P&R man in a golf cart there till I was gone! I live in this town and had no idea my hobby was on a hate list!

I don't go to my local kite festival anymore. With as much crap as I have I might be able to do my own. So... that's why I said what I said about Rev guys. Sorry, didn't know that it was offencive or such a soft spot. Man, you guys are sensitive.:D

Blame the person,, not the kite.

Blaming the kite is the same thing that had you at odds with that festival..

FWIW, I fly my 8M toxic at festivals whenever the conditions warrant..

I barely fly my Revs any more.. I fly these instead that I made..

Nice collection Riff. yeah your right.
The Revs were in the hands of the producers so I guess
I should have seen the man as a man and a kite as a kite
not attached.
I apologize to the kite men here on PKF but not to the men
that fly them in my home town. OK? Those men that just happen
to have Revs in zip 29801 are AHoles and PKF Rever are not.
There, a clarification. Man, you guy are sensitive.:o

As far as a festival idea... I was looking for feedback and only
got you upset Rev fliers off on a tangent. AADD of my JIBE rant.

Not saying all rev men have AADD mind you I'll apologize for
that also now if any out here in PKF land are so afflicted.
Horrible affliction and I'm sure that there is a special ribbon
color for it and a walk somewhere. We as a nation need better
health don't we.

What ever happened to having open discussions and an
exchange of ideas?

And for what it's worth I've seen a few people fling the same thing that felt like I didn't deserve to share their air. I've had organizers stake out the stunt field and the SLK field only to put their own Single Line Kite in the worst possible place.. and then walk right into my kite and decide it's time for a safety brief even though he decided to be at the wrong end of the field and right where ALL the other kites were flying. Like standing on the center line of the highway and complaining about traffic.

Bottom line is you get all kinds.. And I'd love to make the trip to JIBE someday.. Just not in the cards for me due to work & scheduling.

Quote: Originally posted by riffclown

And for what it's worth I've seen a few people fling the same thing that felt like I didn't deserve to share their air. I've had organizers stake out the stunt field and the SLK field only to put their own Single Line Kite in the worst possible place.. and then walk right into my kite and decide it's time for a safety brief even though he decided to be at the wrong end of the field and right where ALL the other kites were flying. Like standing on the center line of the highway and complaining about traffic.

ATB,
Sam