Hey Guys,
For the last three weeks I have been searching my home state of NH for a decent spot to kite but have had no luck. The only place that I knew of was the ocean at Hampton Beach but at this time of the year it is just about impossible with all the other people sunbathing and swimming. I have tried huge fields, lake beaches, large parking lots with no luck. Sure there are sometimes a minor wind blowing but it is always weak and gusty. Those are not good conditions for a newbie.

Well two days ago this all changed, I found what I think to be the best spot to kite in NH. For me a good spot has to have decent winds (5-25MPH), consistant winds, and lots of room to move around. This spot has all that and more. The wind here also pretty much always blows in the same direction (For the most part).

This spot is found in Manchester NH on the backside of the airport. There is a two-way road that circles the airport and on the backside adjacent to the take-off/landing runway there is a very large gravel parking lot that has never had any cars in it. The wind blows in from the huge airport runway right through the parking lot with nothing to change it's direction or slow it down. On a side note I was a bit worried that airport security would show up and ruin all my fun but two cops have driven by and watched me flying my kite and did not do anything so I even think it is legal to be there!

Because I don't have a wind speed meter I will estimate the wind speed to be about 15-25 MPH. There is a flag nearby that is just about alwasy blowing straighout, pretty much all tree branches sway, and if your pick up a handfull of dirt and let it go slowly it will blow in the direction of the wind before it lands. In fact I think the wind is a bit to strong for me to learn in. With my Ozone 3m Samuri I get dragged across the parking lot if I fly it in the strongest part of the wind window. I was scared sh*tless the first time this happened to me, but boy what a rush!

After about twenty minutes of flying there I am beat and usually fold up and go home, but as time goes on I am getting much better. I can't wait to get there tomorrow and practice some more! Take it easy guys, talk to you soon.

Hi Roger,

Nice to see you found a good open spot to fly in. I'm inland in NorthEast Ohio, and it's tough to find good spots. I have a couple places I go, and one is excellent for buggying at. However, the wind around here is either off or on....usually off. It's been very frustrating getting out to the park and having the wind just shut off.

I first started flying just this summer. The first few times I went out, my upper body got exhausted. I would fly for 15 minutes...take a break...and dow that cycle a few times. Then I'ld be sore for up to a week after. However, now adays my muscles are used to it, and I don't tire out so easily.

If your flying surface is gravel and dirt, I would recommend utmost safety. I've been dragged across the mowed grass field where I fly a few times. I felt like I had been tied up to a horse and pulled through town (like in the old west days). I can only imagine how uncoftorable that would be on gravel, or even dirt. I would highly recommend elbow/ knee pads, and maybe some thick jeans. Well, good luck and good wind!
-fightingfish

Roger...Do they plow it in the winter. Might make a good snow kiting spot. We're pretty hard up for open space around here until the lakes feeze over. How about some directions to this spot. I go to the airport via 293 South. Ross