We now have permission to park at Lee's Trailer Park on route 9P just south of the bridge that crosses the Saratoga Lake outlet. The owner Mary will keep it plowed out and is charging $5 to park,please fill this space first. There is also limited parking at the boat launch and we can use the sides and back of the Saratoga Rowing Association's property on the north side of the bridge.
Saratoga City Tavern has plenty of room to get us together on their main floor if we get there before 7pm. If needed they also rent an upper floor area for $50/hour. My guess is if enough people show up they would allow us to move to any open space for free.
It also looks like there is enough going on in and around the city for non-kiters to have fun too.
Some time this winter it's going to snow , hopefully it will be the weekend of Feb 18.
Weather willing it looks like a fun place to kite. :wee:

Oops almost forgot , for Saratoga information go to www.discoversaratoga.org

You get some wind to show up , some snow to cover ground .... and I am on my way .... lol....

We will be in the Berkshires for the week prior to this. So if there is snow and or ice (or maybe even if not) we plan on being there. I'm working on a set ov blades as well. I can't wait to try them out.
Dave

Been on blades for three weekends now , squeezed 25mph out of 5-8mph wind with my 6.8m PL Viper this evening on Oneida lake. Had two guys on ice hockey skates with the other kites ripping it up. Its nice to have something for all surface conditions. I'm really hoping for snow but bring every thing you've got to Saratoga. This winter is such a freak show its anyone's guess what conditions we're going to have.

Saratoga lake is frozen ???
Can we buggy in polo club ????
If we get wind that weekend .... I be there ..... will try bring few friends ....

Conrad bring your Brother and your neiphew!!
Patrick, We are bringing Skiis, snowboards, buggies, Kites, And if we have enough room a shelter for out on the ice for if it is cold.

The lake is frozen , no problem there as long as it stays cold. At the request of the Saratoga Tourism Bureau I just sent an email to the Polo Association requesting permission and assistance. I also gave them some idea of what to expect. Kober I was not thinking of buggies at the polo site but from what I'm told besides horses tearing up the place they have held snowmobile races there , buggies may be ok. I was thinking it would be a good site for snowboarders if the lake is bare ice. Conrad if Jaymes is coming tell him to bring the kite-ice-boat , Saratoga lake is a know iceboat location I'm sure a few people would like to see it and race it.

If there is safe ice I am bringing snowboard with Switchblade to finally try what is worth ...... Let us know before event if it is buggy or ice meet up .....lol.... this weather is unbelievable ..... any guys from Masskiting coming ??? Buggydanny and crew ???? canadians ???? .... you can email Claude so he can put event info on his website Kitezone.ca

Masskiting notified, Danny notified , Canadian's , will do that right now! Thanks Kober/Conrad. Conrad it's possible that the polo grounds will allow buggying. I spoke with them today and though they don't want full public access , they would like a demonstration of what kiting is all about to see if it will fit with other events they have planned or are planning. So maybe a couple of snowboards , some skis , and a couple of buggies maybe a funky spider thing. Lets hope it snows so we can save the buggies for the beach.

.....Deciding this coming week.

What is the lake ice surface right now? Hope there is some smooth ice...? Any snow on the lake(s)?

Where is the meet up point/where you'll access lake? Have you chosen that yet? Will you be doing Great Sacandaga lake as an option also.... if it's better?

Any recommendation for CHEAP hotel/motel? Anyone looking or need to share room?

Waiting to hear also, if any more of Mass kiters/ Nahant group may be coming .

How many folks might you be expecting? Seems from low response or posts that there may be a small group...or are lots of folks 'mum' and just gonna surprise you and show up?

This is kind of the substitute for Kitestorm -so I thought there might be a fair number?

I gotta get an ice screw...snack chews....kite crew.... Mountain Dew.....nice brew....and drive through!

Rocfighter...you gonna be using blades you won(I let you win)? "....May bring shelter"? Like nylon Ice fishing 'house' (tent )? You better stake it down.

:wee::wee::wee::wee:

iceshanty.com reporting 10" to a foot of ice front of "Wally's", on Great Sacandaga. Not sure of Saratoga, but it is supposed to be quite cold this weekend all over the north country of NY.

Thanks for report. Really wanted to know ice SURFACE...i.e.. is it smooth or rough? Would be on hockey skates and not sitting in comfortable buggy like Rocfighter -which handles rough conditions better.

Would love to try a HIGHER aspect(non-NPW5) '9' or 'HA' model Nasa.....see how much better upwind works...also how much more pull.

(from sale post: )"tree a kite"..? Like 'roofing' a kickball....game over!

You guys should all come to Saratoga. And hey Bobby I bet it won't be raining like our last gathering. And just think all three of us dopes will be there again!! And hopefully a bunch more. Ice + kites + NEW BLADES OF DEMISE = Watch out man !!!! :roll:

Everywhere across the center portions of NY have skate-able smooth textured ice. Large lakes that had areas that were open or skimmed over a week ago have glass smooth clear black ice.
At the north end of Saratoga Lake where Rt.9P crosses the outlet there is Lees trailer park. The owner agreed to keep it plowed and for $5 we can park there, its safe off the street with plenty of room. There is a little public "Marine Park" there with a boat launch and ice fishermen access the lake there.
The Tourism Bureau offered assistance in locating and securing discount lodging , hopefully have a response Monday or Tuesday.
This will be the 4th weekend I've had kids kiting with hockey skates on Oneida lake. I would think that by wednesday we could predict what surface conditions will be like.
How many will be there? Who knows , but it's a known fact that 20-30 kiters will go hundreds of miles over hill and dale through blizzard conditions to kite with their buddies.
The Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau would love to have a mid-winter kite festival find a home there. I have had conversations with the Polo Assoc as a land site and near by for a small parking fee we have access to a lake. The city has lots to offer non-kiters. So come check it out if you can , have a conversation with anyone on a buggy , seek out the boys from Masskiting and KiteClubNewYork, provide some input as to whether this would be a good place to have a regular event.

Your right Pat, Last year we all drove up, over, and down to Vermont in a blizzard to get to kite storm.:P And just think of it. This is a lot closer. Lets hope the snow doesn't invite lots of snowmobiles out and rough up the surface!
If you have info on rooms would you give me a call and let me know? I will not be home after this morning and dought I will have internet access. I did find a place at the south side of the lake for $129.00 a night, including a fee for the dog.
Dave.

Quote:

Originally posted by skimtwashington (from sale post: )"tree a kite"..? Like 'roofing' a kickball....game over!

Didn't see this?



Sorry for the hijack, I sure hope I can make it, and there is some SNOW!!!

Would love to make it over there and give things a try but lack of ice friendly equipment, blades or skates, for the moment make it hard. Plus the wife just had another surgery on her knee. If you get some snow so I can use the skis I will see what I can wrangle. If you do it again next year I'll be ready.

Have fun. May it blow!
Craig

Looks above freezing for highs this week(around 40+) and then cooler for weekend. Low chances of snow .... likely chance of little snow but then RAIN Thursday. See if forecast changes..?

So not expecting snow surface...but expect an ice surface.....hopefully 'Zambonied' nice and smooth by some rain and refreeze. Overnight freezes will take care of any melt. A smooth ice would be a gift. Glassy ice a gift from heaven. Will have ski stuff anyway-if I go.

Wind? Won't know 'till Friday...:puzzled:

Any word yet from Tourism on lodging?

RE: Bobalooie- Well..game NOT over! I suppose you can get a kickball off the roof too after you 'roof it'?

Yes, Susan makes a nice NPW kite! Seen her work first hand.

Keep updating anything on this event that might be helpful-
Thanks.

:o:roll::o:roll::o:roll::o:roll::o:roll::o:roll:

Skimtwashington I think your assessment of conditions will be right on the mark. Plan on sharp skis (I have an edge file to share) , skates , buggy blades, Kober will be demonstrating a Switch Blade on his board. I'll be bringing 2buggies on blades, 2kitesleds , 1 #@%$#!roach (skate board with a seat and blades) , misc skis and boots.
1) Park at Lees Trailer Park Rt.9P at the north end of Saratoga Lake. Overflow parking if needed across the bridge at the Rowing Assoc. please don't park in front of their building.
2)Saratoga City Tavern , 21 Caroline St downtown, looks good for a place to gather. Arrive before 7pm we should be able to group everyone together.
3)I have no update on lodging. The Grand Union Spa ,120 South Broadway ,had 5 rooms available this morning.
If you are into dancing and/or funky music go to discoversatatoga.org , events, dance flurry web site , it gives the fri, sat , sun , line up music and dance events going on.

Kober will be demonstrating a Switch Blade on his board ?????//
.....I will try not to kill my self ...... nothing even close to demonstration ....lol....
....... I know I have it somewhere .... time to install that thing on my board .........
...I be there early Saturday morning ...... drugging my friend Jaymz along.... no ice boat this time ......
So ..... where we are staying ???? Who's room we use for party /???? lol

Please don't "drug" me Konrad ;-) .....but you might DRAG me there, kicking and screaming.
I've been working 14 days straight and really need a getaway.

:embarrased:

Conrad I believe you are now the east coast representative of Switch Blade snowboard blades. As global warming advances snow will decline and smooth ice will be abundant. You my friend are the face of a new generation of kite boarders. Hows it feel to be a trend setter?
Fri. and Sat. itinerary: pee and eat , kite , eat and pee, kite somemore, shower , eat and drink , dance (or at least stomp my feet).
Sun. : Get home early , re-load van , haul A.. to Florida.

Just spoke to Patrick (snowspider) and he has called of the event off. He kited today and the conditions were not great and doesn't want people to make the trip for so so conditions.

There is open water in the middle of the lake and he is worried that someone might get blown into it. The surface on the northern portion of the lake is ride-able, but has a 1/2 inch of slush on it. The wind forecast for Saturday is for light winds and a chance of rain at night.

If anyone still want to go they can, but the proposed parking spot won't work; it is near open water. You can find parking on Fitch rd on 9P.

no snow ....... no ice ..... whats wrong with that winter ???
Lets hope we can do that meet up next year .....

Bummer. Looks like the skiis, skates, and ice boat will be collecting TWO years of dust

The ice was soft on Saturday afternoon when we got there so it was a bit tough getting going. But we did a little playing. Pat and Morgan were on lighter gear and were having a blast. Sunday morning we went back to the lake to find nice hard ice. But no wind. So we headed back east towards hme and suprised TheKidd by stopping at a pond I know of in Lee MA. We spent about 3-4 hours on the ice zipping back and forth having "some" success. Pat named my new blades the Giateens ( or how ever it's spelled!) On good hard ice they worked great. We had a bunch of people stop and take pictures and I saw one guy with a video camera. I should check utube!!
Well it was a fun day to rap up a great week with my family in the mountains. 4 days of skiing, 2 days hiking, one day of hanging around, two days of kiting. and swimming and goofing around with three generations of us. Can't wait for WBB.

Danny thanks for posting the notice. Yea the sight of open water on the lake kind of freaked me out . Not so much worried about myself but I definatly felt responsible for making sure it was safe to fly , and open water at an ice event like kite flying, is asking for trouble.
The Saratoga Dance Flurry turned out to be absolute mad fun. All kinds of dancing until 1am Fri and Sat night , lots of hippy types, men in skirts , yamikas. pointy snakeskin boots , hairy women , if you could dance to it someone was there dancing.
This winter has been too wackadoddle , maybe try again next year. Maybe during there Beer Feast weekend.

Patrick .... let us know if we get solid ice any when soon ..... otherwise my Switchblade will have to wait until next year ...... Thanks again for warning ... Happy to hear that you get some kite time that weekend ......
any pictures ????