Tug Hill is cancelled for 2013

..... This is sad news

.....

Updated......
Read posts below for more info .....

You should turn it into a NAPKA event ! ;-)

Once we find out about NAPKA and the snow thing, that could be possible. I have already talked with Konrad about this.

I was actually going to make this one.

pssssstttttt. It still happening. Just on a laid back scale. We're still going.

But we have few winter snow/ice events. If NAPKA will cover...much easier to hold for an organizer(s).

(Anyone miss Kitestorm?)

The inaugural one happening at Mt Washington hotel(NH) area will be interesting.

....need a few more in N.E and nationally.

Chris .... OK ..... lol ....

Quote:

Originally posted by skimtwashington But we have few winter snow/ice events. If NAPKA will cover...much easier to hold for an organizer(s).

Insurance, or lack thereof, is not the reason for the "cancellation" of Tug Hill. The county is no longer helping to sponsor, or back the event. A key employee at the county, one that was responsible for organizing in the past, is no longer there. So the job of seeking land use permission on multiple properties never was done. The county was also responsible for providing port-o-potties at the main event site (at $500 a pop).

It is easier for those who would be left with organizing (Masskiting crew) to "cancel" the event, still go and have fun.

There is one site near Watertown that the crew has obtained the rights to kite on.

So think of it as more of grass roots event. Sometimes those can be the best.

I know that the DR offered to help with land permission and organization a few times but no one ever took him up on it. Maybe its time to ask. Would be a shame to loose a good event.

Sitting here Christmas morning in my long johns and Tug Hill snowkite shirt I have mixed feelings about the Tug Hill event. The number of winter kiters that chase the events is small , fair guess I know by name or face half the winterkiters in the northeast , this is hardly enough people to economically sustain an event. Yet Kitestorm and Lake Simcoe were big well attended events, not only by kiters but also the community showed up to watch and play. I'm thinking a sustainable kite festival should be where there is already a core of winter activities and the community embraces winter tourism. Burlington has it , Lake Simcoe has it , Lake Placid has it , and my new favorite Saratoga has it. An individual trying to make a buck may have a tough time , but a Tourism Bureau may be able to carry an event , as its costs are spread over a much greater number of activities. I'm going to fly Saratoga again this winter Feb 14,15,16 and I'll look for better sites to get on the lake. Its a great place , I hope a few others check it out and provide some input.

Guys unlike Kitestorm where Rachel moved on from kiting, Tug Hill WILL return, it is just a lot of door to door activity needs to happen once again, as it did in the beginning. A few key people are not involved anymore that were town folk (local rec helpers)

In the start, it was Brian from Ozone, Jan from TI adventures, as well as Bob and a few other locals and me, (Zebulon) who got the vibe going, 2 years into the event (get together for the pure STOKE of snowkiting) it got a little bigger and now it is just some re-organization.

Have no fear we are in the clear, just not for a future event that is hyped by companies that donate gear, people that rock, and a wonderful place to snowkite.....

This year is just a little different, in fact it is more pure and like what it is supposed to be like, pure fun regarding the awesome sport of kiting.

See ya out there

This is sad news... first Kitestorm and now no official Tug Hill.

Snowkiting was the only true traction "flavor" that I could actually handle as my snowboarding skills are much more refined than any other board sport. Was really looking forward to this year only to find out that its back to the lift lines for me.

If this sport is supposedly growing, why are all the events wilting? If it is simply a lack of someone taking the baton and running, there has got to be something we can do to get these winter events back on the map in NE?

I'm all for grass roots but when you are unfamiliar with the area and conditions, it is much tougher to find out the info... and be sure it is legit info!! Things like sites, where to stay, best conditions become a bit harder to navigate when there is no official body to dictate. (read: if you have the goods, please share!!!)

Here's some news on why the event was canceled. Kiters and locals want it but there's no one to manage it.


http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20130110/NEWS04/7...

..third degree larceny? Is this guy still suspended?

Call the County Manager and tell him his constituants he represents wants the event....while his underling fights charges of corruption.

Glad MassKiting is trying. But locals rather deal with their known local official..otherwise known as 'the Accused'.

What a political/ethical clusterferk!

Good to know that there is some talk about it in county office ....Would love to see Tug Hill coming back next year with all support of local authorities ...

Conditions right now aren't the best, we had a "January thaw" last week, and lost a lot of snow. It is cold again, and we are getting a little snow right now, hopefully soon we will have enough, and it will stick. We do have a spot that we can ride, when there is enough snow. I have had computer issues, as well as car problems, but as soon as there is enough snow, I will be scouting out some new locations, too. If anyone would like to come out, e-mail me and I would be happy to give you any assistance I can. I check my e-mail a couple times a week, at the local library, and know that most of you interested parties probably get to check our local conditions more often than I do! I was able to get out to the Honeyville site with Jan and Jackie and a few others, a couple of weeks ago, with my typical lackluster results, but I am determined to get it or die trying!

Bob I think we may have a psychic connection , just this week I said to the kids , "I going fast this year or die trying". I'm keeping an eye on Chaumont bay for Sunday 1-20-13, I may have to drive up and see for myself if its doable , winds will be howling.

Who is coming to TUG this weekend ???

No one ??? ..... oh ..... well ..... Me and Jim will try to be there before midnight ..... conditions are promising for Sat and Sun .....