New HQ Montana V and NEO II

For most of the Northern Hemisphere, the kiteboarding (water) season is over...Que lastima! But, if you love the snow as much as you love the water...and I guess it's the same stuff anyway...you are siked about the beginning of the Snowkiting season!

Get pumped up by checking out this new video of HQ's 2010 Montana V and Neo II kites!

http://www.thirdcoastkites.com

China's Reforestation Commitment: Imperfect, Important Progress

China is vast and has an even larger population...that being said, there seems to be a growing awareness of the real value of their environment to their booming economy and to themselves. It's Maslow's Hierarchy of Need in action...A critical mass of people are moving from a basic need for survival to safety and security, which includes the recognition that a cleaner / greener environment gives one the security to know they can continue to grow and keep and enjoy what they've gained.



Secondly, those who pull the levers of power (much easier there than here) know where the money is at, and are shifting strategies and going green faster than we. I've been approached by several wind and solar power equipment manufacturers from China...they are moving fast, and we're still debating the reality of the green economy.



I support their efforts and encourage more for ourselves

http://www.thirdcoastkites.com
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

New HQ NEO 11

We had a great labor day weekend this year, and it was made better because we received the new NEO 11 by HQ powerkites.

We tested the kite at Elberta Beach for water and the Lake County Airport for land. Though winds were light in both locations, this kite has excellent light-wind performance and generated surprisingly big pull for the conditions.

One thing we liked about this kite was that there was no pumping. Unlike LEI kites, a ram-air foil uses air entering through ports in the leading edge to pressurize the foil, helping the kite to hold its shape, and in this particular kites' case, allowing it to relaunch from water without sinking, as well as function equally well in summer or winter.

We really liked the ability to "reverse launch" the kite. When the kite is nose down, all you do is pull both the back-leader-lines with the reverse-launch strap, and the kite rises off the ground, turns over and when you release the lines, she takes off. You can use those same straps to land the kite; when you pull on the back-leader-lines, the kite depowers, you can steer it down and lands ready for take-off.

We'll be testing this and other kites in varying conditions and in combination with water, snow, and land gear - stay tuned for updates.

A Surprise Way to Keep Our Beaches Clean: Pass a Climate Bill

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Well I certainly support clean water, as my business depends on it, as does much of Michigan's economy. Though much discussion has been had about Michigan's faltering economy due to the collapse of the auto industry, Michigan has the most coastline in the lower 48 states, and some of the most beautiful beaches and coastal communities in the U.S. It is our extraordinary natural resources that not only sustain our spirits through recreation, but sustain our economy because you can't outsource the jobs associated with the Great Lakes.



I don't understand critics of a greener society - they sound like children who argue they shouldn't have to do math homework because they figure they'll never need the skill "in the real world"...so short sighted.



Environmental = Economical

http://www.thirdcoastkites.com
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Sweet Video of Tom Court

Found this awesome video of Tom Court by way of the main man mai. Nice production quality and just makes you want to ride!

Kiteboard Pro World Tour 2009 - Dunkerque, France

I have attached reports from day 1-3 KPWT from Dunkerque, France. Check them out - wish you were there - enjoy!

http://www.thirdcoastkites.com

Day 1


Day 2


Day 3

Wind Energy From Kites

when you've felt the power a kite generates in a slight to moderate breeze, it's not only a suprising sensation, but it's also tactile evidence that with a bit of clever engineering, there is a lot of energy right above our heads. Saul Griffith, an MIT engineering student and kiteboarder has taken the "a-ha" moment and applied his passion for kiteboarding and a bit of math to win a MacArthur Genius Award for his work in renewable energy concepts.

Read more about his work in National Geographic


Third Coast Kite and Hobby

Kiteboarding on the Columbia River

A pioneer in the Kiteboarding world - Bill Tai - recently posted a video of some sick kiteboarding on the Columbia River in Stevenson, WA. From the first years of the sport, Stevenson attracted kiteboarders with a daily dose of reliable steady winds, a wide river and good waves. Kiteboarding does not require the nukin’ winds. Strong, steady and daily works just fine. With a cool soundtrack and fx, check out the fun these guys and girls had over the 4th of July weekend!

http://www.thirdcoastkites.com

Explore Wind Potential In Your Area

Living in Michigan, we are blessed with an abundance of natural resources. One of the new areas of resource development is the production of wind power. Because of our geography, we are able to benefit from ample amounts of wind. Whether you are flying kites, or are interested in the potential of generating renewable wind power on your property or development, I've found a several interesting sites that allow you to see wind maps of your area.

http://navigator.awstruewind.com/ - Free registration and personalized wind maps

http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-25676_25774-101765--,00.html - Good information resource and wind maps.

for more information visit http://www.thirdcoastkites.com

Michigan Energy Cooperatives Support Wind Power

We get our electricity from Great Lakes Energy here in northwestern Michigan. As a result of recent state legislation, power companies are required to have Green/Renewable energy sources comprise a percentage of their power production. Great Lakes Energy has posted a video that discusses their efforts towards increasing Wind Energy production in our state.



http://www.thircoastkites.com

A Kite's Eye View

Found this video of a stack of Speed Wings. If you've never heard of or flown a Speed Wing, basically they are a very simple design kite, but very durable, meant to be flown in high winds...oh by the way, they can fly at over 100mph. Take a ride with this kite...

Great Lakes Wind Energy

Michigan has tremendous Wind Power potential, and given the condition of our state economy, we need to capitalize on it; thankfully our governor (Granholm) foresaw the need to diversify our state economy years ago. Though the pain of auto industry collapse hurts us disproportionately, the ground work has already been laid for Green and Knowledge Economy to replace it. Wind power companies are sprouting up all around Michigan - and we have the industrial backbone to scale up production.

Wind sports like kiteboarding is also fast growing in popularity and is not only a great sport, but is a great ambassador for Wind Power. When you feel the power of the wind in your hands, it;s truly an amazing feeing...like surfers talking about the mystical power of waves.

People interested in Great Lakes Wind Power should check out the www.glrea.org

Huffington Post blogger Dennis Markatos and founder of (SET) Sustainable Energy Transition discusses Wind Energy:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dennis-markatos/new-report-predicts-recor_b_242352.html


http://www.thirdcoastkites.com

Hi all! I'm really excited to start this new blog. I plan to use this new blogging area as a place to share cool pictures and videos related to kiting and kiteboarding from around the world, as well as kiting and kiteboarding news and information from the Third Coast region.

I'd like to kick off this blog with one of my favorite videos from Tom Bourdeau (HQ Kites). He's one of the pioneers of kiteboarding, and he talks about what kiteboarding is, particularly as it pertains to kiteboarding on snow.