Greetings
from Crissy Field San Francisco California. The first Ooto Interactive
Kite Tour Air Show was held May 10th, 2003 in what can only be
described as a beautful day - Sunny and windy. Crissy balked at
noon with light wind but shortly thereafter at 2pm the conditions
set up for an afternoon of kiting that offered wind 15-25 knots
and thousands of spectators, photographers and excellent riding
by all participants. The final show-down was at the after party
where
grilled food was a catalyst
causing the event to hit stride and launch off into the stratosphere.
The
Air Show was the first in a series of events designed by Paul Buelow
to expand on competition format to be fun, interactive and inclusive
with broader appeal in order to allow new people to meet riders,
learn about kiting up close, give feedback, complete an informal
survey and find about what it takes for the best riders to go
kiting in extreme conditions.
All
partipants were awarded a
kiting survival
kit from Ooto which includes sunscreen, skin cream, vitamin
C and echancea.
Format
A
mobile event with 3 courses to choose from allowed for flexibilty
on the water depending on conditions on the San Francisco City
Front. The course was led by boat driver Jim Kiriakis out into
high wind and slowly moved upwind under the golden gate bridge
where some waves were breaking. Judging was completed by participants
voting for who they thought was best at course, expression and
jump. Riders are not allowed to vote for themsleves.
