Crissy Field to Berkeley Downwinder - July 11th, 2009

[cassidyimaging]

Thank you to all the organizers, it was great! Will the pictures be posted somewhere?

I'll be posting pics in a day or two at http://www.cassidyimaging.com . Most of the pics are at Crissy because after we left I ended up spending more time fishing kiteboarders out of the water than I did shooting. Still, I had a blast, and seeing 100 or so kites heading to the East Bay was a sight to behold.

[mikaya]

Next time let's meet at Alameda at 1 so we can be on the water earlier. Less chance of losing the wind at Berkeley!

[Tony Soprano]

Wow, this was awesome! Even with pissing off some Crissy locals and a little bit of kite swimming happening in the end, I think the event was a groundbreaking success. Amazing turn-out and it seems most everyone had a blast.
_HUGE_ kudos to Evan, Live2Kite and Kite415 crews and others involved in organizing this. I hope there will be more events like this in the future. Thanks!

Great! :mrgreen:
You all had a good time! :mrgreen:
My concern is safety and access.

[hawaiimind]

What a great event! Thanks to everyone who made it all happen, well organized and well executed. For 110 kiters launching at once on a crowded beach, I thought it actually went quite well. Beforehand I had put the over/under on kitemare launches at about 5, so not bad that we only had one. Of course just one is too many, so maybe a few things are changed next year. But everyone was courteous and respectful and the safety of others was on everyone's mind.

Out in the water it was crazy at first, kiting in crowds isn’t the greatest feeling especially when overpowered on a 12m, big board, choppy waters and 30mph gusts, but it was cool to experience it and see it firsthand. And the 12m sure was nice near the end, kept my butt dry and out of the water. I’m excited to do it again next year. And if anyone wants to do a similar but less crowded run (Alameda to 3rd) let me know, it’s a blast as well. THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!!!

[Sonny]

Next year? I want to do it again next month.

[hawaiimind]

As for photos, I'd be surprised if we see a lot of actual kiting, since it was pretty cloudy out there and I'm sure the boats were busy running around. My g-friend may have a few 'scenic' ones to share taken from shore, but the only one I have seen is the following taken at the launch, by Mrs Clark Kotula...

[pipedragon]

Thanx to everyone that made this event happen and to all the kiters that participated. I had a blast. Wasn't really sure what to expect but I had such a great time. It was also fun to talk to so many like minded people that are so stoked on kiteboarding!

On another note. Just ignore all the Crissy locals and their negative complaining drama. They're just jealous they missed the event. I think this event was very professionally done and the fact that over 100 kiters participated and to my knowledge no one got hurt...enough said.

[Loscocco]

On another note. Just ignore all the Crissy locals and their negative complaining drama. They're just jealous they missed the event. I think this event was very professionally done and the fact that over 100 kiters participated and to my knowledge no one got hurt...enough said.

Don't ignore what locals have to say at any beach you kite at anywhere. Whenever i go to a new spot to kite i always try to learn as much as i can and get tips from them. It could save your life!!

None of the Crissy locals were complaining.. everyone just wants to make sure that things went safely here as well as at other locations around the bay that we ALL kite is so we all can continue to do so. Many of the locals were out there as well and we do similar runs once in a while. It was nice seeing all the kites out there and im glad it went off relatively smoothly but there are a few things that could be improved for next time.

[Piotrp]

I agree - ignoring locals is not a good idea. Locals at Crissy ARE super-cool - and EXTREMELY helpful. I kite at Crissy often, but not as often as to consider myself a local. There's is camaraderie among the locals, but it's not at the expense of visitors. This particular event might have been a bit tough on them, though (although, I didn't hear anyone complain) - it's like being stuck in traffic behind some street event which spirit you might support, but ... well... you're still stuck in traffic.

Anyway - kudos to everyone, except Berkeley wind gods - they must have left for some party a bit too early :).

[eag]

[-(