Hood River Middle School 2009 Kite Program

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

Starting WAY in advance here. We will have several young kiters, grades 7/8, who are well beyond the nubie stage and I would like to create something for them to learn. Since I must be in charge of the body dragging at the hook, I am interested in having something happen either at Wells, or at the sandbar using the talents of others. Off hand, the best scenario may be to have advanced kiters launch at the Hook and clinic at Wells.

Some ideas:

1. Simple surface handle-pass clinics
2. Directional/skim clinics
3. Jump clinics
4. Spin clinics
5. ??

The over riding concern must be safety followed by positve energy and FUN. Each kid must feel good about where they are, and excited to go where they want to be.

Points of concern:

1. I must be with the body draggers which means I will not be right there. As such, I have to have 100% confidence in you.

2. The school district MIGHT require a full background check on you. This involves some paperwork. If you have had any kind of conviction that involves anything serious, or anyone under the age of 18 you cannot volunteer.

3. As good as some of the kids are, I will need someone with a clipboard to walk around and check that kids have connected their kites properly BEFORE they launch. This will be in addition to kids working in pairs and doing the same.

4. None of this can happen in shallow water, or upwind of any hard objects--no kiddie pool, no exceptions.

5. I will need significant pwc support--I may have this already, but it's not 100% certain yet.

6. The only payment we can offer is a NYCSub, or two, or three, in any flavor you want so long as it's a Bronx, or a Philly.

7. Steve B., you were so freaking awesome on the body drag end of things this year I would hate to lose you to the "advanced camp," though I can't imagine anyone better at either.

8. Volunteers must have a very good knowledge of all of the safety systems: 4-line bow/hybrid front and rear, 5-line bow/hybrid/C.

If, despite the somewhat annoying list above, you are interested in helping out, PM me and I will create a list. Even though it's August, and this won't happen until next June, it truly takes months to orchestrate.

Cheers,

Eric Cohn