Strapless on Hatteras - Video

http://vimeo.com/69425736

Ignition Project - Strapless on Hatteras, part 1

The development of HQ's new LEI kite found the design team spending time on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Flat water slicks combine with ocean downwinders to make it the ultimate kiteboarding destination. They discovered the speed and drift of the Ignition to be a perfect combination in the surf.

Smoke On The Water - annual 4th of July party @ Blue Crab Tavern

Hatteras Kite Expo 2011 HQ Power Kites Interview

The Dream of the Crab

Mirror mirror on the sound 

where the good times can be found 

Life on the water sure is fab 

pinched and doubled up, the dream of the crab

Blue Crab Tavern 4th Of July Backyard Bash

Blue Crab 4th Of July Backyard Bash, a photo by Chris - Topher on Flickr.

The 4th of July brings one of the largest parties of year at the Blue Crab Tavern. A crew shows up early and roasts a full pig for a true Eastern Carolina pig pickin'. A band plays (this year it is local favorite, High Tide) and the horseshoe pits are busy all day. A great way to join in on the festivities is to take your boat, kayak or skiff to the Blue Crab docks. No need to drive that car. Hope to see you there.

Outer Banks Beach Magic

We were approached by a PR company that was hosting an unveiling of the 2013 Outback for Subaru on the beaches of Corolla, North Carolina. They were bringing in reporters for alternative media to show them all the features of the new car in a fun, exciting atmosphere.

Boat Graveyard of Colington

Colington Island holds a secret. Somewhere within this estuary and it's vast network of salt creeks lies a watercraft graveyard.

Boat Graveyard of Colington from Captainwow on Vimeo.

The term 'Graveyard of the Atlantic' is used to describe the treacherous waters in the Atlantic Ocean along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The hazards of severe weather, strong currents, and navigational challenges combined to cause the loss of thousands of ships and an unknown number of human lives. More than 1,000 ships have sunk in these waters since records began in 1526.

The area around the Colington, however, hides another graveyard. This 'Graveyard of Colington' is not caused by nature. For decades, it has become a place where waterman bring their boats to die. The boats in this video are not the result of Hurricane Irene or any other storm. Hidden up one of the many saltwater creeks around the island, a small fleet of fishing skiffs, sail boats and pleasure craft have a permanent berth in the marsh. At least two dozen have been scuttled here. Many more may lie on the bottom.

Colington Island is one part of a chain of barrier islands, which form the Outer Banks, separating the vast sounds of an estuarine system from the Atlantic Ocean. Historically a fishing village, Colington has become a development for vacation homes and affordable housing. The road leading onto the island is one of the most heavily traveled secondary roads in the state. That's why it's better to travel by water. Just be careful of the ghosts.

North Carolina crab slough Oysters, Colington Style

Eating North Carolina oysters, Colington style at the Blue Crab Tavern

The Most Misunderstood Name

When you hear the term Dead Bird Buggy Bash, what does that say to you?

Once upon a time I was an honorary Texan living in Austin. During the Thanksgiving Holidays, instead of coming home to North Carolina's Outer Banks to spend time with family, the wife and I would join our second family along the Gulf Coast in Galveston where we would fly kites, socialize, and celebrate the holiday.

Our second family was a group of kite and wind traction enthusiasts that brought Thanksgiving to the beach. They named it Dead Bird Buggy Bash (DBBB). No, it wasn't for the expired shorebirds you might see along the roads or beach. It was for the turkeys. This was the first place I had ever seen anyone deep fry a turkey. A whole turkey. Several, in fact...



Always a feast. Not only the moistest turkey you could put in your mouth, but hams, brisket, gulf shrimp, a mess of fixin's and sides, plus cobbler cooked in a dutch oven.



Everyone brings something to share and the group chips in for the turkeys. It's a warm, welcoming Texan environment that makes you feel right at home.



The beaches on each end of Galveston Island are large and mostly hard pack, making it perfect for landboards, kite buggys and land sailors.



I was at another event recently and the topic of DBBB was raised. It was during these conversations I realized that most people had no idea that "dead bird" was a dysphemism for turkey. One individual had attended DBBB a couple times before they realized the connection.

Now they know...and so do you.

After a two-year hiatus I look forward to returning this year. Hope to see you there.

Wildwood Buggy Bash

Wildwood Buggy Bash is held on the expansive beaches of Wildwood, New Jersey. Once famous for boardwalk amusements and ferris wheels, this area is fast becoming the most popular spot on the east coast for kite buggying.



Over one-hundred power kite enthusiasts were in attendance this October. Plenty of wind and sunshine brought smiles to everyone’s face all weekend long. HQ Kites was on hand with a ton of gear for demo, including the new Apex III, Montana VI and Toxic. One rider liked the new Apex so much, he rode off one morning and did not return all day! Friday winds were very strong and gusty out of the west. Turbulence from buildings made for bumpy wind. Beamers were the kite of choice. Nothing munches a gust better than a Beamer! We look forward to returning to Wildwood next May for the spring edition.

http://www.wildwoodbuggybash.com/

Racing returns to Kitestorm

Kitestorm is an annual snowkiting event held on Lake Champlain, Vermont, just north of Burlington. Sponsored by Rachael and James of Stormboarding, the event featured clinics, demonstrations, racing, cool prizes, buffet banquet and plenty of freeriding.

Hydra on ice

HQ Powerkite freeride

The HQ Powerkites Team drove up from North Carolina with a huge quiver of foils to sample. We were pleased to witness a thin layer of powder fall Thursday night, providing a lake surface that could be ridden by ski, snowboard or buggy. Plenty of new enthusiasts got a great introduction to the sport over the weekend.

ice buggy

Circuit racing returned to the lake with heats stretched over Saturday & Sunday. The Grand Prize was sweet - a 2010 HQ Montana V 9.5m kite!

One sweet ride

Rachel conducts the race meeting

Chris Krug took top honors, but we hear his lovely wife and fellow racer Molly Savard, will claim rights to the kite. At times Molly raced with an Apex II 10m and is stoked to be adding to her HQ collection.

Molly rides to a finish on her Apex

Sunday brought the smoothest northwest breeze that did not disappoint. It was freeriders paradise.

Sunday was epic

Neo II - At home on liquid or solid H2O

Scout II is beginner friendly

Craig Young kite wrangler

We look forward to next year!

Win a new HQ Montana V Kite

Win a brand new 2010 HQ Montana V

Don’t miss your chance! Enter the Kitestorm Circuit Race on Saturday, February 20th for your chance to win the grand prize – a 2010 HQ Montana V 9.5m kite.

Kitestorm is an annual event held on Lake Champlain, Vermont – February 20-21st, just outside of Burlington.

Never been snow kiting?

At Kitestorm you can get a taste of the sport in the free clinics, freeride to your heart's content and challenge yourself against yourself and others in the first Kitestorm Around the Islands race. For more information, contact Stormboarding at 802.578.6120 or e-mail: rachael@stormboarding.com

Team HQ Powerkites will be on location with a huge quiver of Montana Vs, Neo IIs, Apex IIs, Scout IIs, Hydras and Rush Pros for you to sample.

But we digress…

The Circuit Race will be for all riders looking for a reasonable challenge and some personal satisfaction. The lucky winner will take to the snow with the HQ Montana V 9.5m.

The Montana V is a highly refined foil kite that combines stability and performance using developments in paragliding technology. A higher aspect ratio with more efficient profile provides increased depower and quicker turning speed. The flexible canopy better absorbs gusts for a smoother ride. The Montana V is easy to handle and offers high-end performance for the demanding pilot. The bar system has been redeveloped and the new molded 'EVO' chicken loop offers increased safety and user-friendliness. It packs tightly into an ergonomic backpack with attachment points for all kinds of boards, helmets and harnesses. Whether you want to explore the backcountry or focus on freestyle, the Montana V delivers.

Design Features:

- Leash-less safety system

- Double pulley speed system with Ronstan Stainless Steel Pulleys

- Y-Line design with colored lines

- New 50 cm (7m, 9.5m) or 60 cm (12.5m) composite bar and state of the art chicken loop

- Redesigned shape for more turning speed and depower

- Water repellent skin, highest quality materials

- Bomb proof construction

- Simple relaunch

- Easy handling

- Dirt-outs at wing tips

See you on the ice!

Nor'Easter

South Nags Head

I recently witnessed the worst weather on Outer Banks since my return two summers ago - a true Nor'easter.

Hwy 12 in Kitty Hawk

So much rain fell over the span of three days that unless you had high ground, you had a pool of water under your feet.

Between the highways in Kitty Hawk

Many ocean front homes have been under duress for years. Coastal erosion is a serious problem for these property owners. Once their septic system is compromised the Health Department condemns the house. There is no municipal waste treatment on this sandbar.

Indian chief statue stares North East

Nags Head Comfort Inn

HQ Kites Relocates USA Headquarters

Kite distributor expands business toward North Carolina’s Outer Banks

HQ Kites & Designs, Inc., a German-based kite & toy distribution company has announced plans to locate their North American headquarters in Powells Point, an Outer Banks community located in lower Currituck County. The new location will double their current footprint and provide office and warehouse space for products to be distributed to retail stores throughout North and South America. HQ Kites & Designs, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Invento, a privately-held corporation based in Rastede, Germany and founded in 1993. The company plans to begin operating at the new site by Novermber 30, 2009.

In both Europe and North America, the HQ brand is known for their wide range of high quality kites, ranging from easy-to-fly kites for children to power kites that are used for kiteboarding and snow kiting. HQ also produces a variety of lawn & garden décor and air toys.

The company chose to locate in Currituck County because of lower business costs, proximity to kite & kiteboarding retailers, and enhanced exposure for HQ’s product line and customer base. “HQ is excited to be operating from the Outer Banks, home of the Wright Brothers first flight, and now the ‘Mecca of Windsports’ for kite flying, kite surfing, and windsurfing. Being on the Outer Banks will open up marketing opportunities for our business. Because so many people come here to enjoy the natural resources, it offers great exposure for our products,” stated Chris Shultz, Vice President of Sales. “The quality of life for our employees will be enhanced by living the lifestyle inspired by our products.”

About HQ Kites

HQ Kites & Designs USA is a national sales and distribution company located in Chesapeake, Virginia. As a 100% subsidiary of Invento GmbH from Germany, HQ Kites has an international background using a worldwide network of designers and engineers to ensure the highest level of innovation and quality. Our entire line of HQ Kites™, Windspiration™ lawn and garden spinners, HQ Powerkites and other outdoor toys are created for fun and engineered to last.

Hood River

HQ Kites recently introduced the NEO II to the kiteboarding industry during the AWSI trade show in Hood River, Oregon.

The event featured over 30 exhibitors set up outdoors along the scenic Columbia River Gorge, which is famous for wind.

New team rider Willie Stacey of Idaho joined HQ USA staffers Craig Young and myself for the demonstrations and product presentations. Retailers from across Canada, USA, and South America were on hand to test new products in ideal conditions.

Downwinder to New Inlet

Craig Young and I avoided the crowds at Real's Triple-S on Sunday. They had sceduled a "Planet of the Apes" run. Instead, we crusied downwind from KHK in Waves to the New Inlet. Winds were pretty smooth averaging around 20 mph. I flew my 8m NEO and at first thought I might be a little underpowered. But as we took off I realized it was perfect. It allowed me some freedom to really try different things and work on my transitions. Did my first backroll. Rode toe side for the first time on the water (been doing on land with my ATB). And really figured out how to jump...just need to work on those landings! It really felt like my skill reached another level. One step closer to some wave riding on the ocean.

Grand Haven

20th Annual Great Lakes Kite Festival

HQ Powerkites World Tour stop - OBX

Beautiful weather welcomed the HQ Powerkites World Tour to the Outer Banks (OBX).

Our destination on Saturday was the cashmere sands of Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, North Carolina.

Jockey’s Ridge is like a dream. Atop the 100 foot (30 m) dunes are spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and Albemarle Sound waters with clean winds from any direction. Best of all there is plenty of soft and forgiving sand for jumping, scudding, kite flying and hang gliding. Between the dunes are small, hard-packed areas that can be ridden with a buggy. However, Craig Young demonstrated how a buggy with standard wheels and a large kite could roll right over dunes. Warm temperatures, sunny skies and winds of 15 mph+ made for a fun filled day. The entire HQ Powerkite range was available for trial and the HQ Team USA staff (Tim Baxmeyer, Melanie Pargmann & myself) was on hand to offer free lessons and guidance. New friends were made and that evening we retreated to a local tavern for a BBQ deck party and views of the sunset over the water.On Sunday, the tour headed 30 miles (50 km) south to Waves, North Carolina on Hatteras Island. Chris Moore and his fine staff hosted the day’s events at the new Kitty Hawk Kites flagship store and kiteboarding resort, which featured lots of action with the NEO and Hydra water relaunchable kites. Many kite boarders gave the NEO a trial. Some beginners used the 8m NEO for their first body drags. A line of novices gathered in the water to use Hydra trainers for their introduction to the sport. There is nothing like getting pulled head first into the water for the very first time! Again, Mother Nature smiled and provided us with southwest winds of 15-20 mph, sunny skies and warm 61 F (16 C) water temperatures.

It is a good feeling when you wake on Monday with sore muscles. The Outer Banks is kiting Nirvana and we long to return for another session.

NABX - North American Buggy Expo

Once known as the Spring Break Buggy Blast, this has been an annual event on the Ivannaph dry lake for years. Located on the state line of Nevada - California, it offers not only great venue for land sailing, but cheap lodging at the Terrible's Resorts nearby in Primm, NV.


Nearly 200 wind enthusists gathered on the lake bed. This year offered a lot of wind...with two days providing 35+ mph winds and gust up to 50+.

Matched my personal best speed of 55 mph in a buggy. A teamrider from Holland hit 77?!?!?!