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.