Urban Kiting
This news piece has not yet been translated but will be soon, thank you for your patience. UK’s Powerkiteshop Team Rider Dan Eaton recently went to South America visiting Colombia and Ecuador. Packing the 9m and 11m Riot as his weapon of choice for some of the most uncompromising arena conditions yet.
Dan reports:”On my arrival to Medellin, Colombia it’s usual 35 degrees and fantastic scenery. It’s 1500m above sea level with the sun blasting through at a scary UV index of 14+! I stepped off the plane, slapped on the Factor 40 and was quickly whisked off for the press day to the arena floor for my first demo.
Still jetlagged I was met with one of the most demanding conditions I have ever had to demonstrate in - it was quite literally a town square with buildings on all sides, a 25m flying space and an overhead metro line to finish!
Soon enough though and up for the challenge I launched the Riot 11m on the nearby road and brought it into the square. The floor was super slippery and I was soon finding myself sliding towards the busy roads. With a little help from the other flyers I managed to get pulled back into the arena and I was onto my board. The square was small and with no arena barriers to keep the public out I was having to dodge the daily shoppers as well as keeping an eye out for the church spires, spiked fences, lamposts and avoiding the huge 20ft bronze statues. This was urban kiting at its best!
Moving North to Bogota for the main festivals was more favourable and despite the slightly colder conditions we were high in the mountains - making it great for going out in what seemed like stronger winds. I was still able to stick with the Riots and with the air being a lot thinner double kite loops in the arena were possible even with the 11m! The wind however was switching 180 degrees every 15 minutes which made flying incredibly difficult to get a decent succession of tricks in.
Overall though this was a fantastic trip and to join so many other flyers from around the world putting on a show for the crowds at Colombia and I would like to thank Ozone for sending me over with some superb kites that managed to withstand the difficult conditions - I must admit though I have caught the bug to do some more Urban Kiting though I suspect they would be less tolerant of it in the UK!”
Cheers Dan Eaton www.Powerkiteshop.com
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