11th Annual XtremeBigAir's KiteXPO April 12 - 14, 2013 - Pismo Beach - California
Information for Exhibitors or Vendors of the KiteXPO 2013 - Click Here
11th Annual Pismo Beach KiteXpo April 11 – 14, 2013, Pismo Beach, California
After two days of checking out the latest gear on the beach, the wind finally arrived in Pismo Beach and patient participants were rewarded with a long late day kiteboarding session in ideal demo conditions.
Today started out with another amazing raffle loaded with amazing prizes.
Some lucky kiteboarders walked away with a brand new kite or board and a majority of riders in attendance walked away with at least some great swag that had been donated by the vendors.
The wind was forecasted to show up today and it finally did at about 2:30 pm. As soon as the whitecaps hit the beach riders flooded the water on 10-12m kites.
The wind stayed on until the end of the day, providing a great end to the 2013 Kite Expo with perfect riding conditions.
Thanks to all the riders who came out to check out the latest gear and help raise money for the Kinsley ThomasWong donation fund! See you in 2014!
A HUGE THANKS TO ALL THE 2013 KITE EXPO PARTICIPATING BRANDS:
Airush – Axis Kiteboarding – Best – Core – Dakine – F.One – Gaastra – Liquid Force – Litewave Designs – Loyd Surfboards – Manera Acccesories – Mystic – North – Ocean Helmets and Sunglasses – Peter Lynn – RRD – Slingshot – Xenon Kiteboards
Special thanks and appreciation to the following sponsors for stepping up with $500 or more value items!
Axis Kiteboarding – Airush – Best – Gaastra USA- Dakine – Kurtis Surf Googles and Sunglasses – Liquid Force – Litewave Designs – Loyd Surfboards – NE Wind – Overthewavesdesigns.com – Patagonia – Tudor Wines – Vela Kitesurf – the Franklin Family
While the forecasted wind never arrived here in Pismo Beach today, plenty of kiteboarders still made their way down to the beach to check out the latest kiteboarding equipment and talk to industry reps and professional riders.
While conditions weren’t great for kiteboarding, the weather was a perfect 76 degrees F with sunny skies. Participants spent the day taking a close look at all the 2013 gear set up on the beach.
There’s still plenty of time to come join us on the beach for the 11th annual Pismo Kite Expo, so head to Pismo Beach for the chance to demo the latest gear and make sure to buy at least a few raffle tickets to be entered to win the amazing raffle prizes on hand this year!
April 13-14: SUP demos 9:30 am to 11am or 12pm (or whenever wind starts blowing!), Kite demos 11a/12pm to 5 pm. Must be intermediate level or better kiteboarder, comfortable in crowds, able to do basic tricks/self rescue, sign waiver and provide CC info to demo kiteboarding gear.
April 13: Hawaiian-style BBQ courtesy of Maui Mike and the Lujan family followed by a bonfire on the beach, tunes, and fire dancing courtesy of Rachel and Grom of Best Kiteboarding/Pro Leezure. Musicians welcome!
Kiteboarders flocked to the sand in Pismo Beach, California, today for the second day of the 11th annual Pismo Beach Kite Expo. Today delivered perfect beach weather again, but the wind remained light for another day.
Thousands of dollars of prizes were raffled off today and there’s one more raffle to go Sunday morning.
Today was capped off with a Hawaiian-style BBQ courtesy of the legendary Maui Mike and the Lujan family followed by a bonfire on the beach and fire dancing courtesy of Rachel and Grom of Best Kiteboarding/Pro Leezure.
Tomorrow (Sunday) has the best wind forecast of the event and is your last chance to win prizes, try new gear, and meet kiteboarding industry reps and pro riders.
Come join us on the beach!
April 14: SUP demos 9:30 am to 11am or 12pm (or whenever wind starts blowing!), Kite demos 11a/12pm to 5 pm. Must be intermediate level or better kiteboarder, comfortable in crowds, able to do basic tricks/self rescue, sign waiver and provide CC info to demo kiteboarding gear.
Join us on the beach for:
- Trainer kite area for those interested in getting into the sport. For those wanting to get continue with lessons, California Kiteboarding is offering free t-shirt with lesson and IKO Instructor James Ropner is offering to donate 50% of lesson costs back to the ThomasWong donation fund. Trainer Kite lessons only offered between 11a and 2p Fri, Sat and Sun.
- How to Recognized and Help an Injured Kiter clinic will be held Saturday at 11a right after the raffle for Friday’s prizes (see below). Got 20 minutes? Your response could make a big difference in someone’s life!
- Killer raffle including a brand new Best Cabo wave kite, $1000 credit toward Vela holiday of your choice, custom board from NE Wind Italy and more!
- New layout adds buffer zone on either side of every two brands for more launching/landing room
- 10% discount at Sea Venture Hotel in Pismo Beach when you mention Kitexpo. This is an awesome property located directly on the beach by the pier with on site restaurant, walking distance to restaurants/bars and private jacuzzi on each deck when you mention Kitexpo
- $99 king bed room special offered by Oxford Suites when you mention KiteXpo
- Litewave Dave has two rooms available in killer beach house for $50 pp/night. Email info@litewavedesigns.com
- Got family or a group? Contact www.coastalvacations.net and ask for Bille
- For other lodging options see www.classiccalifornia.com
PARTICIPATING BRANDS:
Airush – Axis Kiteboarding – Best – Core – Dakine – F.One – Gaastra – Liquid Force – Litewave Designs – Loyd Surfboards – Manera Acccesories – Mystic – North – Ocean Helmets and Sunglasses – Peter Lynn – RRD – Slingshot – Xenon Kiteboards
Mark your calendars! This year’s event will be April 11 – 14, 2013.
Interested in donating something toward the ThomasWong raffle fundraiser? Email marina@thekiteboarder.com
April 11: Winemaker’s Dinner/Kinsley’s Birthday Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant. Seating limited to 60 people. Email marina@thekiteboarder.com to get on invite list. We have organized an amazing winemaker’s fundraiser dinner the evening of April 11 with 91 to 93 point pinot’s courtesy of Tudor Wines. Cost is $85/pp and space is limited. This dinner will be held at the best Italian restaurant in the county with meat, vegetarian and paleo options.
April 12-14: SUP demos 9a – 12p, Kite demos 12p to 5p.
April 13: Hawaiian-style BBQ courtesy of Maui Mike and the Lujan family followed by bonfire on the beach and tunes. Musicians welcome!
- Trainer kite area for those interested in getting into the sport
- Pro rider clinics in the works!
- Killer raffle prizes including a brand new Best Cabo wave kite, custom board from NE Wind Italy and trip from Vela!
- New layout adds buffer zone on either side of every two brands for more launching/landing room
- 10% discount at Sea Venture Hotel in Pismo Beach when you mention Kitexpo. This is an awesome property located directly on the beach by the pier with on site restaurant, walking distance to restaurants/bars and private jacuzzi on each deck
- Other lodging options see www.classiccalifornia.com
Get ready for some strong winds and pumping surf at the 11th Annual KiteXpo this weekend!
FORECAST: Persistently strong to gale-force (25 to 38 mph) northwesterly winds will produce night and morning low clouds, fog and cooler coastal temperatures Thursday and continuing through the weekend with an 8- to 10-foot northwesterly sea and swell (with a 7- to 14-second period) forecasted along our coastline. Thank you wind gods!
SATURDAY BBQ/BONFIRE UPDATE:
Peter Lynn and Best Kiteboarding will be sponsoring a keg at the beach bbq/bonfire on Saturday. BBQ is $15 for Maui Mike’s aloha chicken, salad, beans, roll and beverage. If you drink beer a $5 additional donation would be appreciated. All proceeds to benefit the ThomasWong family thanks to the Lujan family! Only 100 tickets available at registration so get them before they run out! After the BBQ, we’ll be treated to Fire Dancing courtesy of the Pro Leezure crew making their way from Baja back to the Northwest. BBQ will start at 7p, with all activities over by 11p.
RAFFLE UPDATE: We will have daily raffles on Saturday morning, Sat before the BBQ and Sunday before the wind comes up. Raffle tickets will only be good for that day’s prizes will all tickets going into the pot for Sunday’s grand prizeraffle so Friday raffle items will be drawn Saturday morning around 10:30a right before the How to Recognize a Severely Injured Kiter Clinic (got 20 minutes? How you react to an accident scene could make a big difference in someone’s life), Saturday’s raffle items will be drawn Sat evening around 6p before the BBQ and Sunday’s raffle including the final will be around 12noon. Special thanks to the following for stepping up as major sponsors of $500 or more. We have over $12K in prizes you could win!
Axis Kiteboarding: Vanguard Board – Best: 2013 11m Cabo complete – Gaastra USA: 2013 7m Jekyll (kite only) – Dakine: his and her’s split roller bags, backpacks and hoodies – Kurtis Surf Googles and Sunglasses: new mutating lens shades – Litewave Designs: 127 Spirit board, deck only – Loyd Surfboards: custom Loyd kiteboard – NE Wind: custom NE wind board modeled after split board design – Overthewavesdesigns.com: custom wine barrel rocking chair – Patagonia: Down puffy, his/her’s bathing suits, R2 wetsuit – Vela Kitesurf: $1000 credit toward Vela Kitesurf trip of winner’s choice
Wind is cranking, sun is shining and the Pismo Beach Kite and SUP Expo is just a few weeks away. Here’s your chance to try out all the new 2013 gear in one place from the following participating brands:
Airush – Axis Kiteboarding – Best – Core – Dakine – F.One – Gaastra – Liquid Force – Litewave Designs – Loyd Surfboards – Manera Acccesories- Mystic – North – Ocean Helmets and Sunglasses – Peter Lynn – RRD – Slingshot -Xenon Kiteboards
RAFFLE will be held at BBQ on Sat and sometime on Sunday depending on wind. Winners must be present to claim prizes (we will have list of Sat raffle winners available on Sunday. If prize is not claimed by the time Sunday raffle begins, it will go back into the mix!). So far, we have over $10K in prizes to giveaway including:
Patagonia men’s R2 Wetsuit, Men’s down puffy, men’s Wayfarer shorts and Women’s bikini www.patagonia.com
Dakine his and her’s split rollers, caps, sweatshirts and backpacks www.dakine.com
Three pairs of Kurtis Watersports Sunglasses including World’s first mutating lens! www.kurtisusa.com
Still looking for lodging? Support our lodging partners!
Oceanfront resort with killer restaurant, walk to downtown Pismo. 10% off when you mention Kitexpo www.seaventure.com
http://www.coastalvacationrentals.net
10% Discount at Sea Venture Resort when you mention KiteXpo
Kite right out front of the hotel and downwind to the the event site. Then enjoy a private hot tub on your balcony as you soak away the day’s session. Killer restaurant on premise (best brunch in town!) and walking distance to shopping, bars and restaurants.
Looking for other lodging options or other things to do and see in Pismo? Check out www.classiccalifornia.com
10th Annual XtremeBigAir's KiteXPO April 13 - 15, 2012 was a huge success. We had strong wind every day as early as 11 AM. Check it out:
This year’s event is the same location of last year at Grand Ave. Park in the lot by Fin’s Restaurant for free, or you can drive on the beach, downwind of the event area for $5/day.
Live Webcams and Latest Wind Report/Forecast for XtremeBigAir's KiteXPO - Click Here
- Registration will be at the 26″ trailer, sponsored by luv2camp.com. Look for the Xtreme Big Air and The Kiteboarder flags. Use the sidewalk that runs parallel to Grand and next to Fin’s restaurant to enter.
- All registrants must be intermediate level kiteboarders able to go upwind and self rescue. You should also feel comfortable navigating and riding in tight conditions. All registrants must sign waiver and provide credit card info in case of damage due to negligent usage or loss of gear. All credit card info is destroyed immediately following the event. Registration is from 8:45a until 3p daily.
DEMO HOURS FOR SUP AND KITE, RAFFLE TIMES
- SUP will be available for demo from 9a until 12noon or whenver the wind starts blowing.must be set up no later than 9a daily.
- Kite and accessory vendors will be ready starting at 11a. Official kite demo hours are 12p to 5p.
LUV2CAMP.com - http://luv2camp.com/whatWeDo.html is a great alternative if you want to camp on the beach!
Stand Up Surfing - SUP Demos!
A great way to get your water fix and exercise when there�s no wind, the SUP demo portion of the event will take place between 9a to 12 noon daily. Confirmed participants SUP Accessory: DaKine,C4, Naish, Surf Industries, Paddlesurf Hawaii (pending) and still growing!
- * Registration: Daily from 8:45a until 2p
- * Demo Hours: 9a to 12p or whenever the wind starts blowing!*
- * Skill Level: Use at your own risk. Need to be comfortable in the ocean, aware of others.
- * Other: Must sign waiver and provide credit card info security deposit to demo gear. Demos limited
to 20 minutes unless otherwise arranged with vendor.
Free Demo 2013 Gear and Accessories!
Kite Demo Hours: 12p to 5p
With all the new innovations in kiteboarding, you won’t want to miss KiteXpo 2013!
Come test all the latest 2013 gear FOR FREE at the KiteXpo 2013 in Pismo Beach, California. Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Pismo Beach is a perfect venue for a testing event. Pismo offers a wide sandy beach and 8 miles of coastline; enough room for manufacturers to showcase their full 2013 line and plenty of space for you to test all the new stuff! Don’t miss this opportunity to meet directly with kiteboarding manufacturers and
ride the newest equipment at one of California's best and most consistent kiteboarding locations.
Pismo Beach is half way between San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX), about 3 1/2 hours by car. You can also fly into the San Luis Obispo (SBP) airport. Pismo Beach is on an expansive stretch of peaceful coastline. Discover why this area is known as one of the best secrets of California. Enjoy endless hours of outdoor activities including kiteboarding, paragliding, surfing, kayaking, ATV, horseback riding, skydiving, hiking, and mountain biking. Lush valleys that produce some of the finest vintages of wines and champagnes in the United States lie within a few minutes drive from Pismo Beach.
For lodging, RV and camping options check out
http://www.classiccalifornia.com/lodging.htm. You can also camp on the beach, which is available on a first come, first serve basis. A limited amount of passes are available for camping.
Directions to the KiteXPO at Pismo Beach:
Click for Driving Direction to GRAND Avenue - KiteXPO
Traveling south on US Hwy 101 from San Francisco and the Bay Area:
- Take 4th Street exit in Pismo Beach.
- Turn Left onto 4th Street. - Right on Grand Avenue to end.
Traveling North on US Hwy 101 from Santa Barbara and the Los Angeles - San Diego Area:
- Take 4th Street exit in Pismo Beach.
- Left on 4th Street - Right on Grand Avenue to end.
The KiteXPO is on the beach at end of GRAND Avenue, Pismo Beach.
Additional Information for local hotels:
-
Beach Comber Inn 805-773-5505: $109-1 Bed, $129-2 Beds microwave, coffeepot. Mini fridge in rooms, fireplaces, continental breakfast provide. Remodeled 2011. If book all seven rooms, ask for discount (no smoking or pets, 2 night minimum).
- Pismo Beach Hotel 805-773-4445: $89-Queen, $99-King
- Sea Venture Resort 800-662-5545: $189-Spa Deluxe Room
For more economical accommodations, try Motel 6 or Rose Garden Inn (rooms start at $40 double occ.). They are less than 10 minutes away from the event site.
Pismo Beach's Hotels, Motels and RV booking and more:
http://www.classiccalifornia.com/lodging.htm
http://www.slocountyparks.com/activities/oceano.htm
http://www.groverchamber.com/camp.html
http://www.aircamp.com/
http://www.oceanodunes.com
or 800.444.7275
We are locating in Shell Beach/Pismo Beach which is 10 miles south of San Luis Obispo or 100 Miles North of Santa Barbara or half way between Los Angeles(LAX) and San
Francisco(SFO). You can fly into the local small airport in San Luis Obispo(SBP) from either LAX or SFO. If you have your own helicopter or small airplane, you can fly into Oceano Airport and we will pick you up.
There are many things that you can do here: surfing, paragliding, kayaking, mt. biking, scuba diving, rock climbing, hiking, deepsea fishing, wine tasting, atv, etc... Shell Beach/Pismo Beach is really a wonderful place to spend your vacation.
Join us on the next World Famous
XtremeBigAir's KiteBoarding Xpeditions