SEKA Newsletter 2008 Atmosphere08 Westward Ho! 25 th - 27 th April 08 The biggest gathering of kites on a beach in the UK to date, the aim of Atmosphere08, no matter whether on a board, buggy or on the water was for everyone to have as much fun as possible. The weather teased everyone on the first day, occasional threatening rain - but that didn t dampen any spirits and the sun soon came out providing a good southerly wind throughout Friday and Saturday. It was my first time at Westward Ho! and I was astounded by the size of the sandy beach and the amount of people in buggy s and on boards and the amount of kites in the air. With so much going on with races and competitions there was defiantly no time for boredom. As soon as you started the drive up the track towards the beach you could feel the huge urge to grab your kite and get on the beach, you almost couldn t park quickly enough. When not in the air there were many people to talk to including team riders and managers who were happy to reveal a few of their secrets. And to try kites and equipment you wouldn t usually get a chance to try out. It was also good to meet other SEKA members from other areas attending the event. Back at the campsites bbq s were set up and people started applying after sun to calm their sunburnt skin, getting sand out from those places and opening up cans and bottles. Competition results and prize giving were held in the bar which Martin did very well. The fun didn t stop there with the inflatable assault course to contend with, for which we all got into teams and realised wasn t going to be as easy as it had originally sounded.
On the Sunday the tide took longer to go out and the wind didn t pick up until much later, which was just as well as it gave a lot of time to sleep off the night before. By midday the tide was out far enough to use the beach and with the wind hitting 15mph the beach was once again busy with people getting in their final fly before heading home. Nobody wanted to head home at the end of the third day but all good things must come to an end. Atmosphere 09 is just around the corner so I m looking forward to doing it all over again. For more information on the 2009 event see www.atmosphere09.co.uk Gothika Southampton Kite Festival Lords Hill 21 st - 22 nd June Saturday morning started wet but soon dried up when the sun came out. With our own sectioned off area for traction and taster sessions, good wind and warm weather it looked like we were in for a good weekend. Solent Kite Flyers had set up a demonstration arena and we had two slots of 15 minutes each twice a day so we could show the public exactly what SEKA is all about with a commentated demonstration (thank you Spook for jumping in the deep end and grabbing the microphone). The displays succeeded in catching the public s attention and we soon had the lots of people asking us loads of questions and having a go with the kites. We were hoping for the same on the Sunday and it started off warm and sunny but alas when we had finished in the arena we came back to the tent to find our traction area had been taken over by one line kites, dogs and families picnicking causing us to make the decision to cancel further traction and tasters for the day. As the day was quietening down the traction area became clear enough to have a buggy or board and so we grabbed the chance to get out again. The BBC were at the festival filming for a new series called Britain from Above and a few of the SEKA guys were filmed only to end up on the cutting room floor in the edit room of the BBC.
Over the weekend we had lots of interest and we gained several new members. Next year will see SEKA return for more of the same, except we will have a roped off area. See you there. Gothika Margate International Kite Festival 20 th - 21 st September This year promised to be a bigger and better Margate International Kite Festival, as it was moved to a prime location by Margate Council so that it was on the famous Margate Beach, having be held at Palm Bay Green the previous year. A large stretch of the sea front was closed off, allowing the public to wander amongst the kite stores, food stores, rides and amusements. We had a prime location next to the main entrance to the beach so almost every visitor saw us and we had lots of interest throughout both days. We were due to due some traction demonstrations in the arena but alas the beach was too soft even for the big foots to getting going, so the traction had to be cancelled and there wasn t enough room outside the arena for static flying which left us on a windy beach and grounded to the SEKA marquee during a warm and sunny two days with 14mph to 17mph east north easterly wind. The warm weather brought out the public in masses and they enjoyed a mixture of 2 line and single line flying. Peter Lynn s attendance during both days proved a highlight of the weekend and we understand that plans are underway to hold the festival on the same beach next year. Gothika Eastbourne Extreme 19 th 20 th July The taster sessions went well and all the people who tried a kite or a buggy ride left smiling and hopefully with a new hobby. The new SEKA tent made a welcome debut; it stood the wind (which some of the flag posts didn t) and caught people s attention with the SEKA logo and bright red side panels colour.
Saturday was a warm day, however a strong and gusty wind meant that the early taster sessions couldn t go ahead and a few of the pro s unfortunately had to go but we managed to put on demonstrations that entertained the crowd and showed them just what can be done with a kite and/or buggy or board. The Saturday night BBQ at the St John s Campsite was entertaining for lots of reasons, special thanks goes out to Martin who spent hours over a hot BBQ cooking to make sure we all got fed and to Fee for her wicked mojitos. The wind was warmer and calmer on the Sunday and the day was a lot busier, we a steady wind we had the pros out in the arena enjoying themselves and putting on a great display for the public. The taster sessions and tandem buggy rides were very busy with kids queuing up at every session to give flying a try. Thank you to all the SEKA members that attended and helped with Eastbourne Extreme this year. A great weekend was had by all. A special mention as well to Toxic knot and to all of those who helped to organise the event behind the scenes. We look forward to seeing you again at SB13. Gothika SEKA race series 2009 A slightly shaky start to the year saw no racing at the first two venues of 2008 SEKA Race Series, but once racing got under way at Greatstone in April it proved to be another great success for the club. The series, like 2007 provided an entertaining spectacle for those watching from the sidelines, whilst for the pilots it provided slightly more challenging conditions. Over 20 buggiers and boarders took part at some point during a year which also saw SEKA hold its first race at West Wittering, which we hope will be the first of many.
The 2008 SEKA Race Series winners are Buggy Race Series 2008 Results 1 st place Titch - 42 points 2 nd place Martinp - 56 points 3 rd place Martin - 58 points Board Race Series 2008 Results 1 st place Steveh - 18 points 2 nd place Martin - 26 points 3 rd place Flexi dan - 38 points A special thank you goes out to Creaky, our Race Marshal this year and to all who helped marshal the races, without you the race series could not go ahead. 2009 Calendar BuggyMadchris our club secretary, has once again created another spectacular SEKA calendar, full of kiting photographs taken by club members throughout the year. This is a highly desirable calendar whether for the home or workplace with an order form. As usual a small amount of the cost will also go to club funds, so as well as showing your excellent taste and discretion by buying one, you will also be helping the club carry on its work. It even has all of the SEKA dates for 2009! To make it even easier for you, we have attached the order form to the end of this newsletter or you can order on-line through the club website. Get your order in now and solve your Christmas present problems!
A special thanks to all those members who have kindly allowed us to use their superb photos to make this calendar. Christmas Gifts If like me you haven t yet completed your Christmas shopping don t forget the to have a look at the SEKA Shop where in addition to the Calendar you can find a whole range of SEKA products available from under 15. Pin Badges Keyrings Cufflinks 2.00 each 3.50 each 7.50 per pair SEKA Standard T-shirt Ladies Top SEKA "Say what you think" T-shirt SEKA Kids T-shirt 11.00 11.00 15.00 10.00 Dates for 2009 7 th February - Event Day - Queens Parade, Hampshire 7th March - SEKA AGM & Event Day tbc 10-12 th April - SB12 Hunstanton, Norfolk 17 th May - Event Day - Lords Hill, Hampshire 20 th June - Epsom - Static Event Day 18-19 th July - SB13 Eastbourne Extreme, Princes Park, East Sussex 15 th August - Event Day - Bulverhythe Hastings, East Sussex 26-27 th September SB14 - Les Hemmes, France 24 th October - Event Day - Queens Parade, Aldershot, Hampshire 28 th November - Event Day Greatstone, Kent 5 th December - SEKA Christmas Party
And Finally SEKA is the kind of club that relies on its members to make things happen. If you have an idea that you think the club could or should be doing, please don t keep it to yourself. We have done some great things already just look at Eastbourne Extreme, raising money for charity at Hoylake24 last year. Just think what could you do? If you want to do something, your Area Rep and the Committee will give you all the support they can, so don t just have a think, do! Remember it s you that needs to be making things happen. The Committee, Reps and SPoCs are here to support the members, not the other way round! Fly safe and have fun! BuggyMadChris:: SEKA Secretary If you have any comments on the newsletter, or articles you would like included, mail me at secretary@seka.org.uk Thanks to Gothika,, Martinp and Titch for providing articles and information for this newsletter. Thanks to Crispy, Red Panda and BuggyMadChris for the photos. SEKA Supporting Everyone s Kiting Activities www.seka.org.uk
SEKA 2009 Calendar Another full page-per-month calendar is now available and here s your chance to get hold of one (or more) for the bargain price of 7.00 each. That s a whole 1 cheaper than last year! Keep track of all the SEKA events whilst marvelling at the fun and frolics we ve enjoyed over the last 12 months. The 2009 SEKA Calendar is a 13 page full colour A4 masterpiece with the best photos that the members have taken over the year. To get yours simply fill out the form below and send it off with your payment or click here to order online. SEKA 2009 Calendar Order Form I want one In fact I want: Calendars @ 7.00 each I enclose payment for: Cheques should be made payable to South East Kiting Association Name: Address: Post Code Send to: SEKA Calendars, PO Box 37, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8YL www.seka.org.uk