Big long weekend coming up in Hamilton with the Vodafone X*Air

It's all happening 6th and 7th Feb (Waitangi weekend):
Friday 6th- daytime
International Wakeboarding, BMX demos and laid back tunes. Hora Hora Domain, Lake Karapiro
Friday night- Nightime
X*Air Music - 5 kick ass NZ bands, international demos,best trick competitions and jam sessions.
Saturday 7th- all day
X*Air land- Skate street & vert bmx fmx etc etc... 130 athletes chasing the cash and 8 hours of cranking NZ music.
more details go to:
www.xair.co.nz

and

Sunday 8th: Raglan Free ride
Raglan river mouth from 2.00pm(high tide 1.00pm)
xairkitestyle--- no organisation no entry no judges no results just pure free ride. All welcome

now that is what i am talking about...

sounds sweet bro,lov watchin then fools crash,hows your boat ,and are you takin it with u .

sweet - me, torch, probably KT (and his boys?) will be there. I've not seen much wakeboarding before - looking forward to that and some partying and a bit of Raglan action.

Hi Gave

Adele myself and Roxanne are planning the trip down.
Were is a good place to stay??

Sorry Gavin.. not Gave.. :?

"Team Tama" will definately be there. Forecast is looking awesome for Raglan. X games looks like a great bonus. Cody turns 12 on Saturday so we are having a huge party in "Hamil-town" city Sat night starting in the Bank probably. Everyone is invited to attend and celebrate his birthday!
Unfortunately Cody can't make it himself as he has to be in bed by 9pm but his spirit lives thru me so................. lets get it on!!

Shred

Sounds like a good idea Shred.

Where are you guys staying? I need to book some thing but not sure were its all happening. Alex and Sam are probably going to stay with us. So I need to find some thing close to all the action and in walking distance, so Sam can crawl back home in the morning.

We are going to drive down some time on Friday morning.

Craig,
The X games are at Karapiro as Gav indicates above. The Tribe & I are staying at my sisters place in Hamilton. Great place as it comes complete with a sitter. I think the B-RAD and Torch will be staying with a friend in Hamilton. Thats another reason why we go to Raglan heaps, we are cheap ass kiters!!

There is a camping ground in Raglan near where we kite. But its a long way from Hamilton if you thinkin of stepping out with us Sat night. Unless you have a driver. All the pubs we head to are in the centre of the city.
There are plenty of motels in Hamilton.

We are headin down Fri Morning as well.
C.U.There!!

go to www.xair.co.nz then event info then bottom of page for the official xair hotel. Novotel Tainui... well flash and right in the heart of the action(party)

i have done a brief (but thorough), last minute check on accom for this weekend. loads of places are all booked out friday night (including Novotel, Fountain and Parklands), but free saturday night. Prices for saturday are: Novotel ($140 for 2DB beds), Fountain (~$1301DB or 2 singles), Parklands (~$70 for 2SB). Motor lodges are just as expensive starting at $70/80 upwards for 2 people plus ~$15/person after)... and pretty crap inside!).

The best one i found was the Kingsgate (100 Garnett Ave)... affiliated with the millenium and copthorne. its pimped out with 3 spa pools, 2 steam rooms and a tidal wave pool (to help alleviate any water withdrawal symptoms!), & satellite tv... blah blah!

it is 3km from city, and 3.5km from the showgrounds and a room with 2 DB costs $115/night (or $100 with a entertainment discount card). and it has vacancy's friday and saturday night. Dont all rush and book cause i haven't yet!

apologies if this turns out to be bull #=*!.... i blame the night shift girl who picked up the phone!

craig.... i strongly encouraged sam to find some other mates- as i think i speak for both of us that we have enough trouble looking after ourselves never mind that head case! i know... i spent new year with him. he has opted for the bin liner and bus shelter option... so all is sweet!!!!

special weekend rate is $99 and not $115 that i was quoted last night (best call during the day!).

also, a room with 1xDB and 1XSG is the same price as a room with 1xqueen and 1xDB! (but only 2 people are supposed to stay/room!)

raglan is currently blowing 15 to 20 knots so looking like another epic ragas day. high tide at 1.00pm but with the wind this strong will probably hit the water earlier

So what?

Some wind?
Some pics ?
Some footages ?


If there is nothing more about this Raglan Freeride, is there a way to unstick this bloody sticky thing ???

Hi Gavin and the rest of ya's, hope the weekend went well, pissed I was not there, hope to catch up with you all soon. sorry didnt log in forgot my login, its been a while.
John Ashmore

A bit late but the weekend was awesome.

It was the first time I have kited down at Raglan. Great spot!!
We had a few locals asking us if there was an event on, as they had not seen so many kite surfers out before. I think some of them thought we were nuts. (Beginning to think we are). Who wants to be normal any way?? !!

I had the life saver bird come up to me and ask If we wanted to make a donation as they rescued a board and some one from the out going tide. I know whos board it was but not sure who was rescued.

I think the funniest thing over the weekend must have been Devets wetsuit (camo green army style). Mate you spent too much time in the Arm in SA. Mind you my wife said she liked it... Makes you think.. At least you kept the sharks away.