How to Snowkite, Volume No.1: Basics
30 Mar 2008- Details
The snowkitefilm.com crew has produced yet another quality DVD. Departing from the freestyle snowkite film genre used for “Entropy” and “Something Stronger,” videographer Morten Gjerstad and crew have assembled an instructional film, appropriately labeled “How to Snowkite, Volume No. 1: Basics.” The film covers a very complete range of topics, such as weather, clothing, equipment, techniques for flying various kites types on snow (foil, c, flat, etc.), expedition kiting, boosting, etc.
Don’t be fooled, “How to Snowkite” is not just for beginners. It belongs in every snowkiter’s DVD collection. Lasting for over an hour, the film crams more snowkite knowledge into that time than I’ve learned in years of snowkiting. For example, the section that covers self-launching a foil kite during strong winds from the edge of the wind-window (when it’s too strong to launch directly downwind) was new to me. Additionally, there were very good suggestions for choosing equipment, expedition kiting, weather, and much more. I was impressed to see that the script was translated clearly and precisely into English and narrated by a native North American. Overall, "How to Snowkite" was the most complete source of snowkite techniques and information that I have yet encountered.
While the film is of impressive length and packed with quality content, the snowkitefilm.com team could make one improvement in organizing the English portion of the film (viewers have option between Norwegian or English language). While the narration was crystal clear, including “chapter summaries” with bullet pointed highlights of the previously covered material would make it easier for viewers to remember and retain key concepts. Other than this minor suggestion, there are few (if any)other improvements that could make “How to Snowkite” any better.
Regardless of whether you’re an experienced snowkiter or a beginner, I suggest that you get a copy of “How to Snowkite, Volume No. 1: Basics.” Already know everything about snowkiting? Put your know-how to the test. If you don’t learn something new, at least you’ll have a complete set when Volume No. 2 is released… Which, if it follows the snowkitefilm.com tradition, is guaranteed to raise the bar.