PRESS ROOM
News Item
3Degrees, Wind Power Make History on San Francisco Bay
Donation from 3Degrees Makes Event Carbon Neutral
The largest ship ever powered solely by a kite in U.S. waters--a 308,000 lb. commercial barge--glided across San Francisco Bay as part of the second annual Family Day Kite Festival on Saturday September 15, 2007. The enormous wind sail that pulled the vessel, a 3,000 sq ft traction kite designed by KiteShip of Martinez, California, was only one of the many astonishing and innovative kites flown at the festival.
Held on the panoramic Marina Green overlooking San Francisco Bay, the week-end festival included the broadest range of kites ever assembled, from paper kites made by local children to high-tech contraptions flown by professionals from across the United States; from a quarter inch to 1,000 feet in length; from stationary American diamond kites to fidgety and maneuverable Indian fighter kites.
While some flyers stood still to maneuver single, double and even four-line kites, others rode kite buggies (able to travel over 70 mph), kite boards that have skimmed the waves at 51 mph, kite boats that race through the water at up to 35 mph, and the historic kite ship, which traveled at a stately 3 mph.
A panel of celebrity judges picked winners of 8 contests:
Funniest: Rhonda Davidson – “Blue Genie” – a 7’ wide, single-surface, modified cobra kite
Biggest: Blake Pelton – “Neptune” – a 46’ long, inflated parafoil
Smallest: Susan Skinner (President of the American Kitefliers Association) – “Handmade Diamond” – a ¼“ long traditional diamond kite
Longest Tail: Department of Tethered Aviation – “The Red Line” – a 637’ long tail supported by a 20’ wide inflated flowform
Most Innovative: Mike Hagan – “EO” – a 2’ wide foldable, cellular EO6
Best Ground Display: David Sabilino – “My Menagerie” – an artistic assortment of feather banners and Wayne Knott kites
Most Beautiful: Mike Hagan – “Marilyn” – a 10‘ wide, three-stick diamond with lace panties
Best of Show: Department of Tethered Aviation – “The Red Line” – a 670’ long flowform with tapered tube tail
Founded by Ron Young, the AKA sanctioned Festival was honored with a special “Family Day in San Francisco” proclamation by Mayor Gavin Newsom. 3Degrees reduced the carbon footprint of the festival by donating 50 MWh (megawatt hours) of Renewable Energy Certificates from California wind farms. The event was sponsored by KRON 4, the Lawrence Hall of Science, Da Vinci: An Exhibition of Genius and Howtoons.