NYC kitesurfer: storing and drying gear in a tiny apartment

[@andrewp1075]

Respect to all the kiters so dedicated that they just make it work for them whatever the situation.

[@erbartlett]

I’ve heard from people who have to drive hours to get to water… I think that would be the most painful

[@passatonvoisin]

I'm impressed how much gears you can cary. I've become more minimalist over the years. Depending on the forecast 1 or 2 kites, 1 board, voila! A bag large enough to stuff 2-3 kites or more is a must, like an inflatable SUP bag. I would definitely buy all my kites without a bag given the choice. For rinsing and drying, after years of messing up my place with dripping gears, this is my best solution: I mounted a double curtain track with nylon sliders on the ceiling of my bathroom, right down the middle, above the tub, with short cords tied two sliders, one on each track, so I can suspend hangers or anything I need on these cords. Cool part is I can slide and space them the way I need depending on the gears/season, it's flexible. I rinse all my neoprene, harness, etc in the tub with cold water, then hang everything on the track above until they stop dripping, then optionally finish drying in some other, more ventilated place. If somebody needs to take a shower, I can just push everything to one side, then pull it back out after. I usually put my dry bag last so it covers everything when pushed to one side, coz you don't want soap or hot water on your neoprene. If you do that, make sure the ceiling can hold the weight and use the proper fasteners, wet gears can get pretty heavy. I'm also trying to rinse at the beach and sometimes taking a camping shower (not powered, just working with gravity) to a session, but many beaches around NYC have showers (not working in winter though) Rockaways, Gilgo, Sandy Hook to name a few. Some of them are even heated with solar panels.

[@erbartlett]

I’ve been thinking about a camping shower, but haven’t tried one yet. Let me know if you find one that works

[@jeromeserre]

Thanks for the comprehensive sharing, you must have spent so much time filming and editing so that you got all scenarios! I'll take a lot of inspiration from your video!

[@erbartlett]

Thanks! Let me know if you come up with any new ideas! I’m always improving my system

[@jcva8270]

What i have seen working well drying kites after crashed session or when soaking wet from rain, is rolling the kite with the struts inflated and storing them vertically in the shower or in a large and high bin.

[@erbartlett]

That’s such a good idea. Do they dry that way?? Makes sense because it’s still a pretty small foot print so it would work in my apartment

[@jcva8270]

@@erbartlett you put the leading edge up so the water drains slowly down. Off course the drying is not perfect and depends on th and ventilation of the room

[@balancedbodyfitnessandwell7822]

Great video! Evan i am watching the video with open mouth (you put a tremendous effort into kiting, transportation and storage) My hat is off to you! You are certainly, a huge inspiration! Your video has reminded me and given me a renewed appreciation for the simplicity and blessing I have here. (Easy access to the Bay and Fire Island, plenty of storage, a rescue boat with a captain (my girlfriend), and my main boat for transportation and storage. Thank you!!! Great job!

[@jeromeserre]

You lucky boy! 😊

[@erbartlett]

The dream! I definitely need a way to get close to the water and more storage :)

[@M78-y7r]

Thanks for the great video, i figured out a similar system in my tiny apartment here… and I noticed that my wify is less mad about all the wet big stuff hanging everywhere when I clean the floor of sand and dirt as much as possible. Oh yes and of course make sure to pack the stuff away as soon as it is dry. Might be obvious but we should remember that some non-surfing partners might not share the same stoke as we do, especially when it comes to keeping the apartment clean and tidy.

[@erbartlett]

haha, yep. when we first moved in together we were in a studio... and i invested in a splitboard so i could completely hide it from view...she now kites and we are married, so it was worth the investment :). the real joy is now watching how excited my daughter gets when im assembling a foil or putting new straps on, she keeps saying she wants to come kite with me (she's 2)

[@M78-y7r]

@@erbartlett that sounds like a really sweet daughter, seems you all get along really well👍

[@robertstad8796]

You have tiny apartment but also a spare bathroom, a patio and access to a massive roof. That’s more space then most people with a normal house 😃

[@erbartlett]

I’ve definitely got a good setup as far as city setups! Most people with homes have a garage and a back yard which would be the dream!

[@whitewolfIOM]

Well done on making it work and sharing. Kiting not the easiest of sports and cold another factor which complicates it .

[@erbartlett]

Thanks! Any other topics I should make a video about?

[@SuperCousi]

Merci pour les trucs

[@andyrogers2578]

Wow....I feel blessed to have a garage in the 'burbs! At least you have one less kite to store now. ;)

[@erbartlett]

I’ll have to make a video about that adventure :)

[@-quantumhealinghome31]

To dry everything you can use humidifier. And if there is no balkony to clean stuf with water you can make a camping shower with a 12v cigaret powered pump that takes electricity from your car. Amazing video by the way i have similar struggles.

[@erbartlett]

I’m definitely interested in making a camping shower, I just haven’t picked what setup to try. Have you found one that’s reliable? Glad it was useful!!

[@-quantumhealinghome31]

@@erbartlett i made this with an army 20L tank for 30 euros. There is also a possibility that you make this with battery an attached small battery instead of a car lighter but i think its too much work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnvHepqFatWjgM0

[@janantons6930]

Hat Off that you handle all this circumstances for this Hobby

[@erbartlett]

Wish I lived in a big house with a garage right next to the beach :)

[@rquebec1590]

Have you ever kited Jacob Riis park? I’m looking for a spot less crowded than plumb beach but there’s no public parking out at breezy point

[@erbartlett]

Yeah it’s tricky out there. I mostly ride further East to avoid all that, but in the summer it’s a lot trickier because of the busy beaches. You might be able to sneak into some of these spots after 5pm. Maybe try asking people in the NY Kiteboarders group on facebook

[@JD_JR]

Currently in mid-state CT and am inspired your video and commitment! I can't afford new gear so I got some really old kites and have been rebuilding the bladders off and on as well as getting the rest of my gear. I have a small 2 bedroom 1 bath and I feel like I need to get back on things seeing how tight your quarters are and how you make it work in NYC. Thank you for sharing all of the products, tips and tricks! Any recommendations on gear shops, beginner spots, or local training to get me going in the RI-CT-NY area? Thanks!

[@erbartlett]

The challenge of learning to kite was what made me start the channel! I was like WTF, how would anyone get into this sport if it's so hard!! There weren't a ton of resources, so I started sharing my painfully hard learned lessons. I don't know much about CT, but I met a rider who typically rides at fairfield and stratford. Maybe I can ask him. Have you had lessons yet? The best option near me is to go out and ride with NY kite, the bay is the best place to learn because its so shallow.

[@JD_JR]

@@erbartlett I haven't had lessons yet but would definitely like to. I'm kinda at KZbin academy right now for this sport and am almost ready to start learning IRL. I snowboard a good bit so hopefully that will help make the learning curve / time to master better. Long island is a hike from here but I might be able to make it down for a weekend and get some lessons under my belt. What is the best season / month for that area? Thank you for responding and for the information!

[@erbartlett]

@@JD_JR Sept-Nov is the best time of the year for NY Kite. The board skills will help a bit, but kiting is 90% kiting and 10% board skills. If you fly the kite right, the board part will follow pretty easily. The other option is go down to OBX and take lessons there since the wind is more consistent. If you're athletic and can get like 5+ days on the water in a row, you'll be good from there.

[@JD_JR]

@@erbartlett Thanks for the intel, might try OBX to start as I know some people there. Thanks!

[@Danieldaniel-gz8fe]

Uff how much to do! I would like to know how often you usually kite/foil 😮

[@erbartlett]

Probably 2-3 times a month, maybe more in wind season and less in off season

[@mikemiller774]

Why carry all that from apartment to parking when you have that cart? That patio sure helps, but just a couple of extra things like wet suit dryer and booties dryer would be handy. Roof option is also great, why not dry everything there?

[@erbartlett]

Do you have recommendations on dryers? I definitely use the roof to dry kites if it’s not raining. It gets pretty gusty up there , so I’m not always comfortable just leaving kites up there to dry unsupervised :)

[@pablochaurecordero7776]

How do you go about washing the kites?

[@erbartlett]

I never wash them unless they are sandy. I’ll rinse the, in salt water to get sand off. Maybe once a year I’ll do a fresh water rinse when I’m in a place with a big space to dry them. I can’t do it at my apartment

[@r5photography]

My kites are not allowed in the house. A somewhat reasonable demand by my jailor.

[@FUTBOLOCO90]

Just buy a very old van and store all your gear there and youll save sooooo much time youll go kiting straight from your van all the time without so much hasssle.

[@erbartlett]

I would LOVE a van or a big truck, but it would be a challenge for getting around the big city or finding parking!

[@ziddlidos]

You spend so much money in gear that it's cheaper to buy a house

[@erbartlett]

You should look at home prices in nyc… I could buy new kites and throw them out after every session and it would be a lot cheaper than buying a home :)

[@balancedbodyfitnessandwell7822]

Great video! Evan i am watching the video with open mouth (you put a tremendous effort into kiting, transportation and storage) My hat is off to you! You are certainly, a huge inspiration! Your video has reminded me and given me a renewed appreciation for the simplicity and blessing I have here. (Easy access to the Bay and Fire Island, plenty of storage, a rescue boat with a captain (my girlfriend), and my main boat for transportation and storage. Thank you!!! Great job!

[@erbartlett]

You’ve got the dream setup!