The first Kite Expo was a huge success!!!!

It's been almost a year in the making, but that doesn't really matter because this picture says it all. Check out all of the kites and vendors on the beach at Belmont.

On July 10th and 11th the Southern California Kiteboarding Association hosted its first Long Beach Kite Expo, and even though we did not have wind I think our first event was a smashing success.

The thank yous really start back on August 8th of last year. That's when we stuck our toes in the water and held a mini-version of this event. Thanks to all of you for all or your help last year, through the uncharted territory of putting on an event.

Then in February of this year we requested a permit for the "Long Beach Kite Expo" from the City of Long Beach, and now this years "Thank You List" begins.

First and foremost we would like to thank Robert and Danny McCullough of Kitesurfari. They also had a vision of an event in Belmont Shore and through their business contacts introduced us to most of the kite vendors and these introductions were crucial. My second shout out goes to my son Dan Corbett who stepped up a few months back and volunteered to become the President of the SCKA. I don't think he knew how much he was biting off but I was a proud father to see him take over the rains of the organization. My third thank you goes to my wife Ruth who has put up with months of phone calls, texts, emails, deliveries and other last minutes "Please honey, please" in order to get the flags made, the parking lot manned, the tent organized, the dogs watched and the food ordered. The fourth is Kristin Helm. She not only worked tirelessly Saturday and Sunday at the event, but also worked with Dan the past few weeks on the new t-shirt design, the trophies, the releases and in the SCKA tent with the membership and raffle. Next is Jane and Darrin who also worked Saturday and Sunday in the in tent selling memberships, t-shiorts and raffle tickets, but were always there with a smile helping schlep the equipment, make announcements, and helped with the raffle prizes prizes too.

The next group were there for us for all of the tough tasks. To Mike Noel who was our head Safety Patrol for two days, working with the lifeguards, the catamaraners, the vendors, everyone. And his two assistants Dr. Bobby and Al Navas. To Max Runyan who was our Race Chairman Sat & Sun., he also waited for the wind to kite. To Francis Hu our Head Judge and past president. To Rijk, Luca, Kyle and Naji who helped with acquiring raffle gifts, equipment set-up and tear-down....the all important support staff, like getting it all back in our garage.

My biggest gratitude goes out to the vendor that believed in and supported the event even though it was our first venture. This list includes Kitesurfari, Captain Kirk's, KiteMasters, Cabrinha & NPX, EH & Core Kites, RRD Kiteboarding & Mystic, Slingshot Kiteboarding, F-One Kiteboarding, Wainman & Blade Kites, Liquid Force Kiteboarding, Caution Kites, Genetrix Kites, and GK & Litewave Kiteboarding. This list also includes Kitesurf California, So.Cal.Kiteboarding, Pyramid Breweries, Belmont Shore Business Association, Children Today and the Long Beach Sea Festival. We also want to thank Councilman Robert Garcia, Victory Shirts and La Strada Restaurant for providing 5 giant pizza's on Saturday and the great food on Sunday too.

Then our two fantastic Grand Prizes. The first was from Captain Kirk's for four day lodging in La Ventana, a kite lesson and two SUP rentals. It was won by Mike Bell. CONGRATS!!

Our second grand prize was provided by Kitesurfari, a new 11m Crossbow kite, an Underground board and complete kite lessons for two. This was won by Naji Flour. Great going Naji.

And before I close out on "the thank yous" I want to thank everyone with the city and the SeaFest. Starting with Mark Sandoval and Councilman Gary DeLong, Next to John Parks, Leslie Elision and Gemma Bannon. They guided me through the permit process. To Tom Shadden for introducing himself last August and telling me about the SeaFest. And to the Long Beach Lifeguards that helped so much, starting with Station 10's guard Mitch Lyons, Sargent Medina who is usually in truck patrol, and to Grant, the head of the special events unit, for guiding us through all of the beach rules. We have a few things to work on but it was close to being perfect.

And a special shout out to Dan Slater, the official photographer for the SCKA, who will be providing next years press pictures and to John Rost for loaning us his generator.

Finally, to the two after parties that Holly Wood helped put together. One on Saturday at Legend's, and Sunday at Taco Surf. We were able to let our hair down both Saturday and Sunday thanks to Pyramid Breweries, Holly and her fellow employees.

This is not my best picture but you get the idea how many kite boarders were sucking up the brew at Legends.

After Sunday's event a lot of the kiters went to Taco Surf to unwind, including Robert and Danny. As the evening was winding down my son Dan really surprised me with a special award that he and Kristin had made. It said to "Jim Corbett, The one who made it all happen."

I want to thank all those who really made it happen, I just had the vision that we could do it.