A couple weeks back, The New Yorker sent me to Alameda, California to photograph the man behind several amazing kite powered projects in the works.  Don Montague is one of the founding innovators of windsurfing and kiteboarding.  He is also the founder/CEO of Makani Power, a startup that has developed a hi tech power generating kite.  I spent the day with Don and the Makani Power engineers, then headed out for a spin around San Francisco Bay on another one of Don’s inventions/experiments: the kiteboat. Imagine a trimaran hydrofoil with a huge kitesurfing type kite pulling us at 30 knots around the bay. Needless to say, photographing at that speed was a mess, but the whole experience was the highlight of my spring. Attached are some outtakes from the shoot and here is a link to a behind the scenes gallery by Betsy Pfeiffer including GoPro shots from the kite and the boat during the trip. Thanks to Betsy and also to Andrea Dunlap for the behind the scenes Makani Power photos. “Inherit the Wind”, the story written by Michael Spector can be found in the May 20, 2013 issue of The New Yorker.
Don Montague and Makani Power. Photo by Corey Arnold for the New Yorker Magazine
Don Montague at the Makani Power radio control tower. Photo by Corey Arnold for the New Yorker Magazine
Don Montague and the Makani Power Kite. Photo by Corey Arnold for the New Yorker Magazine.
Don Montague and Makani Power. Photo by Corey Arnold for the New Yorker Magazine
Kiteboat Team. Photo by Corey Arnold for the New Yorker Magazine
GoPro shot from the kiteboat kite during our trip.
Don Montague aboard his Kiteboat in SF Bay. Photo: Corey Arnold for the New Yorker Magazine
View of the Kiteboat hydrofoil in San Francisco bay. Photo by Corey Arnold for the New Yorker Magazine
That's me on the bow trying to hold on to dear life with my feet while under tow. Photo: Betsy Pfeiffer
photo: Corey Arnold for the New Yorker Magazine
