KiteLife

Hi all, Got THIRTEEN new videos to share from my 18,000 mile cross-country tour with TK last year, and two more still on the cutting table that I hope to have done in the next month or so...

Bringing back an old poll with a more complete list of kites, pick a few of your favorite Revs, imagining that you have your choice of wind, frame and lines for each one... Ideal set up, ideal conditions - what do you think? Let me know if a kite is not included and needs to be considered for the list... Must be either Revolution made or officially licensed. Must be from a generally available line of Revs, past or present. Color and print (non-aerodynamic) variations don't count.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to announce the third iteration of what is now an annual event in conjunction with the World Kite Museum in Long Beach, WA to be held this year on March 19th through the 21st. The West Coast Rev Clinic III! (3rd annual) If you are a RevGuild member, please look for discounted Clinic registration links in our club forum... $15 off individual registration, $25 off couple and parent/child fees... RevGuild membership is $35 per year, so just 2 or 3 clinics will more than cover the average Clinic registration fee, as well as provide a 15% discount at The Kite Shoppe. If you're not a RevGuild member yet, you can find more info by clicking here. == <form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"><input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="99FR42YZYT9M2"><table><tr><td><input type="hidden" name="on0" value="Registration Type">Registration Type</td></tr><tr><td><select name="os0"><option value="Individual">Individual $75.00</option><option value="Couple">Couple $125.00</option><option value="Parent/Child">Parent/Child $125.00</option></select> </td></tr><tr><td><input type="hidden" name="on1" value="Skill Level">Skill Level</td></tr><tr><td><select name="os1"><option value="Novice">Novice </option><option value="Intermediate">Intermediate </option><option value="Advanced">Advanced </option></select> </td></tr></table><input type="hidden" name="currency_code" value="USD"><input type="image" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_buynowCC_LG.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1"></form> RevGuild members can sign up here - http://www.revguild....p?showtopic=141 NOTE: There is a cap of 30 participants for this event, so sign up early! In addition to the regular 3-day Clinic content, we hope also to secure an indoor venue for Friday night, if so, this will only be available to paid Rev Clinic participants and instructors. Friday will be an "open" 1/2 day with no curriculum or classes, as we understand it's tough for anyone to get a full weekday free... It'll be casual, one-on-one for anyone who can make it, then the real fun and classwork will begin on Saturday morning. == The nearest hotel to the Rev Clinic: Edgewater Inn 409 Sid Snyder Dr SW - Long Beach, WA (360) 642-2311 / (800) 561-2456 Other nearby lodging: Our Place At The Beach ($54-$130), 800-538-5107 Rip Tide ($49-$99), 800-214-1379 Mermaid Inn Motel ($58-$128), 800-676-2601 Historic Sou'wester Lodge, Cabins ($59-$194), 360-642-2542 Rodeway Inn and Suites ($60-$135), 800-753-3750 Discovery Coast Cottage Inn ($45-$199), 877-642-2613 Cedars Ocean View Inn ($68-$279), 800-219-9833 == NOTE: One thing we'll be doing differently this year is dividing groups into NOVICE, INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED (based on a specified set of Rev skills) so that we can keep things moving along for everyone, no matter where you're coming from... Additionally, we'll be trying to do the same for the team portions as well, including a period of focus on the Grid format of Rev mega team flying. == If you plan on attending, please post below and let us know so we can add your name to the tentative list of participants! PRIMARY INSTRUCTORS: John Barresi Steve de Rooy JD Fabich Bazzer Poulter David Hathaway Spence Watson TENTATIVE ATTENDEES: Dave Bradley Calvin Leibelt - Intermediate** Brad Bixby - Intermediate** Mike Tracy - Intermediate** Lori Tracy - Intermediate** Carol Pittman - Intermediate** Andrew Kramer - Intermediate** Cameron Altenhof-Long - Intermediate** Erin Altenhof-Long - Novice** Glenn Pickard - Intermediate Sarah Gregory - Intermediate Howard Mathews - Intermediate** Sunny Mathews - Novice** Mark Giadone - Novice** John Mason - Intermediate** Terry Wiggill - Advanced Ray Lee - Intermediate** Lisa Root - Novice** Ken Fonnesbeck - Novice** Sheri Fonnesbeck - Novice** Carl Fonnesbeck - Novice** ** Paid/confirmed FYI: We're developing the curriculum to address everyone's needs as broadly as possible, please read this post to provide your input.

Please, please, please... If you're a frequent regular Rev forum user, take a look at this discussion on Kitelife! http://kitelife.com/forum/index.php?/topic...dpost__p__23380 == That's new discussion, etc, since the last time this came up (in June)... http://www.revkites.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=3224 == I think Jeepster is a great example of initial resistance to the change in format, and ultimately coming around to the improvements... <<fast forward 5 months>> The Rev forum is long overdue for an upgrade... Not only for general security (script weaknesses), but also to make our job easier as admins. On Kitelife, no spammers get through the registration process... On Rev, our admins have to personally review and delete 1-10 spammer registrations per day. So, this is your chance to take a look at the skins we have available to us (sampled on the KL forum), and to put in your 2 cents for the direction of the Rev forum. At the moment, I'm inclined to use the default format we have on Kitelife right now... Although it's different, it really does work very well.

There has been a lot of discussion regarding line winding methods, most particularly minimizing the twists or tangles in your lines as you set up your kite each time. I've tried everything over the years... Halo spools on a drill (fast wind), two winders, one winder, winding on the handles, tying pairs together, tying all four together, straight wind, figure eight wind... In my experience, nothing I've tried thus far compares with the method we've used religiously on iQuad over the past 3 years... We don't even think about our lines anymore, except which weight or length to use. <grin> Three minutes to set up, three minutes to tear down... No more 20-30 minute untangling sessions. == Here's the formula for a reliable one-winder affair, starting with your kite leading edge down, staked at the top of the handles (i.e. secure on the ground) and no more than a 1/2 twist in the lines: 1. At the kite end, disconnect the left lines, then larks head your top line onto the bottom line's sleeving and slide it down to the knot... This should leave the bottom line effectively pulled out further than the top line (I'll explain this later). 2. Repeat the same technique with the right side, then put both sets in one hand so you have the two bottom loops together like two lines, with both top lines attached at the knot(s) on the bottom line sleeving. 3. Although all four lines are in one hand now, you should only be holding the bottom loops in your fingers as you place those two onto the notch in your winder. 3. Wind straight or figure eight, doesn't make a single bit of difference in twisting... It only effects your winding motion, and how the line sits on the winder... I very much prefer a straight wind as it tends to be neater, and I can fit more line into less space on the winder. ** NOTE: You've now attached your bottom loops to the winder, without twisting them prior... As you wind, the winder is NOT rotating or twisting in any way, it's only going to move up and down, in and out, as you make your way to the handles... Simply, there are no twists thus far in the process, it's literally impossible because nothing rotates. (part 2 in the next section) 4. As you finish winding and are approaching the handles, wind down to ground so as not to lift the handles which might allow them to spin (twist)... As you pick up the handles, they should fairly well fold right over the winder so you can strap the whole thing down (securely). ** NOTE: Again I'll point out that the loops (kite end) haven't rotated, and the handles haven't rotated either, not significantly anyway... Ergo, no excessive twists, literally impossible because you've in theory brought the four points at either end together, spooling the line cleanly in-between... You might end up with a twist or two as you inadvertently allow one pair (R or L) to twist somewhere, go through each other once, or perhaps at the handle end. ** NOTE 2: The reason the handles are probably going to fold over the winder so nicely is the fact that we first staggered the top and bottom lines at the kite end before winding... We pulled the bottom lines out further (by 4"-6") which conversely pulled the bottom of the handles forward at the other end, setting the handles up for a neat fold over at the end. ** NOTE 3: I typically leave my handles on, but if you must remove yours, be sure to reverse the method you used at the kite end... Instead, you'll be larks heading the BOTTOM lines onto the top lines, so the tops are extending further out, opposite of the other end, taking out most of the slack (uneven lengths) in the lines. ** NOTE 4: Using this method correctly, it should be impossible for a twist or tangle to form that would warrant disconnecting one line and worming it out, shouldn't EVER be necessary, because again, we've worked with fixed pairs and non-rotation at either end, you should be able to get any twist out simply by rotating the handles together, individually, or putting one through the other every now and then... Disconnecting a line generally causes more trouble than it solves, unless you're working with a real pile of spaghetti. == Setting up: 1. Stick a stake in the ground. 2. Unstrap your winder, place the TOP of your handles onto the stake (like locking the kite in forward) and walk downwind with the winder in a position that allows it to rock freely (but secure in your hand)... Everything should pop-pop-pop-pop right off, all the way to the end. 3. Take the loops off your winder and put one in each hand, pulling some tension into the lines and spreading your arms to centralize the (apparent) twists a little, but don't try too hard... Working with one side first, separate one pair (top and bottom R or L), then attach to the kite, repeat with the other side. ** NOTE: DO NOT muck with what you think are twists yet, just hook up the kite, place it leading edge down on the ground and walk back to the handles. 4. Picking up your handles carefully so as not to accidentally launch, then waggle one brake line (watching for one side of the kite to wiggle) in order to identify your R/L handles and arrange them accordingly. 5. Now, using the handles, draw tension into all four lines with a conscious mind on your control of the kite... 90%-95% of what appeared to be twists should cancel each other out, leaving 1-3 twists, shouldn't be any more than this if you've done everything right. == I generally teach this one in person, but figured it was time to break it down thoroughly for those who rely on forum information between events. Post back here, share your successes or failures with this method, I'll be happy to clarify if prompted. == UPDATE - Video tutorial now available on YouTube:

I've just uploaded and linked a Spanish translation of the Rev Basic Techniques in PDF format, as prepared by Gustavo Di Si.... Hopefully this will be a big help, we certainly appreciate the significant time and effort put forth by Senor Di Si to bring this project to fruition, thank you mi hermano de barriletes! The translated version can be downloaded from any of the six Techniques pages on this site (linked above), enjoy!

Cross posted from another thread: When handling the kite, make sure your fingers don't stress the mesh (a very common occurrence - one of the biggest factors). Regular crashing compounds the likelihood of mesh break down. When you pack up the kite, there are two folds (where the rods pull apart)... Make sure you put at least 2" of space between the ends of the spars, so there is a good amount of unsparred leading edge. Shift the fold point periodically. Don't roll it up too tightly. Make sure the kite is rolled without crumpling the sail. Don't force it into the bag, twist it in, going with the way the kite is rolled so it doesn't expand. Also, when removing your leading edge spars, avoid bunching the LE material... To pull the whole LE spar out without bunching, try the method described here (about 1/2 way through the article). Focusing on these things should significantly extend the life of your mesh. smile.gif

I've had my 8GB iPhone for about six months now, and it's probably the best $400 I ever spent... - Kite videos (tutorials, demos, routines) - great for sharing your passion with someone anywhere! - iPod function, got all my good music with me on the field. - Safari - built in web browser (true view), can keep on the forums and email between flights. - Google map - been using it to bookmark good street flying spots, or fields around the country. And so much more... In addition to my AT&T plan rate, $20 gets me unlimited internet access pretty much anywhere on the AT&T network. Now, they're supposed to be coming out with the 3G version (much faster) and a whole load more applications in July... Price will be down to $199! Video presentation about all the new features - http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/0806...vent/index.html Can't say enough about this phone, SO awesome. Anyone else have one?

Try the lofi version... http://www.revkites.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php Drops unecessary graphics and uploads. You can't see images in the posts, but all text is visible.

We'll do our best to keep this list updated with any new additions to the Kitelife publication which have to do with quadline flying and maintainence. Issue 1 - April 1998 4Play by Sandy Wagner "An Introduction" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue01/4play/content.php Issue 2 - May 1998 4Play by Sandy Wagner "Quads in Competition" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue02/4play/content.php Issue 3 - June 1998 4Play by Sandy Wagner "More on Competition, including music" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue03/4play/content.php Issue 4 - July 1998 4Play by Sandy Wagner "Competition Details" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue04/4play/content.php Issue 5 - Sep/Oct 1998 4Play by Sandy Wagner "Murphy's Law" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue05/4play/content.php Issue 6 - Nov/Dec 1998 4Play by Sandy Wagner "Eye Of The Tiger" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue06/4play/content.php Issue 7 - Jan/Feb 1999 4Play by Sandy Wagner "Quad? YES! But Which One" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue07/4play/content.php Issue 8 - Mar/Apr 1999 4Play by Sandy Wagner "Indoor Quad Flying" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue08/4play/content.php Issue 9 - May/Jun 1999 4Play by Sandy Wagner "Quad Precision Part 1" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue09/4play/content.php Issue 11 - Sep/Oct 1999 4Play by Ron Despojado "Quad Precision Part 2" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue11/4play/content.php Issue 12 - Nov 1999 4Play by Ron Despojado "Quad Effect" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue12/4play/content.php Issue 15 - Mar 2000 4Play by Ron Despojado "Low Wind and Indoor Quad Flying" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue15/4play/content.php Issue 20 - Jan 2001 Rev Master Class: Recent Developments by Eric Allen (covers axels) http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue20/r...ass/content.php Issue 22 - Jun 2001 4Play by Ron Despojado "Team Quad Flying" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue22/4play/content.php Issue 23 - Aug 2001 4Play by Ron Despojado "Quad Effect" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue23/4play/content.php Issue 25 - Aug 2001 4Play by Ron Despojado "Quadline Hot Tricks" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue25/t...her/content.php Issue 40 -Jan/Feb 2005 Milking The Breeze Part 2 by John Barresi http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue40/l...d40/content.php Issue 43 - Jul/Aug 2005 REVisions by David Hathaway "Why Knot?" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue43/r...s43/content.php Issue 44 - Sep/Oct 2005 REVisions by David Hathaway "Beyond The Basics Part 1" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue44/r...s44/content.php Issue 45 - Nov/Dec 2005 REVisions by David Hathaway "Beyond The Basics Part 2" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue45/r...s45/content.php Issue 46 - Jan/Feb 2006 REVisions by David Hathaway "Bicycle, Bicycle!" http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue46/r...s46/content.php