Successful Multiline Comps = better asset management!

[teecee]

TeeCee, have you looked at the sport kite committee roster recently?

If the information I'm looking at is right, the SKC is down in size, significantly, with vacant commissioner positions for those areas least active in sport kite competition...

Per the AKA web site:

Sport Kites

* Chair: Russ Faulk

* Doug Charleville

* Ron Graziano

* Todd Haymans

* Jeff McCown

* Indoor Events: Bill Rogers

* AKA Delegates to the International Rule Book Committee: Jim Barber & John Barresi (should be Russ Faulk)

* World Sport Kite Championships: David Gomberg

* Competition Conference Commission

o North East: Ruth Polifrone

o South East: Laura Stonestreet

o Central: Vacant

o Midwest: Ann Vondriska

o Northwest: Terri & Mike Huff

o Pacific: Vacant

o Conference Scorekeeper: Tracy Erzin

For those interested, this roster can be found here, along with key email addresses...

http://aka.kite.org/?officers.shtml#sportkites

I hadn't gone there, but I'm glad YOU did... if that Central CC spot is still open after I can get my dues paid up again I'm thinking I might do something about that particular vacancy!

TeeCee

[harrier]

As a divertion it might be worth having a look at this idea from those nice folk at FA, the competition which is currently run by Zippy8 really makes good use of the Internet and allows for a proper World Wide competition, for them as needs to compete.

With a little modification it could attract folk that have done with competeing too.

http://fracturedaxel.co.uk/phpBB2/viewforu...1b84c074c98312b

[monkey]

Well said TeeCee, no arguments there... Not even on the ham.

With a sliver of cheese too?

As John suggest, yes, I do agree with how he feels with regards to competition. When I first started flying, I vowed I'd never bother with comps, preferring to fly simply for the fun of it. And I did just that for 8 years. Eventually, I did get into competing (and, to be fair, I really did enjoy it a lot, and have 4 National trophies to prove it) but, it does get draining when much of the day disappears without getting much actual flying in. I'm not sure what the solution is, and I intend to compete for the 2010 season, but, this has been an interesting thread. Nice to seeya back Teecee!

[mousieo]

Well said TeeCee, no arguments there... Not even on the ham.

I hadn't considered how many of the AKA RDs and Directors have come over to the dark side recently, very true!

Sherri Pigeon, Jim Cosca, Greg Lamoureux, Gayle Woodul, Amy Doran, John Gillespie, Ben Dantonio, makes 7 officers in all...

14 others who aren't "quad fliers" per se, but at least 4-5 are "quad friendly" and receptive to any worthwhile quad ideas.

So, 1/3 of the AKA officers are comprised of people who fly quads (among other kites), very cool indeed.

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I am still trying to do it all.. pfffffffft. Ok fine the last time I flew a duelie was at windless last weekend.. and before that, umm October. yikes.

[teecee]

Relax, Amy. You do NOT need to start flying duallines unless you WANT to.

Which brings us to yet another asset management scenario.

With multiline flying on the ascendancy, who's to say that there can't be multiline only Regional comps where the local dualline fliers serve as non-competing staff? There is an aspect of reciprocation though; multiline fliers could staff dualline only Regionals. Those that fly both types wouldn't necessarily have to choose one over the other, they can both fly AND staff much like now.

[stevepigeon]

I just had to chime in on this one....

My first major thing..

When I came to the "dark side" and fell in love with flying a kite.. There was no class for me to compete in. The old saying " If you can fly a quad, you can fly in the experienced class" has never sat well with me when we offer a novice class for dual line fliers. Never thought this was fair.. still don't.

It amazes me that we can have 17 fliers in on a Mega fly but can't get 10 fliers to come out to compete. It makes me think... Is the competition side of kiting going to fade into the past?

I like a lot of what John had to say and my quoting skills are not up to par to give you as many examples as I would like. I'm grateful to fliers like John and others that do what they do to at least keep people coming to our festivals.

My opinion...

The younger generation would rather spend their money on the latest Ipod ect than a kite. Having children in their early to late 20's and their Mom, Stepdad and Uncle all being fliers, I can tell you that I have to beg them to come out to the fields. Kiting is more appealing to us big kids.

As to regionals.. They still cost money to pull it off. How many kite clubs have a PA system, field stakes, tape? How many kite clubs can afford AKA and League santioning, field permits.

Another note..

The young ones love the power kiting stuff but without insurance coverage for that class of kiters we can not incorporate them into our festivals.

In this time.. in this moment.. change is coming and it's not sport kite competition.

My $1.00 (due to inflation)

Sherri

[teecee]

In this time.. in this moment.. change is coming and it's not sport kite competition.

Sherri

Best of luck standing up your comp in March, Sherri!

I'm good with a growth in recreational flying because that's more numbers for comps when we get our act together again. I kinda see it as the difference between camping and hunting. Camping is relaxation fun, and anybody can go camping. Hunting is fun too, but on a different level and by a smaller, more skilled population than in camping.

And can anybody deny that most inprovements in camping came from hunters? ;-)

[Bazzer]

Best of luck standing up your comp in March, Sherri!

I'm good with a growth in recreational flying because that's more numbers for comps when we get our act together again. I kinda see it as the difference between camping and hunting. Camping is relaxation fun, and anybody can go camping. Hunting is fun too, but on a different level and by a smaller, more skilled population than in camping.

And can anybody deny that most inprovements in camping came from hunters? ;-)

Very True. It leads to equipment progress.

However you don't need to be skilled with a shot gun or kill anything to sleep outside.

It just depends if you need to kill or are you happy enough just to be.

There are always people who want to compete. For them it is how they improve, even a way of life!

I have seen the very best come out of some. Also the very,very worse in me.

At this time I think more people learn from flying, than standing around waiting to fly.

I'm afraid that competition leads to a field with markers in the middle of a beach and a whole load of super intense people slowly watching each other leave because of some latest squabble or rule book. It makes a barrier between the public and the future flyers.

Some may argue that it makes a spectacle for the public. Sure ...show them excellence but show them it is attainable.

In truth, how many rounds of precision have you ever sat through?

Watched it all.....riveted as a spectator. Will you do it again?

If the competition is really what you want. Good for you. Goals are good in life.

If you all need winners medals...well how many do we need.

I'll buy a box.

For me, my life, my kite flying is not measured in tenths of a point, board members, secretaries or minutes of the last meeting.

It's about friends, places and watching new people get that Rev grin.

Bazzer

[harrier]

Very True. It leads to equipment progress.

However you don't need to be skilled with a shot gun or kill anything to sleep outside.

It just depends if you need to kill or are you happy enough just to be.

There are always people who want to compete. For them it is how they improve, even a way of life!

I have seen the very best come out of some. Also the very,very worse in me.

At this time I think more people learn from flying, than standing around waiting to fly.

I'm afraid that competition leads to a field with markers in the middle of a beach and a whole load of super intense people slowly watching each other leave because of some latest squabble or rule book. It makes a barrier between the public and the future flyers.

Some may argue that it makes a spectacle for the public. Sure ...show them excellence but show them it is attainable.

In truth, how many rounds of precision have you ever sat through?

Watched it all.....riveted as a spectator. Will you do it again?

If the competition is really what you want. Good for you. Goals are good in life.

If you all need winners medals...well how many do we need.

I'll buy a box.

For me, my life, my kite flying is not measured in tenths of a point, board members, secretaries or minutes of the last meeting.

It's about friends, places and watching new people get that Rev grin.

Bazzer

Spot on Bazzer, if kiting wants to attract folk and go forward it needs to be more Red Bull than dead Horse.

[teecee]

Aw hell, I was afraid this was gonna happen!

Please consider, folks, that hunting is the skill set which brings you to the point where killing is only a possible outcome. I personally do MY hunting with a camera, where the goal is to get a great shot without the critter du jour even knowing that you're there. Afterwards he goes his way, I go mine.

If you kill something then you have to field-dress it and haul it back to camp, and that's too much like work.

[johnnmitchell]

Aw hell, I was afraid this was gonna happen!

Please consider, folks, that hunting is the skill set which brings you to the point where killing is only a possible outcome. I personally do MY hunting with a camera, where the goal is to get a great shot without the critter du jour even knowing that you're there. Afterwards he goes his way, I go mine.

If you kill something then you have to field-dress it and haul it back to camp, and that's too much like work.

I will agree with you on that as I have been through both sides. I prefer my trusty camera with a nice long tele.

[Felix]

<snip>

For me, my life, my kite flying is not measured in tenths of a point, board members, secretaries or minutes of the last meeting.

It's about friends, places and watching new people get that Rev grin.

Bazzer

All very well said and leads me back to a preference for collaboration as opposed to competition.

Look what we managed to achieve at Portsmouth/Bristol, first time out, at that level.

We may, however, have to endure organisational issues at 'some' point!

Felix

[stevepigeon]

Best of luck standing up your comp in March, Sherri!

I'm good with a growth in recreational flying because that's more numbers for comps when we get our act together again. I kinda see it as the difference between camping and hunting. Camping is relaxation fun, and anybody can go camping. Hunting is fun too, but on a different level and by a smaller, more skilled population than in camping.

And can anybody deny that most inprovements in camping came from hunters? ;-)

Due to the lack of intrest in a March competition. There will be none. We only had 6-7 fliers intrested and that doesn't cover the cost. The fact that spring break is here at that time and rooms are full near the location doesn't help either.

[LS Kite Stakes]

I am VERY new to the kiting community, so add salt as needed to the following................

I have never flown in competition, and did not know it existed until last summer when I went to my first festival. For me, as a new community member, competition holds no attraction. As a few have said, quad line has a more community feel to it. It has many more challenges on a personal level in regards to learning the skills needed to actually fly the darned things. The only dual line I have really flown is the old Skynasaur Acrobat that I have had for 25 years. Barring slack line tricks, all I see with duallies is learning to turn right and left at the appropriate times. What has brought me into this community and is keeping me here is the acceptance I have felt from others from the get go. Competition brings out the "I am better than you" mentality that would turn me away in a heartbeat. Be it perceived or real, this is what keeps me away from competing. What does bring me to festivals and "fun flies" is meeting up with like minded people who enjoy kiting for what it is. My hat goes of to the members of iQuad that I have met so far. They are accomplishing the goal of attracting new fliers with down to earth values I wish more people on this ball of rock would show for their fellow human. I would have never guessed I would have become as involved as I have. I will not rule out the possibility of competition for myself in the future, but I need to improve on my skills before I would even think of attempting it. For now, I am having more than enough fun to keep me interested for a long time to come.

[melnsct]

I am VERY new to the kiting community, so add salt as needed to the following................

I have never flown in competition, and did not know it existed until last summer when I went to my first festival. For me, as a new community member, competition holds no attraction. As a few have said, quad line has a more community feel to it. It has many more challenges on a personal level in regards to learning the skills needed to actually fly the darned things. The only dual line I have really flown is the old Skynasaur Acrobat that I have had for 25 years. Barring slack line tricks, all I see with duallies is learning to turn right and left at the appropriate times. What has brought me into this community and is keeping me here is the acceptance I have felt from others from the get go. Competition brings out the "I am better than you" mentality that would turn me away in a heartbeat. Be it perceived or real, this is what keeps me away from competing. What does bring me to festivals and "fun flies" is meeting up with like minded people who enjoy kiting for what it is. My hat goes of to the members of iQuad that I have met so far. They are accomplishing the goal of attracting new fliers with down to earth values I wish more people on this ball of rock would show for their fellow human. I would have never guessed I would have become as involved as I have. I will not rule out the possibility of competition for myself in the future, but I need to improve on my skills before I would even think of attempting it. For now, I am having more than enough fun to keep me interested for a long time to come.

I agree with Walt entirely!!!!

It's about the people and getting better so I can fly more ....with more people!!!!!!!!!!!1

[teecee]

Ah, I love it when things come back on topic. Asset management!

Competitors are part of that 'community' vibe, too. So that they can get their groove on, would you non-competitor folks step up and staff at events; learn how to judge and Field Direct so your competitor buds can relax and be their best?

[rcom714]

See, now there in lies the rub Tee Cee.

I have no problem as a volunteer when I can to help set up, break down, pound stakes & flags, lug kites, banners, equipment, etc to and from the field, early in the morning and late after sunset. I'm happy to come really early or stay really late, but not at the expense of giving up what I really came out to do in the first place!

When that breeze starts calling my name, there's really only one place I'd rather be. Either flying alone with my ipod on, off on my own or in line with one two three or 10 people, laughing my ass off with my friends or making new ones.

I have absolutely no interest in competing. That would require taking a serious approach to all the required components previously documented by others. The idea of having to take what is total enjoyment when I have the time to ESCAPE to it and turn it into what amounts to another JOB (with no income other than a trophy and some acknowledgment from others) has no appeal.

My life is already way to involved and stressful for me in the real world making a living and providing for my family.

Kiting is my time to relax and unwind, and to be absolutely uncommitted to anything except having that good time is far more appealing.

That said, I have watched a number of competitions to see they style of the competitors and learn new things. I've also watched with great interest, the judging in a subjective way to get an understanding of what it is they look for. I totally get the need for competition and the desire to achieve and the thrill of victory as well as the defeat and knowledge of coming up just a little short with the idea of getting back at the next comp. Great for those who want that.

What I wasn't crazy about was the boredom of the music I didn't like, the down time between routines, potential arguments of judging calls, but most of all was the just standing around.

I come to the field to do one thing and one thing only, fly!!!! Anyone that knows me, knows I take very little in the way of breaks. I really DO just want to fly.

So, if I'm standing in the middle of a field or beach and on one side there is laughing and people in line flying and learning and laughing and crashing and laughing some more, I'm gonna be more drawn to that then the comp field.

I love watching the teams do their routines and it's clear how much interest those demos generate amongst spectators. Very dramatic and lots of oohs and ahhs, no doubt. A win for the sport of kiting because of the peaked interest.

Team comps.....very cool too. But after watching one or two, guess where I'd rather be???? Out there on the field flying with my friends laughing and having fun, trying those manuevers, messing them up, trying them again, getting it and high fiving each other.

It's not a matter of respect or lack thereof for all those that compete, or the process that gets those competitions from concept to finality. It is also not a matter of my not helping out as a judge, etc. so the competitors can relax and be their best. They understand what is required of them to compete, from the discipline of practice, the needed time away from work to travel to and the cost of getting to the events and the need for them to judge their events when they are not competing. It is a clear choice on their parts. It doesn't mean I don't respect them for what they do. Rather, I have gleaned much from their efforts.

But for me it's clear, I give back to the kiting community in ways that make me feel comfortable and good about what I've done. Weather it be volunteering for set up and break down at an event, to teaching someone how to fly, to directing that someone to a purchase of a new kite, or donating money to a kiting charity or an organization to promote kiting.

Whew! I gotta go..........."the wind in the willow plays tea for two", time to go fly!

[fortflyer]

I don't like competitions because it always takes up precious flying space being roped off and told "you can't fly here" unless your registered for competing. Yeah OK I traveled all this distance spent all this money only to be told that?

However, roping off certain areas for SLK's Duals and Quad is a good idea @ festivals nothing like a $4 kite zipping across and slicing up a set of $60 lines.

[kytgrl]

Jeff and I have been in the competition scene for around ten years now competing in dual-line individuals, pairs, and team. We decided to retire from that a couple years ago and see if we could find the FUN again. This is our hobby, and this is what we use to get the stress out of our system from work. We took the summer to add quad flying to our skills. We discovered that FUN this weekend participating in the Rev clinic with iQuad and flying mega flys all weekend. Wow! Was that fun. Having the spectators oooohh and aahhh was the icing on the cake.

Waiting in line for your time to compete took flying time away. If you're helping judge and staff the field, that takes a lot of flying time away. It's just not fun. I do know there's people out there that need that to enjoy it, so I don't condemn you at all. Jeff needed that at first, so that was my only reason for competing. I just loved flying no matter what.

But I can say now that we're back to enjoying flying again and flying with all our friends instead of going off in our corner to work on our comp. routine. We're even sharing more with our dual lines with our friends trying to help others learn more about dual-line flying now also. We just have more time to share the fun now that we're not worried about getting ready for a comp.

I'll take the applause from spectators over a score from an assortment of kite fliers any day!!!

Donna

P.S. Thanks for all the fun iQuad

[Scott Weider]

Jeff and I have been in the competition scene for around ten years now competing in dual-line individuals, pairs, and team. We decided to retire from that a couple years ago and see if we could find the FUN again. This is our hobby, and this is what we use to get the stress out of our system from work. We took the summer to add quad flying to our skills. We discovered that FUN this weekend participating in the Rev clinic with iQuad and flying mega flys all weekend. Wow! Was that fun. Having the spectators oooohh and aahhh was the icing on the cake.

Waiting in line for your time to compete took flying time away. If you're helping judge and staff the field, that takes a lot of flying time away. It's just not fun. I do know there's people out there that need that to enjoy it, so I don't condemn you at all. Jeff needed that at first, so that was my only reason for competing. I just loved flying no matter what.

But I can say now that we're back to enjoying flying again and flying with all our friends instead of going off in our corner to work on our comp. routine. We're even sharing more with our dual lines with our friends trying to help others learn more about dual-line flying now also. We just have more time to share the fun now that we're not worried about getting ready for a comp.

I'll take the applause from spectators over a score from an assortment of kite fliers any day!!!

Donna

P.S. Thanks for all the fun iQuad

Donna,

Seems like the circle is complete, ( NOW BURST) team flying is just that much more fun and easy to get the crowd oohing and ahhing instead of when dual lines kites (NO reverse) have so many near misses. and just hanging on in a big wind. It takes some serious dedication to fly dual line team, Quad line with Brakes and Reverse, the learning curve is quicker and does not takes hundreds of hours just to look decent having FUN! Way to go. Enjoy that TEXAS warm.

From up here, where it is not to get over 32 Degrees for the next 72 hours and 6 inches of freshly fallen snow on the ground!

[beach]

Okay here's my two cents, when I go out it's for me and if other people watch it is all the better but I just love to fly.....

I have never competed so on that I have no knowledge if I'd like it and as for team flying I don't do much of that for a

few reasons and one being it's not what I do, I just fly and here and there one of you end up beside me for a bit and then

we just fly...... My greatest joy comes from sharing and teaching others how much fun this sport really is

and in between I just have fun , maybe I'm just not able to wrap my head around the whole team thing or

the competition thing and truth be told I really don't fly that well..... As for helping I will and do what I can, but

for me I don't really want to judge but if you need a hand and I'm not doing what I do I am always willing to help in

some other ways..... So here's my 2 cents, compete if you like it, team fly if you like it, fly by yourself if thats what you like, or teach others if thats what you like, no matter what have fun and if your having fun

for some reason that always seems to spread to others.....

competitor

teacher

team flier

soul flier

just having fun,,,,,,,, yeah thats me.......Ben :blue-cool:

(my 2 cents)

[REVflyer]

I like to fly quads more than just about anything else, still an occasional competition is fun for me too.

I am a "soul flier", more than likely I'm not familiar with the music that is being played while I'm out there! I'm not concerned with the judges' score sheets or even my fellow competitors' opinions. I'm out there for my four minutes of glory and you have to watch me!

It doesn't matter if I get 8.9 points or 89 (I've had both, and recently in MMB regionals!) The real fun is learning how others do it, . . .... their musical selections and carefully diagrammed routines occasionally are boring. There's a certain style of performance that is judged superior. That doesn't sit too well with me. I'd rather do it my own way, even if nobody else appreciates my efforts. I've used a six pack stack of baby ryvs flown to Stevie Ray Vaughn. I've burned cigar holes in both a custom Tirips as well as my "stealth Supersonic" when the kite I wanted to use was NOT appropriate for that day's conditions. I've flown on 120s and also 50 feet of string.

My main concern is to keep competing a fun activity. Somebody's gotta lose, more than likely it will be me! That's okay, my ego can take it. I don't read the rules, so I've been DQ'd a couple of times. I don't want to score, judge, field direct or witness the other participant's efforts. I just want to hang-out near 'em so I can use their music while I entertain the crowds. I prefer short lines and an aggressive flying style. I'm thrilled when kids gasp and scream, or chase my kites. I have been known to teach lessons on 17 inch handles with 40 feet of line on a beach packing big wind. That is all the more fun if the student is a waist-high warrior!

I will work, honor my commitments and haul my share, but I'm not going to become a Jim Cosca either. My dear friend and birthday-buddy shows-up, works his tail-feathers off all weekend and didn't even have any free-time to goof-off and socialize. I appreciate his commitment to the sport, but I can't get "up" for that personally. Plus, I probably paid my own way, full-boat, . . .... so I should get to play more than the sponsored laborers.

Competition is great fun, you don't have to arrive expecting to win, thereby making it memorable. Just go out there and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about a thing, no lives or careers are in danger if you don't bring home "the wood". Smile, put on your show! We'll see you at the next event and can laugh together there too.

Okay,

you're right!,... what a selfish pig I am!

no wonder the wife says:

"everyone knows you & few people actually LIKE you"

[KiteLife]

Well said Paul!

[rcom714]

Well said on all accounts Paul (won't touch the wife comment tho)!!!!!!!!!!

[mousieo]

Okay here's my two cents, when I go out it's for me and if other people watch it is all the better but I just love to fly.....

I have never competed so on that I have no knowledge if I'd like it and as for team flying I don't do much of that for a

few reasons and one being it's not what I do, I just fly and here and there one of you end up beside me for a bit and then

we just fly...... My greatest joy comes from sharing and teaching others how much fun this sport really is

and in between I just have fun , maybe I'm just not able to wrap my head around the whole team thing or

the competition thing and truth be told I really don't fly that well..... As for helping I will and do what I can, but

for me I don't really want to judge but if you need a hand and I'm not doing what I do I am always willing to help in

some other ways..... So here's my 2 cents, compete if you like it, team fly if you like it, fly by yourself if thats what you like, or teach others if thats what you like, no matter what have fun and if your having fun

for some reason that always seems to spread to others.....

competitor

teacher

team flier

soul flier

just having fun,,,,,,,, yeah thats me.......Ben :blue-cool:

(my 2 cents)

I just read the last page here... and I do understand why people would rather just go fly.. it does take time to compete.. no doubt. I think there are more times this past year where I have asked myself why I am doing it..because I enjoy going out and flying on my own, or on the line.. a lot.

I think the answer for me is that it has pushed me to learn new things and pushed me to be better ( ok ok, lol I know I have a long way to go so no cracks please lol ) .

I also remember one of the first times I ever flew on the line between John and Steve, and while trying to keep up with John, while Stevie kept bumping my kite lol, looking at John and saying * JOHN>> I CAN"T do thatttttt! *. And in all honesty, I couldn't lol.. but John pushed me to try it anyway, and just hang in there and while I am by no means at the level they are, I can hop on a line and not rip 5 people out of the sky ... (thinking back to WSKIF a few years back.)

Again, its the challenge that pushed me to learn, and I am usually intrigued by being challenged. On the other hand, I love to just go out and do a fun demo and maybe give someone a smile...

I don't know about anyone else, but I have found that if I go too long without flying, I start to feel really .. bad lol So I think it's a real release to go out and just play as well.

just my 4 cents...