21 replies to this topic

[kwmf]

Sari Alexandra Becker, on 15 November 2011 - 01:39 PM, said:

Wow!!! You guys are awesome!!!

Thats what I keep telling people .... oddly enough they don't seem to believe me

Sari Alexandra Becker, on 15 November 2011 - 01:39 PM, said:

I feel that I should add this... the only reason I'm getting the 120' lines are because it says to do so on the WCRC's "What to Bring" section... I don't make the rules, I just follow them.
To be completely honest, the thought of flying WITH or NEAR other people makes me a little uneasy.

Like you, I don't own a set (mostly due to space issues and no team here) ... but I ordered a set for the clinic because it will make things easier in that I can fly with others and it increases the size of the wind window which will give me more time to process things that don't always lend themselves to shorter lines.

I have only flown a handful of times with someone else and I found it to be very good for my development - either because it highlighted something I needed to learn, or because it gave me an additional point in the sky to reference with.

Now I'm far from being an expert pilot, but I know that when I got my ex-girlfriend in the sky with me (on 80' lines) we did just fine. As the more experienced of the two, I was just letting her work on doing what she needed to do and I assumed responsibility for moving around her problems and keeping it in the air. My assumption is the more experienced guys there will do the same for you as I was doing, so you can just focus on doing what you need to do and they'll all work around it.

As JB said - EVERYONE is good enough to fly with everyone else, it's just how much or how little you can get into it with them.

If all else fails, I'll have my 80's there and would be more than happy to fly pairs with you .... but I somehow doubt you'll have any problem finding a flying partner. While I've got no team/grid experience, I'm actually looking forward to a 30 person grid fly by the end of it .... I just need to remember to breathe, relax, keep my hands down and focus on my own Rev.

Sari Alexandra Becker, on 15 November 2011 - 01:39 PM, said:

kwmf - Thanx for the advice. I've only flown my Rev 3 times (on the 80' line set it came with)... for a total of 6-ish hours. And to be subtle... I suck! Hence why I'm so excited for the WCRC. Since I've had my new kite, I've tried to fly it numerous times but there's never any damn wind here. So, when I do find wind and get a chance to fly it, I was just gonna use the line set I currently have. But now you've made me kinda nervous thinking that I should be practicing with the 120's too...
This sucks cuz I work till 5pm Monday to Friday and it now gets dark at 4:30.

Don't be nervous about the line set, I merely made the suggestion as a way to ask Monkey to spend a little time helping you out and pointing you in the right direction - that way you feel more confident and capable come the clinic and can get even more out of it than you thought you would

I came from a power kite background so I didn't have TOO much trouble getting onto the rev - just had to learn new method of control and that the wind window is smaller (still kep forgetting that one), but otherwise I wasn't too bad. I've got a few people onto my Rev before and it doesn't take that long to pick up, especially if you have someone around to help you out.

I have the same problem having to work for a living ... I do manage to get some time during my lunch breaks over here though...
http://maps.google.c...=h&z=18&vpsrc=6

[John Barresi]

Aye Sari, it's not as much about *team flying* as it is flying with others... Kind of like fishing, I guess. lol

You'll be surprised at how mellow it all is...

You'd be hard-pressed to catch those who would join you, let alone actually get tangled up.

We're used to newbies, we welcome them, and you won't be a newbie for too long.

[stroke survivor]

Sari - I wasted nearly a year being afraid to fly with others!! Now it comes as easy as breathing!! It's that initial fear that holds you back!! Worse thing that happens is a tangle - big deal!! Someone will take charge, straighten it out, and away you go!! No blood, maybe some sweat, lot's of tears - of joy!!!

[Jeepster]

stroke survivor, on 16 November 2011 - 09:08 AM, said:

... Worse thing that happens is a tangle - big deal!! Someone will take charge, straighten it out, and away you go!! ...

All of us have gone through that "afraid to breath" stage when first flying with others. But, as was mentioned, you will learn SO MUCH MORE when flying with others! Don't miss any opportunity that comes up.

Had been flying about a month by myself when I ended up in a group of three others at a club fly. The most important thing I learned was what I didn't know!!! There were a couple of moves where my brain simply didn't know what to do. Ended up flying straight into the ground on one move ... geez!!! One of the guys laughed and said "Thank You" ... he explained that he'd done the same thing when learning and it was fun to be reminded of the early days.

And tangles? I've yet to see one that was not correctable. More importantly, I've yet to see anyone become upset because a tangle occurred ... we've all been the cause of a tangle at one time or another.

Cheers,
Tom

[Sari Alexandra Becker]

I'll say it again... YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!!!

Thank you very much to everyone for all the encouraging words! You guys rock!!!

120 DAYS!!!

[Sari Alexandra Becker]

Wow... last time I posted was 120 days ago!!! I've been a busy, busy girl. But this is a good thing, because now all i have to say is...
THE WEST COAST FREAKIN' REV CLINIC STARTS TOMORROW, BABY!!! I'm so excited its just ridiculous! Weather forecast isn't looking too promising, but I trust we'll have a blast anyway.

See y'all tomorrow!

Sari

[Sari Alexandra Becker]

Spence Watson, on 15 November 2011 - 06:00 PM, said:

120' lines are not mandatory but will definitely help your learning curve. Honestly, we're gonna fly with and near you if you think you are ready for it or not. It's not as big of a deal as you might think, and we will break you in quick. The learning curve increases dramatically when flying with others, so to make the most out of the clinic, I would certainly recommend it.

Wow... Spence, when I first read your reply to this, u had me scared shitless!!! Really! I didn't believe you, I thought its probably a WAYYY bigger deal than I think, and I didn't want to be broken in quick.
But now... that I've had my magical amazing unbelievable weekend at the casual clinic, I'm here to say that I stand corrected! You were absolutely right about everything you said. Sorry to have doubted you... lol. And thank you again, sooo much for the patience and time you put into flying team with me that weekend. Same goes to Chuck and Gerry! You guys are the best!

[Sari Alexandra Becker]

stroke survivor, on 16 November 2011 - 09:08 AM, said:

Sari - I wasted nearly a year being afraid to fly with others!! Now it comes as easy as breathing!! It's that initial fear that holds you back!! Worse thing that happens is a tangle - big deal!! Someone will take charge, straighten it out, and away you go!! No blood, maybe some sweat, lot's of tears - of joy!!!

Wayne, you couldn't have said it more perfectly! I'm not at the 'easy as breathing' stage yet... as a matter of fact, I'm not sure i breathed the entire time I was team flying... lol. Only when I landed did I remember to take a quick breath or two.
But you're so right, I did make many mistakes, but someone always straightened it out and away we went. Definitely no blood, absolutely some sweat... and oh so much joy!!! I LOVE IT!!!

[stroke survivor]

Sari, you'll know when you "get" it, when you hear or see a line forming and you run to get a place in line!!!

[John Barresi]

Ah yes, the "bat signal"...

3 Revs in a line is like honey to bears for Rev fliers.