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Editor/Publisher |
John Barresi |
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Assistant Editor |
Dave Shattuck |
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Directors-at-Large |
Troy Gunn
Central USA |
Al Stroh
Southwest USA |
Al Hargus III
Midwest USA |
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Contributors: |
David Gomberg |
Gayle Woodul |
Ray Bethell |
Mike Dallmer |
Scott Spencer |
Otto Vossen |
David Hathaway |
Matt McGee |
Gustavo Di Si |
Andrew Cimburek |
Castor Uycoque |
Joan Laurino |
Scott Ralston |
Lance Storr |
Todd Rudolph |
Ron Hardie |
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Founder |
Mike Gillard
1954-2006 |
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Photo by Todd Rudolph
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Welcome to our latest issue, it's been a crazy past few weeks with so much happening in the closing months of the season... Festivals, competitions and fun flies nearly every weekend in September have kept the staff here at Kitelife very busy indeed! I make a concerted effort to attend as many events as possible every year, in order to represent the community at large as best we can in these pages, and to see what is really going on all over the country. |
| Additionally, we're gearing up to process another four issues of the now out of print Kite Lines magazine and add them to our archives. As the longest running color kiting magazine in the United States (if not abroad), they amassed a truly amazing wealth of history, interviews, plans and stories from all over the world... Again, I'd like to offer my personal thanks to Valerie Govig for allowing us to republish her works to the world wide web for everyone to see, absolutely free of charge. |
| On another interesting note, I'm honored to be serving as Chair of the American Kitefliers Association Sport Kite Committee (SKC) for 2006. Working with over a dozen other recognized sport kite representatives from all over the country, the SKC works to develop and improve the existing competition rules, as well as to identify and address ways we can improve the sport as a whole. In other words, the committee works for the competition community as a whole... It will be a challenge, and a distinct pleasure to lend what experience I can from my fifteen years in this wonderful and dynamic sport. |
| Each year, the SKC also holds a "Symposium" at the AKA Grand Nationals, where attending fliers can address the committee directly (face to face) with their concerns, ideas and recommendations... Those of you who are in that community are heartily encouraged to take the time to share your insights every year, as well as throughout the year by way of your own local representatives. |
| With regard to our video archives which some of you may have found inaccessible (except to official subscribers) during the latter part of each month, you'll happily find that we've quadrupled our bandwidth resources and do not expect to see that area of our site restricted any time soon... However, we do plan on accumulating Hot Tricks and Kitelife-produced tutorial videos in our subscriber section over the winter! |
| Keep an eye on our email updates, and in upcoming issues for news on this. Please remember in the interim, this is a "home grown" publication and web site - we rely on both advertisers and subscribers to keep our services operational, as there is a great deal of time and resources involved in maintaining it... Please do your part, and consider becoming an official subscriber today! |
| On a cool media note, a correspondant from Evening News came to the Westport Windriders Festival this past July 9th and 10th, to do a feature on the 2005 World Champion sport kite team Cutting Edge. Look for it sometime in October or November on NWNC, channel 49 in Portland OR, or King 5 in Seattle. |
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AKA Corner
Our presiding AKA President brings us the latest news, keeping us up to date on the latest changes in the committee members and chairs. |
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Dave's World
With help from it's sister city in France, Dieppe (Canada) is trying to build the largest international kite event in the world, and just might! |
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Dave's World 2
Fliers gather in Korea to promote unity and harmony, coming from all over the world to take another step towards peace and understanding. |
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Join the Team
Our staff here at Kitelife extends a heartfelt invitation to share your experiences, your insights, your knowledge, and your delight in kiting. |
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Letters to the Editor
Sometimes our readers take time to comment on the projects and issues here at Kitelife, and we're always happy to share them with you. |
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ProFile: Otto Vossen
This odd and wonderful Dutch kite maker is found at festivals all around the world, spreading and recognizing a passionate approach to life. |
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Weight Basics and Control
Veteran trick pilot Matt McGee shares his insights into using weights on your kites, how they affect flight, all with regard to the center of gravity. |
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ProFile: Gayle Woodul
This lovable kite powerhouse is making an impact all over the USA kiting community, and as an active volunteer with the AKA. |
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REVisions: Beyond the Basics
Veteran Rev flier MonkeyBoy delves into 6 basic things every flier needs to know, from lines to rods, and how to work on your new set of skills. |
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Tangents w/out Trivia
Regular correspondant Al Hargus addresses the painful topic of gas prices we all face when traveling to kite festivals around the country. |
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Empty Spaces: Betty Hirschmann
A loved member of the AKA and kiting community, we lost Betty this past August... Words of love from Mike Dallmer and Scott Spencer. |
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Airbow by Benson Kites
One of the most unique quad line kites around, the Airbow features an original 3D design that enables very unusual trick and flight abilities. |
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Cutting Edge Summer Heat
In addition to traditional sport kite competition, this year's Summer Heat was also host to the first west coast Tricks Party ever held. |
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Berkeley Kite Festival
Flier and competitors gather for this annual event, set against the beautiful San Francisco Bay... Packed with kids, kites and fun, what a trip! |
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Washington State Intl Kite Festival
After last year's foul weather, WSIKF more than made up this year with great wind and no rain... A truly great event, with something for all. |
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Buenos Aires Children Day
Kites and kids find their day in Argentina... Correspondant Gustavo Di Si describes this celebration of children, and the games they play! |
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Steveston SKC
This greater Vancouver BC area event not only hosted NWSKL comps but also introduced fliers to the Tricks Party format, simplified. |
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Cleveland Kite Festival
Attend a classic festival with a lakeside view. Demos, lots of single-line kites, and camaraderie galore. Who could possibly ask for more? |
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Collingwood Kite Festival
Ray Bethell's adventures continue at this unique Canadian festival in Edmonton... Good stuff, good show, good time had by all who came! |
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Golden Gate Challenge
Labor Day brings BASKL fliers to the ocean beaches San Francisco for kite flying, competition and fun... All for the benefit of Mister Kite! |
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Crescent City Labor Day Fun Fly
An amazing weekend with the Rogue Valley Windchasers club, sharing good times, friendship and a wealth of experience, old and new. |
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Lewis & Clark Exposition
Run by the NWSKL and it's fliers, this event proves that great "bare bones" competitions can be run successfully, even on a small budget. |
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Festival/Comp Schedules
Looking for an event? You can find full schedules and contact information for events all over the country on the web sites listed here. |
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Lincoln City Fall Festival
The 2005 World Champions return, along with a host of other top performers to entertain at this year's festival on the Oregon coast. |
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One Sky, One World
Since 1986 the OSOW event has brought fliers worldwide on a single day to celebrate kiting and world peace, fly for humanity! |
Photo Collections
(added since last issue) |
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