Welcome to the last day of our 27th annual convention… The morning brought more seminars including an Indoor Fighter workshop by Steve Bateman, Bag Raffle tickets were still available for the 1pm drawing, and attendees strolled through the Fly Mart one more time.
As fliers headed out to the beach, they were greeted with a steady drizzle and moderate breezes… Not hardly enough to stop Ray Bethell from flying though, or the dozen or so competitors in Wet Tricks, err, I mean Hot Tricks!
The event was run in standard format with two fliers facing off at a time, their peers judging them, and the winners moving on to the next round… One outstanding participant was 8 year old Tristan Underwood who battled his way through 3 rounds into the semi finals against veteran masters.
The finals saw Daniel Haigh versus Ari Contzius, throwing down their best trick combos much to the delight of spectators… The winner – Ari Contzius!
After a much needed soak in the hot tub, we headed over to the convention center a bit early in preparation for the awards banquet and dinner… You wouldn’t believe the handmade kites this year, with amazing entries from Jose Sainz, Ron Gibian, John & Mary Gabby, John Pollock and other renowned kite makers from around the USA.
The banquet kicked off with a performance from Lee and Debbie park, flying their indoor Decas in a finely choreographed presentation… Setting the stage for the much anticipated winners to be announced.
| Novice Individual Precision | |
| 1st | Todd Haymans |
| 2nd | Brian Davis |
| 3rd | Ray Underwood |
| Novice Individual Ballet | |
| 1st | Ray Underwood |
| 2nd | Todd Haymans |
| 3rd | Phelen McCall |
| Experienced Individual Precision | |
| 1st | Don Ostey |
| 2nd | Wayne Fu |
| 3rd | Bruce Alleshouse |
| Experienced Individual Ballet | |
| 1st | Zach Gordon |
| 2nd | Bruce Alleshouse |
| 3rd | Willy Hendrickson |
| Masters Individual Precision | |
| 1st | Ron Graziano |
| 2nd | Josh Gordon |
| 3rd | Scott Davis |
| Masters Individual Ballet | |
| 1st | Ron Graziano |
| 2nd | Josh Gordon |
| 3rd | Shawn Tinkham |
| Experienced Multiline Precision | |
| 1st | Doug Coates |
| 2nd | Dan Burnham |
| 3rd | Wayne Turner |
| Experienced Multiline Ballet | |
| 1st | Alan Cunningham |
| 2nd | Karl Berg |
| 3rd | Dan Burnham |
| Masters Multiline Precision | |
| 1st | John Barresi |
| 2nd | Ron Despojado |
| 3rd | Shawn Tinkham |
| Masters Multiline Ballet | |
| 1st | John Barresi |
| 2nd | Ron Despojado |
| 3rd | Lam Hoac |
| Open Indoor Unlimited | |
| 1st | Shawn Tinkham |
| 2nd | Lam Hoac |
| 3rd | Jerry Cannon |
| Open Individual Freestyle | |
| 1st | Charles Stonestreet |
| 2nd | Ray Bethell |
| 3rd | Ulysses Villanueva |
| Open Team Trains | |
| 1st | That’s My Line |
| 2nd | K-Fan |
| 3rd | Heaven Help Us |
| Experienced Pairs Precision | |
| 1st | EOS |
| 2nd | Wingnuts |
| 3rd | Chaos Effect |
| Experienced Pairs Ballet | |
| 1st | EOS |
| 2nd | Odyssey |
| 3rd | Chaos Effect |
| Masters Pairs Precision | |
| 1st | Wright Brothers |
| 2nd | Raw Power |
| 3rd | Wind Junkies |
| Masters Pairs Ballet | |
| 1st | Raw Power |
| 2nd | Fly By Night |
| 3rd | Wind Junkies |
| Experienced Team Precision | |
| 1st | Snowbirds |
| Experienced Team Ballet | |
| 1st | Smitty & The Girls |
| 2nd | Snowbirds |
| Masters Team Precision | |
| 1st | Cutting Edge |
| 2nd | 6th Sense |
| 3rd | AirZone |
| Masters Team Ballet | |
| 1st | 6th Sense |
| 2nd | Cutting Edge |
| 3rd | AirZone |
There were some very closely fought battles in team and individual events across the board!
On the single line end, People’s Choice went to Ron Gibian, Best Kite Accessory to Sam Huston and the Grand Champion of our 27th annual AKA Grand Nationals and Convention… John Pollock.
Thank you all for stopping by each day to follow our updates, and we encourage each and every one of you to make plans for the 28th annual convention to be held next year in Ocean City, MD!
Good flight, good night.
John Barresi
