John Barresi

Fair enough!

Woohoo, another SWEET raffle going on at the AKA right now. http://kite.org/raffles/premier-high-flying-package/ All going to a single ticket holder on May 1st, from Premier Kites: 12' Box Delta Conyne (Blue Op-Art) 111" Exotic Bird (Cool Gradient) 65" Diamond (Cool Tronic) Six 15" Combo Tails Good luck if you've got tickets, funds go to a good cause too.

Aha, a Highline Kites / Berkeley Kite Festival special... Fabric is from Ken Conrad, I believe. Not a common skin, specially made for Highline - you're not likely to run into another one on the field, except on a very blue moon. == All 1.5 frames (SLE, B-Series, EXP) are interchangeable, same length spars all around. Difference between SLE and B for you at this point, is negligible - IF you have the 1/4" spars, not the thicker SLEs. I'd say a properly tuned SLE with 3 wrap leading edge is 85%-90% of a B's overall performance with the same frame. That being said, the B-PRO is perfectly sewn by a master kitemaker, comes in totally custom colors, and uses PC-31 Icarex instead of the regular stuff... It's a bit more, sure, but really worth it if you're likely to keep at it for a while. == 2 wraps are spongier, if you're not crashing at terminal velocity, go right for the black race rods, for sure - we don't use 2 wraps any longer. == A better kite is worth more than better handles, far and away. However, the "snagless" PRO handles from Rev are pretty sweet and look super cool.

One of the shots with Annika (awesome little flier). And some of the other young folks I've had fun with on the field... Pics taken in Singapore, Malaysia, Colombia and France, respectively: And, another shot of me from 1992 AKA Grand Nationals.

Aye, an immediate redraw isn't immediate (30 days later), we'll have new prizes up before then, and I also like the chance to watch it all over again. And of course, it's of slight benefit to KiteLife to rally excitement once more. Still, let's hope Mr Pyle collects - I'll be looking for a phone number here shortly.

My pleasure Christian, your lucky number is 581.

Not yet, but I've sent him both an email and private message. Anything unclaimed after 30 days goes back into the prize pool.

Crashed a little too much. Nah, now I just train 'em younger than I was. <grin> I think Joe Loranger was about 7 or 8 when this photo was taken, flying iQuad maneuvers!

Me, at the 1991 Oregon State Stunt Kite Championships in Lincoln City, OR.

Aye Richard, lucky # is 922.

Some of the earliest stacks were Hyperkites, born in San Diego - makes sense.

Zach, your lucky number is 1021.

I know you're in the loop, but just in case anyone else is curious... It does indeed have *any* number of digits, but we've only assigned 74 of the 4-digit numbers so far. This last random draw was between 1 and 1074.

We just had one novice/intermediate space come up, Sari won't be able to attend and has offered to donate it to someone who missed the chance to get on the list... Let me know if you're interested.

Ah, just saw your post about the Geminis... Nice snag! They're much less stable by nature, not what I'd consider an ideal UL, but a solid product overall.

A little more money, the Skyburner Ocius is brilliant as a UL or SUL... Really smooth, precise and trickable.

I love side slides too, great fundamental skill... Nicely done Rob, very smooth.

Is that "Kite Kountry", in San Diego?

Thanks, updated the event link on iQuad's website. Wow, 45 days... Time is flying!

Okie dokie, here we go! 23, expired... 874, expired... 651, won the last drawing (sorry, gotta sit this one out)... 36, expired... 852, expired... 418, expired... 711, expired... 79, expired... 589... Wait (double checking PayPal), and yep... We've got a live one. Congratulations to Robert Pyle, taking home the full suite of B2's!!!

Prolonged drum roll...

Thanks Mike, probably not this year - but it sounds like fun! Guido - been dying to see him in person.

No, no - just kidding, and ya, I suck at April Fool's pranks. Seriously though, I probably flew 20+ hours in Long Beach WA this weekend and I'm utterly exhausted - no way I can make it another 2-1/2 hours to midnight PST. Will tackle it first thing when I wake up tomorrow, your patience is deeply appreciated. Until then, the RNG is watching... 317 posts, NICE.

What the heck??? I just got an internal email, looks like the RNG has decided to keep these beauties for itself!

I always dread drawing day... lol No matter who wins, someone is always left out. :/ Sure glad I don't have to actually choose!