John Barresi

If this doesn't get you up and moving... Superb, do what you want in life.

Just an up to date observation... Looking at those two lists, I'm pretty sure everyone who has voted thus far has had the opportunity to try out all the skins. I'm still leaning towards launching on Classic Blue with the Rev forum upgrade just out of principle, but the IP Board skin will be available as well. Probably just two skins (not counting low fi) will be included in that upgrade.

*chortle* Thanks Hedge, you put a big grin on my face with this one... Sorry to have cut you off, had no idea, wouldn't have done it otherwise. Sounds like I owe you a lesson? (if you want) Jynx, getting you onto a Rev at Mots is one of my highlights from that year. Flirting with a hot blonde is always a bonus as well, but I'm off the market now!

Polo is one of the best Rev pilots I've ever seen, he's mighty good... Interesting to note though, his upper body doesn't move very much at all while he flies, instead relying on forward (less brake) in his tuning to achieve loading in the sail. It also over-accelerates his fast forward flight though, making it a bit unwieldy for less experienced pilots, imho. No slight to him at all, style is style... Just identifying traits for the sake of discussion.

Although I didn't respond first time around, I did read this comment and didn't forget (not for a moment)... Is the current header a bit better on the eyes Bruce?

This is one of my favorite lines of questioning when I meet new kitefliers, as it gives a very good idea of where and how we're getting new fliers into our community. Also, since it's my passion to turn on and encourage new fliers, this gives a fair idea of where we're reaching the general public and how. Thanks for your replies. == I was first exposed to modern kiting in August of 1990 while hanging at at the Marina Green in San Francisco when I was 15 years old. I'd seen these things buzzing around the sky for several weeks prior, and one day, it finally got the better of me so I wandered out there... The gentleman was flying a Team Hawaiian (dual line) and answered all my questions in friendly fashion, then even let me try his kite right there on the spot! After it dragged me on my butt down the field, I was totally hooked and went to buy my first kite (also dual line) from Tom McAlister of Highline Kites the next morning and have been at it ever since... He took really good care of me and my dad, went through all the options very fairly and made sure we got the right set up for my first time out. Now, just short of 20 years later, I'm an occasional invited performer at his event in Berkeley and I'm working on his new web site as we speak, hoping for a February launch. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I'd bought my kite from anyone else, could have significantly shifted how the the past 20 years have gone for me. Thank you Tom. And sadly, no... I have no idea who that wonderful gentleman was, even to this day. I'd sure love to give him a hug and buy him dinner.

To clarify, one of my reasons for starting this topic was to identify the traits that are making the difference for you as customers/fliers. And of course, those shops who are on the mark with their service and products are actually doing kiting a favor just by doing good business. By singling out these great shops, it helps identify a standard that other shops might look at and benefit from, doing us all a favor by making more happy kitefliers.

Enough with that, all comments and sentiments are valid.

Indeed, "top of page" is easy (not sure why Invision removed that link), but in lieu of that, cmd+uparrow (OSX) or ctrl+home (Windows) will do the job.

Wow, 7 zip for the default IP Board so far... I didn't see that coming, for sure. It's my fave of the 4 as well.

Catch the Wind is on their last legs as well, from what I've been hearing through the grapevine.

Forum is back up, thanks for playing.

Just polling to find who your favorite kite shop(s) are, and what what's set them apart for you... I'm sure other folks can benefit from that experience. I also think it's important to recognize the folks that are working hard for you as fliers, and identify some of the things that have made them good to work with. Feel free to post a URL as well if you like, but anyone who owns a kite shop should sit this one out unless they're addressing a comment in good taste. If you have any horror stories, I'd be up for reading those too, short of outright flaming.

I know a bunch of the European folks bend their stock Rev handles out a bit wider for more throw (length and shallower bend), a bit like using Rev's longer handles but perhaps a bit more sudden with the inputs. That's why I like my 13" for everything, 1.5 or Zen, it has a curve that fits and leverages in my hand quite well, and doesn't provide too much input on the kite... Less chance of over control, so I can be more aggressive and commanding with it. Totally a matter of taste though, I'm eager to read your findings.

Absolute truth. I love y'all... Simply, because you fly kites, not because of where you post or buy your kites. The rest is everything else. I hope you really feel the depth of that. (gotcha) Superb, I can't wait. Since everyone is so keen on checking the Rev forum first, I think we'll let 'em have at it for a bit more so I can get my money's worth. Might even sleep on it, but don't worry, I get up fairly early (for a west coaster). PS, I love how the emoticons work in this new format, loading up nicely on the right like that instead of an extra window.

Just having a bit of good-natured fun for a minute.

It'll come back when the Rev forum goes live again.

Really? Nobody gets the joke? Come on, Ben was laughing for a good 2-3 minutes when he saw it.

(EDITED) Alright, I've had my fun... Forum is back up. For those who didn't see the Rev forum "offline" page, this is what was there for a few hours... Interesting to note, not everyone recognized the seven cans with string between them.

Shhhhh, you'll scare 'em all away!

Pffft, I appreciate the humor, but it's no surprise you're more hip to the kites out there today... Being a kite store does have its advantages. Thanks for the added info.

We aim to please.

Ah thanks, that's my avatar from the Rev forum (made by Jonesey), just copied it over when I downsized the avatars here.

How this Jon?

Straight to me, I've *just* sent a reply (at length).