Penny Lingenfelter

John's, way is probably like most of our flying routines. A lot of off the cuff and flying to the music. Actually the majority of flyers don't have their routines choreographed. but know a few key elements they will put in. My Popeye routine felt stilted for a while, because I choreographed every move for high or low wind (though it is a wind song) I went to Eric Forsburg, International head judge and asked him what he thought. Should I keep trying to choreograph, or free fly with special moves for special music opportunities, etc. Hoping to show more soul. He suggested staying with the choreography, because sometimes your on, and sometimes your off. I try to incorporate that advice in my flying, but it generally takes me longer to choreograph something to my liking. The words continuity and consistency are important words in kite judging. I once planned a routine the night before and stick practiced like crazy for the comp that morning. I didn't get a portion of the last part choreographed and the judges called me on it. I took 2nd But learned a good lesson for competition. You need that flow jo going if you want to free fly in competition. Then there's Mystery Ballet. That's my favorite. BB Penny

I agree, choreograph and practice while flying. Video makes this one of the best learning tools. I use to write my routines down, but use video quite a bit. I've never finger flown before, that should be entertaining with tricks. Any video? I got to fly for about 45 min. this am. It's nice to get back into the winter kiteflying routine. BB Penny

John's right, the EXP for the price is a good kite. If your going to put 100's of hours flying, your going to need a a new whatever kind of kite you have at least repaired if not replaced. If your going to fly a few days in the summer, the EXP is just fine. WindofChange has a point. You don't see people buying an EXP after get the SLE. BB Penny

I agree with the SLE with an extra leading edge in light spars. What you don't want to start with is a Speed Series kite, which also has a SLE. The Shockwave or Supersonic. They are not really recommended for beginners. As for a SLE 1.5 that is a great kite, indoor and out. Luv it! It's what that old heavy black rev. 1.5 is in the pirate video. With all those years of paint on it, it's a heavy kite, but 0 mph to 10 mph comfortably. I like those kites.

How do you choreograph your routines? How do you practice your choreography besides flying the kite? I've stick practiced solo and with others. Best done in a hot tub. Folded dollar bills shaped like a Rev. stuck on a straw works as a great kite stick. Pipe cleaners make wonderful colorful kite shapes and sticks! Is it Rick Talbot or Ron Reich who makes those wonderful straw sticks with string, so you can see how many twist you have in them. Fantastic tool! I practice on computer screens and TV's make a wonderful kite window. Laser Lights and Flash lights in the dark. I don't like this as well, because you don't get a good visual on forward and reverse kite flying. But it's fun. Writing out the routine while I've watched the kids playing ball, or my husband umpiring. On the beach, in the rain, in the snow, in no wind. Lunch breaks. It's been a while since I got up like 5 am to fly. I think I'm ready to start that again. My choreographer said to plan your routine like your looking at it from above. I've always considered it like ice skating in the sky. Well, that was before indoor and 3D flying. Any ways, that's just one of many ways to do it. Do you work on your choreography in your mind, on a video, with a stick? How do you practice it when you can't fly? lol Have you ever danced your routine on the ground? What works for you? BB Penny www.pennyrev.com

Wow, and I thought it was just me. I'll have to start using spell check again. Tks! BB Penny

Great job Todd! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us this year. You have come far fast. BB Penny

Eric would like to have an indoor show & competition in Dieppe, France. He's wondering where to find good indoor flyers. Anyone know who to put him in contact with? Yooooo Hoooo Indoor flyers? Contact us, or send us info on good indoor flyers please. European kite clubs with indoor flyers? Me, I'd like to see it happen and be able to go..... BB Penny

You go Rob! lol, some of the moves we laughed at years ago. Now the judges are looking at them as tricks. But there is still plenty out there to be invented. Keep us posted. BB Penny

A rev. 1.5 or esxp. And just for the record guys. I've seen master quad fliers launch the Rev. from every direction. Flat down, flat back, even laid back on tip and flown up and out. Rev I's and 1.5's not the SLE in a dead launch. With a quad, you don't always look for precision, you look for fun, playing in the water, taking friends hats off, a good game of tag. Darn.. now I've gone and made myself want to fly! Good luck with your choice. BB Penny

Have you two made your reservations for showers at Lincoln City's Indoor in March? lol Indoor showers, we don't care if it rains outside, or if you wear your clothes when you shower with your kites or not.... but make those reservations.... and you might better call around to find the rooms with the biggest showers. lol BB Penny

I've been out and about with my mind on other things. Sorry I missed saying Happy Happy B-Day Moon. Hope it was a good one. BB Penny

It woud be fun to have a knotty time at one of the festivals. Each person sharing a knot and how we utilize it. Hey, John Do you have these guys's videos's linked up anywhere? I really enjoy the 5 rev demo. Great Choreography. http://asaintjouan.free.fr/videos/videos.html BB Penny

You know, I've never measured the handles. How do the 13" compare in size to the SUL or Longthrow handles? BB Penny

Is there a way to get a link to the monkey? I can't click on it from this computer or it will kick to outlook and have a melt down our computer guru informed me. A couple of the girls wanted me to send it to them. My computer died yesterday and we're getting a new server at work on Fri. Guess that's what I get for bragging about how my computer never gives me problems. lol ewwww BB Penny

Practice to get the balance down. Strong push on the thumbs if needed, and lighter on the back tips. It is one of those moves that requires practice. And hey, that is the fun part. BB Penny

Ozones are great. I have an ex who bought a yellow van once, because of the way it looked and it's stereo... Extra features included a queen size bed in the back and mushroom shag table. <_< It ran like a lemon. Glad you did the research for your decision. BB Penny

lol That's ok Scott, I'm sure Monkey was thinking the beer was for him. Though he would share. David, (monkey boy) semi-single man with no kids, meet Scott (newbie), married, father of how many? BB Penny

I understand. Wonder if Sam has a picture of where to get his knot? It's one of the best improvements on the kite adjustments in 10 years. I do work my hands up and down on the handles, however, it's not a strong grip. Sometimes I fly with such a light touch I accidently let go of the handle. My hands are not very big, or my grip stong, so I do like flying with my hands lower on my handles. Most people will change how they fly over the years. The evolution of the Revolution is not complete by a long shot. It will be interesting to see what new generations bring to the kite. BB Penny

Hi Jason, Good information, Since you said you don't use the pigtails anymore are you using the slip knot that was passed around at AKA from Sam Ritter? Love it! It has the adjustability without the knots to get caught on. You said: As for hand position, I hold my handles with my index fingers resting right at the tops of the grips - with a very relaxed grip. You steer by gripping and releasing the handles - not by moving your wrists. If you really like flying quads, This part made me laugh when I thought about giving lessons and some of the funny things people do. Pushing with their thumbs up and down on the handle like there is a magic button or remote control. Or gripping the handles tighter and tighter like it will pump the kite up in the air. I've seen death grips! lol I explain they have to change the plane of the kite, or the angle for the wind to change it's action, thrashing my arms and up and down while the kite does nothing other then come down lightly in no wind. How do you change the direction of the kite in low wind or high wind with just gripping your handles? Not changing the direction of the handles without using your wrist at all? Something else I say in my lesson, Is that everyone has their own style. Learn to fly and don't let anyone tell you your doing it right or wrong. We can show them our way, but there are other ways. Precision flyers can come after they learn to stop the kite in any direction without crashing it. lol NO wrist? BB Penny

Great advice Kent. It sounds like he should have no problem finding buggy friends. BB Penny

I believe you Doug! I'm not sure I would go to 100 ft. Unless your in a lot of wind, you'll probably have lag in the line. 75-80 ft. at least 80 lb. Laser Pro lines will do ya. Ha! I have brown hair today and I'm on subject! lol Doug, you said you had trouble stanind it up? They should be parked upside down for safety. Oh, so maybe we need to teach him to turn it over? BB Penny

My hair is NOT red auburn... and those freckles... beauty marks... all of them! lol oh, and the rev. back tracker..... uhmm, Can't think of anything to say about it.. but I mentioned it so I'm still on topic. Take that monkey boy! Amy, throw something at him for me please. BB Penny

Where are you from Ken? You might be able to find buggiers in the area that give lessons or agents who let you test the kites. There's new and used out there. So you'll have plenty of choices. BB Penny ps now that really wasn't much help was it? <_<

Advice? Invest in another rev? lol Sorry, it was a good idea gone bad for Rev. and like a red headed step child they don't talk about it much. They actually can be a good kite with; real handles, longer lines, tails and decent wind. It does take more wind and it is squirrelly, however you can slow it down and it is doable. Start with a power launch. 1) tight lines, 2) long arms and 3) one foot behind you. Step back while you pull the handles back pointing the bottom of the handles up. Put some power into it. You want to be stonger then the wind. Stepping back will make it easier in the beginning as you will create lift. To come down, push down on both thumbs, rotating your wrist to pull back on the bottom of the handles, too. If the kite falls out of the sky, you are overcontrolling and pulling it out of the sky. Keep it laying down on the wind window to start with. If your not pulling it out of the sky, there's not enough wind. Push turns, or pull turns to start with. That's enough for today. If this confused you go take a look at their web site. www.revkites.com I think. It's a good toy, but trust me you'll want better. BB Penny