Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1993 10:59:10 -1000 From: Darrin.Skinner@ebay.sun.com (Darrin Skinner) Message-Id: <9307202059.AA21219@stuntkite.EBay.Sun.COM> Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: Berkeley/CA Kite Championships Forget the Gilroy Garlic festival, forget the Fremont Wine and Arts festival, go to Berkeley instead!!! What: 7th Annual Berkeley Kite Festival AND California Kite Championships ---------------------- ---------- ----------------------------- When: July 24 and 25, 1993 Where: Berkeley Marina's North Waterfront Park This competition is shaping up to be the HOTTEST event of the year. Just like last year, EVERY nationally ranked Masters class team WILL be attending. This is the final chance for some teams to qualify for World Cup, so expect the competition to be fierce! This means exceptional entertainment for all spectators. There will be plenty of activities for the kids. I have included the nationally distributed information below. Hope to see you there! Highline Kites and the City of Berkeley invite you to join us at our beautiful 90-acre North Waterfront Park in the center of the San Francisco Bay Area for a weekend of fun, flying, and friendship. Whether you come to compete, or just to play in our clear Pacific Fresh Winds, come to THE EVENT WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! => National Points on the competitive stunt kite circuit => Full schedule of Dual-line events including individual and TEAM precision and ballet events => Single-line kite events => Quad-line kite competition => Most Beautiful Kite => Most Incredible Kite => Candy Drop (for the kids only) => Kite Making (for kids of all ages) => Best Kite-Chasing Dog => AND Lots More! >From I-80 NORTH OR SOUTH: Take the University Ave exit, then go West to the Marina and follow the signs to the Berkeley Marina's North Waterfront Park. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1993 19:40:48 -1000 From: rock@netcom.com (Anne Rock) Message-Id: Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest) Subject: Re: Berkeley/CA Kite Championships Darrin Skinner (Darrin.Skinner@ebay.sun.com) wrote: : Forget the Gilroy Garlic festival, forget the Fremont Wine and Arts festival, : go to Berkeley instead!!! : What: 7th Annual Berkeley Kite Festival AND California Kite Championships : ---------------------- ---------- ----------------------------- : When: July 24 and 25, 1993 : Where: Berkeley Marina's North Waterfront Park A little more detail....(all times approximate :-) For kids: Kite making 11-1:45, both days Kids most beautiful kite, after kite making, both days Candy drop 2:30-3, both days Adult comprehensives (single-line) 12-2, Saturday only Stunt kite competitions from 10-4, both days Masters Team Ballet 1:45, Sunday Masters Team Train Ballet, 3:15 Sunday Stunt kite lessons 12-4, both days. The Big Picture, demo by Bay Area Sundowners and Team Paragon, 12:00 Sat and 1:00 Sunday. Other demos throughout the afternoon, both days. If you aren't familiar with the micro-climate at North Waterfront Park, it can be quite cold (relatively, high 50s low 60s), so bring a jacket. And sunscreen. And, if the weather is like today, pray for wind :-) Anne - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - * Anne Rock | * * Berkeley, California | * * rock@netcom.com | * * | * - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1993 02:28:31 -1000 From: lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca (Larry Marshall) Message-Id: Organization: Forestry Canada - Petawawa National Forestry Institute Subject: Re: Berkeley/CA Kite Championships In rock@netcom.com (Anne Rock) writes: >For kids: Ah gee... I was going to fly out for that candy drop. Adults need sweets too :-) > Candy drop 2:30-3, both days How is done; it really sounds fun? >Stunt kite lessons 12-4, both days. Is this a normal part of your events. I just noticed that the Toronto Kite Club is buying some kites that they plan to use to let people fly at their festivals. Cheers --- Larry = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1993 01:58:08 -1000 From: jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) Message-Id: <22ojog$566@umd5.umd.edu> Organization: University of Maryland at College Park Subject: Re: Berkeley/CA Kite Championships In article rock@netcom.com (Anne Rock) writes: >A little more detail....(all times approximate :-) >The Big Picture, demo by Bay Area Sundowners and Team Paragon, 12:00 Sat > and 1:00 Sunday. Folks, do *not* miss this demo. Imagine 8 flyers, *each* with a stck of 12 Hyperkites, flying a ballet. That's 96 kites in the air at the same time, each with a long tail! It's impressive to watch the guys fly, but the sheer beauty of seeing that many kites doing such gorgeous figures that you won't have time to watch the flyers. You'll be staring in the air, mouth open, heart stopped. The Sundowners and Paragon did a demo at Wildwood two months ago. They "only" had 7 kiters with them. They did their demo at the end of Team Train Ballet (both groups having competed individually) and blew everyone away. Unfortunately, it was late on Sunday, just before the banquet, and there weren't too many folks around to see it. Jeff (suddenly wishing he were going to Berkeley) -- |Jeffrey C. Burka | "When I look in the mirror, I see a little clearer/ | |SAFH Lite [tm] | I am what I am and you are you too./ Do you like | |jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu | what you see? Do you like yourself?" --N. Cherry | = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1993 05:02:57 -1000 From: jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) Message-Id: <22ouj1$c0u@umd5.umd.edu> Organization: University of Maryland at College Park Subject: Re: Berkeley/CA Kite Championships In article lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca (Larry Marshall) writes: >> Candy drop 2:30-3, both days > >How is done; it really sounds fun? There are all sorts of ways to effect a candy drop; Mel Govig discusses one in a brief article in KiteLines (can't remember which issue, though it was, I believe, within the last year; I can check if you want). Basically it's a pascifist's pinata. ;-) A bag/bundle of candle is hauled up on a big kite, the kids gather below it, and a cord is pulled, releasing the candy. >>Stunt kite lessons 12-4, both days. > >Is this a normal part of your events. I just noticed that the Toronto Kite >Club is buying some kites that they plan to use to let people fly at their >festivals. This isn't really an answer to your question, but an offshoot (seeing as how I'm on the wrong coast and all...) The KAK *always* has stunt kite lessons at events we run, provided there's enough wind. This is our biggest problem--we can't risk our super ultralights on beginners and have trouble explaining to folks that "There's not enough wind" whilst we're out there flying. When necessary, we ammend the "Free Stunt Kite Lessons" sign to say "when the wind picks up". We have a number of kites we use to teach with, including an old, beat-up Spin-Off, a Phantom clone with fairly heavy AFC sticks, and a bundle of Premiers. Lessons tend to be fairly brief as there is usually a line. The idea is to get the kite to stay in the air long enough for the person to feel like they're flying it themselves. You need two people to give a lesson--one to help the flyer, the other to pick up the kite and set it up for relaunch. It's always a good idea to have information about local kite stores to give folks, 'cause they *will* ask where they can buy a kite. I wonder how many KAK members (if any) became such after getting into kites through a lesson at some sort of event. Might be interesting to do such demographics at some point. I'd also be curious to see how many folks have bought kites/joined the club as a result of an informal lesson given down on the Mall. KAK does all sorts of events and festivals, not just ones specifically meant as kite festivals/flys. We also get invited to all sorts of things to do workshops/demos. Some of these include a couple of appearances at the Horsehead Waterfowl Preserve (one last April, the next in October), a workshop/demo for kids with asthma in the Camp Super Kids program (I can't miss that one...most folks in the club have seen me sucking on one of my various inhalers and wouldn't leave me alone if I missed it. ;-) Next year, we're going to see about getting a booth/demo space at the HFS'tival, a music 'n stuff festival sponsored by local "alternative" radio station WHFS (I was at this year's HFS'tival and was annoyed because there was plenty of room to do some Rev flying and I didn't have a kite with me...I _know_ I would have attracted an audience) It's amazing how many different opportunities there are for a kite club to participate in a community's events. And there are both active and passive roles to be played in finding those events. Once a club is well known, they often receive invitations. But it's also important for a club to go out and offer themselves to organizers, to let them know what the club has to offer. And sled workshops are quite an offering. Parents and kids *love* 'em! Jeff -- |Jeffrey C. Burka | "When I look in the mirror, I see a little clearer/ | |SAFH Lite [tm] | I am what I am and you are you too./ Do you like | |jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu | what you see? Do you like yourself?" --N. Cherry | = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1993 06:40:08 -1000 From: lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca (Larry Marshall) Message-Id: Organization: Forestry Canada - Petawawa National Forestry Institute Subject: Re: Berkeley/CA Kite Championships In rock@netcom.com (Anne Rock) writes: >Adults with sweet tooths volunteer to help. Adults with a limited >tolerance for youthful mayhem do not re-volunteer the following year. >We should have a thread on candy drops.....ought to be lots of >experience in netland on this! Next week, ok? Kids having good clean fun are always a treat. Next week it is. >: Is this a normal part of your events. I just noticed that the Toronto Kite Club >: is buying some kites that they plan to use to let people fly at their festivals. >Theoretically.....you need volunteers to staff the demo field. Don't think this would be a problem for them. They seem pretty active in promoting kiting. Don't know if you've seen it but they have produced a 4 part series on kiting that airs regularly on PBS. Really great for those getting into kiting as they start with construction of a single line and ultimately build and fly a delta stunt kite. All sorts of little drips and drabs in between including a section on fighters. ---------- Larry Marshall lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca Forestry Canada (613) 589-2880 Petawawa National Forestry Institute (613) 589-2275 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1993 05:11:17 -1000 From: rock@netcom.com (Anne Rock) Message-Id: Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest) Subject: Re: Berkeley/CA Kite Championships Larry Marshall (lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca) wrote: : In rock@netcom.com (Anne Rock) writes: : >For kids: : Ah gee... I was going to fly out for that candy drop. Adults need sweets too :-) : > Candy drop 2:30-3, both days : How is done; it really sounds fun? Adults with sweet tooths volunteer to help. Adults with a limited tolerance for youthful mayhem do not re-volunteer the following year. We should have a thread on candy drops.....ought to be lots of experience in netland on this! Next week, ok? : >Stunt kite lessons 12-4, both days. : Is this a normal part of your events. I just noticed that the Toronto Kite Club : is buying some kites that they plan to use to let people fly at their festivals. Theoretically.....you need volunteers to staff the demo field. Anne - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - * Anne Rock | * * Berkeley, California | * * rock@netcom.com | * * | * - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1993 06:35:47 -1000 From: lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca (Larry Marshall) Message-Id: Organization: Forestry Canada - Petawawa National Forestry Institute Subject: Re: Berkeley/CA Kite Championships In <22ouj1$c0u@umd5.umd.edu> jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) writes: >In article lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca (Larry Marshall) writes: >A bag/bundle of candle is hauled up on a big kite, the kids gather below >it, and a cord is pulled, releasing the candy. Neat... it's amazing how much I miss living up here. Never heard of that one. rec.kites and the great people here have succeeded (my opinion) once again to enlighten. >This isn't really an answer to your question, but an offshoot (seeing as >how I'm on the wrong coast and all...) Your answer was much better than my question (grin). >The KAK *always* has stunt kite lessons at events we run, provided there's >enough wind. This is our biggest problem--we can't risk our super ultralights >on beginners and have trouble explaining to folks that "There's not enough I generally show people the difference between the rods of my old Spin-off that I let anyone fly and my radical that I fly most of the time. They see the obvious difference and understand right away. It also gives me the opportunity to explain why anyone in their right mind would pay that much for a kite (grin). I would think this comparison would be even easier to explain with ultra-lights. Sounds, however, you're just dealing with too many people to provide those kinds of explanations. Guess that's one advantage of living in a small town; you generally talk to people 1 or 2 at a time :-) >KAK does all sorts of events and festivals, not just ones specifically meant >as kite festivals/flys. We also get invited to all sorts of things to >do workshops/demos. Some of these include a couple of appearances at the I can relate to this very well. Surprisingly, the isolated nature of my location actually intensifies this as all local groups have a hard time getting events/displays/workshops for their organizational duties. I've put on airplane demonstrations to very small (10 cub scouts) groups, large groups (half the town following the annual smash-up derby), and everything in between. It's fun. While we're very few in number, the kite-flyers up here have been casually talking about starting a low-key club could fly together and possibly do some kite demos. Up here we don't need fancy flying as most people have never seen a stunt kite. The idea that I can make it turn is sufficient. One thing I've wondered about is, what do you do if you schedule a demo and then there's no wind? I'm sure you've faced this. What has ingenuity provided on those occasions? >It's amazing how many different opportunities there are for a kite >club to participate in a community's events. And there are both I agree. In fact, I think they'd be greater up here than with the airplanes. Airplanes require a larger area if they are to fly. The other advantage, it would seem, are the construction possibilities with kids. While we see the difference between a quickie sled kite and more sophisticated kites, I suspect the kids don't see as large a difference. With airplanes, we can let them build very simple paper or balsa models that simply don't compare to the $1000 worth of stuff I've just zipped around the sky with and the kids know that. ---------- Larry Marshall lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca Forestry Canada (613) 589-2880 Petawawa National Forestry Institute (613) 589-2275 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1993 11:45:48 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Re: Berkeley/CA Kite Championships >>> Candy drop 2:30-3, both days >>How is done; it really sounds fun? >A bag/bundle of candle is hauled up on a big kite, the kids gather below >it, and a cord is pulled, releasing the candy. In the UK, they often make tiny parachutes, one for each candy (just a square of scrap rip-stop with 4 lines, I think). Almost without fail, the 'chutes drift farther than expected and a hoard of crazy kids run at top speed in the direction of the Decorators' set of Revolutions, laid out with all those lines at the bottom of the field :-) Andrew -- Work: gaffer@plx.com Phone: +44 793 614 110 Fax: +44 793 614 297 Play: andrew@tug.com Phone: +44 256 464 912 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =