Date:	Mon, 13 Mar 1995 04:55:16 -1000
From:	Mr.Nasty@ix.netcom.com (Frank Kenisky)
Message-Id: <3k1mck$37u@ixnews3.ix.netcom.com>
Organization: Netcom
Subject: Texas Skyriders (excerpt from newsletter)

I received the winter 94 - 95 issue of the Texas Skyriders newsletter 
"KiteFlight". (I have been receiving the newsletter for quite some 
time.) I would like to say that the following article was not solicited 
or requested by me or my alter ego Mr.Nasty. The article was provoked by 
several posting which were distributed by a Texas net surfer who took it 
upon himself to make others aware of someones antics on the net.

I feel the motive backfired when the individuals who read the posting 
had actually experienced, first hand, the problems which they saw and 
heard.

For anyone who is new to rec.kites I am refering to the New Orleans Kite 
Festival which was sponsored by the Kite Loft. The former president 
(then president) of the American Kitefliers Association (AKA) and now a 
spokesperson for the Sport Kite Committee, was present and allowed the 
changes on the field against the protests of the paid contestants.

I made a statement of facts, in rec.kites, which surrounded the issues 
and how they came about, Stu Eisenman and David Gomberg both took 
parting shots, in rec.kites, of unsubstantiated truths. (LIES) Most of 
the regulars on rec.kites, without knowing more immediately sided with 
the lies. I feel that this is indicitive of the shallow, led by the nose 
pied piper effect of many within the AKA. 

Here is a third persons opinion of what took place and her feelings:

(Editor's Note: This is a new column I have added to allow an outlet for 
those of you who wish to express an opinion on any kite topic you wish. 
Send your submissions to the editor at the kite club's address. The 
opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily the opinions of 
the kite club.)

In the last issue's "From the Editor", I promised to follow-up on the 
New Orleans Kite Festival. What prompted this was two letters from the 
Internet which made the rounds. The letters expressed dissatisfaction 
with the way the event was organized and the way it was run. what is 
ironic is that it was the organizers who were complaining about each 
other! I was at the festival, and I was sort of anonymously "behind the 
scenes" working with the computer tallying scores for the dual line 
competition. As a result, I heard various comments that I might not 
otherwise have heard. What saddened me was that tensions were rising, 
and it started to appear as if it were single liners against dual 
liners. Organizing and running a festival is not an easy task. Keeping 
everyone happy is probably a futile effort. It seems that some want the 
festival to be mainly for single liners and others want the festival to 
be mainly for dual liners. It is sad to hear comments about ignoring AKA 
rules in order to hasten the dual liners off the field because it is the 
single liners who support the kite retailers. At a festival in Silver 
City, New Mexico, I overheard a comment by a kiteflires who was 
complaining that "those damn, prima dona dual liners" were taking up too 
much room. Apparently, it is easy to forget that a kite festival is for 
kiteflires. Apparently, it is also easy to forget that dual line kite 
and single line kites have certain field and safety requirements. 
Spectators must be kept off the dual line fields to ensure their safety. 
Single line kites must have ample space to avoid flying into trees, 
buildings, power lines and spectators. Dual lines must also have ample 
space and be flown apart from the single lines to avoid cut lines and to 
allow for the precision movements necessary in a dual line competition. 
These two types of kites can fly in harmony in the same area if the 
proper precautions are made and adhered to. I know it can work; I have 
seen it work successfully at the Rockport Kite Festival during Labor Day 
weekend. Good for you, Rockport! Also, those who organize the events 
need to remember that kite flying involves all kinds of kites and 
people. Of course, you can't keep everyone happy, but you can do your 
best to integrate dual lines, single lines and spectators into a 
harmonious celebration of the joy of kiteflying.

CK Salazar

Cynthia Salazar is the editor of "KiteFlight". She is also wife of the 
Texas Skyriders president James Salazar. Cynthia usually handles the job 
of scorekeeper on the computerized scoring system, provided by Frank 
Kenisky at most SWSKC events. Cynthia assisted SWSKC and myself during 
the management and organization of the Rockport event.

I met with Cynthia this weekend at the Zilker Park Kite Festival and 
asked her permission to post her article. She welcomed the idea.

Frank


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