Date: Sun, 6 Feb 1994 19:22:44 -1000 From: danr@crash.cts.com (Dan Rubesh) Message-Id: Organization: CTS Network Services (CTSNET/crash), San Diego, CA Subject: A Master Flier at Play.. A Master Flier at Play.. [reprinted without permission from "Kites, An Occasional Newsletter" Winter, 1993 edition, a supplement to "The Flyer", newsletter of the World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame, Long Beach WA..] In the world of single-line fighter kites, the name Vic Heredia evokes respect. The San Diego expert learned flying as a boy in Bombay and, decades later, retains his great skill with the flitty little creation. Heredia can fly his kite into an open window, delicately knock a friend's hat off his head, perch it atop a lamp post, and so confound passing seagulls, without hurting them in any way, as to cause a whole flock of birds to steer well clear of his flying area. Heridia's best stunt, carefully done so as to be safe, takes place in a local park. Spotting a pedestrian crossing the green, Heredia swoops his kite down and in back of the walker, touches him lightly on the back, then swings his kite skyward. The pedestrian, startled and sometimes a little irked, wheels to see.. _nothing_.. "They never think to look straight up in the air where the kite is flying", he says. The stranger cathes on only if he sees Heredia laughing in the distance, kite line in hand, or hears giggling from friends of Heredia who have been watching. Then bemusement turns to smiles. "The most fun of all," he says. "occurs when I find a spirited dog that likes to chase a low flying kite. I can make him run and jump all over the field. It's fun for the dog, for people observing, and for me." Ruefully, Heredia admits that he comes to grief now and then. "I've had some good kites torn up by dogs that caught up with them." >>>>> The recent discussion of Vic's Fighters reminded me that I wanted to post this article on Vic.. And after bagging the article without permission, I _really_ should make a pitch for membership in the World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame. For individuals the fee is $15.00 yearly ($25.00 for two years). For a family, it's $25.00 yearly ($45.00 for two years), they can be reached at: World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame, Third Street Northwest, Long Beach, WA 98631.. Tell them you heard about them on the net.. -- Good Winds and Tight Lines! Dan Rubesh AKA Member/Merchant Wind Wizard, Purveyor of UUCP: {ucsd, nosc}!crash!danr GO Stunt Kites & Accessories ARPA: crash!danr@nosc.mil FLY A P.O. Box 5747 INET: danr@crash.cts.com STUNT Ventura, CA 93005 (805) 659-5654 KITE! Member: Kite Trade Assn. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =