From: mss@endor.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) Subject: AKA, Lubbock, Texas Message-ID: <1992Oct27.175645.10380@das.harvard.edu> Organization: Sasaki Kite Fabrications Date: Tue, 27 Oct 1992 17:56:45 GMT I know that it happened a while ago, but I've been away from home (just returned yesterday), but I noticed as I was getting caught up that some folks asked about what happened. First the weather. It seems like an AKA curse. We were told that the winds would be high, there were very low. Many folks were glad that they decided to bring their ultra-lights and light lines. It was hot, several fliers and spectators were treated at the Red Cross first aid tent for heat related problems. The sky was clear and there was virtually no humidity. The food was good too, which was a nice change. Texas Tech has a program on catering and restaurant management and the students provided food for the convention. I thought that was a great idea! I was elected regional director for New England (region 1) so spent a bit of time in meetings and such. There was one decision that was made that will have a profound effect on next year's convention. The board decided to limit stunt kite competitions to a single day, and all other competitions to another day. This will leave more time for fun flying, seminars, and just visiting. Many have complained that competition takes up too much time during the competition and people aren't having as much time now as they used to. I spent most of my on field time wandering around the stunt kite fields and competitions so don't have much to say about the single line stuff. I will say that many of the single line kites were gorgeous. The level of craftsmanship was very high. The rokkaku battle was hindered by very low wind, but was still a lot of fun. One of my favorite demonstrations was Joe Vaughan and Dave Brittain flying in the atrium of the Holiday in. They moved furniture around and flew for quite a while, Dave flying a Rev I, and Joe a Grandmaster fighter. New kites: I didn't see many new kites on the field, probably because I've seen many of the kites in my travels on the east coast. Spectra Sport and Stinger have new kites due out early next year. Spectra has four kites as part of the "High Performance Edge" series, 3 full sized kites and a 3/4 version. The ultra-light has a full sail, the "regular wind" version has holes (places where fabric is "missing") and the high wind has holes and vents (places where fabric is replaced with window screening). I don't remember the name of the Stinger kites, but they have three kites with the same theme as Spectra's kites. I didn't get a chance to fly the kites, but they performed well in the hands of the fliers that flew them. Experienced Individual events were won by kids, precision by John Barressi, and ballet by a 12 year old whose name I don't remember. Flight Squadron (Ron Reich, Pam Kirk, Mike Dennis, and Paul Hodges) won both Masters Team ballet and precision. Tempest won both Experienced Team ballet and precision. The Bay Area Sundowners, flying stacks of custom Hyperkites flew a very nice ballet routine (they finished 3rd) As soon as they called out, i.e. as soon as they finished their routine, one of the members collapsed due to the heat. Two other members didn't make it to the first aid tent. Everyone felt better after some rest in the shade and plenty of water. I really enjoyed the event and recommend that if you can afford it, that you attend this next year. With less time spent on competition, the convention should be even more fun than it has been in the past. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Marty Sasaki Sasaki Kite Fabrications mss@das.harvard.edu 26 Green Street phone: 617-522-8546 Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =