Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 21:03:14 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Re: An AKA Convention without competition sasaki@netop3.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) writes: >So, what do you think? I'm particularly interested in what the >Europeans have to say since they have large kite festivals and >generally have a much lower emphasis on competition at their kite >events. Since you ask, here's my European point of view. I'd like to come to a big US event. I would like it to be ovbious which one to choose - the one where *everyone* will be there. I would like it to be a showcase for kite flying. It should have a tightly run demonstration arena, in which I would expect to see a continualy changing display, so that I can sit by the arean and watch: - Big kites - Martin Lester's, Peter Lynn's and Bob's stuff put up and taken down within the arena. - display kites (the stuff the Germans are so good at) - The big dragon's head kites - aerial photography - sweet drops - bear drops - traction demonstrations - with assorted different kites, vehicle and tricks - A single, short, buggy race with invited competitors - stunt demonstrations - 4-line demonstrations - an altitude/distance sprint - an individual Rok battle - a big team Rok battle - an Indian battle - Home-made kites - Arches and playsails In this sort of schedule, there is no space for a big competition. It is more suited to either demonstrating the winners or holding the final leg of the competition, if the system was organised in such a way that only the top three places were decided at the Convention. Andrew -- Yes Karen, some of us *do* care! Netiquette-of-the-day: Take care to attribute quotes correctly. You can FTP the kite FAQ's from ftp.hawaii.edu (directory /pub/rec/kites/faq) The FAQ's have lists of kites, kite stores, kite questions, kite books & plans. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sun, 5 Jun 1994 05:42:28 -1000 From: johnsen@eskimo.com (Brian Johnsen) Message-Id: Organization: Captain Pugets Roadside Taco Stand Subject: Re: An AKA Convention without competition In article , Marty Sasaki wrote: > >Points for this: > Yup > >Points against: > > - Many competitors won't attend a non-competitive event, > denying attendees the opportunity to witness world-class > performances, stunningly beautiful kites, and to meet these > nice kite people. The people with SBK's are more likely to be concentrating on display for the sake of gloriosity rather than competition. The competitions I've seen are composed for the most part of commercial deltas. If the manufacturers want a vehicle to show their wares, I don't think the AKA needs to pay for all of it. > - People with limited resources (time and/or money) will be > forced to choose between a separate competition event and > the convention. This seems to be the nub; What does the the AKA convention entail, competitive events or the advancement of kiting and election of officers. > - Because of the above point, attendence at both events will > likely be lower. Both events? What does competition have to do with the AKA conv. If you feature innovation and demos of new technology and applications then the AKA convention will be THE place to be if you can afford one trip. Some money not spent on competive events could be spent to subsidize partial travel or accomodation expenses for a few fliers who are democraticly selected. Many festivals I've heard of do this to attract big displays by individuals who would not ordinarily attend. These draw other flyers who want to experience the latest, largest, smallest or most flabbergasting. >So, what do you think? I'm particularly interested in what the >Europeans have to say since they have large kite festivals and >generally have a much lower emphasis on competition at their kite >events. I'm not European, but that's just something else for me to aspire to. ;) -- "My Pathological '58 Nash Metro Demands Flouride Or It Will Mangle My Grandmother" Reveals Paper Boy -- Brian Johnsen johnsen@eskimo.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =