Name: 2007
Start: 2007-09-29T00:00:01
End: 2007-09-30T00:00:01
Location: Niagara Kite Festival

2007 Cascade of Colors

On December 28, 2010, in 2007 Vids, by John Barresi

Off to Bend, OR… Great fun playing with the Burks’ octopus!

Kite Party

On December 28, 2010, in 2007 Vids, by John Barresi

Our first visit to Kite Party, clearly still learning and developing our style…

Windless Kite Festival

On December 28, 2010, in 2007 Vids, by John Barresi

Our first indoor routine, put together on Friday and flown over the weekend.

EhQuad Night and Street Fly

On December 28, 2010, in 2006 Vids, by John Barresi

Some of the Canadians run amok in downtown Vancouver, BC.

2010 WSIKF

On December 28, 2010, in 2010 Vids, by John Barresi

A lot of good footage came out of WSIKF in 2010… The mega flies, team demos, featured individuals flying, even a spot of night flying!

And indeed, thanks to the attendance of fliers from all over North America and the UK (Flying Squad and Decorators), a new world record of 64 kites was set near the end of the week.

2008 WCRC (feedback)

On December 26, 2010, in Rev Clinics, by John Barresi

Excerpted attendee feedback from our 2008 West Coast Rev Clinic:

Instructors and participants knowledgeable about revs and happy to share information. Instructors were always positive and helpful. Participants were also positive and helpful. The benefit of participants helping you with a problem is it gives you a different perspective and you realize you are not the only one having problems. I shared some of my ideas on how I do something or an ahh-haa moment for me and it helped someone, this gave me a sense of satisfaction which also added to my positive experience.

Both groups were also very patient with others that did not have very much experience. This is very important especially when you are taking up someone else’s flying time because you (I) crashed or knotted up the group during team flying. It takes a cooperative and patient group to struggle through these times. I believe the instructors laid back attitude and “no troubles” philosophy also spilled over to the other flyers.

Team Flying. Everyone was very laid back and didn’t exclude anyone from team flying no matter their skill level. We were invited into groups – this is extremely important aspect. Many people do not feel comfortable approaching others, asking to join and it asking becomes more difficult as you watch others doing well and you do not believe you can do as well or you may “mess” them up. When a group asks you to join and you explain to them you might screw things up and they still encourage you to join it really makes you feel welcome and less afraid.

Synergy. Nothing like having a bunch of positive people having fun with one goal in mind.

I like small group instruction. We liked it when you broke us up into smaller skill groups. It was nice to have the instructors help us on our personal areas of trouble in small groups. The actual breaking up into the smaller groups was a little confusing and disorganized. We did not know which group to goto and when we got there some people looked like they were uncomfortable asking questions or participating. I really do not have an idea/solution for this but is was just an observation.

All in all we believe this was a very successful clinic. I think the main thing we would like to see changed is a little more structure. Would we participate in another clinic even if it had no changes? Heck yea. This was an excellent time for my daughter and I to bond doing something we enjoy. We came away with new skills, friends, and refined some old skills and rekindled old friendships.

We hope you and Iquad have continued success. And look forward to future clinics.

Please tell all the Iquad members thanks for their help and enthusiasm.

A&A

Since 2008, we have made a number of improvements to our clinic structure so that we’re able to work on smaller focus groups and get more personalized instruction for each student… In addition, the average base of team flying skill has increased so much that there are even more opportunities for newer fliers to find a group they are comfortable learning with, and all the mini-teams are genuinely patient and interested in making the environment as favorable to growth and comfort and possible.

Stay tuned for news on upcoming clinics, both in Long Beach and elsewhere!

Xmas at casa de Barresi

On December 26, 2010, in John's Blog, by John Barresi

Nice Christmas this year, TK’s 3rd in the USA… The first time, she came to visit from Japan over the holidays… The second time, she had just (permanently) immigrated from Japan the October before… Now, we’re here, together with more than a year behind us and it just keeps getting better, absolutely.

I’m grateful that we found each other, and for all of our friends and family out there who make it that much more special.

Among the goodies we got under the tree this year, 2 sets each of custom Pro handles from LS Custom Kite Accessories (available through your local Rev dealer)… These are a little different than the stock handles though, as TK’s have red foam (her favorite color) and my handles are actually modified standard 13″ handles with Pro tips added, snagless, but all the same traditional foam and diameter that I’m accustomed to.

Also under the tree, a semi-matching (complimentary) set of the new Xtra Vents… TK’s in red and white, mine in blue and black with a mini-fade along the trailing edge.