2007 AKA National Convention Workshops
Guatemala
Jose Sainz and Scott Skinner
Join Jose Sainz and Scott Skinner for a slide show and more as they talk about
the colorful kite tradition of Guatemala. Walk the streets of Santiago and
Sumpango and feel the native traditions as Jose explains the subtleties of this
kite culture that may predate Columbus. See the spectacle of the giant kites as
well as the city-wide celebration that they inspire.
Fun, Fact and Follies: About Launching and
Keeping a Museum in the Air
Kay Buesing
This perky PowerPoint presentation will let you hear and see what happens at the
World Kite Museum both where the public can see and in the storage archives.
Bring your ideas for kinds of things you'd like the Museum to do. We're all
ears!
Make and Take Cascade Bridle
Barry Poulter
Here is a chance to learn specifics and details about the cascade bridle.
A bridle will be made with the help of cardboard so that the bridle can go home
to your work table. Order of operations and ratios will be discussed.
Beginner students will make a simple kite using a paper napkin for the sail and brush bristleles for the spars. All materials and tools will be provided. Class limited to twenty students.
The attending members of the AKA National Fighter kite Committee will moderate an open forum to hear any request and suggestions to change the current status of the AKA rules and regulations. This is your opportunity to express your concerns and offer up any changes you feel will help the growth of the AKA Fighter Kite Group. This is an OPEN FORUM. Your input is welcome.
An introduction to the fun world of flying team with quad line kites, one of the most exciting sport kite hobbies in North America! Participants will learn about tuning their kites, choosing equipment, basic following and advanced maneuvers. While all are welcome to join the workshop, anyone wishing to participate in the exercises should come equipped with 120' lines and a Revolution 1.5 of any style adequate for the wind conditions.
So
you want to be a Star: or how to fly big kites without killing yourself and
others
David Gomberg, Susan Gomberg, Al Sparling
A discussion of the central issues of safely flying big show kites, including field considerations, anchors, line, launching and retrieval, pilot kites, traveling with big kites and most importantly: what to do when things go wrong. Also a discussion of group flying techniques for flys such as Octopiles
A First Timers Info
Forum (How to get the most fun out of your first AKA convention)
Scott E. Spencer
Welcome to the best kite party in the country. There’s alot to do and many new friends to make. With multipule activaties at the same time this forum will help you tailor your convention to maximize your experence. All the details and in’s and outs, of what is going to happen this week will be discussed.
How many sticks does a
Parafoil have? Questioning notions of size and structure.
Rick Kinnaird
What to consider when scaling up a kite design.
Whether helping a ship conserve fuel, pulling a buggy across the desert, or putting big air between a wave and a kiteboard, traction kiting is the hottest thing going. Listen to the experts talk about all the innovations, safety features and hottest trends in traction kiting.
Introduction to Fighter Kite Basics Workshop: This is your opportunity to ask all those nagging questions about fighter kites. How do you launch them? What type of line do you use? How do you even fly them? Fighter Kite Committee members will be on the field to help you answer these and other question with a helpful hand and a sense of humor. We forget that learning to fly fighters can be a bit of a challenge for those without a support group close at hand. Now is the time to take advantage of some of the best flyers around and have fun doing it.
Don’t
Make Anything You Don’t Like
Jose Sainz, Scott Skinner, Cliff Quinn, Ron Gibian, Deb Lenzen
Come join the fun of this roundtable discussion among kitemakers as they discuss the top points they consider when beginning a kite project.
Steve Bateman will present this year’s no sew fighter kite an indoor fighter constructed of plastic film, solid graphite bow and spine and multi point bridle. Line included!!
Steve Bateman, multiple time winner of the World Cup of North American Style Fighter Kites, will present this on field workshop for the beginner and more experienced flyer that is ready to try competition. This will be kept on a low key basis, but used as a learning tool for those wanting to improve their competitive edge. We do recommend a review of the current AKA Fighter Kite and Rok rulebook for an ease of understanding.
Judging Handmade Kites: After
the Competition
Steve Ferrel, Barbara Meyer & Jon Burkhardt
There will be a symposium after the competition with a question and answer session on what the judges looked for when judging. This is a follow-up after the competition on how the competition went and a question and answer session for the competitors. Members of the Kite makers’ Competition Committee as well as judges will be in attendance to help answer your questions.
Judging Handmade Kites: Before
the Competition
Steve Ferrel, Barbara Meyer & Jon Burkhardt
This is a symposium prior to the competition with a question and answer session on what the judges are looking for when judging. Members of the Kite makers’ Competition Committee as well as Judges will be in attendance to help answer your questions.
Kite Aerial Photography (Kap)
Brooks Leffler
Brooks Leffler will show a selection of the best of current KAP images, and review the latest developments in Kite Aerial Photography, including simple, lightweight automatic systems and compact camera rigs with video feedback. Ample time will be allotted for show & tell.
Mini AKA Table Banner
Scott E. Spencer
This 11” tall banner is an excellent way to decorate your work area or reserve your seat at a banquet. Permanente markers are used to decorate the base skin (1.5 oz. Rip-stop nylon), the pole (1/8” solid fiberglass) is attached to the banner with ¾” wide Insignia cloth; making this a no sew project. The base is a sample piece of Corian. All materials, tools and instruction will be provided. If you can’t make it to the workshop but would like a copy of the instructions stop by after the last session and ask if there are any extras.
Team Flying, just
starting out or taking it to the next level.
Jim Barber
This class will be on the beach, with kites and sunshine. Each person will need at least one set of 130ft lines, and a kite suitable for team flying. Nothing super fast please. We will work on team flying techniques, timing, spacing, calling, and a few compulsories. Also, anything else people want to take a look at.
Sport Kite Symposium
Jim Barber
All sport kite enthusiasts are welcome to attend this round table discussion on topics including competition rules (and recent changes), conference scoring, judging, and ideals for growing the sport. Jim will be the moderator of the panel, which includes Conference Commissioners, Sport Kite Committee members, and a couple of representatives from the International Rules committee. Suggestions and ideals from this symposium are raised to the International Rules committee and frequently incorporated into the AKA Sport Rules Addendum.
Tell Me How: National Kite
Month Activities
Rick Hawkins
Ask NOT what NKM can do for you. Find out how you can help make it better. Is this the year that you decide to join in celebrating National Kite Month in April by listing an event in your local area? You will learn how simple it is to post a kite oriented bulletin board or to organize a kite making class and afternoon fun fly with help from a few friends. Local support and media coverage is easy to come by if you know the right way to approach the people who can say yes. Most activities have a very small budget with huge returns. Who knows you might even win a kite. NKM Proclamation submissions will be talked about too. Learn the in’s and out’s. How does someone make a proclamation come to be?
Kitemaking
Comprehensives: What do the Judges Look For?
Cliff Quinn, Debbie VonBokern, Karen and Jon Burkhardt and company
During the comprehensive competition, hand-crafted kites are judged on (1) kite flight and kite handling, (2) aesthetic visual appeal while in flight, (3) craftsmanship, and (4) structural design. This workshop will offer examples of what the judges look for in each category. Past category winning kites will be on display during this session.