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Editor/Publisher |
John Barresi |
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Assistant Editor |
Dave Shattuck |
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Directors-at-Large |
Troy Gunn
Central USA |
Al Stroh
Southwest USA |
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Contributors: |
David Gomberg |
Ray Bethell |
Al Hargus III |
Barry Poulter |
Dodd Gross |
LAlo Loescher |
Doug
L'Hommedieu |
Kay Buesing |
Paul LaMasters |
Hans Jansen
op de Haar |
Bob Moore |
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Founder |
Mike Gillard
1954-2006 |
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Photo by
Scott Ralston
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Coming 'atcha! Welcome back for our latest issue of Kitelife... We keep trying to raise the bar with our content, and have been really proud of the changes we've implemented since I assumed ownership way back in July of 2003! Nearly a year and a half later, we've increased our content several times over and expanded our mission to include archiving out of print publications and videos. |
| Shortly after the AKA Grand Nationals in Seaside, our server was hit with an email bomb directed at all Kitelife.com email addresses. This has shut down our usual channels of communication for the last few weeks, but with our recently added .org domain, we're still in touch with the world... You are encouraged to reach us by clicking on my name below. |
| Also worthy of note, Kitelife has moved it's offices to another area of Portland in search of more office space and to accommodate more in-house staff... If you need our updated mailing address, you can find it on our contact page. |
| My 2005 festival tour should expand to include 2 or 3 East Coast events, as well as the usual events up and down the West Coast... I have too few chances to go see all my friends in the Eastern USA, and I'm going to make a concerted effort to attend some of the equally wonderful festivals in that part of the country over the coming year. |
| Our subscriber base is holding strong, but we would like to see 20 or so more sign up by the end of the year... If you enjoy the services, publication and archives that Kitelife has to offer, consider taking an active role in helping us keep expanding the envelope! We are a flier-based organization, and our success is assured by people like yourself who recognize the mission that Kitelife holds so close to it's heart. |
| We're currently giving away a Transfer XT.R (Unleaded) from L'Atelier, courtesy of GWTW Kites... This $299 kite will find a home with one of our subscribers on December 25th. So, are you signed up yet? |
| Getting you through the winter is our first priority... With the weather driving so many fliers indoors, we'll be working our tails off to find stimulating and useful content for our coming issues in order to help you get over withdrawal as smoothly as possible! |
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AKA Corner
Important new initiatives, the World Team Championships and the AKA's new on-line store... Read the latest news from the AKA president! |
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Dave's World
David Gomberg visits the Hammamatsu Kite Festival for a weekend with 1,200 other kiters, complete with sake toasts and a Mega-Ray. |
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Spirit of Kiting
For the first year ever, our KSOK panel has recognized one kite flier this year for their ongoing contributions and true "Spirit of Kiting". |
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Join the Team
Our staff here at Kitelife extends a heartfelt invitation to share your experiences, your insights, your knowledge, and your delight in kiting. |
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Letters to the Editor
We love to hear from our readers... Critique or praise, we read and reply to every single letter, sharing them here with you whenever possible. |
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ProFile: Dodd Gross
With one of the most varied kiting backgrounds of anyone actively involved in the sport today, Dodd is happy to discuss it all right here. |
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Ben Franklin - Part 2
Al Hargus takes Ben Franklin’s Electric Kite tale a step further - challenging others to re-create the famous kite from Ben’s notes. |
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ProFile: "Bazzer" Poulter
Discussions with one of the premier kite makers in the USA, this Brit is well known for his celtic knot appliqué rokkakus and noodles. |
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Milking the Breeze
Frustrated with those light winds? Veteran competitor John Barresi shares his insights into light wind flying, techniques and mind set. |
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ProFile: Team El Fabuloso
As one of the newest teams on the international competition scene, El Fabuloso tells us about their group and the experiences they've had. |
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Tangents w/out the Trivia
Long time Kitelife author Al Hargus addresses the topic of World Records pertaining to kites, how they are set, and how we might get involved! |
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Judging the Judges
Veteran judge Hans Jansen op de Haar breaks down some ways to improve judging from within, by initating change with the proper questions. |
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Flying High, Down Under
Bob Moore makes a run at the World Record for highest flying kite with his own creation, and shares the experience with our readers. |
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World Kite Museum
As the only kite museum in the United States, the World Kite Museum in Long Beach WA needs your help in expanding to their new building! |
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AKA Grand Nationals
Fliers from all over the world descend on Seaside Oregon for the American Kiteflier's Association annual convention and championships. |
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Festival De L'Air
A regular at this event in Frejus France, Ray Bethell adds another chapter to his adventures and takes us along for one heck of a kite festival. |
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Whidbey Island Kite Festival
Geezer attends the last NW festival of the year, and rediscovers great comps, photo-ops, the camaraderie of having international neighbors, and - Fog! |
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Carolina Kite Festival
Doug L'Hommedieu returns to North Carolina for the 24th annual Carolina Kite Festival... Sundowners, Randy Tom, running of the Bols, and more! |
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Review: New Tech Spirit
Paul LaMasters takes us on a test drive with one of the most unique and entertaining quad line kites on the market, designed by Steve LaPorte. |
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Kite Trade Association Convention
Ever want a look behind the scenes at KTAI? Kitelife will be there, posting daily updates on the latest products and industry news to the web! |
Photo Collections
(added since last issue) |
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We offer a wide variety of kite related apparel through our shop at CafePress with the Kitelife logo, Kitengruven, Quadengruven, Shut Up and Fly, WWJF, and even offerings from our very own sponsored performance team, iQuad! |
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