First I have to correct a mistake I made in my last report, I reported that my son Aaron brought home a first place in exp precision and a third in exp Ballet, of course I knew he took the second in Ballet but somehow reported it wrong here, Sorry Aaron!

Its been a rather mild winter here, I’m not complaining mind you , just reporting plenty kiting opportunities !

Like the San Diego Kite Clubs New Years Day fly, I attended and had a blast. Enjoyed several days with a great group of folks in near perfect winds! And thanks to Susan Shampo an Al Stroh for providing the party house for three nights in a row! Kite people are the greatest!

The Bay Area Sport Kite League has set their 03 schedule and have included for the first time in California , a indoor competition!! If successful BASKL will consider organizing more indoor events. Ck the schedule at http:www.baskl.org.

Hey! There’s a new team practicing here in the Bay Area, Team Airzone headed by Darrin Skinner (and his years of team experience) and Aaron Champie, Uly Villanueva and Wayne Fu. This is great news for the sport, there is nothing like big teams to spark interest in kiting ! Good Luck guys!

Our own Tracy Erzin has accepted the Pacific conference Commissioner’s job after Susan Shampo found she couldn’t continue doing all 4 aka jobs she was doing…way to go both of you.. AND a huge THANK YOU to Susan for the great jobs done well.

There is another empty space in the sky, with long time Berkeley flier Joe Stargel loosing his battle with cancer. Joe flew his kites in the same place at Berkeley for years before I came on the scene. He could be found out there nearly anytime of the day and all day long! Joe moved to Washington a couple years ago ….. Next time I go out Joe, Ill fly one in your spot!

This summer is shaping up to be another busy one, although, rumor has it the Merced event wont happen this year , I have heard of two new events being planned. Watch for one in Paso Robles and another in Calaveras …up there where the frog jumping contests take place! While I’m talking about events, do put the San Ramon wind fest on your schedule May 24/25 and of course the "must do" Berkeley Kite Festival at the end of July, the 26/27. This may the last San Ramon event as we know it as the city finally finished fighting over what to build on that corner lot , up wind from the flying field…… when construction starts on that site the event will become the San Ramon NO wind festival!

Kudos have to go out to Dave Shenkman of the Connection in Huntington Beach California, the idea to have a few of his customers and forum users come to the beach next to his store turned into a huge 3 day kite party in the end of January. Friday there where over 40 of us on the beach on firm sand and near 90 degree heat and good winds. Yes I did say 90 degree heat ! The sky was full of dual line kites all day….and the local fauna in bikinis (or less) was incredible as well!

Saturday had over 80 kiters from all over the planet laughing giggling and playing kites and visiting. The weekend saw the addition in the sky of 25 or 30 single line kites including some 8 or so huge inflatables . I have to say its been a long time since Iv seen such a turnout !