Region 11 October 2002
What a great year we have had here in Region 11, busy kiting nearly every week sometimes two events on the same weekend! Seems like kiting is alive and well here!
The Bay Area Sport Kite League experienced some growth this season as did the Golden gate Challenge. The Berkeley Festival at the end of July was a memorable one with more big kites than I’ve seen anywhere! AND this year a reception cocktail party on Friday night, nice touch Tom of Highline kites!
The National Convention is now behind us and if ya didn’t go ya missed s good one! Ocean City was the perfect host for such an event with plenty hotels, large beach and a way cool boardwalk that had everything you can imagine available I think there was something to do every night, party, party! Most notable to most of us was the smooth winds that came in off the Atlantic (also noticeable was a couple days of heat and humidity!)These smooth winds were a joy to fly in!
Congratulations to all that brought home one of those great looking trophies! Wayne Fu ,3rd novice ballet AND a 2nd in Precision dual and a 3rd in quad precision! My son Aaron Champie got a first in Precision and a 3rd in experienced Ballet…way to go! Ulysses Villanueva rocked and brought home a 1st in experienced Quad ballet and a 1st in quad ballet!….Uly just started flying quads this year…. Scary! I garnered the top spot in masters precision and squeaked in a 4th in the ballet…not bad for an old fart! Avispados managed a 3rd in masters pairs precision….I made a stupid mistake and ruined our bid for the pairs ballet, we got a 4th. Tom McAlister is the proud owner of a first place award for his cellular kites… way nice kites! And Mike Predovic has a 3rd place trophy for his foil kite. Hey I notice most of those names are BASKL participants, another benefit of participation….practice for the big time!
Among us is the recipient of the AKA’s top award, Chuck Sigal was given the Ediken award. Chuck , finally recognized for all he has done and continues to do for our sport, Congratulations Chuck!
After the convention a small group of us went to Gettysberg, where Jeff Ezin conducted an very informative tour of the battle field and historic spots. I really enjoyed the history lessons and dug the museum and recommend Gettysberg as a must do to anyone that finds themselves near there! Interestingly enough Peter Lynn was with us and put us all to shame with his knowledge of OUR history!
I’m looking forward to next season…. just as I’m going to enjoy a few months off!!
I will be working on my California kiting calendar for 2003, if you want anything included here or in the calendar contact me at Bchampie@earthlink,net , find the calendar at Kitefart.com
Photo is in front of the Lincoln Monument, site of Lincolns "Gettysburg Address"
Back row: Sharon Anderson, Susan Skinner, Dave Gomberg, Susan Gomberg, Tom McAlister, Me, Aaron Champie
Front row: Darrin Skinner, Jeff Erzin, Jerry Houk, Peter Lynn, Robin Sutherland.
Not shown but did the tour:Tracy Erzin and Corey Jensen