Well today I decided to head out and test my newly built 4 sq. m. Peter Lynn Pilot and my softkites.com long fin Banner Fish. I walked quickly up to the hill right after work, since this was the first flight of a new kite I was eager to get it into the air right away. I noticed a small dual line foil buzzing around on the opposite side of the hill. Normally I would walk over and introduce myself, as I am always looking for new local fliers to kite with. Today, however, I was focused purely on my new pilot. The kite flew quite well, a few bridle tweaks and I will be happy with it.

(here it is )

Shortly after I had the kite in the air I noticed someone walking up the hill toward me. This happens fairly often when flying kites on the hill, people are fascinated by them and usually have some questions. This time, however, I was asked if I was “Dean Parsons”, my instant reply was “no, Dean is from Newfoundland”, this got me a strange look and a “small world, isn’t it” comment , kiting really is a small world.. Dean is the organizer of the Avalon Kite Fliers Club based out of St. John’s, NF. I only know Dean through a few email exchanges we have had over the years. The chap I was talking to mentioned that Dean was in town and was looking for a place to fly. He just assumed, since I was flying kites on the hill, that I was Dean. He proceeded to email Dean (gotta love the blackberry) and let him know I was flying.

………..

So not 5 minutes later, Dean comes marching around the corner with his prism kites strapped to his back. He was the one flying the foil on the other side of the Hill, (great minds think alike) It was great to finally meet Dean in person and his passion for kites is fantastic and refreshing. Dean is a serious trick kiter, proudly sporting his Prism Quantum Pro and a few other SUL beauties. Dean cracked open the Quantum Pro and started banging out some sweet tricks!.. While Dean was flying, I added my Robert Van Weer’s flong fin Banner fish to my pilot line and it too had it’s first flight … It feels great to be building again, not sure why I ever stopped

So all in all a great day, 2 new kites in the air, and a great surprise meeting with Dean…

Check out the albums .. Peter Lynn Pilot, Flying with Dean

Bill Wilson

Originally uploaded by chk.

Bill relaxing at the Dieppe 2007 fesitval after helping the gang stuff a full size wet octopus into the rental van

Lots more pictures from Harald and Michaela on flickr..

group picture 1

Originally uploaded by chk.

Here is the great group photo that was taken at the Cygnet Kite Centennial on August 21st, 2007.

Check out this great video of a team who did a little kite skiing while on a trek across greenland. The video covers approximately 21 days and has crazy wind. The Sun just sitting on the horizon, makes for some great shots…

Cheers,
Bill

Select Your Kite (: Basant

Originally uploaded by aliraza.

Wonderful photo by Aliraza (posted on flickr.com).

What a great weekend for flying… Daylight savings time is here.. the itch to get out flying isn’t too far behind

Enjoy.

–Bill

Check out the new Mazda catering to the kite surfing crowd….

from motorcities.com

2007 Mazda Hakaze Concept – Kite-Surfing Functionality

Kite-surfers are “wind chasers.” They get up in the morning, switch on their computer and search for the right wind conditions on the Internet for the best place to surf, call their friends, grab their gear and go. Mazda Hakaze meets the needs of such a lifestyle in several ways. For example, part of Hakaze’s centre tunnel in the boot slides rearwards and out of the car, to which a kite-surfboard can be attached, slid back in and transported. On the inside is an Internet connection on the integrated LCD screen in front of the front passenger. A small digital camera is mounted in the LCD screen, which can be rotated to film the road or the people in the car. The idea is that you can film a nice surfing spot or the route to it, then share it afterwards with your friends. The concept’s boot also has a practical double floor construction on both sides of the centre tunnel in the boot, whose underside is made of rubber making it ideal for transporting wet and sandy items. And finally, most of the switches in the car are sensors that are under the surface, meaning there are no shut lines. This prevents water or sand from getting into the switches and makes cleaning the vehicle on the inside easier as well.