Randyg's Sportkite Blog

So, it's been a while

R-Sky Team Next Up Standard

Yo Fade Revisited

Taz Machine Tutorial Added

Tricks Party South 2007 Prize List

Inaugural Tricks Party South, Huntsville, AL USA

3rd Annual Spring Southeastern Sportkite Tricks Clinic, March 3

Two More Videos Added

Merry Christmas!!!

iPod Section Updated

Multislot Tutorial Added

Kombo Tutorial

540 Tutorial Is Added

Slot Machine Tutorial Now Up

Duplex Tutorial Added

Inverse Tutorial Added

Backspin Cascade Tutorial Now Up

R-Sky 10th Anniversary Collector Editions Finally Land

Nirvana Owner's Unite!!!

Ours des Prairies Tutoriel

Photo Album: NFX Manga on Tybee Island, Georgia

Photo Album: More that just sportkites...

Photo Album: February 25

Photo Album: St. Simons Island, Georgia; December '07

Photo Album: R-Sky Next Up

Photo Album: R-Sky Nirvana FX

Photo Album: Tricks Party South 2007

Photo Album: R-Sky Bird'X

Photo Album: Bare Bones Tricks Party 2006

Photo Album: St. Augustine Sport Kite Championships 2007

Photo Album: R-Sky Album

Photo Album: Flying Day at the Chickamauga Dam, Chattanooga, TN

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:25:01 GMT

Since I've updated anything here. Not a lot of time for much flying and for sure no video work.

Thanks to Chris Taylor who directed us to some new music he found on YouTube, I've put up a revised Half Axel Revisited Tutorial with a song from Ronald Jenkees. It's some pretty neat stuff so go see what you think.

Thanks for all the visitors and all the nice comments. Don't hesitate to drop me a line to ask a question about the tutorials, R-Sky kites...whatever. I love to talk kites.

Good winds!

Randy

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:18:36 GMT

OK so it's been a while since I've posted an entry here. I've put us some pictures here and there but not much else. I've enjoyed flying a number of kites in my bag and in particular the Nirvana FX, Krystal WW, Krystal FX LW, and the whole Next Up lineup. As always, the Nirvana's aren't too far away and never forgotten. I've got a new Diablis and I'm in the process of learning that kite. It is quite the departure for R-Sky so it's one that will take me a while to get to know.

Now to the chase. I've fooled around with some video of the Next Up's but never did anything with the standard. Thanks to poor winds, when I received these kites I didn't have much chance to fly the standard. But, on a cloudy day back in the late Fall, I did get out to play and shot a little video. I tried to shoot from the side to show a different angle of the tricks and the kite's flight characteristics. It's an angle I enjoy viewing as I can see how the kite responds to inputs. I was on a Slot Machine kick that day so what the heck, I left a bunch in. Not much more to say about the video other than to say I hope you like it. Maybe one day I can either enlist a pilot so I can play videographer (which I love to do) or a videographer so my videos won't be so chopped up and I can stop worrying about flying in frame.

Check out the "Sport Kite Videos" section on the left for the video. I've included .avi and .wmv versions for those "codec challenged". I've figured out how to compress 16:9 for the iPod so I'll have that up later.

Now, what do I think of the Team Next Up Standard? Well first, see from the video if you think I was having fun. Second, I will say that it's a different kite from the Nirvana. Maybe not quite as hard edged and by that I mean not quite as razor sharp with precision. The precision is very good with the Next Up but not quite on par with the often imitated, never matched Nirvana. I would say the Next Up requires a pilot with greater skill to extract Nirvana-like precision but it’s definitely there. What the Next Up excels at is smooth flowing tricks because it transitions so well. Maybe it's that the Next Up is more graceful as it executes tricks or it allows the pilot to be more graceful in his/her execution vs. the Nirvana. Certainly, it loves the deep turtle. In fact, it really requires it for tricks such and Lazy Susans and Jacobs Ladders. Notice the video and you will see me allowing the kite to settle into the turtle. Just a little hesitation and the kite rewards you very well. It’s a characteristic that I love to play with. See the Rolling Susan to Tip Stab beginning at 2:30? That’s what I’m talking about!

After spending a few days tuning a friend’s Nirvana and comparing it my several of mine, I got the Next Up back out and was very impressed by the presence it exhibits in the sky and the feel on the end of the lines. It’s a very connected feeling and one that definitely generates some pull. I like to call it being well connected to the kite and receiving very good feedback. I much prefer larger kites and at ~2.4 meters, the Next Up doesn’t disappoint.

I’m not the best at describing what I feel (I’m much too left-brained) but maybe it’s that the Next Up really flies “smaller” than its wingspan. Certainly those Slot Machines, Multislots and Slot Cascades are cake. In my hands, it Cometes easier than the Nirvana but I’m tall, have long arms and am quite clumsy. The flare to Fade take a tad more slack which bothered me at first but is only a characteristic and easily adjusted to.

Well that’s it. I’ll leave it at that. Again, Mr. and Ms. Tessa Gambassi have a winner as far as I am concerned. They’ve had a habit of designing and producing winners and I’ve been hooked on R-Sky far longer than I’ve been associated with them.

I hope you enjoy the video!

All the best to you and I wish you smooth winds.

Randy

Sat, 04 Aug 2007 14:09:27 GMT

Hello and thanks for checking in!

After much work and frustration, not to mention problems with the DV cam, I've now completed the revised version of the Yo-Fade tutorial. I had put together a tutorial on this trick a couple of years ago but frankly it was pretty weak. It's one thing to get the kite to go to the Yo-Fade but quite another to tend the Yo-Fade and perform a proper, controlled exit. With this new, revised version we explore the trick in it's entirety.

On a good day, this is still a very difficult trick for me. I count it as one of the more difficult tricks I've ever attempted. Part of that is due to the reverse rotation required and the very critical timing of inputs to make it go. I will also say that some kites perform this trick easier than others. Some are more forgiving with the required inputs than others as well. Aside from the kites in the video, the Krystal FX is very adept with the Yo-Fade. Those clips didn't make the final cut. ;-)

OK, enough from me. On to the video. See the section to the right entitled "Newest Tutorials Added" for the latest. I hope you enjoy and have great success learning the Yo-Fade!

Randy

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 01:28:08 GMT

So a little time has passed and I'm ready with a new tutorial. Nothing too fancy but a trick that I had no idea how to do a couple of months ago. Never really tried it as it was pretty much a mystery to me. But, if you've ever seen Mr. Debray and his "Nirvana AS" video, you know that it's full of Taz Machines and after reviewing it a few times, I was really motivated to work on the trick. So I guess this tutorial is the result of that work, or should I say continued work, to learn and really groove this great trick.

I hope you enjoy the video and are motivated to learn the Taz Machine!!

Good winds,

Randy

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 13:53:15 GMT

I was so busy prior to the event that I failed to post a list of the prizes offered to the winners and a list of the sponsors who offered them at our Tricks Party South event. So, here goes:

First Place Individual: R-Sky Kite Bag provided by R-Sky Kite Solutions and The Kite Shoppe and an Avia frameset provided by Avia Sport Composites.

Second Place Individual: Avia frameset provided by Avia Sport Composites.

Third Place Individual: Avia frameset provided by Avia Sport Composites.

First Place Pairs: A tool box of goodies to each flyer including R-Sky hats, R-Sky and HQ Phoenix T-Shirts, line winders, straps, etc.

Highest Placing First Time Tricks Party Competitor: New Tech Kites - French Connection

So the organizers wish to thank Roger and Sylvie Tessa-Gambassi of R-Sky, Theresa at The Kite Shoppe, Robert and Kurt with Avia Sport Composites, Chris Schultz with New Tech Kites and Steve Hall with Gone With The Wind Kites for you generous support for our event.

Additionally, a special thanks to Steve Hall for the use of his forum to allow us to run the two kite raffles that paid for most of our event. Thanks Steve!! :-)

Stay tuned for Tricks Party South 2008!!

Randy

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 02:27:16 GMT

We are very pleased to announce...

Tricks Party South

...a three-round, two-day competition scheduled for March 17 and 18 in Huntsville, Alabama. The event is being organized and hosted by Keith Galeano, Allan Crow, and your's truly! Both individual and pair TP competition will be run at this event (maximum 15 individuals and 5 pairs). The ballet program submission period will run from February 17 to March 10. No programs will be accepted after March 10.

We are extremely excited to be hosting Tricks Party South, the first event of it's kind in the Southeastern United States and the second ever, 3 round Tricks Party event in the USA! We are also pleased to be the second Tricks Party Event in the USA to include the Pairs discipline.

We have secured one of the best inland flying fields in the Southeastern USA to hold the event and also have a strong judging panel in David Hansen (Head Judge) and Beth Bowen and Ari Contzius (Judges). The wonderful Stephanie Hiebert will be our Field Director. If you have not participated in a 3-Round Tricks Party event you HAVE to do it once in your lifetime. You won't regret it!!

For more information, go to the Tricks Party USA website and check out the calendar at http://www.trickspartyusa.com/Calendar.asp for details such as Imposed Tricks, slots available, submission time frames, etc.

For registraton information, the registration form can be downloaded here:

http://www.sportkiteflyer.com/documents/TPSouthRegForm.pdf

Thanks for checking in!

Randy

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 04:02:17 GMT

We are happy to announce the third annual Spring Southeastern Sportkite Tricks Clinic to be held on March 3 in Chattanooga, TN at the Tennessee Riverpark.

For this event, we will primarily be concentrating on working with those pilots that want to participate in our inaugural Tricks Party South Competition to be held March 17 & 18 in Huntsville, AL, a three round event to include individual and pairs disciplines. For more information on our event, check out the Tricks Party USA calendar at http://www.trickspartyusa.com/Calendar.asp.

Time will be spent on the eight imposed tricks that have been selected and we will also work with pilots on the basics of Tricks Party Ballet.

If you are not interested in competing in Tricks Party South don't worry. We will be glad to have you attend and fly with us. Even though our focus will be on Tricks Party, we will still set aside a bit of time to work with you.

Instructors will include Keith Galeano and your's truly.

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you there!

Randy

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 04:54:42 GMT

Happy New Year!!

Just a quick note to say I've added two new videos. One is located to the right under "The Latest Tutorials" section. It's the Insane!!

I've also completed a teaser video of the newest kite from R-Sky named the Next Up. It can be found to the left under the "Sport Kite Videos" section.

Enjoy!!

Wishing you a great 2007!

Randy

Sat, 23 Dec 2006 07:48:05 GMT

Merry Christmas!!!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and that 2007 will bring you many wonderful days at the kite field with family and friends!!

Also, I've created a new video list for my latest tutorials. The first entry, which I have just uploaded, takes a look at the Yo-Yo.

Enjoy!

Randy

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 02:24:49 GMT

I've updated the iPod Video Tutorial section with the two latest tutorials. The Multislot and the Kombo.

As always, thanks for checking in.

Randy

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 05:09:25 GMT

I've put together a Multislot tutorial and you can find it in the Sportkite Video Tutorials section on the right with the rest of the tutorials.

A great companion trick to the Slot Machine but you really need to be good with that trick before advancing to the Multislot.

Good winds!

Randy

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 03:47:56 GMT

Check the Sportkite Tutorial section to the right for my latest sportkite tutorial where we take a look at the Kombo.

Enjoy and good winds!

Randy

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 03:45:14 GMT

Next we take a look at the 540, an older trick that many folks still consider one of the nicest looking tricks out there. We break it down to help you see how the trick is performed and what the proper hand movements look like.

I hope you have as much fun learning the 540 as I did in putting this video together.

Good winds!

Randy

Update: The iPod version is now up so check the section on the lower right.

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 03:21:52 GMT

Check out the Sportkite Video Tutorial section for the new Slot Machine tutorial.

The iPod version will be up later in the week.

Thanks for check in!

Randy

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 23:31:13 GMT

For your viewing pleasure, the Duplex!

We pull out our "go to" kites (a Nirvana Standard with Icone LS and a Nirvana UL) and play around with the Duplex. A really neat trick that will test your timing and ability to move your feet if the wind is up or in particular, if it's bumpy.

I again chose two versions of the Nirvana by R-Sky...the Standard and the UL. The Standard was equipped with Icone White lower spreaders. The UL was stock. Both kites were equipped with the RTG version of the reverse turbo bridle.

Check out the Sportkite Video Tutorial section for this latest addition.

I hope you enjoy!

Randy

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 23:19:39 GMT

It's been almost two months since my last addition so this time we're learning the Inverse. I'm not quite sure why it's named that but I'm guessing because it's an "inverse" of the Rolling Susan. Whatever the reason, the Inverse is a neat trick and one that is fun to learn though I still find it difficult to groove at times.

For this video, we're using an almost new Nirvana UL and a brand spanking new, teal Nirvana Standard I just finished framing prior to the start of filming for this tutorial. The UL has the stock frame and the Nirvana is all stock except for Icone White lower spreaders. Tail weight is 20g for the UL and 15g for the Standard. Both kites are equipped with the RTG (that't our good friend Roger Tessa-Gambassi, btw ) Reverse Turbo bridle which I am testing now. Not bad...not bad at all!!

So, check out the Sportkite Video Tutorials section to the right for this lastest tutorial and be sure to check back soon as I am working on a couple more that should be up in the next few weeks.

All the best!

Randy

Thu, 25 May 2006 03:09:10 GMT

Finally, we're back in the tutorial business after our work with Ron and Steph on the massive Tricks Party USA video project. You will never find two people better to work with on such a project!!!

This time out, we're going for a breakdown of the Backspin Cascade and you'll get to see two brand spanking new R-Sky 10th Anniversary Collector Edition kites performing this trick! First day out with them for me as well.

Take a look to the right under the Sportkite Video Tutorials section for the tutorial.

As always, I hope you enjoy my latest effort.

Smooth breezes to you and remember to Fly R-Sky!

Randy

Wed, 24 May 2006 01:44:10 GMT

It's been what seems like a long wait but finally, today, I received my Collector Edition Nirvana (Number 4) and Krystal FX (Number 3) from Gone With The Wind Kites http://www.gwtw-kites.com/. These come complete with the new Icone rods which look amazing.

I got to the field for a bit of flying, video and photos today after work. Unfortunately the wind was not cooperating very much but I did get a few pictures which you can see above. There will be more pictures and impressions later as I get more time with these kites.

If you were lucky enough to get on this exclusive run of kites from our friends Roger and Sylvie at R-Sky, follow this link http://www.r-sky.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=421 and register.

While I'm typing, there will be more tutorials coming in the next month or so. Now that we are nearly finished with the Tricks Party-USA trick videos, I will have some time to put a few more of my own tutorials together.

Stay tuned!

Good winds to you!

Randy

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 18:23:49 GMT

So, you're a hotshot trick flyer and you've picked up one, or several, Nirvanas to match your trick flying prowess. How else can you show the world what a great trick flyer you are? Hey, I've got part of the answer!

If you are a Nirvana owner, first of all you're a pretty cool cat! Secondly, click on the link below and tell us about you, your location and what Nirvana's you own. One sure way to offically announce you've arrived on the trick flying scene!!

http://www.frappr.com/nirvanaowners

Hey, thanks for checking in!

Randy

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 04:05:37 GMT

For my French speaking friends, you can now find the Ours des Prairies (Jacob's Ladder) tutorial linked to the right. Thanks to Alain Gignon, Laurent-r and others, you can now view my tutorial on this most popular trick in French.

Merci,

Randy

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:43:35 GMT

NFX Manga on Tybee Island, Georgia


Manga on the Rocks	R-Sky - NFX Manga	NFX Manga	NFX Manga
NFX Manga	NFX Manga	R-Sky	Lots of Mylar
Manga on the Rocks, Two

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Sun, 11 May 2008 02:25:51 GMT

More that just sportkites...

More Photos...

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:28:46 GMT

February 25

Me, the Nirvana FX and the Tybee Pier.

I'm a lefty. I thing this is a Comete. They're fast with this kite.

I began taking these shots around 7am on Feb. 24th, 2008.

One of the prettiest kites on the planet.

Krystal WW from R-Sky

Krytsal WW

R-Sky Nirvana FX

Smaller brother to the legendary Nirvana.

Lovely morning sun. It got fairly hot for a Feb day.

Nirvana FX - It hands out tricks like Santa handing out candy at a Christmas parade. ;-)

More Photos...

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:48:49 GMT

St. Simons Island, Georgia; December '07

The following pictures were taken during a brief holiday on one of Georgia's beautiful barrier islands. The winds were fantastic and as you can see, the beach was great as well. I hope you enjoy! rg

R-Sky - Next Up WW

Next Up WW

Next Up WW - Though I did not get to, it is possible on this island to take both sun up and sun down pictures on the beach. Next time, I'm not getting up so early for these type of shots. ;-)

Krystal FX LW - A truly wonderful ultra light kite!

Next Up Standard

Next Up WW at low tide

Low tide, again.

Next Up WW

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Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:54:57 GMT

R-Sky Next Up

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Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:31:12 GMT

R-Sky Nirvana FX

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Tue, 20 Mar 2007 02:12:03 GMT

Tricks Party South 2007

Flyers Meeting

Stephanie Hiebert giving some directions

Judge, Ari Contzius

Say Ahhhh!

Head Judge, David Hansen

Steph's really not pointing at Spencer

Ari & Rob Autrey

I felt the love!

Flyers strategizing

Joan McKelvey checking out the podium

More Photos...

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 02:12:44 GMT

R-Sky Bird'X

Bird'X

Not too easy to fly and take pics.

Bird'X

Bird'X Tipstand ;-)

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 05:33:54 GMT

Bare Bones Tricks Party 2006

Gratuitous Banner Shot ;-)

TP Event Info

Gary Engvall and the Guys

Staging Area

Stephanie Hiebert

The Dave

Todd trying to impress some judges

Dave and Gary

Ari Contzius, Ron Graziano and Shawn Tinkham

Tricks Party Competitors

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Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:04:56 GMT

St. Augustine Sport Kite Championships 2007

Tricks Party Competition Information Board

Ted, Shawn, Rob and others

Robbie and Dave, Spencer's Dad

Ron and Patty

Doug

Happy Todd

Solemn Todd

Spencer

He'll have groupies, too!

Richard & Donna

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Wed, 03 Jan 2007 02:14:39 GMT

R-Sky Album

IMG_0926 R-Sky Bags

Nirvana Standard in Royal!

Krystal

Krystal on Tybee Island

Nirvana UL

R-Sky Krystal FX [LW]

Krystal FX [WW]

Krystal

Wildwood Nirvana now resides in Georgia

R-Sky - Krystal

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Katie with Dad (me).

They grow up fast.

A day in the woods with my daughters

Candice, my oldest

And Katie my youngest

My designer daughter, Candice

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 16:23:46 GMT

Flying Day at the Chickamauga Dam, Chattanooga, TN

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