Copyright © 1998-2000 NFKA

NORTHWEST FIGHTER KITE ASSOCIATION

Howdy Fighter Kite Fans,

Since there are several bits of news to share with you I thought it a proper time to send a News Flash to you.

NFKA APRIL FLY/MEETING

This past weekend, 12 high energy fighter fans hit the sand at Cannon Beach for our April fly. The weather was perfect or, if possible, even better than perfect!! The fighter flying was superb and the companionship and comradare awesome! All in all we had a fantastic fighter kite weekend. Most of us stayed overnight and flew on Sunday too! If you missed the Cannon Beach April fly/meeting, don't miss the upcoming Ocean Shores fly/meeting on May 16th, it promises to be even better!

SCHEDULE ERROR CORRECTED

By the way, the schedule that was sent to you, had a mistake in the date of the May meeting. Instead of the 15th, which is a Friday, the NFKA fly/meeting is the 16th, Saturday and is at Ocean Shores.

If you want to book a motel room and spend the weekend, Jim Wilson at Ocean Shores Kites 360.289.4103, has arranged for rooms at a good price with the Sands Resort. It is a very popular hotel on the beach very near the center of all the "action". So give Jim a call if you want more information.

NFKA WEB SITE

Be sure to drop by and view the ever changing NFKA website at http://www.eskimo.com/~johnsen/nfka/
Brian has got lots done since the last update letter including the archives of Ric Merry's "Fighter Kite Newsletters". By the way, if you have fighter kite plans, fighter kite related articles or other information that you think would be a good addition to the NFKA website, contact Brian at johnsen@eskimo.com

UPDATED MEMBERSHIP LIST AS ATTACHMENT

You will notice there are 2 attachments. One is a word document the other just text. Both are the updated membership list including new members, corrections and updated information. Use the one that works best for your computer.

OCTOBER AKA CONVENTION

Speaking of good deals, Jim Wilson has arranged for a block of rooms during the dates of the AKA convention in October. This year, if you did not know, the AKA national convention is going to be held in Ocean Shores!! If you have never attended an AKA national convention you have really missed a major chapter in your kiting adventure!! If you are interested in booking a room or just getting more information, call Jim at the above number.

WASHINGTON STATE INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL

At the Washington State International Kite Festival held during the 3rd week of August in Long Beach, the fighter kite activity schedule is gearing up to virtually fill the entire week!! The fighter kite energy level is really getting stronger and stronger!

Richard Hurd, the Director of Fighter Competition for WSIKF said that on the last Saturday of the festival will be held the "official WSIKF fighter kite competition". However, this year's competition, will have a new and improved format. It will not be a single elimination structure and will extend the competition time for the major part of the day! For more information or questions contact Richard at rhurd@olynet.com

In addition, Chuck Lund has assembled a terrific "seniors fighter competition" for WSIKF this year! If you're over 50, you will have a blast with what Chuck has in store!! Bring your kites and join the rest of us "over the hill" group of fighter kite fans! The date and time will be announced as we get closer to August.

NEW FIGHTER KITE COMPETITIONS AT WSIKF

There are 2 "unofficial WSIKF" challenges, SO FAR, that have been staged. One is a challenge Chuck Lund has launched. It is called the NFKA FOOTLONG HOTDOG COMPETITION the other is created by Dennis Crowley and is THE FIRST ANNUAL CONRAD CUP BUKA COMPETITION. Both are new this year and worth your time to enter. The worst case is you will have more grins, giggles and laughs and lots more fun than you expected!!

To be held at WSIKF/Longbeach during the 3rd week of August this year is the:

THE FIRST ANNUAL NFKA FOOTLONG HOTDOG COMPETITION

The Northwest Fighter Kite Association is introducing a footlong fighter kite competition sometime during WSIKF/Long Beach this year.

The requirement is that the entered fighter must have a maximum spine measurement of 12".

Combat competition will be shortline, 100' +/-, under/over linetouch – best 3 of 5 points.
If we get our act together, we might even offer prizes for the best/prettiest/weirdest design solutions.

This whole deal is the brainchild of chuck Lund (known affectionately by the cyberspaced community as NORTH32ST@aol.com it is completely unsanctioned, unofficial and undeniably unrecognized by any governing body...except ourselves...which is good enough. If we get in trouble, we'll just blame chuck.

We hope to challenge the fighter kite designer/builder in new directions– resulting in fresh design solutions for faster/better flying machines and to provide fliers and spectators with one more way to learn, fly, laugh and grin a lot....and that's what the Northwest Fighter Kite Association is all about.

So, throw away your tape measures, grab a ruler, make a fighter and get ready for a lot of fun at Long Beach the 3rd week of august...we'll be the gang flying those little fighters and wearing those huge silly grins.

If you have questions about making footlong kites or about the competition, or want a plan of a footlong hotdog that is a proven winner, contact Chuck Lund at north32st@aol.com

The second new challenge is one created by Dennis Crowley. And it is:

THE FIRST ANNUAL CONRAD CUP BUKA COMPETITION

The Northwest Fighter Kite Association announces the First Annual Conrad Cup Buka Competition to be held at WSIKF/Longbeach during the 3rd week of August this year.

This competition is named in honor of our friend and mentor Ken Conrad from Great Winds Kites who first introduced us to the amazing world of Bukas.

The Rules: Competition will be standard under/over line touch, best 3 of 5, single elimination. The kite used must be a Buka or similar high-aspect derivative of the traditional Japanese Buka design. The date for this competition will be either Thursday or Friday of the festival week..

The winner of this competition will be awarded the First Annual Official Conrad Cup, a trophy clearly designed to impress and amuse friends and neighbors.

Please see the NFKA website often at http://www.eskimo.com/~johnsen/nfka/ for competition updates. Ken's small Buka design has got us all grinning a lot. If you have further questions about the Buka Kite or want a plan of the Buka, contact Dennis at astonecrow@seanet.com

NFKA introduces these new competitions as part of our effort to invigorate the fighter kite community and to encourage new and innovative ways to build and fight kites.

As with our First Annual Footlong Hotdog Competition (see NFKA website for MORE information), this Buka tangle is completely unofficial, unsanctioned and unauthorized by any governing body other than ourselves...which is just fine by us.

So build a Buka and come fly. If you've never flown one, you're in for an amazing experience and a whole gob of giggles. For those who are unfamiliar with a Buka fighter kite. It is a rectangular kite about 15" wide and 11" tall. They are excellent flying kites and are very easy to make.

INCREASING FIGHTER KITE ENTHUSIASM IN NORTHWEST

We are noticing an increased interest, enthusiasm and energy surrounding the fighter kiting concept. It seems to be growing quite rapidly! But as more people are getting involved, it stands to reason that more fun and excitement will ensue, fostering more enthusiasm, and . . . . .builds on itself! Don't miss out, come join in!

NFKA's vision and mission remains the same...fly fighters and grin a lot...so we do...join us.

This NFKA newsflash was prepared and mailed by Bruce Lambert
mailto: brucel@techline.com