Sport Kite Championship
June 20-21, 2009
Dorey Park, Richmond VA
for more information: conklincomputer@gmail.com
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17th Annual Old
Dominion Sport Kite Championship June 20-21, 2009 Dorey Park, Richmond VA for more information: conklincomputer@gmail.com |
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 The
17th annual ODSKC is complete! What a great weekend! The heat and
humidity were pretty much as high as everyone expected, and some gray
cloud and even a few drops of rain passed through, but we were lucky
enough to have a most welcome and unexpected guest: WIND!!!
This was the first ODSKC I can recall where there were wind
checks taken on the field to ensure we weren't exceeding the maximum
wind speed.It was great to see some new faces among our old friends. We had 3 first-time competitors that all flew great and (I think) had a good time. I hope we'll see them at many more events. You know, it really isn't fair. I have it so much easier than any other event coordinators I know of. It's so easy to put together an event when you have a team of people around you who know what needs to be done and are eager to make it happen. I'm referring, of course, to the Richmond Air Force, whose members always step up to take care of whatever task needs to be done. I'm also referring to all of those who came to compete, who gladly helped set up and take down the field and equipment, as well as serving on judging panels and field staff. Some specific thanks: Kitebus Festivals - Terry Murray has spent years putting together a complete festival setup that he's hauled all over the country. We often joke that when you open the back of the Kitebus, a festival just jumps out, and it's true, because Terry has the whole thing down to a science. Everything goes out in order, and goes back in just as organically. I'd hate to work with anyone else, Terry makes it so easy for me! Add to that the generosity of Terry and Janis Worth, who open their home to us every year for the Saturday cookout, with amenities including John Deere beer, an impromptu parking lot, wildlife tours, and good times for all present. Maggie Engvall - A sport kite competition's success is directly related to the Chief Judge, and that's why I've asked Maggie to be the CJ for every ODSKC since I started running the event. Maggie's attention to detail and her knowledge of the logistics of holding a competition are huge assets for ODSKC, and I hope our relationship continues for many more years. Maggie, please make the weekend of June 19-20, 2010 available in your calendar! Hang 'em High Fabrics - Bonnie Marvin has been extraordinarily generous to ODSKC for years. One of the things we've tried to do with ODSKC over the past several years is to experiment with different ways to raise funds, and the foundation that Bonnie provides allows us the leeway to do that every year. Mearl and Adrianne Balmer - I think that one of the things that sets ODSKC apart and keeps folks coming back is our reputation for hospitality; which can be directly attributed to the efforts of the Balmers. The hospitality tent, Adrianne's biscotti, the delivered lunches, these things are all a big part of ODSKC's good reputation as an event "by the fliers, for the fliers", and thanks to you both for putting it all together. Doug Charleville - Another big part of ODSKC's reputation is the oppressive HEAT. Thank goodness for Doug Charleville, who kept strategically placed coolers of ice and water full all weekend. The mantra of ODSKC is "Hydrate or Die", thanks Doug for keeping us all alive! Will and Heidi Smoot - In my opinion, Will Smoot is the best sport kite announcer out there. Even at an event like ours, which doesn't boast many spectators, Will focuses purely on educating the listening audience on what's going on out on the field. I love Will's professionalism and attitude. Thanks of course also to Dennis Smith, Terry Murray, and Janis Worth, who all filled in at the sound tent while Will was on the field competing. Heidi's done the catering for our cookouts for the past 3 years now, and it just gets better every year! Of course, I should throw in a disclaimer here: As long as Heidi keeps bringing me her awesome macaroni and cheese, it pretty much doesn't matter to me what else is on the table! Heidi's so easy to work with, our conversations about catering are so short and easy, because I know that I can trust her to make the right choices for a rounded out meal that everyone will enjoy. Flying Smiles Kites - Cath and Eliot Shook have been huge supporters of ODSKC and the Eastern League for several years. Did you know that they offer a 20% discount in their store for Eastern League members? For the past 2 years, their store, Flying Smiles, has sponsored the trophy patches for ODSKC. I love these two, it's hard to find such a match of generosity and enthusiasm in one person, let alone a couple! Jessica Albosta and Stacy Pymale - I'm a computer geek by trade, and I know that so many people struggle with computers and scoring programs, and I never really mind helping someone out with that stuff during an event. That said, how cool is it when you ask someone "everything ok?" and the answer is always "yep, we're good!"? I think that Jessica and Stacy are the template on how scoring should be done at an event. They double-checked each other to make sure that the scoring process was smooth and fast, but accurate. They took care of their business so that everyone else could focus on theirs. Awesome! Jackite - One of the biggest expenses for ODSKC has been tents, tables, and chairs for the Saturday night cookout. This year, we were blessed to have the Stankus family, who brought their tents and seating for 60. And it wasn't junk, either! Nice, glass-top tables, comfortable cushioned chairs, we were really living high on the hog Saturday night! Will Sturdy - You know, Will's still somewhat of an "unknown" in the kiting community, but it's a no-brainer that within a few years, folks all around the world will be recognizing him not only as a master flier, but as a master kitebuilder as well. And it'll all start from this year's ODSKC raffle! The winner of the Saber raffle is in France, which means that the Saber should make it's European debut this year! Focus Kites - I don't buy many kites. I'm pretty much set with what I fly in competition, and if I want a single-line kite, I'll build it. Then I try out the Skate. What a cool kite! When you fly at Dorey Park, more times than not, you're wishing more for boomerangs than kites. So how cool is it to have a kite that you can fly outdoors or indoors and have a blast either way? Once I experienced the Skate, I immediately had to ask Paul and Hunter of Focus Kites to donate one for the ODSKC raffle, and when I saw the colors for the one they were donating, I had to have one myself. So now, raffle winner Robbie Boerth and I have matching skates, we're all set for Indoor pairs! Viper Sport Kites - It's no secret that I consider the Vendetta (particularly the UL) the finest sport kite on the market. Not that my opinion means anything, but that kite has taught me so much over the past few years! So imagine my pleasure when someone gets a chance to own this awesome kite for a $10 raffle ticket! This raffle was a big fund-raiser for us, as well as somewhat of an experiment, and having the Vendetta in there contributed hugely to the raffle's, and therefore, the event's success. We'll be back next year, so mark your calendars for June 19-20, 2010 for the 18th annual ODSKC!
Thanks, Marc Conklin
last updated: 06/25/2009 11:11 am |
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