Let me know how it goes Ken. I'm going to be in Jon's area next month and hope to stop by his shop and drool. Hopefully not on the kites.
I am already a SkyBurner enthusiast and the fact that they are made in good ole USA is a bonus! I am lusting after a Solus-UL next and, while I KNOW I should get a WM-UL (to match my WM-STD), I am probably gonna break protocol. I love the Solus' full size (100") and the design is pretty cool. Yep, I've been playing with the colorizer...
At my below novice skill level, the most important factor is probably NOT technical consistency, but the fact that I am out flying and working on developing basic techniques. Having some variety in designs, weights, styles will do more to keep me active and interested than perfecting tricks -- at least initially. I think there will come a time when my rudiments are better and, then, I can start thinking about matching kites.
I do hope to meet some of the forum members over time... I could sure use some training help! Dodd's Flight School video (Basic + Advanced) is all I have and, to be honest, it's pretty challenging, "Fly the kite straight to the ground and, just before implosion, alligator inside the power zone, then rotate the outside wing 37 degrees while pushing inside and tugging your earlobe (the one opposite the outside wing), and, simultaneously, do a forward cartwheel (or backward - depends)." Sheesh!
I have lived long enough to know that ALL hobbies worth pursuing start like this, so I am taking is slow and trying to savor JOY in the simplest elements...like not crashing!
Ken
