From: sc5@prism.gatech.EDU (CSEPLO,STEPHEN P)
Newsgroups: rec.kites
Subject: Advance Copy of Regional Report
Date: 11 Dec 92 19:53:33 GMT
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology


Thought you might like to see an advance copy of the next AKA Regional
Report for Region 5, da south. Here it is:

                            Region 5
                         Regional Report
                          December 1992

                          Steve Cseplo

	Firstly, a hardy welcome is due to a newly formed kite club
and AKA affiliate, The Scenic City Kite Club in Chattanooga,
Tennessee. While the club is currently in the process of getting
established, plans are already under way to host a festival in the
late spring or early summer. Those wishing information should call
Dan Helton at (706) 937-2455. Here's wishing them good winds, much
success and a big TAKO KICHI!

	October brought the fifth edition of the Outer Banks Stunt
Kite Championships hosted by Kitty Hawk Kites. While I wasn't able
to attend myself, I did have a pleasant conversation with Calvin
Mills who was able to fill me in on the happenings. A big three
type of event, AKA, American Kite and Eastern League sanctioning,
it was blessed with strong winds, in fact too strong, resulting in
a wind delay of three hours in the morning while waiting for the
winds to drop to below 30 mph. Gee, all kite contest should have
such problems. Otherwise, the weather was good with temperatures
in the 60's and mainly sunny skies. Over 40 registered contestants
no doubt had an enjoyable time competing and playing with the
winds. The requisite banquet was held at a local club Saturday
night and spectator attendance was obviously up as in excess of 70
people feasted there. One of these days I will make it to the Outer
Banks for an event and try my hand at hang gliding.

	November saw the Golden Isle Stunt Kite Championships held on
Jekyll Island, Georgia. The rains of the preceding week gave way
to sunny skies and pleasant temperatures for the weekend. For the
main part, wind conditions were good with wind delays few and far
between. Competition was stiff in most categories with average
field size in the mid teens. This was the first Eastern League
event that I have attended and I was most impressed by the
professional conduct and smooth organization exhibited. Entry fees
for these events have always caused myself to have second thoughts
about attending one, but after this experience, it can be said they
are well worth the expenditure. This certainly wasn't the last
Eastern League event that I will make. Saturday's activities
concluded with a delicious seafood banquet and the presentations
of awards for the days competition. No doubt it was a fun day,
your's truly having a bit too much fun and that explains why I
didn't have that much to say when asked to address the gathering. 
Discretion being the better part of valor, it was better to say
almost nothing rather than ramble on, which believe me I would have
if I had gotten going, so you attendee's out there count your
blessings. I'll have to work on a presentation and be prepared for
the next such occurrence, I suppose.

	Sundays events ran smoothly and saw the introduction of a new
event, team train ballet. For those of you not familiar with this
competition, it features teams competing with trains of six or more
sport kites. Dyna-Kites dominated the field and with their showy
tails, this category was an instant hit with the spectators. Team
Dyna-Kite wound up winning the competition and wowed everybody when
they landed and relaunched without assistance in the middle of
their routine. Truly amazing. It seems that diamond/rogallo wing
sport kites have finally found their calling. Given the show put
on and the reaction of the crowd, hopefully other events will
include this competition in the future as it is truly one of the
most beautiful events flown and can only help to increase the
appeal of kiting to the masses.

	Unfortunately, the single line field never developed and the
paucity of participants was truly disappointing. Those who did
compete tried their best to put on a good show and my personal
thanks are extended to them. The championships concluded with the
rokkaku challenge. Total mayhem ensued as the teams battled each
other for domination of the sky. The Bald Mountain Kite Club Team
appeared to have the best time of anybody exhibiting the true
spirit of such friendly competition. They lost, but high fived each
other after managing to cut themselves out of the sky. A hearty
congratulations for a well run event and large amounts of gratitude
go out to Tom and Sue Mason for hosting the event. Looking forward
to next year folks.

	Otherwise, the "Rok-shop" I hosted went well. The attendees
got an insight into the intricacies of kite making, my methods of
kite fabrications and a 5 foot rokkaku to boot. The BMKC's semi-
annual fly at Gainesville College was well attended by members with
light winds the rule of the day. The assembled masses were
entertained by a few model rocket launches in wind lulls, actually
dead calms, as an aeronautical counterpoint to kites. At least the
old proverb didn't hold true; if you take out a kite, you won't
have wind, if you take out a model rocket the wind will blow like
crazy, if you take both, it will rain!

	Well that's about all from the southeast this time. Currently
a kite calendar for southern events is in the works and along with
a questionnaire, it should be in the mail to area AKA members some
time in January. As always, if you have some thing on your mind,
drop me a line or give me a call. Keep flying and spreading the
word about kiting. Keep safe and above all, enjoy yourselves.
-- 

The Mad Hata  

"Hey, Mon....Tako Kichi!"
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