I started flying two line Delta Kite's in the late 90's, first Kite was a cheap kiddies Delta Kite as I wanted something to do on the Beach, but I was blown away at the Suffolk Kite Festival when I saw Carl Robertshaw doing trick flying with a Delta, so I brought a better Delta a "Psycho" others soon followed and I taught myself the basic's of trick flying, eventually I settled on the Tim Benson range of Delta's after seeing them at the Weymouth Kite Festival.

In early 2000 I met a chap called Rob at Gt Bentley Green who was flying a thing called a Rev and he foolishly let me have a go, I promptly crashed it ! I met him again sometime later at Clacton beach when he let me have another go, a bit better this time but I still crashed it, he didn't seem to mind though, but I was fascinated watching him fly a Rev, so soon after I brought my first Rev a 1.5, I gradually learnt the basic's and by now I was completely hooked on Rev's to the point of selling some of my early Delta's to fund the purchase of other Rev's.

I still flew on my own until fortune shone one day, by chance I went to the Martello Tower at Clacton where I met Rob, Bruce and "young Pete" flying their Rev's, Delta's and single line kite's , I came away thinking I had known them all my life, other new friend's soon followed Terry, Jay, Stu and "old" Pete, having their word's of encouragement, advice and friendship has been priceless, and they have the same outlook on Kite flying that I do I.e. FUN. It's great to be involved with everything they do, single line kite displays, "Muppet" team flying and kite photography ( Kapping ) etc etc , it's great to be with a group of guy's who bring so much enjoyment to people and who don't take themselves too seriously, buying my first kite was one of my better decision's.

To view Colins videos click HERE  look for FENCEPANEL9999

This particular day I was throwing my arms around like a scarecrow in gale trying, not too well, to fly a two-line stunt kite. I was approached by another flyer that I now know as Terry who asked if he could give me some advice, this was to keep my arms to my side and not wave my arms about. This was sound advice but a habit today I still find hard to break.

On that same day I met another great guy also named Pete, but not so old, flying a single line kite that was supporting a series of inflatables. After introductions I learned about the SKF festival at Rougham where I saw my first Revolution kites being flown and in particular by Carl Robertshaw.

Sometime around the end of May or the beginning of June I was up at the Haven again and saw a Rev. being flown by who is now a very good friend, Bruce.

Bruce, very bravely, offered me the chance to fly his kite. I WAS HOOKED.

About 3 weeks later I was the proud owner of a vented 'B' Series Revolution bought through another great guy named Rob but for readers of named The Skunk.

Rob went to great lengths; the first time out on how to put, what seemed to me, an enormous kite together and how to avoid getting the lines twisted and how to get it off the ground.

There then passed several weeks being helped and guided by Bruce who constantly heaped encouragement and at the same time started to explain a bit about the principles of the Rev. kite.

By this time I began to feel the need for a kite I could keep in the air in lighter winds. Rob came to the rescue and I bought his Un-vented 'B' Series. It had only been flown a couple of times but Rob prefers the REV 1.This un-vented kite as Bruce pointed out had, like I now know, suffered as unfortunately so many others from not having accurately cut and machined panels. I was advised to send a photo out to the manufactures who graciously accepted responsibility and sent back a brand new sail. We have now learned that they are now changing materials and putting together a better kite.So, I now have a spare sail and what should I do with it? I mentioned to Bruce that perhaps I should have a mid-vent kite, this was not encouraged and explanations given. Bruce thought a better idea would be to add to 20% venting used on the vented 'B'Series and aim for around 30%.

With sketchpad on my lap I eventually ended up with what I thought looked OK and having paid attention to Bruce's explanations of Centre of Gravity and Centre of Pressure made up some cardboard templates and set about converting the sail. The kite now has about 30% ventilation.To avoid stretch across the horizontally fixed vented panels I attached two stays, folded and stitched ripstop, in line with the two vertical spars.

In winds above 20mph it flies like a dream.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank in no particular order Bruce, Rob, Terry, Young Pete and Colin who I have not mentioned before for all the help and guidance given since I started last year.

For anyone thinking of starting flying if you live anywhere near Clacton on Sea/ Holland on Sea you could not find a better bunch of chaps to get you going.

Simon

Darren

Terry   

Stuart 

 Rob thought I would just update my kiteden profile for you.
 
 
I first flew a kite on Inch Beach in Southern Ireland, in 2003 whilst visiting my Cousin, apart from when I was little... thats if i ever was, Kites then became of interest to me, but really got into flying Power kites regularly making kiting a regular hobby, a few years ago, having a go at buggying. Now moving on into the whole world of kites and kiting. 

DEE

     Our first female quad flyer,Stuarts girlfriend came along to see the kites one day and like most after having a go got hooked on the hobby of quad flying.Now after just a few weeks she has been welcomed into the Martello flyers and has her own PINK rev made by Stuart,a nice PINK kite stake made by Rob and a nice new pair of quad handles from bruce....I think she likes the colour pink.

Steve

Mark

    Mark meet up with some Martello flyer one day in 2009 and after a fly on one of Bruces kites he was keen to get one for himself,it was about the time I did the report on the Albatross quads and thats just what he brought himself.Happy with his new kite he is now mastering the moves and having to let Harry and Danielle have a fly of it to,now he needs two more for the kids and being a single parent family its lucky that the china quads are under half the price of a Revolution or he just would not be in this hobby at all,Mark has now got to save the cash for the kids two new china quads for christmas or birthday but to see the whole family out together having fun with other Martello flyer I think its well worth the investment for him and his lovley kids.

 Harry

    Son of Mark Harry is keen to fly anything he can,he has already got the basic flying of a quads and his help with me on the single line stuff is getting very good indeed,learning all about how to hang on line luandry,setting up a sled and everything else.Always willing to help pack away after a days flying and is a great help to me whenever he is about.