I have never been much of a "joiner"; my dislike of rules and regulations probably explains a lot about my flying style: Freestyle. The nearest thing Freestyle ever got to a club was having Blapp Setter , as "Senior Public Liaison for International Freestyle Flying" here talking to ABW:

"Andy, you must always do your own thing.
Be unique, but always be yourself."

Wise words. But Freestyle fliers like Festivals: to get together and fly, to show off and to chill out. Festivals however aren't always particularly Freestyle friendly: The music tends not to be down tempo drum and bass and the arena program tends to have more to do with amusing the public than amusing kite fliers.

Fair Enough. Festivals have to break even, the traders need to sell kites. The average freestyle flier is more interested in blagging than buying. Freestyle isn't exactly easily accessible. The days of random sky flopping are gone (sooo 90's dude) but unless someone explains what's going on it all looks the same; other trick based sports have expert commentary when they hit the mainstream.

Team flying however has a bit more "oooh" and "ahhh" about it for the average Joe Festival. Here STACK holds the cards. Team fliers are members of STACK and STACK have the muscle to get space for two line flying of all kinds at the festivals. If Freestyle fliers want space at festivals, and to see what has to be the most chilled out sport in the universe getting promoted, STACK are pretty much the only way forward.

This year I am going to support STACK festivals, lend a hand and see if Freestyle gets the space it deserves. I'm hopeful. Ed 5/8/02