Power Kite Forum - I have had a good week

I have had a good week

popeyethewelder - 5-3-2010 at 08:56 AM

Rather than hijack Flexiblades thread I will reply to a comment from awindofchange here, we were talking about the NABX

Quote:

Originally posted by awindofchange
We're all going to miss ya for sure Popeye. You just gotta get over here at least once!

Thanks I have been speaking to Ruudje and Ozzy, and getting even more jealous lol...

I have three things I want before I pack kite buggying up

1/ I want to do at least 200 miles in one session
2/ I want to get over 65mph
3/ I want to get to the NABX

amongst all the doom and gloom of applying for jobs and rejections, I have some good news this week...I really don't know how, seeing as I am not in the buggy racing scene, due to my location in the UK.......but I became a sponsored rider, this is as far as I know unheard of in Europe unless you are one of the top pilots or a top freestyler....but, yes, it has happened to me of all people. I am sponsored by Cooper Race Kites, Rips had set, and I know some of you got to test them out, there are hardly any in the UK, they are mainly used in the European race scene....

They say when you are waiting for a bus, you wait ages then three come along at once, well, lol during the week I actually had three offers from kite manufacturers....how mad is that....

Any way, I went out the other day and attached all the lines and handles to my new kites....and I have to say, I have never had a brand new kite in my life, I have always bought second hand, and hopefully very soon, when my new buggy is finished I will be out giving these kites one hell of a hard time.

Cooper Kites

All I need now is a job, to be able to afford to get to the beach as often as I would like

Maven454 - 5-3-2010 at 09:04 AM

Very nice! You might want to change the line in your signature that says you're powered by Ozone Yakuzas though :D.

cheezycheese - 5-3-2010 at 09:04 AM

good for you Bro, hang in there on the job front something will come thru. i was out of work for seven months in '08 & 09 so i can definitley sympathize. but i'm sure a man of your talent won't be down for long... keep your head up!!! :thumbup:

rocfighter - 5-3-2010 at 09:23 AM

May the sun shine and the wind blow for you. I hope you surpass your list.

acampbell - 5-3-2010 at 09:36 AM

Congrats on the good news and good luck with Cooper. I have seen them over here and they are great kites. You are deserving of a good break.

sunset-Jim - 5-3-2010 at 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by popeyethewelder

I have three things I want before I pack kite buggying up

1/ I want to do at least 200 miles in one session
2/ I want to get over 65mph
3/ I want to get to the NABX

am

All three are doable inside the same week... smile.

Sure hope to see you out there in the near future

DAKITEZ - 5-3-2010 at 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sunset-Jim

Quote:

All three are doable inside the same week... smile.

Sure hope to see you out there in the near future

Thats the truth ... you could have all those done before lunch :thumbup:

Ruudje - 5-3-2010 at 10:16 AM

Finaly there will be a litle Orange blood running in your body :tumble:
I wish you a lot of fun flying these kites in your awsome buggy .
Ta
Ruudje

bobalooie57 - 5-3-2010 at 10:27 AM

With those sweet kites, you should hit your goal of 65MPH in short order! Good on you!

lad - 5-3-2010 at 10:33 AM

Popeye,

You are -undoubtly- one of the, if not THE, most prominent buggy guys in webland. :cool:

I can't see why the kite makers weren't knocking down your door all along!
(H*ll, your vids and posts have even influenced some of my kite buying decisions!)

(Good luck with employment, as I'm also part of that exciting, international economic trend! And hearing the same from other kite and web buds).

BeamerBob - 5-3-2010 at 10:38 AM

Congrats on the sponsorship Popeye! I've flown a cooper before when one was passed around here in the states and it was a very powerful kite for the size I had ~4m. Good luck on being properly employed relative to your skills.

awindofchange - 5-3-2010 at 12:14 PM

Popeye - WTG BUD!!!!

It is always said that good things happen to good people, and I don't know of anyone else more deserving than you!

Now, all ya gotta do is talk to Cooper and explain to them that if they send you to NABX, you can introduce their kites to the largest single gathering of kite buggy enthusiasts in all of North America!

Check off goal 2 and 3 all at once! Maybe even take care of goal 1 too!

I would be proud to have someone of your character, vision, passion and skills to represent my company. It was only a matter of time before someone came knocking on your door.

Good one Popeye and congratulations!

ripsessionkites - 5-3-2010 at 01:52 PM

CONGRADS ... youll hit 65+ with those Coopers.

For all you Canadians and Americans, buy more Coopers so I can get Popeye here. :saint:
If I can get Arie / Ruud / Ozzy to america, anything is possible.

Commercial Break: Dakitez and Power Kite Place have coopers. Ill start another round of pass if anyone wants in the 5m this time.
There will be 2 more sizes added shortly.

Popeye will you hit up WC???

Are you using the Black Bridle or the Dyneema/Spectra Bridle?

Kamikuza - 5-3-2010 at 05:26 PM

Way-hey! Well done! :thumbup:

Todd - 5-3-2010 at 07:23 PM

Congratulations Carl, Cooper is very fortunate to have such a dedicated person such as yourself. I would have to agree with Kent on talking to these guys about the trip. What would it hurt?

Quote:

Originally posted by awindofchange

Now, all ya gotta do is talk to Cooper and explain to them that if they send you to NABX, you can introduce their kites to the largest single gathering of kite buggy enthusiasts in all of North America!

flexiblade - 5-3-2010 at 07:53 PM

Congratulation Popeye - couldn't have happened to a better guy. Imagine this - the dominator with street slicks out on the playa - good solid 32mph wind with a 4.4m cooper you would blow away the record.

Making videos showing off your bugs and the cooper trucking them along in a very fast manner I'm sure may endear cooper kite to the point of sponsoring you to come over for NABX. It would be an amazing event. Cooper - think about it - great exposure.

lad - 5-3-2010 at 08:43 PM

OK...should we start sending emails and petitions to Cooper Kites somewhere? :bigok:

heliboy50 - 6-3-2010 at 03:45 AM

Congrats, Popeye. I can't think of anyone more deserving, and better for this sport. You have inspired a lot of us. Way to go!!! :thumbup:

lad - 6-3-2010 at 04:59 AM

I just left a message at the Cooper site asking if they'll have any kites or riders at NABX...:-)

It would be a no-brainer for them for maximum exposure to the North American market.

heliboy50 - 6-3-2010 at 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lad
I just left a message at the Cooper site asking if they'll have any kites or riders at NABX...:-)

It should be a no-brainer for them that if they want a chance at the N. American market, this would be it!

No kidding. PTW at NABX. Doesn't get any better than that.

lad - 6-3-2010 at 05:21 AM

Cooper just emailed a reply with a link to this very thread :-) and links to dakitez online stock (which I wasn't aware of).

Perhaps it's a little late..but maybe Popeye could offer, auction or raffle some of his mad skills, finished pieces or used kites (Yak, Access, etc) - with delivery upon arrival.

I would gladly paypal him $20 today for a crack at some goodies...and to help a young fellah realize his dreams :rolleyes:

:tumble:

Bladerunner - 6-3-2010 at 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by awindofchange
Popeye - WTG BUD!!!!

It is always said that good things happen to good people, and I don't know of anyone else more deserving than you!

Now, all ya gotta do is talk to Cooper and explain to them that if they send you to NABX, you can introduce their kites to the largest single gathering of kite buggy enthusiasts in all of North America!

Cooper did a great job of representing last year at NABX IMHO ! Those Demented Dutch certianly out flew me !!!! :thumbup:

Cooper have proven themselves to be a fantastic intro race kite you won't have to give up to compete . They fly great and have done some amazing things in the name of customer service.

Good Choice and Good Luck !
No one deserves it more!
:yes:

YES RIP, Cooper deserves another pass now that people are more aware of it's qualities ! :wee:

carltb - 6-3-2010 at 10:47 AM

congrats carl. all this time i thought you were sponcered by someone. cant believe you've only just been snapped up.

shehatesmyhobbies - 6-3-2010 at 08:10 PM

Awesome deal Carl! Congratulations and best wishes!

Good luck in reaching your goals on the buggy, buy we all know you won't be giving it up anytime soon.

popeyethewelder - 7-3-2010 at 01:03 PM

Well...what else can I say but WOW....What very touching comments and words from you guys, thank you all very much indeed, especially you Lad, lol cant believe you emailed Sieger, lol bet he nearly fell off his chair lmao.....amazing response guys, I will do all I can with those kites for sure and get out with them as soon as possible, I have read with interest the reviews on PKF, thanks for those, very encouraging, the one thing I am sure of though after doing a lot of research is bucks per performance the Coopers seem to be the best VFM around.

Thanks again guys, and I know this for sure now after my visit to California in 2008, you are the friendliest bunch of people I have ever met

rocfighter - 7-3-2010 at 07:08 PM

Once again Carl, congrats and thanks are in order. Your posts and photos and videos of your buggying helped make my mind up to buggy as well. I had considered it for years. But when I saw making your own cutting edge rides I said I can make something too.
I and it seems every one else wish you the very best. And look forward to meeting you some time.

RonH - 9-3-2010 at 09:23 PM

Congrats on the sponsorship with cooper :roll:

Quote:

originally by popeyethewelder

All I need now is a job, to be able to afford to get to the beach as often as I would like

I have the new job but have no buggy time right now... Soon :singing:

Quote:

originally by Bladerunner
Cooper have proven themselves to be a fantastic intro race kite you won't have to give up to compete . They fly great and have done some amazing things in the name of customer service.

Yes.
I had a cooper tear apart at a seam and they sent me a new kite :thumbup:

Quote:

originally by ripsessionkites
For all you Canadians and Americans, buy more Coopers

I will trade you my RII 5.5 & RI 8.3 for the same in cooper's :spin:

RonH - 19-3-2010 at 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites
Are you using the Black Bridle or the Dyneema/Spectra Bridle?

OK... what is the difference?

Ron

ripsessionkites - 20-3-2010 at 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RonH

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites
Are you using the Black Bridle or the Dyneema/Spectra Bridle?

OK... what is the difference?

Ron

did you get the Cooper 5.6m from DS?
if so, its YOURS now, Mr. TeamR.

the black bridle is the original version, the production one. however the designer Maarten has made upgraded Dyneema bridles for all Coopers. We compared them at NABX 2009. Its a " little " lighter and faster thats all, its not that noticable.

csa_deadon - 20-3-2010 at 01:38 AM

Rip do you think he would like a trip to the Iredale Shipwreck?

Need to get that man to SOBB!

RonH - 20-3-2010 at 09:10 AM

Yes I have the Cooper 5.6 :wee:

Now I just need time to ride... Starting a new business takes time away from the weekends right now.

Looks like I will go to work today instead of joining the guys at BB (if the winds cooperate):sniff:

Ron

popeyethewelder - 25-3-2010 at 12:38 PM

Well...isn't life just a strange thing ehh....this week, I have had a job offer to start on the 30th March TIG welding good pay, BUT it is 75 minutes drive from my home, and the shifts are 12 hour days...4 days on and 4 days off....well pretty good ehh...BUT

I have been wanting to have a career change, but as you can imagine during this recession the chances of finding a new career when the market is full of skilled people in every sector looking for work is neigh on impossible...

But against unbelievably odds, I seem to have done just that, I was short listed from 100 applicants to 4....then the final two....the position was a newly generated position for this company, they wanted a pro-active stores person, basically the company is a privately owned and managed engineering company, primarily involved in the design, manufacture, test and commissioning of ESP power supplies, microprocessors controls and auxiliary equipment and specialising in providing Engineering Solutions for the aerospace and defence sector. There are literally 1000s of electronic components, (and I have not got a clue what a single one of them are)that really have just been ordered and left for a free for all by the employees, they want someone to take charge of this whole area, log everything computerize it and control it.....

Final 2, and the other guy is an experienced store man.....well the call came about 4 hours later, they have offered me the role, not only that, they are paying me just under the top whack they would pay for an experienced person, and I will be made up to that 3 months down the road.

So...from three months with no work, after applying for well over 300 job vacancies, I have been offered two good ones in the same week...this is just the break I was looking for, and within this company there will be plenty of opportunity for promotion and diversifying, I will get to learn many new skills, and can't wait to get started on it.

I just wanted to share my good news, and let other people know, that if you keep trying long enough you can get what you want, I would also like to thank all you guys for your kind words and encouragement.

I will be raising a glass or two tonight in your honour, thank you

Maven454 - 25-3-2010 at 12:41 PM

Sweet!

ragden - 25-3-2010 at 12:51 PM

Congrats man.

acampbell - 25-3-2010 at 01:13 PM

DANG, That is great!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for you and the family. I know what those 75 minute rides are like so the latest break is sure swell.

I can just see the next buggy with micro-processor controlled steering...

BeamerBob - 25-3-2010 at 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by acampbell
DANG, That is great!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for you and the family. I know what those 75 minute rides are like so the latest break is sure swell.

I can just see the next buggy with micro-processor controlled steering...

Or that much coveted "Cotton kite line Radar".

Many congrats Popeye. 2 jobs at once.:singing:

dtoast - 25-3-2010 at 01:41 PM

:bigok: Good for you man, "applied to 300 job vacancies" thats a full time job in itself it sounds like.

rocfighter - 25-3-2010 at 06:48 PM

Well I'm glad to see you getting it back together. Not that I feel anyone here had any daughts of you doing it. But in these times it seems real hard. All the work you put into finding a new job is well worth you getting a good one.
So congrats man and the best of luck to you in your new ventures.

Drewculous - 25-3-2010 at 07:47 PM

just found this thread and all i gotta say is

*bow before the king of da buggies*

you do awesome work and are never shy on helpful advice, any good that comes your way is well deserved! Ten fold!! The best of luck to you where ever you end up!

Just know everyone here at the PKF wishes only the best for ya! Glad to hear 2010 is shaping up to be one of the best for ya!!

You got fans all the way out in Nebraska! Congrates man!

shaggs2riches - 25-3-2010 at 08:00 PM

Just read all this thread and all I can say is it couldn't have gone to a more deserving man! You have been very inspiring to all on here and just keep giving out knowledge. Your skills will take you very far in the race scene. Hope to meet you some day. Good luck in your ventures!!!

Shaggs