Let's stop talking trash and start talking up the REAL 10's of this site!

Non of us like to rate ourselves but who do you rate as 10?

If only 1 can be 10 then for me it is Lolo. I SOoooo wish I got to Ivanpah to meet him. Even Lolo may be a 9.8 because I wish he would contribute here more.

I can write a HOOGE list of number 9's but will do that later!

CTB gets a 9.5!

Subject to exposure for sure, a few of my favorites to watch fly and Watch their skills are Dan Delpapa, Claude Gravel and Todd Stevic, the man who taught me to fly Arcs. Wouldn't place a number on any of them, except priceless, as are the rest of my kiting friends, including you Ken.

Although I have flown many brands of kites, aspect ratio kites, and disciplines of kites, I'm not sure I will ever be an expert, or even close to a ten, but as long as I keep helping others in the sport and fly with my friends and family, that's good enough for me!

Good thread!

I'll be checking back here every half hour or so to look for my name. Thanks in advance guys.
No I'm serious.

Redsky is definitly close to a 10...in humor!

No way I could call myself a 10. I've learned a lot but that never stops. I'll listen to anyone I can learn something from. And I listen every time I'm with other kiters.

I'd have to think hard about those I respect the most,to avoid leaving out someone deserving.

Quote: Originally posted by RedSky

Good thread! I'll be checking back here every half hour or so to look for my name. Thanks in advance guys. No I'm serious.

REDSKY IS A 11
Just for his brave, hilarious, silly, and down right nut's video!!!!!!!!!!!
A KITING HERO!!!

And here's the proof why redsky is a 11
http://vimeo.com/26868987

Quote: Originally posted by alasdair macleod

And here's the proof why redsky is a 11 http://vimeo.com/26868987

11.5

Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck

Quote: Originally posted by alasdair macleod   And here's the proof why redsky is a 11 http://vimeo.com/26868987 11.5

I stand correct! 11.5 it is :D

So a "10" is a lofty perch for anybody in any sport or craft, but I've got to give props to my man in New Hamshire Chris Kruge (fewd) of Hardwater fame. Dude is clearly a kiting STUD and a darn fine professor of kiting to boot. There is YouTube footage of him somewhere where he gets plunged beneath the Hardwater and uses the kite to pull himself out! That's something Chuck Norris would do.

Who did you say Steve....?

Quote: Originally posted by skimtwashington

Who did you say Steve....?

Exactly my point! Chris Kruge once got bit by a rattle snake........ After three days of pain and agony ..................the snake died :moon:

Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob

I'd have to think hard about those I respect the most,to avoid leaving out someone deserving.

This is why I mentioned that I can make a HOOJ list of 9's.

I think I put Lolo and CTB up there because I respect how they ride most styles and do them all so well.

I agree that RedSky is #1 when it comes to videos !

WOW .... Skill-O-Meter

During JIBE last year we had a nasty North wind come up the coast from an early tropical storm. We had a 90 degree wind shift. I believe that the wind was 20+mph with some radical gusts 30-40 mph. Waaaaaaaaaaaaay past my skill level.

But down on "Kite Beach" I saw a most awesome display of kite and buggy skills by Markite! Mark Groshens

Mark world travel 50 foot West, turn travel 50 foot East, back and forth for 20-30 minutes with a small kite on short lines in those crazy winds. He was crazy good!

That's why I believe Mark Groshens is a "10" on the "Skill-O-Meter".

Just look at his quiver;

Peter Lynn: Ch2 22 +18 + 15 + 6.5, Scorp 16 + 10, Phantom II 12 + 9, Orig Phantom 9, Syn 8, Charger I 6, F 1200, 840
Ocean Rodeo: Flite 17 + 12, Rise 13 + 10 + 7, Razor 9 + 6
Foils: PL Leopards and Lynx, Airea Raptors, some PL Reactor IIs + IIIs, Libre Spirits, Cross Kite Sonics, Ozone Flow
buggies: PL XR+, Cameleon Pagona, custom bigfoot, PL Bigfoot, custom ice buggy
Boards: 2 custom directionals, O.R Surf series 6-3 and 5-11, Mako Duke, Mako Skinny, Mako 140 Wide, Mako 150 Wide, Mako King, Brunotti, lots of old school skis, snowboard

Edited quote:

Quote: Originally posted by Cheeks

WOW .... Skill-O-Meter But down on "Kite Beach" I saw a most awesome display of kite and buggy skills by Markite! Mark Groshens He was crazy good! That's why I believe Mark Groshens is a "10" on the "Skill-O-Meter". Just look at his quiver; Peter Lynn: Ch2 22 +18 + 15 + 6.5, Scorp 16 + 10, Phantom II 12 + 9, Orig Phantom 9, Syn 8, Charger I 6, F 1200, 840 Ocean Rodeo: Flite 17 + 12, Rise 13 + 10 + 7, Razor 9 + 6 Foils: PL Leopards and Lynx, Airea Raptors, some PL Reactor IIs + IIIs, Libre Spirits, Cross Kite Sonics, Ozone Flow buggies: PL XR+, Cameleon Pagona, custom bigfoot, PL Bigfoot, custom ice buggy Boards: 2 custom directionals, O.R Surf series 6-3 and 5-11, Mako Duke, Mako Skinny, Mako 140 Wide, Mako 150 Wide, Mako King, Brunotti, lots of old school skis, snowboard

Yup, crazy calm skills, and I don't think there's anything in that quiver that he doesn't use.

my 2 heros don't frequent this site but if it wasn't for these guy I doubt I would've got into kiting. my props go out to Lewis Wilby and Olivier Garet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G48irUWWaos

Skill-O-Meter broken right there

Markite gets a vote from me too. He has helped me so much the last two JIBE's. Flyguy (Scott) gets a nod too. He taught me how to (effectively) work up wind at Jekyll. Prior to any Jekyll events, I was just a janky wind soccer field pilot. People like Scott and Mark make it possible for new dudes to really get the most out of an event. As said above, its hard to name just one mentor. Ted, phree, and many many more all offer valuable tips. Just a good group of guys!!!

Quote: Originally posted by skimtwashington

Redsky is definitly close to a 10...in humor!

Ha! I'm more than happy with that. I'll take the 'class clown' vacancy or share it with whoever. Thanks!

I don't do skills, so leave me out please. I can't even ride backwards! ...but where I lack in skill I try to make up in a comedy of errors. If I can entertain you then great!

My 10 is for Sean's street kiting. He could be responsible for opening up a whole new discipline with his videos. He is definitely onto something with this. And I like his outlaw kiting.

Also Feyd gets a 10. I don't do hard water but I sometimes read through his stuff which is always professional, informative and interesting, a real asset to the forum.

I could go on and on, therefore the rest of you will just have to settle for my sincere admiration.

Quote: Originally posted by alasdair macleod

And here's the proof why redsky is a 11 http://vimeo.com/26868987

Thanks Alasdair! One of my better fail videos. Thanks!
Funny enough I was thinking about you last week. I heard on the news that you had wind speeds up there reaching 110mph !! What was that like ?

"My 10 is for Sean's street kiting."

ha, thanks. I don't think I'm a 10 on skill but I do give myself an E for effort.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

"My 10 is for Sean's street kiting." ha, thanks. I don't think I'm a 10 on skill but I do give myself an E for effort.

One of these days you are going to have to learn to quote. Until then, E will stand for Effervescent.

:moon:

CTB.

Thanks for posting up about Oliver Garet. The guy isn't even on my radar. My kind of rider!

I have the greatest respect for riders who take the time to get good at all skills. Land water and snow. LIKE YOU!
The fact that you take the time to bring what's REALLY HAPPENING over the pond to this little forum is what makes you King of the Big Air in my books!

For me, that change up in skills is what put you and Lolo in my 9+ list.

My LOoooong list of 9's often fall short because they stick to buggy.

Quote: Originally posted by RedSky

Quote: Originally posted by alasdair macleod   And here's the proof why redsky is a 11 http://vimeo.com/26868987 Thanks Alasdair! One of my better fail videos. Thanks! Funny enough I was thinking about you last week. I heard on the news that you had wind speeds up there reaching 110mph !! What was that like ?

Lucky it missed here in my part of the lsland.
We've got a met office amber warning here for wind.
So far today my weather station recorded a gust of 76mph 45 minutes ago.
2010 we had over 100 mph wind it did a hell off lot of damage to house's roof's!
How's it down there redsky?

[/rquote]

Thanks Alasdair! One of my better fail videos. Thanks!
Funny enough I was thinking about you last week. I heard on the news that you had wind speeds up there reaching 110mph !! What was that like ?
[/rquote]
Here's the gust this morning around the Outer Hebrides
Top Gusts UTop Gusts Up To 11am

ST Kilda 87 mph
Stornoway Road Station 77 mph
South Uist 74 mph
Isle of Barra Road Station 74 mph
Scalpay Bridge 74 mph
Benbecula Airport 73 mph
Lochboisdale 71 mph
Lochmaddy 70 mph
Aird Uig 70 mph
Newmarket Stornoway 68 mph
North Rona 67 mph
Butt of Lewis 66 mph
Heb WX Point 66 mph
Breasclete 65 mph
South Bragar 65 mph
South Dell 62 mph
Swordale 62 mph
Askernish 62 mphp To 11am

Like Bobby said, its hard to pick tops, when so many people here on PKF offer up so much good wisdom!!
I'd also like to thank John Holgate for all the info he has supplied on the NASA Stars, and Sean for carrying the torch in stateside. They are why I have a Nasa Star quiver.

My 5 top 10s are #1Peter Foulkes #2 Andrew "auto" Jones #3 Frederick Mallard #4 Alp Yuecel #5 Tom Mulligan.
Anyone know why???

Quote: Originally posted by WELDNGOD

My 5 top 10s are #1Peter Foulkes #2 Andrew "auto" Jones #3 Frederick Mallard #4 Alp Yuecel #5 Tom Mulligan. Anyone know why???

Are we forgetting folks like Popeye and Van Bommel, Fast Aire Andy Jones in England is an Animal on a kite bike, and how about those 30-40kn buggy men on the Isle of Jersey?

Andrew Lempriere comes to mind there. Check out their FB page @ Jersey Traction Kiters. They do it in the high wind, wet and cold!

I really envy those guys for the fields and beaches they have to buggy on over there. If we had anything like those guys have and the time, you could really tune up your skills.

We have a winner! You said the MAGIC word, KITEBIKE! They are the top 5 speed holders of the kite bike . Peter @ 59.4mph ,Auto Jones@ 53.3mph , Fast Freddy@ 49.9mph , Alp @ 44.1mph and Tom @ 28.7mph. All these guys hold records on kite bike. And I'm gunning for ya Tom! :D If you never kite biked,you gotta try it once!

Quote: Originally posted by WELDNGOD

We have a winner! You said the MAGIC word, KITEBIKE! They are the top 5 speed holders of the kite bike . Peter @ 59.4mph ,Auto Jones@ 53.3mph , Fast Freddy@ 49.9mph , Alp @ 44.1mph and Tom @ 28.7mph. All these guys hold records on kite bike. And I'm gunning for ya Tom! :D If you never kite biked,you gotta try it once!

Haha, you made me laugh. Hey, at least I did it on a real bike, unlike those other pretenders. :D