Biographical Notes.
Background
Hello. I'm John Williams, and I fly Kites!
I live in Sutton Coldfield on the North East side of Birmingham with my (first) wife, Barbara, and our sons, David and Andrew. Rumour has it that I was born in 1957, which was in the last century. At times it feels like it.
Having taught for many years, and been the head of two urban comprehensive schools, I am now a freelance school improvement consultant
My main hobby is kiting in all its forms, but especially competitive sport kiting.
I have flown kites for as long as I can remember, and somewhere in the family albums are pictures of me aged around 8 flying my pirate kite on Woolacombe beach.Interest took another step forward in the mid 1970's when I purchased a "Peter Powell" stunt kite. This kept me busy for many hours, including my days at Birmingham University studying Chemistry. With aluminium spars in, I discovered the art of two line kite fighting to destruction!
Years rolled on and the flying stopped, but a year or so after the birth of David, My wife brought me a two line stunt kite for my birthday (1989?). It only lasted a few months, so the following Christmas she gave me an "Aircrafts Zonda Whispa". This made the habit become an addiction. A flexifoil 6 followed for the next Christmas, and there was no stopping me.
In the mid 1990s I discovered the internet, and found that other people also flew kites! This led to me joining the Midlands Kite Fliers (MKF). And I started going to a few festivals and fly ins.
In 1999 I received an e-mail circular from MKF mentioning the STACK BOOT CAMP. I wanted a short break, and this seemed ideal. The weekend was cold, wet and very tiring, but incredible fun, and I made a lot of new friends. I also learnt a lot about kites!I flew with Chris and Barry Goff, and Cliff Williams. In recognition of our skill and experience we called ourselves "Grounded".
The outcome from this was threefold:
- I ended up buying more kites
- I started taking part in Winter Leagues during 1999/2000.
- I started flying in pairs with my eldest son, David.
2000 saw my first season in STACK National competition, where I won the Novice class. I also purchased a set of used Spirit of Air Shuriken Omegas from Phil and Kathy Jarvis ("Bitter and Twisted").
In November 2000, David and I attended Boot Camp II and flew as "Will Power" a three-some which included Cliff Williams.
After this, David and I took the plunge to get involved in pairs competitions and "2-Can" was born. (notice the logo - a Toucan - most people don't spot it!). We competed in the 2000/2001 winter league season, and on and off in winter leagues since.
Competition results:
John Williams - Dual Line Individual Experienced:
2001 4th
2002 1st (National Champion) - 7th Overall in Open competition
2003 2nd - 10th Overall in Open competition
2004 National Champion - Dual Line Individual Experienced
2- Can Dual Line Pairs:
2001 2nd in Novice
2002 2nd in Experienced 4th in Open
2003 2nd in Experienced 6th in Open
2-Can have not been able to practice or compete together much since 2002, so during the winter league seasons of 2003/2004 the "?-Can" 'franchise' was born. In 2002/03 "1 1/2 Can" flew with Chris Goff and "Oxy-Can" flew with Paul Collins of "Oxygen". Realising that the change of name stopped points aggregation, I stuck to "Oxy-Can" for 2003/2004, again flying with Paul and Chris as and when they were available at Sutton Coldfield, Tewkesbury, and Southampton. Qualifying for the National Winter League Cup Final, "OxyCan" came second overall in 2004.
A word about the kites themselves
Shuriken Omegas were flown for a number of years in pairs, but these are now not really competitive, so are generally avoided. These are still flown by "2-Can" when nothing else will do
In 2003 I purchased a set of used Airdynamics T2s from Andrew Taylor
( ex Team Vortex). This took my flying to a completely different
standard. Then during the middle of the 2004 season I switched to a
Carl Robertshaw Fury (skyshark frame) and this moved my whole flying on
more still. I still fly the T2 ultralight when the wind is very
low.
In the 2005 season I flew CR Furys for most rounds, and the T2 ultralight when the wind died. 2-Can flew the Furys, the 0.85 Furys and occasionally Matrix ultralights. We now also have a set of T2 ultralights and are considering what to fly for 2006
I also make kites. I have a few of my own sport kites which are good fun, and lots of single liners.
By way of sponsors
I don't have any, but would really value support on equipment for competitions.
I also think judges are very hardworking and good people who deserve
lots of praise. They are also all teetotal, which is a pity otherwise I
would bribe them with alcohol.
2005 update... "Long Live the Franchise".
2-Can made a comeback in 2005 and 2006 after some embryonic pairs flying as "what-can" in the 2004/05 winter league season.
In fact 2-Can (John Williams and Bryan Beasley) competed in all rounds of the 2005 and 2006 National Championships. At the end of both seasons we also entered and won the The MKF Coventry Cup.
