Skyaak Clinic at Nat'l Horseshoe Championships

Jack Adams, organizer of the National Horseshoe Championships here at The Resort Village of Manitou Beach, SK., was more than happy to pose with his Skyaak along with Michael and young Daniel for photos at the site of the Championships.

Left to right: Daniel, Jack Adams ( organizer of the Nat'l Horseshoe Championships), Michael Gaudet.

Daniel attached himself to our little delegation and showed a great deal of interest in throwing and catching the unique new flying toy. Daniel was actually quite good at it, as he listened and watched attentively during the demonstration. Michael showed a few basic throwing techniques and stressed the idea that there are ways to maximize one’s power without extra exertion. This is especially important for younger, less powerful Skyaak-ers. We noticed that the younger participants did very well once they got the hang of the ‘finger-flicker’ technique. This little bit of technical finesse goes a long way to giving the junior enthusiasts a hand-up so that they can enjoy the sensation of hand-launching their Skyaak Model 3.

Here is a picture of some of the up-and-coming Skyaak champs:

Front Row left to right: Ilara, Laurie and Bethanie. Back Row: Daniel and Dale

Once everybody got organized at the event, we went to a nearby field and formed a circle. There were about seven of us. Then we started to circulate four Skyaak-s clockwise for a really great work-out. This is a terrific way to familiarize yourself with the throwing techniques as it is quite fast-paced and lots of fun. As we were doing this, the more experienced Skyaak-ers made a point of providing technical assistance to the novices so they could start to develop the unique skill sets that are needed in order to maximize the Skyaak experience. The combination of demonstration and explanation went a long way to achieving much improved technique within a relatively brief period. I noticed that the participants really enjoyed themselves and were very receptive to the flight tips offered. With a bit of guidance, everybody started making good progress. We all made it a priority to really encourage the participants when they executed a good throw and also when they managed to complete a good catch.

I personally found the whole experience to be very gratifying. Not only because the Skyaak Model 3 held up so well to the rigors of the demonstration, but also because of all the positive feedback we constantly got back from everyone who stepped up to try their hand at it.

Michael.

Skyaak at National Horseshoe Championships

Me and fellow Skyaak-ers Gene Angers, Wayne Reiffersheid and Ilara Stefaniuk-Gaudet attended the National Horseshoe Championships ‘Lucky Horseshoe Saloon’ and did a demonstration of the assembly technique as well as tossed it around after it was built.

The demo was well-received by an attentive and curious audience. We seemed to naturally fit right in with the group that was there. A while later, we took it outside the big tent and we were soon joined by a gentleman who identified himself as Jack Adams. He took an instant shine to Skyaak and insisted that he try it out. Within about fifteen minutes he had reasonably mastered two or three throwing techniques and announced that he wanted to purchase one, on the spot.

As he was writing out a check to Skyaak Enterprises, he told me that he was the administrator of the National Horseshoe Championships and that he was from Saskatoon. He was very, very enthusiastic about his latest discovery ( Skyaak!) and indicated that he would spread the good word about the product far and wide. What a great contact! I didn’t get a chance in all the excitement to take a photo of Jack with his new acquisition but that’s not a problem. We will be back there tomorrow afternoon to conduct a ‘Skyaak Clinic’ and Jack said that we will hook up then.

Groovy vibes, great reception, good times!

Showing the Skyaak package along with the components. Photos by Ilara S-Gaudet.

Michael demonstrating the glue-free assembly of the Skyaak Model 3

Wayne Reiffersheid prepares to hand-launch his custom-colored Skyaak. We call them Skyaak 'ColoRings'. Wayne has a sizzling hot delivery technique. Incidentally, Wayne's nephew Evan Reiffersheid has come onto the Skyaak scene lately with an absolutely dynamite throw! He is a dedicated javelin thrower and let me tell you, he has a wicked sweet toss! Evan has suggested that Skyaak would make a great javelin trainer. Stay posted for Evan's Skyaak testimonial... coming soon!

Skyaak Press Release

Skyaak is a unique new "Ring-Wing" flying toy invention. It was created by Manitou Beach artist/designer Michael Gaudet, who originally committed the idea to paper in 1987. The concept lay dormant for many years until Gaudet had the opportunity to concentrate on research and development within the past few years. As a full-time professional artist who specializes in large-scale historic murals, the artist has been able to set aside a modest R&D fund.

After he wrote the words to the poem "I Believe" in November 2005, seven ‘Angel Investors’ presented themselves to commit financial and moral support to the Skyaak project. The poem has since been produced as a CD Single that may be viewed at www.theahaexperience.com

Gaudet says, " ‘I Believe’ encourages faith in one’s pet ideas and is a call for action versus procrastination."

The Angel Investors have since propelled the project ahead with unstoppable momentum. Over a period of only about two years, Gaudet was able to advance the working prototype from two cut-out margarine containers affixed to a drinking straw to laser-cut lexan plastic components in the case of the 14" version ‘Mykro-Skyaak’. The full-scale, athletic-quality Skyaak Model 3 boasts components manufactured with a computer-assisted router by Laser Impressions in Saskatoon. The 26" Model 3 is a fascinating new kind of ‘throw and catch’ glider that consists of two conical-shaped wings on an inner tubular shaft. The unlikely-looking flying toy exhibits exciting aerodynamic properties. A sturdy foam hand-grip near the center of the shaft provides a way for the device to be thrown and then caught in mid-air between partners.

The Skyaak project has enjoyed and benefitted from some very high-profile support both nationally and internationally. The following people have taken the Skyaak project under their wing: Dr. Marc Garneau, former astronaut and president of the Canada Space Agency, communicated with the inventor over a couple of years and personally referred the project to the attention of Dr. David Simpson, head of the Institute for Aerospace Research at the National Research Council of Canada. Dr. Simpson wrote the inventor a very informative and encouraging letter of guidance and support. Zenon Dragan, president of the Saskatoon-based world-famous flying toy company DraganFly Innovations Inc. has been mentor to the project since its inception and has provided invaluable insights into prototype development and marketing. Minneapolis-based William Gurstelle, best-selling author of "Adventures from the Technology Underground" has built and flown both models and calls Skyaak "Incredibly cool!" and suggests that Skyaak is "Canada’s answer to the Frisbee". Patrizio Bronzi, Italian aircraft model-maker and designer, has expressed an interest in the Skyaak design and has written a technical paper in support of the project along with analytical diagrams that explore the aerodynamic properties of the unique ring-wing design. Dan Tyroler, Long Island, NY-based electronics engineer and inventor, is the founder of the popular inventor’s service www.Patents4Sale.com . He has recently announced the creation of a new online inventor’s boutique called www.NewDaVincis.com . The Skyaak product line has been invited to be included in the exclusive roster of new, innovative inventions on this site.

Written by Ilara Stefaniuk-Gaudet, daughter of the inventor.

www.NewDaVincis.com link up

When you visit www.skyaak.com and click on the PURCHASE PRODUCT link, then scroll down through the graphic tour of the Skyaak Model 3, you will be invited to click HERE for purchase information. Here is the NEW VENDOR'S LINK that routes visitors instantly to the www.NewDaVincis.com Skyaak showcase. And it is quite a showcase! I am very pleased with the professional, attractive, tidy presentation that Dan Tyroler of www.Patents4Sale.com and his team have come up with. Very impressive. They have captured the essence of the project in the design of the site. Congratulations to the www.NewDaVincis team for a great job!

We all here hope that we enjoy a long and fruitful business relationship with this exciting new marketing affiliate.

M

P.S. I am confident that you will be hearing quite a bit more on this as it plays out.

NewDaVincis.com link coming soon!

The NEW Skyaak NewDaVincis.com link is coming soon!

Click here to see the rapidly crystalizing page!

When you click on the word SKYAAK, you will be directed to the COOL NEW vendor link.

I am so impressed with the steadily accelerating momentum of this project as it rockets ahead.

Roger, over and out!

Michael

SKYAAK to Demo at Nat'l Horseshoe Championships

SKYAAK to Demo at
National Horseshoe Championships

I got a call a couple of days ago from one of the co-ordinators of the upcoming National Horseshoe Championships to be held right here at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach in Saskatchewan, Canada. I was invited to demonstrate and market the Skyaak Model 3 in the ‘big tent’ that will be set up for the occasion. This is a splendid opportunity, custom-made really, to achieve concentrated exposure to a ‘captive audience’ that is already very inclined towards an activity like the ‘Throw and Catch’ action of Skyaak.

I am really looking to this dynamic exchange and I will take lots of photos to post on this blog.
I think it’s very cool that my Skyaak invention is beginning to generate some high-profile local interest that may very well catapult it into the national limelight. I will keep you posted.

On another note, I sent a Skyaak package off to Dan Tyroler of www.NewDaVincis.com at Long Island NY by express post yesterday. He ought to have it in his hands within five business days.

I will be very interested to hear what he has to say about it. I should mention that Dan is an electronics engineer who has expressed an interest in fast-tracking the R&D of my invention. Dan told me that he has sold the rights to one of his own inventions. I think that he did very well with that transaction, as he now has gone ahead and formed the famous www.patents4sale.com. Dan obviously knows his marketing, as this web-page is very prominently listed in all the major search engines. He has mused out loud about the possibility of setting up an R&D fund to rocket my Skyaak invention ahead on its trajectory towards its ‘inevitable success’. I have told him about our initial seven ‘Angel Investors’ that fueled the early development of the prototype, and he listened attentively.

I believe Dan recognizes the great potential of the product, and the alluring possibility that it is getting closer and closer to the phenomenon explained so lucidly by Malcolm Gladwell in his excellent book "The Tipping Point". I would recommend Mr. Gladwell’s book as a ‘must read’ to anybody interested in the introduction of a new idea or product to the market-place. "The Tipping Point" is, in my opinion, a classic work that explores the dynamic process that happens when a small group of committed individuals decide to put their energy and support behind an idea or product because they are passionate about it! In this world, passion goes a long way to instill an idea into the consciousness, because it is real, heartfelt and sincere. There is no better way to convince somebody ( or many, many somebodies) that an idea has merit than to simply express your passion for it.

This is precisely why I was so excited a few months ago when William Gurstelle,Minneapolis-based best-selling author of "Adventures from the Technology Underground", said that he thinks Skyaak is "Incredibly cool!" He said much more than this of course, but you get the idea. This is very high praise from a very respectable source!

Later,
Michael.

Skyaak to Affiliate with www.NewDaVincis.com

After several back and forth e-mails and phone calls with Dan Tyroler of
www.patents4sale.com, we have established an amazing spirit of trust. I must say that I am honored and thrilled to be invited to join the roster of innovative inventions that will make up the cool NEW online store called www.NewDaVincis.com Man, what a great name and what an evocative idea to put out to the world. Imagine... inventions that are being lauded as ideas that Leonardo himself would feel proud of! It doesn’t hurt that there is a such a HUGE BUZZ around good old Leonardo either. There always has been really. It has just gotten that much huger with the book and now the movie. See? I don’t even have to mention the name of it.

I was one of the first kids on my block to run out and buy the hardcover, fully illustrated release of ‘The DaVinci Code’. I am a such a huge fan of all things ‘Leonardo’, so it is obviously a crazy cool thing to be associated with this new online inventor’s boutique.

I imagine I will have much exciting news and views to share with you as we take the next few important steps. So stay tuned!

Skyaak off to Long Island, NY.

Recently I saw a Press Release on www.theLoneInventor.com , one of my favorite Inventor Forums that talked about a new marketing concern called ' www.NewDaVincis.com '. I was pretty much instantly attracted to the concept of "New daVincis" right away. As readers of this blog will appreciate, I am a life-long fan of Leonardo's, so it was only natural that I would be drawn to a name like this. In my most ambitious moments, I try to emulate Leonardo's spirit of hyper-creativity... but I try to stay away from over-dabbling in too many different areas.

For a few years now I've been pretty much devoted to aeronautical design in all of my spare time, and in lots of my prime time to boot.

I e-mailed Dan Tyroler of T.A.B. Technological Initiatives, Inc. who is the founder and brains behind www.Shop4Patents.com to let him know that I wished my Skyaak invention to be included in his roster of "creative and innovative inventions" that he would offer at the soon-to-be-running www.NewDaVincis.com

Dan got back to me within several hours and we have e-mailed back and forth a few more times. I am so excited by Dan's first-impression assessment of the Skyaak Model 3!

Interestingly enough, Dan is also interested in the Mykro-Skyaak.



He has now gone ahead and ordered a Mykro-Skyaak to be sent to Long Island, NY.
I am sending one along with a complimentary Skyaak Model 3 ASAP.

This gentleman phoned me here at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach last night and we had a very in-depth conversation about some of the possibilities.

I believe Dan recognizes the impeccable pedigree that I have outlined in my recent blog entry "Skyaak Mile-Stones".

I won't go into any great detail other than to say that Dan and I had a very positive exchange that may very well lead to our mutual enrichment. I truly believe in a community of friends that share common ideals. I believe in working together and getting results.

Roger, over and out from a dyed-in-the-wool Air Force brat.

Michael.

A new flight methodology

I have set out to develop and build a 'Ring-Wing' flyer that can hold up to all of the mechanical stresses imposed on the components to enable me to conduct exhaustive field tests. The most challenging task by far was to come up with the right materials that would withstand rough landings without constant repairs.

After trying out many different kinds of paper, chloroplast, premolded plastic (ie: retrofitted plastic containers) and aluminum, I arrived at the idea to design a flat pattern that could be assembled into a 'Ring-Wing' and then added to a central shaft. This way, I could establish uniformity and be able to replicate the design. I created a vector file of my design and fed the file into a computer that operates a router based on this file. This way, I was able to simply tweak the vector file in order to generate changes in the design until I arrived at something workable.

However, I was still struggling to find the right plastic material. I was now working with something called 'Pet-G', which is the same plastic used for soft-drink bottles. It was promising. This material showed me that the basic design concept had merit. The configuration actually flew quite well. The problem was the plastic still tended to crack and /or shatter just from regular throwing and catching. It would basically self-destruct with a rough landing.

I approached the Saskatchewan Research Council Plastics Lab for technical support. I was told to try 'polypropylene', a super-tough, lightweight plastic that is commonly used in one-piece hinged containers.

This was the material that changed everything. I was now able to computer-generate flat wings that could be assembled into conical shapes that were capable of performing up to the specifications needed to proceed with the project.

With the improved materials I was able to finally carry on with field tests without the constant setback of material failure.

I began to observe the configuration naturally spinning rapidly on its axis in flight. This spinning motion dramatically increased its stability in the air as well as its thrust. I could see that the two Ring-Wings in tandem on an inner shaft represented a flight system that held some promise for more development. I am now working towards a motorized version that may yield some interesting data.

I have read Dan Davidson's 'Shape Power' where he discusses the experiments of Viktor Schauberger. Apparently, when a spiral motion is created (as in a tornado) there is a measurable electro-magnetic charge generated in the vortex. Scientists have in fact measured electrical charges of several million volts being generated inside a tornado. As well, there have been reports of changes in the gravitational field as a result of rapid, sustained spinning matter.
In the case of the rapidly spinning Ring-Wings, there is a possibility that the motion generated inside and perhaps around the cones might alter the gravitational field.



If this theory proves to be correct, it would provide added impetus for further experimentation with the configuration.

New Product Launch Checklist

I found this article this morning on one of the Forums I participate in called
"The Lone Inventor" Hope you find it as informative as I did. Michael.

Market News: New Product Launch Checklist

Cannon writes "Launching a new product or service is an exciting time and it is possible to overlook something in the rush to get that product or service to market. I developed the following checklist to make certain that I didn’t make the same mistake twice. Hopefully it will keep you from making a mistake the first time.

1. Target the Audience
Over my 30+ years of experience, I have been involved in lots of new product introductions and have witnessed even more. Failing to target the market is the most common mistake I see in new product introductions. If you haven’t adequately defined the market, how can you be sure of what they want or need? Furthermore, how can you develop a plan to reach them? If you only get one thing from this article, make sure that you target your market.



2. Train and Focus the Sales Force
If you want your sales force to sell the new product, then you better make sure that they know and are comfortable with this product. Practice, role play, make calls with the sales force, but make sure they understand and can sell the product.
It is also important to make sure that selling the new product is their focus and that you have not confused them with multiple initiatives in the same or relatively close time frame. Clear the decks and make the new product launch their only focus.

3. Samples and Demos are ready and in place
New products generally need to be explained and samples and demos provide some of the best ways to do this. If you are going to use either, it is going to be critical to your success to insure that they are ready and in place prior to the launch.

4. Pricing is set
Your launch will not be a success if you don’t sell your product or service and you will not be able to do that unless you have completed your pricing and terms. If you are selling through distribution, it will be important to provide them with guidelines as well.

5. Promotions are in place
Frequently new products are introduced with promotions, so making sure the details of that promotion are clear will be critical. It is also possible that there may be programs like co-op advertising or volume rebates that will be affected and making sure those bases are covered should not be overlooked.

6. Displays are ready
Merchandisers and displays can be very effective in a new product launch. First you must decide if that is a part of your plan and if it is, then to make sure that they are in the right place at the right time to make your launch a success. Nobody needs a merchandiser or display after the promotion and the product is taking up regular shelf sapce.

7. Distribution is ready
Make certain that your means of getting the product or service to the end user is in place and ready to go before your press releases and advertising kick in or you will have wasted your budget. Promotion without product doesn’t serve you or the prospective customer or client.

8. Inventory is in stock
It isn’t enough to have product in the channel of distribution. If your estimates are wrong or your sales exceed expectations, your future success will depend on being able to react to that customer demand. Make sure you have inventory on the shelf or coming off the production line in time to replenish your supplies.

9. Advertising is set
Making people aware of your new product is going to be an important part of your launch. Most media have a lead time that has to be a part of your consideration. Print publications can run several months. Getting your website listed in Google or some of the other search engines can take even longer. Production for websites and broadcast commercials take time as well. Don’t wait till the last minute to begin this process.

10. Press Releases are timed
Just like with advertising, press releases need to be timed to the introduction. Lead times are long and talking to the outlets for your releases will be important in making sure that their timing and your timing work together to benefit the launch.

Different products in different markets will have variations on this checklist. Use this not as the end of your checklist, but rather as the base and build additional issues as required for your product or market.

 Copyright Bob Cannon/The Cannon Advantage, 2005. All rights reserved.

Byline
Bob Cannon helps inventors, imagineers, importers and manufacturers successfully introduce new products to the Hardware / Hardlines Marketplace. Check out his blog at http://www.takingaim.blogspot.com. Bob can be reached at (216) 408-9495 or mailto: bob@marketingnewproduct.com

This article courtesy of http://www.marketingnewproduct.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.



Note: Submission from Bob Cannon"

Skyaak Mile-Stones

Skyaak Mile-Stones

> January 2004: Zenon Dragan, president of world-famous flying toy company DraganFly Innovations Inc. lend his ongoing moral and technical support to mentor the Skyaak project.

>January 2004: Dr. Marc Garneau, former astronaut and president of the Canada Space Agency, enters into written dialogue with the inventor, and personally refers the Skyaak project to Dr. David Simpson, Head of the Institute for Aerospace Research at the National Research Council.

>February 2004: Dr. Simpson forwards his congratulations on the Skyaak prototype development and supplies technical evaluation as well as pertinent industry contacts to advance the prototype to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle status. Read his letter here.

> September 2004: The concept of the ‘flat-manufactured’ Ring-Wing leads to the creation of the vector file that allowed the first Skyaak wings to be replicated.

> November 2004: Seven ‘Angel Investors’ stepped up to the plate. This infusion created an unstoppable momentum for R&D to advance the Skyaak prototype. Frustration mounts with the lack of technical support from present plastics manufacturer. The recommended plastics are unable to perform up to the design specifications. There is continued material failure that stalls the progress of the prototype development.

> May 2005: The CD Single "I Believe" is released and enhances the velocity of progress of the Skyaak prototype.

> July 2005: Dr. Steve Kostenuik of the Saskatchewan Research Council Plastics Lab, steers the technical development towards a specialized plastic material. At last, Skyaak Model 3 that employs ‘polypropylene’ is machined and field tested with positive results. The present plastics manufacturer is fired and the file is handed over to a firm that is personally recommended by
Zenon Dragan with much-improved results and technical support.

> August 2005: The fully illustrated instructions and the package design for the Skyaak Model 3 are completed and the first flat shipping boxes are manufactured and shrink-wrapped.

>September 2005: Gene Angers, early Skyaak champion, improvises the revolutionary ‘Angers’
Effect’, that maximizes the spinning motion of the Skyaak on its axis, dramatically enhancing both stability and positive incidence.

>November 2005: First Skyaak Launch Party held at Oddfellows’ Hall at Watrous, SK.

>December 2005: Formal 'I Believe/Skyaak' presentation made to 1st Westminster Scout Group in Humboldt, SK.

>February 2006: Skyaak Model 3 packages received by Dr. Virendrah Jah, acting president of Canada Space Agency. Received letter of thanks and encouragement on CSA letterhead.

>March 2006: Skyaak Model 3 packages received by William Gurstelle, Minneapolis-based best-selling author of "Adventures from the Technology Underground", who enthuses, " Skyaak is incredibly cool! It has more cachet than your regular old Frisbee. I hope it’s a hit!" He went on to speculate when he wrote, "Skyaak-Canada’s answer to the Frisbee". Wow! That is powerful stuff!

>April 2006: Dylan Cooke designs, builds and implements the mesmerizing "Glow-in-the-Dark", the first ever Skyaak accessory kit. All within 14 days of coming up with the idea! Imagine that!

>May 2006: Italian master model-builder and designer expresses interest in Skyaak and creates technical evaluation of Skyaak ‘Ring-Wing’ aerodynamic properties. Patrizio also writes detailed notes on the aeronautical properties that greatly advance the inventor’s depth of understanding.

>June 2006: RCMPolice conduct Skyaak radar (air) speed check at Watrous, SK. This results in an officially charted air-speed of 43 kph thrown by Michael Gaudet. Wayne Reifferscheid of Watrous scores runner-up speed that is ‘locked in’ on the RCMP radar speed detector at 41 kph. The participants are confident that this record air-speed can be challenged. Bring it on!

>July 2006: Readers begin to subscribe to the RSS feed links on the official Skyaak blog.
Readership counter rapidly approaches 100 count. When you reach 100, you can reach 1000. When you reach 1000 you can reach 10,000.

>July 1st 2006: Skyaak creates sensation at Diefenbaker Park in Saskatoon, SK. The Canada Day ColoRings were unveiled and very well-received as a cool symbol of national pride and free enterprise! Dylan and company get uber kudos for their enthusiasm in getting out the word that "Skyaak is here!", bit by bit, person by person. Way to go, team!

>July 2006: Skyaak Enterprises president Michael Gaudet makes initial contact with Dan Tyroler of www.Patents4Sale.com Skyaak is included in family of unique inventions to be marketed under the banner of newly-created www.NewDaVincis.com , another initiative from the great company Patents4Sale. New Skyaak vendor's link is created HERE.

Skyaak on Canada Day

Hello, my name is Dylan Cooke. If you read this blog regularly, I'm sure you'll recognize my name. If not, check out my profile (or read some more of this blog) to get a sense of who I am and my involvement in the Skyaak project.

On Saturday July 1st, my brother Jesse, our friend Greg, and myself each took a Skyaak down to Diefenbaker park in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as part of our Canada Day celebrations. It was a HIT! From the moment we entered the park, almost everyone that we passed was looking at the Skyaak, and about 1 in every 5 people would stop us and say 'WHOA, what is that thing??'

When we got a good bit into the park -- after stopping and discussing the Skyaak with a couple vendors, handing out business cards, and getting a drink of water -- a couple of kids (probably ages 7-10) walked by, saw us with the Skyaaks and stopped dead in their tracks! They literally RAN over to us and were so excited to see it, they basically demanded "what IS that??"

I started explaining it to him, but then I thought actions speak louder than words... so I said 'here, go long' and threw him about a 20 foot pass. He caught the Skyaak, and threw it to his friend perfectly on the first try! His friend caught it, and threw it to his friend, and so on. Then Jesse threw his Skyaak to another kid, and by this time it was really on! We had a total of about 10-15 kids throwing these Skyaaks around, having a blast! As a result, a group of about 20-25 adults formed around the edges of this totally spontaneous Skyaak gathering, and for about 1-2 minutes it was almost like we were putting on a staged demonstration! The cohesive effect that the Skyaak has on people is absolutely stunning, and I personally had never witnessed it as strongly as that moment.

After a few minutes, we handed out some business cards (to some very interested little individuals) and continued our journey through the park. It wasn't 30 seconds before someone else stopped us, saying 'hey, what's that thing called?' Again, another business card handed out, a few throws of the Skyaak and the story explained. It continues like this as we journey through the park.. the motif of this expedition seemed to be: people would see us with the Skyaak, wonder what it is, see us throwing it around, and then they would have a personal 'aha' moment and think 'hey, that looks pretty cool! I wonder what its called and where I can get one'. Then, when we come into their range, they would of course ask what it is. Sometimes, people wouldn't outright ask, but were clearly interested and so of course we handed out a business card.

After about an hour of this, we'd handed out about 30-50 business cards between us, and since we started to run out we decided to head home. On the walk back, there was two separate occasions where we were walking along the sidewalk, and a group of people walking towards the park (walking in our direction) would see the Skyaaks we were holding, their interest would be peaked, and well.. I don't think I'm the only one that sees a pattern here. Jesse also took the ultraviolet Skyaak down to the park later in the night and it was a real hit as well!

I must say, this excursion really gave me a sense of encouragement about the trajectory that this project is heading. I like to think of it like this:

Imagine being the first person to ever bring a Frisbee to a crowded park. THAT'S what it felt like on Saturday with the Skyaak down at Diefenbaker park.. Skyaak truly is Canada's Answer to the Frisbee!!

Skyaak caught live on Radar!

Skyaak caught live on Radar!

As promised, we hooked up with the Watrous detachment of the RCMP on Friday evening at 7-ish. Gene Angers ( the guy who first came up with ‘The Angers’ Effect’, which is the throwing technique that maximizes the spinning motion of the Skyaak on its axis in flight. This gyroscopic effect adds more stability and even appears to boost the acceleration.), Wayne Reifferscheid ( one of the latest Skyaak enthusiasts), Dylan Cooke ( one of the truly great early Skyaak champions!), Dylan’s Grandpa Blake Cooke ( who has been a big fan since day 1) and myself all met up at the Cenotaph Park in Watrous at the appointed hour.

I strolled over to the RCMP Watrous detachment right next door to see if they were busy. I was informed that there was a one-car roll-over just east of Renown, and there was a counterfeit 20-dollar bill in the office, and... well, I asked the constable to stop. Too much information. While it was interesting to get an inside glimpse of the goings-on in the police station, I felt at that point that ignorance was bliss. I thanked the constable for the head’s up, and also said that I appreciated his explanation that he was basically up to his eyes in work. He replied that there was no way that he could get out of the office to do our radar speed check, BUT his partner was coming on duty in about ten or fifteen minutes and that he just might be able to carry through with my plan. I thanked him again, and left the station with only a faint glimmer of hope.

I went back to see my buddies and gave them the scoop. We already knew that the RCMP could only do this if they could fit it into their schedule. All we could do was hope for the best. Then we headed over to the football field at Winston High School. I had gotten permission to use the facility from the Phys-Ed instructor earlier.

At the football field we discovered an over-abundance of killer mosquitos, so everyone lathered on the bug dope. We formed a circle and proceeded to toss our Skyaak units ahead in a clock-wise direction. We had four units with us, so there was a little gap in the Sky-aaction that compensated for any incomplete CATCHes. This was major FUN, as everyone got an equal number of THROWs and CATCHes, and it was quite fast-paced. A nice work-out for everyone. Blake Cooke, Dylan’s grandpa, is about eighty I would imagine. He is really good at THROWing his Skyaak. He likes the underhand (rolls off the fingertips ) spinning THROW best. It is the gentlest on the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints. Nearly effortless with superior technique. The introduction of the Angers’ Effect into the delivery by Blake’s technique lets him keep going without getting tired.

Wayne Riefferscheid has naturally picked up a killer technique that holds MUCH PROMISE to be a SERIOUS CONTENDER for future Skyaak meets. Wayne is blowing me away with some of his THROWs. He has managed to come up with a THROW that looks totally effortless. It’s a hybrid javelin/finger-flicker THROW. Wayne is close to MASTERING this technique. He has really zoned in quickly on the MUSCLE MEMORY of his THROW, and he is replicating himself spot on. This so important for consistent execution!

Gene has a lot of experience with his Skyaak of course. But like everybody else, he flubs a few shots. You really have to be focused very clearly on your technique. When you try to brute-force it, Skyaak usually flounders. Unless you have absolutely perfect technique. Then you are a double threat.

Dylan carried on in the upper 5 percentile with his polished THROWing technique.

My favorite THROW is a whipping side-arm with a last-second finger flick. For me, this is the best THROW for consistent speed, distance and accuracy. All three. Again, the MUSCLE MEMORY thing.

We’d been there for about twenty minutes before I reined everybody in for a group photo.




I figured we better get a picture in any event, whether or not the RCMP showed up. It was beginning to look doubtful after this much time, but we were all really enjoying ourselves anyway, just as a fun get-together!

Then we saw the police cruiser pull up a ways across to the far east side of the field. The officer evidently spotted us, as he quickly executed a u-turn and sped away to come around the block to our side of the field. We all let out a big cheer when we realized that the cruiser was heading in our direction.

It looked like we were going to get a RADAR SPEED CHECK after all!

The RCMP cruiser pulls right up to the Skyaak-ers.

After the RCMP arrived, Cst. Brent Vandesype explained where the ‘sweet spot’ is. That is the exact trajectory that the Skyaak must trace in order to enter the path of his RADAR SPEED-DETECTOR.

The officer said that the best position to get a reading would be coming STRAIGHT AT the CRUISER. So we were obligated to aim our THROWs directly at the police car in order to get a reading. This was a bit unsettling to say the least. The officer told us that we might also get a reading when the Skyaak travels straight AWAY from the cruiser. So we threw it back and forth directly towards and away from the police car:

We started to get readings at a certain point. I scored a 27 KPH on what I thought was a practice THROW. Not that fast. So I was tantalized by my score. I knew I could go MUCH FASTER. A few minutes later, the officer announced my score of 43 KPH. I had broken the speed-limit of 40 KPH! Ya-hoo!

The constable decided to try to get a reading with the RADAR outside the cruiser:

Dylan stepped in and requested that the next speed recorded of over 40 KPH be locked in on the monitor so that he could photograph it for the record. His wish was granted and then Wayne scored a speed of 41 KPH. The officer locked in the ‘violation’ so that Dylan could take the picture.

Before he was allowed to go into the police car, the officer advised Dylan in no uncertain terms, "Don’t touch anything in there!" Dylan nodded compliantly and swooped in to get the shot:



Cst. Brent showed a genuine interest in our project, and patience with our fiddling to not only register on the RADAR, but also to document the whole thing as we went along. Sincere thanks go out to Sgt. Sutherland and Cst. Brent Vandesype of the Watrous Detachment of the RCMP for their exemplary spirit of community goodwill and moral support of Canadian enterprise.

Dylan gets gi-normous credit for fleshing out the details of the documentation.

After we got the photo of the locked-in RADAR reading, I asked Cst. Brent if he’d be willing to pose with us for a photo. He very graciously agreed, and we have this splendid photo as a result:

Participants in the official Skyaak ‘air-speed trials’ in Watrous on June 30th, 2006 (left to right): RCMP Cst. Brent Vandesype, Michael Gaudet, Gene Angers, Blake Cooke, Dylan Cooke, Wayne Reifferscheid. Wayne’s air-speed of 41 KPH was locked in on the RCMP radar, while Michael’s duly noted 43 KPH remains the number to beat.

This was a great day in the life of Skyaak. It was a tremendous honor to be supported by the Watrous Detachment of the RCMP in this way. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to get out the good word to the world at large, bit by bit, that SKYAAK is HERE!

Later, Michael.