KHK Instructor Reunion ‘07
Where the heck are they? So, here’s the up-to-date poop on some of the alumni. Send us your rap sheet. Billy Vaughn—Click HERE Greg Ball—Taught in ’85 and ’89-’90. Still lives on the Outer Banks and drives a desk for the county. Hasn’t flown since ’84 when he sold his glider and bought an engagement ring for Ann Green. They now have two kids, Madison, 6, and Ethan, 2. Greg still spends time on Jockey’s ridge, but now just to slide down on sleds and boogie boards. Most memorable dune moments include being parked with the bar at his waist trying to keep from being blown over the back, getting really high on the South Bowl and making the jump over to the southwest training hill, and the epiphany that followed when Ace Eastman let him launch into wind at the Rat-hole--going up during his first lesson. Also of note is the “hey watch this” moment when he dove into the ground, and watching Lawrence Battaile wait for a break in traffic before launching from the front dune and landing across the by-pass at the 7-11. “Most memorable feeling” is “how good it felt when we were walking back to the shop late in the day with the sun low after a good class on the big hill and looking out at the ocean and just being there.” Would most like to see Tex and Tall Paul at the reunion. Greg adds that he still starts his day with the weather channel, but is now focused on how the surf looks. If it’s good he’s late for work… Lawrence Battaile--Taught 1981-1984, and flew 1975-1999, and is currently flying his new trike. Still lives on the Outer Banks and works for the Dare Co. Water Dept. Son Ben is about to graduate from high school and daughter Lauren is about to graduate from college. Lawrence has been married to Darlene for 24 years, and they have been racing their 30 ft. Irwin sailboat for the past six years, with some success, and they’ve done a little cruising. Seems to think they’re ready for the “tough period” known as empty nest syndrome. Most Memorable Dune moment was teaching Ralph Buxton's German relatives on the SW bowl. The conditions were amazing, like a wind tunnel. Several of them soared while almost stationary, but somehow they weren't as amazed about it as Lawrence. THE most memorable moment of all was a life--changer: Meeting Darlene! Would most like to see The Abominable Sand Yeti or Bill Rinker's Grandmother at the reunion. George Reeves—Lives in Salinas, CA. Still flying the beach some ungodly number of hours a year. Though not teaching anymore, he still sets the occasional bad example for the newbies at Marina Beach. Steve Wendt—Click HERE Mark Vander Galien—Lives in Asheville, NC with his new bride Dawn. Works as a social services coordinator and part time real estate mogul. Flies all the two axis light stuff. Still the most arrogant man in the world. Jim Tigan— Taught weekends in 1990 while on temporary Coast Guard duty in Elizabeth City. Currently lives in Northern CA and owns a Bird abatement company, Tactile Avian Predators, which uses trained falcons to remove pest birds from airports etc. Also teaches falconry and is training falcons to fly in formation with him in his hang glider. Most memorable dune moment was when he had asked Mary Waterhead to send him only the hotties for his next class. With NO wind and the heat sizziling, his next class came CRAWLING up the dune. “HEY WATERHEAD !! I SAID HOTTIES !! NOT FATTIES !!” Would like to see Rog, Coach, Billy and Mary, The Dali Lama, Orville and Wilbur, George R and a Weeping Radish at the reunion. Jim Johns - The first pilot to fly OUT of Jockey’s Ridge State Park left KHK in the early 80’s to open KHK West which he later renamed Western HG at Marina State Park in California. He left the HG business in the early/mid 90’s and opened a sailing supply business. Lives on a beautiful catamaran in Monterey Bay with his son and daughter. G.W. Meadows - Click HERE David Glover - Living in numerous places including Colorado and his home state of Oklahoma. Past president of the USHGA and a world record holder in rigid wing hang gliders. Running HG meets and flying his airplane, Dave’s lookin’ svelte these days James Whittal (Jamie) --Lives in Asheville NC and owns a natural health and healing clinic. Only flying now in meditation. Taught at KHK from ‘91-’94 and fondly remembers an 80 year old woman student in a blue jumpsuit. As she hovered overhead, she yelled, “I’m a bluebird! I’m a bluebird! I always wanted to be a bluebird!” Tim Massey—Lives and works in the San Francisco area. Still has the flying addiction. Taught in ’84, when Duck was cool and you could camp out there. Most memorable dune moment was monkey-barring Eaglets. Steve Massey—Lives in San Diego and taught the summers of ’88-’94. Works as Chief Engineer at a small radar and microwave/rf company. Flies rarely, though still dreams it. Dune memories include running a group of +200lbs men down the hill without a glider on a light east day, finally out running Tundra on the dune, flying an Eaglet 25mph winds on the east face with Bo flying overhead for some extra cash and then watching one of the other newbie instructors top land and explode it into a million pieces, and finally, taking a student to the top just for being an ass! Stacey Board—Click HERE Tre Walton—Lives in Luxembourg with his wife and 5 year old daughter, and works for an American company selling “environmental friendly chemicals (if there really is such a thing)” throughout Europe. Not flying any more, but still enjoying beer. Most memorable dune moment was a no wind day when thermals let off all over the dune…Can’t make the reunion, but looking foreword to lots of photos. Jonny Thompson—Still lives in Kill Devil Hills, and still flies everything. Taught on the dune from ’76-’78, and though he might deny it, has probably fledged more aspiring dune goons than anybody. Most memorable dune moment was flying with Francis Rogallo. Tom Webster—First flew in 1983, at age 12. Taught in the summers from 1989 to 1993. Still living the life. Moved to Utah in 1994 to start a hang gliding school with Paris Williams, and now teaches paragliding, hang gliding, and runs one of the few paraglider repair shops in the country. Feels that a real job is just around the corner, though. Most memorable dune moment was smashing the 188 Skyhawk to bits one rainy spring day when he was brand new, then limping into the instructor lounge and introducing himself to everyone. Pete Soule—Flew in the late 1970s early 1980s, and worked at KHK for about 2 years (1980-82) and again in the summer of 1983. Also worked at Jim John’s shop in Marina in 1982. No longer flying. Lives in Boone, NC, and is a Professor of Geography at Appalachian State University. Most memorable dune moments include setting a new record for time aloft of 4 hours 52 minutes, early morning sessions with nobody on the dune but Richard (Shag) DeCormis and their two dogs, and trying to camp on the dune during his first visit and getting the willies due to “John the Walker.” Adam Eisenberg—First lessons were in the summer of ’84. Scooped ice cream at KHK for the free lessons. John Harris, the visionary that he was, hired him as an instructor for the summers of 86-88 & spring 1990. Currently working in London doing financial grunt work. Hasn’t flown since the beach in California about 8 years ago, but has hung onto his harness just in case. Most memorable dune moment was going getting to go to work every day in bare feet, and one exceptional night in Duck, when a bunch of the gang stayed out a good part of the night watching the Perseids… Briggs Christie—Taught in ’85 and ’86, and now lives on Oahu (ahhhhh), doing business system design contracting for the Navy. Also owns a SCUBA diving business – Oahu Dive Center in Kailua, HI. Hasn’t flown in some years (too many knee surgeries!). Most memorable dune moment: the infamous tree landing while soaring the Duck tree line. By the time the circus was over, there was an elderly woman passing out iced tea to the multiple emergency squads and the Beach Patrol guy who helped out and discovered the tree was hollow…and full of bees. Shag DeCormis—A true dune goon of early ‘80s vintage, Shag sold John Harris his VW van for a Wills Wing Harrier, and the rest is history. His story is long and colorful, so be sure to ask him at the reunion! Shag’s living in Bradenton, Fl with his dog, a ½ Shepard- ½ Chihuahua. Stuart Jump—Taught at KHK in ‘84 and ’85 and currently teaches world history and coaches basketball and baseball at the Rabun Gap School in Georgia after teaching in Maine for the last 20 years. Hasn’t flown in years, but still has a Vision 18. Most memorable dune moment: 1st day of really soaring and staying up for 45 minutes. Will Thorton—Taught ’91-’97, and is now living with his wife Meredith and daughter Haley in Indiana. Currently working as a research engineer at Purdue University, and will soon transition to private consulting. Hasn’t been near a glider in a while. Most memorable dune moment: 1st beach soaring flight at 1:00am under a full moon with the help of Rich Cizauskus and Sean Comer. And a few beers. Britt Raubenheimer—Taught in ’87, and now lives in Sandpoint Idaho and Woods Hole Massachusetts with her husband Steve and her Seeing Eye dog Whit. No longer flies, though she’s still hoping to teach Whit to drive a car. Has returned to Jockey’s Ridge many times while studying ocean waves and currents at the Field Research Facility in Duck, but hasn’t yet been brave enough to request a tandem ride. Doug Rice--Click HERE Doyle Johnson--Learned to fly summer/fall of 87 and taught in 88. Currently lives in Maple Lake Minnesota with his wife Lisa and their two boys, Jake and Zach, and though mostly flying a Cessna 172, is building a hang glider launch on the lake bluff. Works as a high school guidance counselor and coaches summer traveling baseball. Most memorable dune moment was logging an hour in the S.W. Slot, and man towing a 72 year old woman with Spanky. Sean Comer— Taught in 91 - '95, and now lives in Augusta Co. VA with his wife Michelle and their two girls, Hannah, 6, and Emma, 4. Works as an Environmental Health Specialist, and is into family camping and white water canoeing, and threatens periodically to dust off his old glider. Most Memorable Dune moment: Surfing dawn patrol, teaching 1st class, (wind picks up), soaring the beach,(it blows out),then going windsurfing. All in one day. Matt “Tundra” Ridge—Click Here Bo Hagewood— Has been teaching since ’89, but can’t remember which years were at KHK. Currently in school in Miami so he can “work in the hospital close to the Doctors and already be there when his heart starts acting up.” Most Memorable Dune moments: Leaving the dune on a 11m Pulse and arriving at the Dune on a Combat. Kristie Dolan (Immordino)—Taught off and on from ’89-94’. Currently, living in Brussels with husband Steve and their kids, Evan (~3) and Cara (~1). Flies too much on A320s and 737s, not enough on Falcons, Mark IVs and Eaglets. Most Memorable Dune moments: Flying the ugliest 165 Dream into the side of the Dune after lauching from South Bowl, and soaring for the first time. Eileen Ridge-- Click HERE Andy Torrington—Taught at KHK from ’92-present, and claims to have a handle on his flight addiction, though still goes out when it’s really perfect, the surf is flat, there’s no wind for kitesurfing, and there’s no work. So he really doesn’t fly after all! Is truly pleased to have stuck with KHK all these years…Runs the intense Instructor Training Academy, which has supplied the talent for a majority of tandem programs, and still plays a mean ghetto mandolin. Also know for holding up the party flag for Eileen’s Traditional Thursday Night Opener for all the years since Eileen’s been away. Most Memorable Dune moments include ignoring everybody and getting his first taste of soaring in gale force winds and pouring rain…, and when Greg Thornton tried to kill the fat lady with the brand new falcon. Glen Hockett—Taught from ’74-’78. Currently lives in Urbanna VA, and enjoys boating on the Rappahannock. Hasn’t flown since 2000. Truly misses the first class entertainment of watching the first timers teaching themselves to fly, and notes that he’d “probably be dead” if not for the soft sand and the endless supply of gliders that John Harris provided for him to crash… Most Memorable Dune moments include a 3 minute flight during one of the meets in a Comet, the first time he flew an hour at the dune, and when Tom Haddon destroyed his Flexi II for the second time. (Pretty funny, at least in retrospect). Doug Haber—Click HERE Bruce Weaver—First taught in 1988, and still manages the KHK flight school, teaches, and flies for fun on Jochey’s Ridge. Met his wife teaching, had an instructor for best man (thanks to Jim!), and got his son Bruce IV a flight on his second birthday. Would like to see every instructor who ever taught at KHK at the reunion. Most memorable dune moments include the amazing experience of teaching a blind and deaf kid who couldn’t speak, finally convincing a student that the “laser beam” coming down from the sky during class was actually the sun, and misjudging the roundout while diving out of the lift and breaking almost every piece of aluminum on the glider. Good times, good times… Mary Vaughn—Click HERE Greg Thornton—-Taught “a long, long time ago” from ’92-’96, and now lives in a terribly flat state (MO?). Currently selling software (how did that happen?) and while no longer flying, he still enjoys getting out in the woods by bike, by foot, and in a tent. Most memorable dune moment was teaching a truly obese woman to fly (and yes, she did crash once or twice before the most memorable moment of her life). Would like to see lots of folks at the reunion, and still wonders what happened to Tim Rice. Notes that he’s gotten to travel the world on someone else's dime (including a quick swim in the Arctic Ocean...picture proof exists and safari in Africa, etc...) and seems to lament his recent foray into home ownership. Ryan Glover--Taught ‘91-‘94. Currently works as a field geologist in Oklahoma City and flies a Standard Cirrus sailplane. Most memorable dune moment was un-hooking the nose wires on an Eaglet on a windy evening when nose catch attached itself to his ring just as he let go of the nose. The glider shot up into the air and he was connected to the nose wires. Hilarity ensued. Ryan adds that he enjoys hanging out with his brother and flying his sailplane. David Rosner (aka Rozzie)—First taught in 2003, and is still there, “glider humpin’.” Says he doesn’t really fly, but just runs up and down the dune a lot. Most memorable dune moments include first soaring, a midnight flight, first backwards flight, and watching Herb downwind skip off the top of the main dune. Would like to see the Wright brothers at the reunion, but will settle for some drunk brothers… Mike Politano—Started flying in ’85 and taught part-time from ’89-91. Currently at The Citadel teaching clinical psychology. Spends time in the mountains of NC, hiking and skiing, and has the most fun hanging out with his 13 year old daughter. Most memorable dune moment was getting 25 minutes on the slot when it got too windy to teach-- basically just parked out--top-landing and having Tundra take over his spot. Looking foreword to Rob, George, Chris, Billy, Steve at the reunion. Skip Brown--Never taught but learned to fly with his Dad on the dune in 1979 and 1980. Currently living in Cabin John, MD on the Potomac River just upstream from Wash DC. Does lots of whitewater kayaking, kiteboarding, mountain biking and still flies the mountains at least a few times each year, though two little kids makes it a bit harder to get away. Works as a professional photographer shooting advertising and magazine stories, represented by National Geographic. Most Memorable Dune moment: Soaring the dune with his Dad in 147 Harrier and also soaring the beach in an HP1. Herb Latham--First taught in ’06, and is back on the Outer Banks teaching again and flying any chance he gets. Most memorable dune moment was a recent attempt at soaring on a really cross day, complete with a downwind stall and the inevitable but soft crash through the lip of the dune. Would most like to see people who taught a long time ago, just to hear stories about how things were done back then. Elizabeth DeStephens--Taught 1995-97, and hasn’t flown since moving to Houston 3.5 yrs ago, but did fly regularly until then. Thinks about getting back into it each time she sees puffy white clouds. Most Memorable Dune moment was watching Doug Haber soar the dunes for the first time. (“He was sooooo excited.”) Currently working as an energy consultant, in school for a master's engineering degree, and training for her first Ironman distance tri. Other than that, she says, “I'm pretty boring. :-)” Duane Brown (aka “The Unknown Instrutor”)—Taught “some summer in the early 90’s”, and currently lives in Charlottesville VA working as a buyer of skateboards and snowboards for Freestyle. Also is an R&D test rider for K2 snowboards (making himself sound cooler than he is). Doesn’t fly hang gliders anymore, but does fly trikes. Most memorable dune moment was when Meredith flew over the back into the scubby trees in the south bowl. “First it was scary because she was going about 90 straight at us, then the real fear that she was in trouble set in as she 'landed' in the trees. Relief came when we heard here yell out she was OK. Billy was johny on the spot - I think he got there before she did! Tex, Greg Ball and I were right behind. I remember Billy helping her out of the tree and how aggro it was that he ran up in there barefoot and all. 'Mernda' was OK, but the thing was, when I saw Billy two days later he was COVERED head to bare feet with poison ivy. Sorry Billy but that was just funny.” Duane also recalls teaching his first lesson, not because of the achievement, but because he got dehydrated and sick and couldn’t finish it. Thanks to Steve (Coach) for picking up the slack and not firing him—helping him have, though incredibly broke, “the coolest summer I ever had.” David Sloop—Taught the summer of ’85. Currently lives in Raleigh, NC and works as a project manager for Cisco Systems. Married to Kristin Swenson and has three kids, John, (6), Eliza, (3), and Katherine, (1). Got his job at KHK as a kite store person thanks to brother Bob, (who taught ’84-‘85) and when an instructor broke his shoulder, Steve Wendt got Dave to fill in. Had the “best summer of my life” and actually got “instructor of the week” twice! Currently flies only in his dreams, both with and without hang gliders. Most memorable dune moments include being blown away by the Spectacular, teaching an 82 year old to fly, and flying the South Bowl for the enjoyment of his whole family. Looking foreword to seeing Rob Bachman, Lawrence B., Steve Wendt, Chris Thompson, Billy Rinker and all the 85 crew. Mike Yoder—He’s been doing IT stuff on Wall Street since leaving KHK in 1989.  He gets his air time these days by dodging cabs in Manhattan rush hour traffic during his daily bike commute.  His most memorable KHK moments are: his first soaring flight on the dunes with Rob Bachman and Chris Thompson; moon-walking dunes with Billy Vaughn; watching meteor showers; the honor of soaring Duck with Jonny Thompson; Steve Wendt introducing him to mountain flight in Woodstock, Va; and he and Katrina winning the KHK New Year's party annual kissing contest...after which she promptly threw up.  He and Katrina are raising--or are being raised by--two daughters, Mica 13, and Noa, 9, who keep them happy and sane.  Two years ago with the able help of master instructors, Rob Bachman and Billy Vaughn, he had the joy of introducing Mica to her first KHK dune flight.  She'll be looking for a summer job there in about five years. Joe Gilbert--Currently lives in Arlington, VA with wife Liza and manages two retail soccer speciality stores,in addition to coaching soccer. Most Memorable Dune moment: "Dude-apolting" or "man-towing" Dude (a.k.a Kevin Koonce) by pulling and launching him with all of the tethers tied together as his tow line, on a blown-out day in an eaglet. Pretty sure that no one has ever taken an eaglet higher. Joe notes, “Less sand, less injuries, and less fun since working for KHK!” Neal Harris—worked summer of 99 as mechanic/tug pilot at Currituck, and currently lives in Winter Garden, between Quest and Wallaby. Tows for everybody, still flying everything he can, and totally into r/c stuff. Most Memorable Dune moment: Crashing downwind with a sun damaged tandem glider on the beach and turtling while going through the sail. Was unhurt until GW yanked him back through the wreckage. The guys that had been tandeming the glider were a little sick after seeing how quickly the sail disintegrated. Would most like to see Woody, but he still has the Mr. Natural van, and will see what he can bring from it. Neal’s got a couple of good Woody stories, and owns the Super Floater he had--it’s being restored. Still tows the big meets, many times with Jonny Thompson, and sees Bo a lot. Hopes to see everybody at the reunion.Billy%20Vaughn.htmlSteve%20Wendt.htmlGW%20Meadows.htmlStacey%20Board.htmlStacey%20Board.htmlDoug%20Rice.htmlTundra.htmlEileen%20Ridge.htmlDoug%20Haber.htmlMary%20Vaughn.htmlshapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1shapeimage_3_link_2shapeimage_3_link_3shapeimage_3_link_4shapeimage_3_link_5shapeimage_3_link_6shapeimage_3_link_7shapeimage_3_link_8shapeimage_3_link_9
What’s UP? Check it out The Schedule Find out here what’s going to happen during the reunion week  Who’s coming? See who has committed to showing up this year. the list is growing!  Where are they now? See where your KHK buddy or your hang gliding instructor is now  Funky Old Photos Check out these classics! Send us yours as well. Tell Us About You In less than 3 minutes, you can update us on what’s up with you! Schedule.htmlwhoscoming.htmlPhotos.htmltellusaboutyou.html
Instructors of the Year Click Here to See a list of all the “INSTRUCTORS OF THE YEAR”instructor%20of%20the%20year.htmlshapeimage_5_link_0
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