Rev clinics by the iQuad team

We found the content and schedule of several Rev clinics organized by the iQuad team. It is useful both as a training checklist and as inspiration if you want to organize multi-pilot practice sessions.

The iQuad team existed from May 2006 to September 2013. It was made up of around a dozen pilots based across the United States. They traveled internationally to demonstrate, teach and promote quad-line kite flying as an exciting, family-oriented sport, accessible to many ages and physical conditions in a wide range of winds. Their captain was John Barresi, already a 10-time national multi-line champion at the time.

A Rev clinic was a multi-day gathering of kite flyers hosted by the iQuad team. The goal was to share techniques and help pilots progress from beginner to expert level. To take part, you registered and came with a quad-line kite capable of flying forward, reversing, stopping and sliding sideways. Most participants flew Revolution kites or similar models.

The atmosphere was fun, relaxed and very forgiving. It was a unique opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced pilots around.

The clinic usually began with a one-hour introduction. The team shared techniques and habits to reduce common problems and maximize flying time:

• Identifying sail types, their uses, assembly and disassembly
• Understanding the different carbon rod options, their uses and mixed leading edges
• Checking bungee and sail tension (on vertical rods)
• Cleaning your sail and performing general kite maintenance
• Knowing line types, weights, lengths and applications
• Equalizing lines, identifying stretched lines and fixing them
• “2 minutes in / 2 minutes out”: winding, unwinding and putting away lines
• Adjustable handles: why and how

• Positioning and using your body: posture, arms, hands, handle grip
• Launching, loading the sail and managing line tension
• Re-launching from the ground, inverted (crash position)
• Using the essential inputs for steering without over-controlling

• Hovering upright and facing right or left
• Hard stops, in control
• 180 turns

• Sliding from sideways hover or upright
• Hovering at odd angles
• Basic flight patterns (figure 8, squares, triangles, circles, octagons, etc.)
• Exercises on the edge of the wind window, performing all maneuvers there
• Landing at a target point, in a straight line or at a 45° angle
• Light wind techniques

• Inverted hover (stopping the kite with leading edge down)
• Tip pivots, up and down (turn up and down on the tip)
• Bicycle rotations (rotate around the sail center)
• Clockwork turns (rotation on the sail center with stops every 90° or 45°)
• Reverse flight, straight flight path

• Inverted slide (Glide with leading edge down)
• Execute flight maneuvers (compulsories in competition)
• Maneuver combinations, connecting them
• Beginning team maneuvers: starting positions, threads, ball, burst, etc.

• Linking rotations around the center (bicycle) or clocks (left to right and vice versa)
• Reverse flight, curves and corners
• Tricks: axels, flic-flacs, falling leaf
• See-and-do exercises (such as “horse” in basketball)
• Advanced team maneuvers: blender, fly through, weaves, etc.

• Basics for team flying and be comfortable
• Assembly and disassembly kites and lines
• Figure 8 and following
• Formation flying
• 180 turns
• Threads

• Threads and matrix
• Balls and bursts
• Odd/even diamonds
• Radars and pinwheels
• Benefits and compound benefits

• Fly through
• Twin radar
• Twister
• Blender
• Super blender
• Scissor bursts
• Weaves
• Bangers & mash

As mega team groups get larger, the grid format allows bigger groups of kite flyers to perform cooperative maneuvers in a smaller space and with less confusion. This format requires the basic skills listed above.

• Body position and flight
• Entering / exiting the grid
• Basic maneuvers

Here is the schedule used for a Rev clinic in 2011.

Day 1, usually offered on Friday, was optional because many people were working. It was intended as a relaxed pre-clinic for participants who could arrive early:

• Pre-clinic welcome
• Individual coaching
• Gear adjustment
• Open team flying

8am - 9am: Meeting

• Welcome and thanks to clinic sponsors
• Introduction of instructors
• Introduction of participants and their expectations
• Overview of gear and resources for the clinic
• Presentation of the schedule
• Questions and answers

9:30am - 10am: Introduction, sharing of tips and techniques by the instructors (see content above).

10am - 12pm: Training by level group (beginner 1, intermediate 1, advanced 1).

12pm - 1pm: Lunch break, free time, instructor-specific questions/answers.

1pm - 3pm: Training by level group (beginner 2, intermediate 2, advanced 2).

3pm - 5pm: Team flying training.

9am - 9:30am: Round table discussion on specific obstacles.

10am - 12pm: Training in 3 groups & individual coaching: beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

12pm - 1pm: Lunch break, free time for individual practice.

1pm - 2pm: More training and individual coaching.

2pm - 5pm: Introduction to grid flying (see content above).

The iQuad team recommended warm clothing, including several layers if needed, and rain gear. The goal was to stay comfortable and have fun whatever the weather. If conditions did not allow outdoor flying, the team offered indoor activities and hands-on simulator workshops.

Each participant was responsible for bringing his or her own lunch, water and sunscreen. The rhythm of the days allowed each participant to relax, take breaks and breathe.

Kite gear:

• For individual skills, the iQuad team accepted any quad-line kite with capabilities similar to a Revolution. Spectra lines were recommended.
• For team skills, a Revolution 1.5 or similar size kite, plus a set of 120-foot, 90 lb (40 kg) Spectra lines, were required. These correspond to the international standard for team flying.
• The team also recommended bringing at least two sail types: standard and ventilated, to cover more wind conditions.

Rev clinics are no longer organized in this form. The iQuad team disbanded in September 2013.

Here are a few tips for taking part in similar events:

• In France, get in touch with the clubs in your region and the FFVL. At least one quad line clinic is organized every year.
• In the Netherlands, Jst-4-Fn clinics are organized once a year. Contact Roelof for more information.
• In the USA, John Barresi organizes equivalent quad clinics.

• Learning path
• Learn to fly
• Flying with precision
• Tricks
• The 187 Fly 4 Fun videos by Guido Maiocchi
• Club 38 by Revolution Kites

Last updated Jul 21, 2026