Brooks Leffler Honored by the AKA

David Hunt - Gray, Tennessee, USA       March 7, 2000

photo courtesy of Brooks Leffler Brooks Leffler received the Steve Edeiken Memorial Award at the 1999 American Kitefliers Association Annual Convention this last fall. The Edeiken is AKA's "Kiteflier of the Year" and considered the highest award given by the AKA. Steve Edeiken was a active, well-known and respected AKA member who died in an accident in 1983. The AKA began giving the award in honor of Steve in 1984.

The Edeiken is selected by a committee of seven which includes Cindy Edeiken and current and past presidents of AKA and the Kite Trade Association International. The committee selects from nominations submitted by AKA members and is free to withhold the award if it feels their are no qualified candidates.

The criteria for this award as stated in the July/August 1999 issue of Kiting:

"The Kiteflier of the Year will be a person who will have shown friendly, loving, fair, even-handed concern for: People in general, but kitefliers in particular. Kiteflying in general, but for craftsmanship and technical developments in particular. Communication in general, but for leading and participating in kite events in particular. It is the opinion of the AKA that these criteria best exemplify the character of Steve Edeiken."

Brooks was nominated by David & Susan Gomberg. In their letter of nomination they documented Brooks' many contributions to kiting and the AKA. Most of us know and appreciate the tremendous contribution Brooks made to the worldwide KAP community from 1994 to 1999 as editor of the aerial eye. Brooks has also been involved in the kite import and retail business, designing and marketing the kite known as Brooxes' Box. Brooks served on the AKA board in 1988, he was the AKA Executive Director from 1990 to 1994 and he still serves on the Kite Aerial Photography committee of the AKA.

Our congratulations and a tip of the KAP to Brooks Leffler for this grand award of recognition.