Kiting Magazine - Fall 2019

Fall 2019 Volume 41, Issue 3 $4.95 Into a State of Wordless Awe FALL 2019 1

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Fall 2019, Volume 41, Issue 3 FEATURES 10 Make Your Own: Two Delta Variants from Helen Bushell By Wayne Hosking Hosking celebrates fellow Australian Helen Bushell (1922-2017) with her kite plans to make the “Trefoil” and “Moth.” 14 A British Kitemaker in Texas: Christian Baden Powell Pg 14 By Daniel Prentice In this interview, Baden Powell, shares the story of his evolution from a stunt kite junkie to a Grand Champion winner. 20 Into a State of Wordless Awe By George Peters After decades of traveling to kite festivals around the world, Peters has seen trends come and go. The last few years he’s been delighted to see EU kitemakers push the boundaries with new flight patterns. He highlights some of them including: Ramlal Tien of France, Kisa Sauer of Germany, Anna Rubin of Austria, Anke Sauer of Germany, Alessia Marrocu of Italy, Alain Micquiaux of France, and Jean-Paul Richon of France. 32 Decorating the Colombian Sky: By Yezid Vargas Pg 20 The KOGUI Kite Club has just become the newest affiliated club in the AKA and Vargas tells how it’s thrived for nearly 23 years in Bogotá. DEPARTMENTS 4 AKA Directory 5 Letter from the President 6 People, Places and Things 9 Empty Spaces in the Sky 36 Regional Reports 44 Directory of Merchant Members 46 Voices From the Vault: Sue Moskowitz and Steve Santos ON THE COVER: “Badly Bound” kite and photo by Anna Rubin Pg 32 Copyright 2019 by American Kitefliers Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission prohibited. Not responsible for unsolicited material. FALL 2019 3

1 yr. 2 yrs. 3 yrs. Amount $116 ____________ $146 ____________ $146 ____________ $375 ____________ ____________ ____________ Referred by ____________________________________________________________________________ Local kite club __________________________________________________________________________ Send this form with your payment to: American Kitefliers Association • PO Box 699 • Cedar Ridge, CA 95924 AKA Directory American Kitefliers AKA Committees Association Additional family members in same household (Per person add $6/year) Additional donation dedicated to the Thank You Charlie Program Webmaster Spence Watson 206-617-8272 Daniel Prentice, Executive Director Education Wayne Hosking Mailing: PO Box 699, Cedar Ridge, CA 95924 $250 Please remit in US $ (Sorry we cannot accept Canadian cheques) Festivals / Competitions Phone/Fax: 609-755-KITE (5483) $40 $78 $50 $98 $50 $98 (Kiting via 1st class mail, includes tax deductible contribution) For information call 609/755-KITE (5483) Web: www.kite.org E-mail: [email protected] $125 Officers and Kitemaking Jon Burkhardt 301-424-6976 Executive Committee Sport Kites Scott Davis 253-732-5743 Kite Aerial Photography Jim Powers 610-659-2094 Drayton Callison, President Organization / Public Service St. Petersburg, FL 727-200-4102 [email protected] Ways & Means Cel Dallmer 215-722-4092 By-laws Ted Manekin 301-464-1757 Individual (Kiting via 3rd class mail) (Kiting via 1st class mail) Canada, Mexico and Overseas Phillip Whitaker, First Vice President Archives & Records Daniel Prentice 609-755-KITE Elections Lindsey Johnson 541-994-7556 Join online at www.kite.org Enid, OK Thank You Charlie Program Marla Miller 253-752-7051 580-402-2102 [email protected] Nominations John Layton 850-803-7513 Membership Dues Scott Davis, Second Vice President Administration Puyallup, WA 253-732-5743 [email protected] Sponsor Cel Dallmer, Treasurer Membership Marla Miller 253-752-7051 Philadelphia, PA Renewal and Retention Daniel Prentice 609-755-KITE 215-722-4092 [email protected] Gary Mark 647-299-0822 International Daniel Prentice 609-755-KITE Ronda Brewer, Secretary Industry Liaison Mike Dallmer 215-722-4092 Club Liaison Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________ City ___________________________________________________ State ______________ Zip_________________________ Home Phone _____________________________________ Cell Phone __________________________________________ E-mail _________________________________________________________________________________________________ URL ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Other family members joining __________________________________________________________________________ Visa/MC/Discover/AMEX # _______________________________________________________________________________ Signature _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Lincoln City, OR 541-994-7556 [email protected] Annual Meeting Tobias Arndt, Director at Large Annual Meeting Phillip Whitaker 580-402-2102 Tacoma, WA 253-878-2869 [email protected] John Barresi, Director at Large Portland, OR 503-890-0280 [email protected] Reinstatement Lindsey Johnson, Director at Large Lincoln City, OR 541-994-7556 [email protected] Membership Application Renewal Do not publish my name in the Directory KITING Magazine Kiting is published quarterly by the American Kitefliers Editor Association and distributed free to members. Please New Member contact the editor for information on submissions, Daniel Prentice advertising, and deadlines. 609-755-5483 E-mail: [email protected] on the Web at www.kite.org on Twitter at @AKAKiters Art & Design on Facebook at Facebook.com/akasocial Ellen Baxter Autumn issue deadline: July 15 Copy Editor Winter issue deadline: October 15 Spring issue deadline: January 15 Susan Gabrielle Summer issue deadline: April 15 Exp. ____________ Send address changes to: [email protected] Founded in 1964 by Robert M. Ingraham, the American Kitefliers Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public in the art, history, technology, and practice of building and flying kites. 4 KITING

As the summer months pass and we prepare for autumn, I reflect on the past year and find that I have much to be grateful for. I’m healthy, my friends and family are strong, and my occupation is unique and exciting. My involvement and employment with Kiteman Productions has been the catalyst for what I now consider to be the most inclusive, active and supportive groups I’ve ever been a part of—kiting. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to lead the AKA, which feels to me like a family of friends. Living, working, and traveling alongside some of the many talented artists, athletes, and performers in kiting has not only given me a sense of community, but has also provided me with a new perspective on the meaning of “family.” Our immediate kite family in Kiteman Productions includes many professional water skiers, boat drivers, electrical engineers, performance artists, kiteflyers, and more; each has a unique role that has come together for a common purpose. This purpose has made a bond strong enough to endure life’s most challenging times and its greatest successes. This family experience goes beyond the workplace. It can be found at kite festivals, on flying fields, in sewing rooms, and in workshops around the world. I’ve personally experienced it many times from my home beach in Treasure Island, Florida to the flying fields across the Unites States and throughout the world. The language of kiting is worldwide. It can create an instant bond with someone of another culture, background, beliefs, or interests. It’s not just the kite—it’s the idea of a community that shares the common bond of kiting that is the magic of our experience. As members of the AKA, we are members of this worldwide kite community. Many of our members live outside the United States and in this issue of Kiting we celebrate some of the cutting edge contributions of kite artists from Europe, Colombia, and Australia. It would be great to be able to travel to international festivals around the world and experience these kites firsthand, but that’s more than most of us can do. As you look through the following pages, perhaps you’ll be inspired to approach your own kites with fresh eyes. Our Region 13 Director, Gary Mark, maintains an active Facebook community with international flyers, and acknowledging the involvement of these members with a simple note of encouragement over social media can go a long way. Being an AKA member is not required for the kite family experience; however, it is a way for many of us to contrib- ute to the greater good of kiting through helping to fund kitemaking for kids, supporting kiting events, and the printing of this publication that actively helps to keep our worldwide community connected. Thank you for being a part of this great family and I hope to see you on the flying field soon! Happy Flyin’ Drayton Callison FALL 2019 5

“Iwaidako” Children’s Day, observed on May 5. The “Kite Festival @ Grand Haven,” May 18-19. term iwaidako literally translates to “cel- DELRAY BEACH, Florida, from Carla ebration kite.” Mr. Toki helped us honor Kiteflyers from around the Midwest Stansifer: In Delray Beach there’s a unique our fathers by conducting workshops with planned to show up in 2019, regardless of place called Morikami Museum and parents and kids, and another to fold and whether there was an official event. Enter Japanese Gardens. It’s named after Sukeji dye paper then make small Edo kites. Of Ann Vondriska and Eric Wolff —the “George” Morikami, who donated 200 course, the best part was flying them! start of a new era with a newly organized acres so that the people of Palm Beach event on the same traditional weekend. County could have a park. Today we have Hundreds of people saw Mr. Toki’s Sponsors were found, a tent was pitched, a cultural facility, 16 acres of landscaped work and learned more about tradi- tunes were played, and Saturday gave us gardens, and open spaces. Father’s Day tional Japanese kites. We built bridges of great weather. weekend, the Morikami hosted Edo kite friendship and strengthened family ties. master Mr. Mikio Toki from Japan. Mr. Toki’s next visit to Florida is much The Windjammers, Qi4.2, Chicago anticipated. In the meantime, museum Fire, Sam Ritter, Lee Sedgwick, and the There are many different regional kites guests can see and learn more about Blues Brothers returned for an annual in Japan. Kites from Edo, the old name for Japanese kites in our exhibition Falling rite of spring. Darryl Waters, Gary Mark, Tokyo, are recognizable by their rectangu- Water, Soaring Kites. Al Sparling, and Mary Pat McManmon lar shape and bamboo sticks wrapped with brought out the big kites to fill the north a thin spiral of paper (like a candy-cane). Rites of Spring, Revisited end of the beach. Wisconsin Kiters Club Mr. Toki’s kites are exquisitely hand and the Hoosier Kite Society assembled painted with traditional characters, sym- GRAND HAVEN, Michigan, from Craig great ground displays. bols, and motifs. He’s really four artists in Rodgerson: The “Kite Festival @ Grand one–a master designer, painter, builder, Haven” made its debut on the weekend The festival organizers gave single line and flyer of these works of art. of May 18-19. The original Great Lakes kitemakers a large area just south of the Kite Festival was retired after 30 years main “demo” field to create a three-ring In Japan, kites are used for special in 2018 by the organizers, Mackite. circus atmosphere. Sunday delivered celebrations such as New Year’s and strong winds and showers to the new event. The Canadian Team Qi4.2 joined The Morikami hosted Edo kite master Mr. Mikio Toki from Japan. a loose group from Team Sky-FX for a 6 KITING quad-line mega fly. The baton has been passed and Grand Haven continues to host a weekend of colorful skies, amazing toys, and great memories. Healing Joy DETROIT, Michigan: Belle Isle is well known in the kiteflying world as the home of the Windjammers and the location of

the Detroit Kite Festival. This year, it also the skippers’ meeting at 8:30 AM Monday Men’s Spring 2020 fashion show cele- served as the backdrop for a PBS docu- morning and set the new world record at brated kites in a variety of ways. It began mentary “Those on the Front Lines of 10:29 AM local time,” Douglas said. with an invitation that included an actual Cancer.” In the program, kids with cancer D.I.Y. kite made with fabric in the classic and their families were interviewed while What Could Possibly Louis Vuitton monogram, and extended experiencing the joy of kites. The docu- go Wrong? to the models themselves, many of whom mentary will air on PBS in October, 2019. carried kites down the runway. MENLO PARK, California: In the A Quest for Speed ever-expanding dominance of Facebook, Inspired by her Father the company has recently filed for a LAPALME, France: Though rarely patent for a “dual-kite aerial vehicle.” It is HATFIELD, Massachusetts: Jane Yolen acknowledged, the world of speed sailing composed of two kites tethered together at and her daughter, Heidi Stemple, have has deep roots in the AKA kite commu- different altitudes, and attached to a drone just published a nity. Names like Cory Roeseler and Troy which could generate its own energy to new children’s Navarro come to mind. Experimenting extend its flight time. There are references book, A Kite for with Flexifoils, skis, and boards they were to a kilometer-long tether, and fleets of Moon, which she on the cutting edge of flying fast, at times drones being controlled wirelessly from dedicated to Neil topping 30 knots back in the 1980s. But the ground. The goal in this experiment Armstrong to help speed kites were absorbed into the domain is to improve Internet service in hard-to- celebrate the 50th of windsurfing and things changed. reach areas. anniversary of the first United States On June 10, American speed sailor, Kite Fashion moon landing. A Robbie Douglas, set a new world speed Kite for Moon, is sailing record for a nautical mile at the PARIS, France: In a sign of how fashion- a heartfelt story about Prince of Speed event off the coast of able kites have become, the Louis Vuitton LaPalme France. Using a Flysurfer 7 FALL 2019 7 meter kite, he averaged 39.04 knots or 44.8 mph! Douglas is not new to setting records in LaPalme and was watching the conditions for the right opportunity. “On Saturday, I was alerted by event organizers that possible record conditions were forecasted for Monday. I booked the 11:45 PM red eye to Barcelona via Istanbul, landed at midnight on Sunday, drove three hours east to the spot, made

a young boy’s fascination and unlikely friendship with the moon. The story begins when a little boy, who is flying his kite, notices a sad Moon. He sends up kites to her, writing notes promising he will come see her someday. This promise propels him through years of studying, learning, and training to become an astronaut, until he finally goes up, up, up in a big rocketship and well…we don’t want to give away the ending. In a recent interview, Yolen explained that the actual inspiration for the book did not begin with Armstrong but rather with her father, famed kite impresario Will Yolen. A Kite for Moon, features over 20 illustrations by award-winning artist Matt Phelan and is available through www.zonderkidz.com. Fly Green SAINT-HONORÉ, Quebec, from Brigitte Bussières: This year’s edition of Saint-Honoré dans l’Vent kite festival was a turning point in its 24 years of existence. In the wave of increased awareness for the sake of our planet, the organizers decided to make 2019 a zero plastic event and work around the theme of the environment in all the activities From Hats to Banners on the program of the festival. Though kites are made with synthetic materials, the act of kiteflying Check out the AKA Store is very environmentally friendly so all there was to for your kiteflying do was make the rest of the event green! The new gear at... logo of the festival has a kite on a leaf and the new motto of the event was to “inspire change,” which Back www.kite.org/akastore means that everyone can inspire others by making Online! positive changes around them. Kites are, in that sense, a great inspiration! The temperature on the weekend of June 14-16 was not ideal, but kiteflyers were real troopers as the kites flew high in the rain and cold winds of Saturday. Sunday was a perfect day to dry all the kites with good wind and milder temperature. Good fun was had by all and though there were fewer kiteflyers this year, there was the same great spirit and sincere friendship that always makes the weekend memorable. Thank you to all who con- tributed to the event. 8 KITING

Lyle Walter ATTENTION (1956-2019) KITE Another fine example of our kiteflying brethren, Lyle Walter passed away suddenly SUPPLIERS on May 28, 2019, just weeks after retiring from a career of over four decades of helping others. In our recent conversations, he spoke about looking forward to The AKA needs traveling to kite events all over the Southwest. A resident of Long Beach, kites, kite-kits, and California, he was also hoping to spend more time with his family who reside in related materials the heartland of the country. for our educational outreach to kids. Flying since 2004, Lyle will be remembered for his large format patriotic Inquiries or proposals Flowform kites and complimentary POW-MIA kites and flags that he often flew at Seal Beach, California, not just on holidays or festivals, but any time his schedule may be sent to: (and energy) would permit. With a shovel and 3,000 lb. line in hand, he worked [email protected] hard to safely anchor his big kites, showing how much love he had for kites and Please put “Kites for Kids” country. Never the least bit arrogant, he would always accept the “thanks” from in the subject line. passersby with a quiet nod of reciprocal appreciation. Single line was not his only passion; few knew of his quadline prowess, where he took advantage of the lighter FALL 2019 9 breezes, absorbing and emanating more kite Zen.  A fine individual on and off the field, one evening he called to make sure I arrived at home after a day of flying. When I explained I was a few miles away attempting to change a flat tire at dusk in a bus stop red zone, he arrived soon thereafter, with a floor jack, supportive gestures, and conversation. This empty space in the sky is quite large, not just from his kites, but from his kindness. Glen Rothstein San Pedro, California

MAKE YOUR OWN Helen TREFOILBushell’s By Wayne Hosking Photos and illustrations courtesy of Wayne Hosking Many kite enthusiasts might not realize that the Delta is a modern Helen Bushell flying her Trefoil. kite. American Francis Rogallo conceived the principle of the flexible (Rogallo) wing and is regarded as the father of the sports hang- gliding, parasailing, and delta kites. On March 20, 1951, Francis and Gertrude Rogallo were granted their first patent (#2,546,078) for the Rogallo wing. I regard a fellow Australian, the late Helen Bushell (1922-2017), as the Grande Dame of Australian kiting. Helen is best known for using her sailing and design background to take the basic delta kite concept to a new level. She was granted patent #4103850 on August 1, 1978, the first Australian woman to gain a patent for a flying item, her Trefoil. Nevertheless, Helen continued to push the envelope to create innovative kinetic sculptures by combining art and science, and to sharing her insights on flight with anyone who would listen. Historic delta-related patents include: #3,347,500, Al Hartig (The Nantucket Kiteman), October 17, 1967 #3,534,932, J.M. Christoffel & L.F. Phillips (Gayla Industries), October 20, 1970 #3,963,200, Bennett Arnstein, June 15, 1976 Helen Bushell’s Trefoil is a delta variant. The Trefoil is a very efficient flyer because its keel creates a low center of gravity and the wing foils create extra lift. The Moth (see page 12) is a delta variant based on Helen Bushell’s Trefoil. The keel acts like a keel on a boat and helps stabilize the kite. The Moth tends to be a fair to good flyer. TREFOIL (Bushell) OTHER MATERIALS: 4 - 3/4” (18 mm) key rings LEVEL: Experienced 2 - 1/4” (6 mm) x 5/16” (7 mm) ID tubing (stopper) WIND: Gentle to Moderate 2 – Medium rubber bands LINE: 50# (22.5 kg) MATERIALS NOSE REINFORCER: e.g., heavy sailcloth or leather SAIL: 1 - 1/2 yards (1-1/2 meters) ripstop SPAR: 1 - 36” (915 mm) x 5/16” (7 mm) dowel (spine) 2 - 31-1/2” (790 mm) x 1/4” (6 mm) dowel (side spars) 1 - 36” (915 mm) x 5/16” (7 mm) dowel (spreader) BRIDLE: Solid keel TAIL: Optional 10 KITING

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MAKE YOUR OWN Bushell made and flew a wide variety of kites. Helen MOTHBushell’s MOTH (Bushell variant) METHOD: LEVEL: Beginner WIND: Light to Moderate 1. Draw sail on plastic bag and cut out (Fig.1). LINE: 15-20# test MATERIALS 2. Punch or cut a hole at tow point. SAIL: 1 - color trash bag SPAR: 1 - 22-1/2” x 3/16” dowel (spine) 3. Fold tubing and cut off one corner on each 2 - 21” x 3/16” dowel (side spar) piece and slide onto side spars (2) (Fig. 2). 1 - 18-1/2” x 3/16” dowel (cross spar) TUBING: 2 - 1-1/2” x 3/16” ID soft plastic 4. Fold kite along lines “a-b” & line up with “c-d” BRIDLE: single tow point (Fig. 2). Tape together to form a keel (Fig 3). TAIL: optional TAPE 5. Tape nose and part of back end closed. Fit spine into keel (Fig.5). 12 KITING 6. Tape side spars to sail (Fig. 4). 7. Fit cross spar into tubing on side spar (Fig. 4). 8. Attach flying line to keel at tow point (Fig. 5). NOTE: The Moth is usually flown tailless. If required, a tail can be attached at back of kite at point “ac” (on keel).

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British Kitemaker in the Lone Star State Interview with Christian Baden Powell Text and photography by Daniel Prentice 14 KITING

ew kitemakers in recent memory have had has much impact on the AKA kiteworld as Christian Baden Powell. Born in England, he spent much of his adult life in Germany, and in 2015 he moved to a small town in Texas to be with his new wife, Gayle Woodul. In this issue of Kiting we are exploring “Region 13 kitemakers” and what better place to start than in Texas? What’s your earliest memory of And were there any stigmas flying kites? attached to you making kites? Christian Baden Powell: As a CBP: No. If anything, there machine, it doesn’t really matter Baden Powell flying in Seaside, kid growing up, I can’t recollect was more interest. Sewing is a what kind of a machine it is. Oregon, in 2016 (facing page). actually flying kites. My kitefly- craft and it’s basically the same Inspired by a book cover, his 1997 ing experience started in 1989 as operating heavy machinery, That’s easier for some people “Dorilys” kite (above) was based on when a friend of mine bought a albeit a sewing machine is a than others. a Yakko-dako design. His “Hope” stunt kite. I believe it was a Jet smaller piece of equipment. It’s rok (inset) illustrates his personal and we thought, “Oh, we can like putting a puzzle together CBP: True. But it’s like rok design with its scalloped edges. do something like that,” and and it didn’t seem like it would following instructions. Some that’s how it all started. be that much of a problem. Of people can follow them, others FALL 2019 15 course you have to learn how to don’t want to, and others ignore You just decided to make do it, but it’s not hard. them. I actually read instruc- your own? tions because in the long run, it Did you know how to sew at does make life easier. There’s a CBP: Yes. We had to find the time? reason why people write them. the parts somewhere, then I But not everyone reads instruc- made some templates and just CBP: Nope. I got a metal tions. That’s okay; we don’t jumped into it. I think my first sewing machine from an East have to all be the same. That three kites were Jets. I was living German company and just would be boring. and working in Germany at practiced, first trying to sew a the time. straight line, and then get- Did you fly these early kites ting it to do what I wanted. or were you just focused on What kind of work were It didn’t take long. Again it’s making them? you doing? just a machine. If one has the ability to learn how to operate a CBP: I was a heavy equipment operator.

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CBP: I did fly them. I enjoyed from so many sources but different lengths. It took about Sixteen years in the making, the adrenaline rush of flying there was one particular an hour and a half to build, but “Taranis” (facing page) was the stunt kites especially when they source—Willi Koch—I call it was about trying something 2014 AKA Grand Champion. got close to the earth. My first him a mentor, but he always completely different. I remem- “Sutra” (above left) from 2014 kites were stunt kites. I started hated me saying that. We had ber someone saying to me, “At was made as a tribute to Gayle. experimenting with other ones long discussions about kites least you don’t do unicorns in “Ketchikan-The Guardian” was from Wolkensturmer, or the and he was an inspiration straight lines.” [laughter] I’m an experiment to move the framing North Shore, and I remember because of his variety, and not that kind of kitemaker. away from the graphics. The making one that was similar to his thinking outside the box. Sounds like your kite, Taranis? image of the owl was inspired by the Jam Session that I was very Gaining an understanding of CBP: Taranis is the Celtic Northwest Native Art. happy about. aerodynamics helped a lot. god of thunder. That was an How something flies, and the FALL 2019 17 Did you jump straight into the idea I started about 19 years German kite scene? science behind it, is pretty ago. All the ideas were drawn cool stuff. out and part of the template CBP: In the beginning, we Anything you want to say was made but it was the wrong got to know a few other kiters about some of your early single time in my life to work on it, because there weren’t many line kites? so I put it away for 16 years. areas nearby where one could CBP: I think most of the kites When I got to know Gayle, it fly free of trees and power I’ve built have been because resurfaced in all its glory. lines. Of course, other people I challenged myself to try That was the AKA Grand had the same idea. Through something specific. I built a Champion in 2014? them we were told about events foil because I wanted to know CBP: Yes, it was highly that one could visit. Our how easy it was to put on the praised by the judges. knowledge grew from there. last panel and think through if Apparently, nothing like that there was anything that could was being made in the States. What was the evolution from be changed to my advantage. It wasn’t completely new but stunt kites to single line? I built diverse figures, like one it was different. It goes to that had 35 spars in it, all of CBP: After three or four years, I think I wasn’t looking for the adrenaline rush any- more and I sometimes found it annoying that you couldn’t have a conversation or drink a beer while flying a stunt kite. So I took a step up to single line. My life was pretty busy at the time, so I didn’t really have much time for it. It was nice to be able to use the kite as a different kind of medium, a different kind of canvas. That’s really how I got into single line because it was putting pictures in the sky. Europe isn’t that large and most of the kite festivals were reachable within five hours, up on the German coast or the Dutch coast or Belgium. There was inspiration coming

“Levi” (above) from 2017, was show that the European way of In Europe, instead of going flying horses—something that inspired by a “Godspell” poster thinking is different than the inside, you put some lights on actually belongs there. and built on the plans of Yukio American. your kite and keep flying or Akiyama. The goal was to make enjoy a beer flying. Oh that’s What other kites were the graphics work as the kite In this issue we are highlighting another thing…you can drink significant for you in your changed shapes in the wind. some kitemakers from Europe beer [while flying at festivals] development? and I wonder if you have in Europe. [laughter] “Shredded” was inspired by the anything you want to say CBP: One specific kite that “automatic” shredding of about comparing the kiteworld One other thing is that the I worked on in 1999/2000 Banksey’s art at a Sotheby’s in Europe versus the United Europeans are less patriotic in was changing the style of a auction in 2018. States? their kitemaking. There are basic rokkaku, specifically (Facing page) Teaching a class less blue, red, and white flags. for rokkaku fights. I wanted on his appliqué technique and CBP: Basically, there’s one I never saw so many patriotic something that was more displaying one of his roks below. huge difference between the kites until I came to the States. maneuverable—instead of the 18 KITING I have nothing against them; not very exhilarating “up and European and it’s just extremely noticeable. down” in most rok battles. American kite fes- I rethought the design and tivals. In Europe, What about differences in the changed the bridle and it everyone stays on approach to kitemaking? brought more movement into the field for the the kite, making it more inter- whole weekend. CBP: I think there’s a dif- esting to fly. The geometry is Most people bring ference in the sources of art. the same but all the edges are tents or set-up Europe has an older history, scalloped so the tension stays camps around the and I think the ideas are more in the sail and instead of flap- field so a person diverse. From a craftsmanship ping when you pull on the line has two or three point of view, the kites are the you have more direct flight. days of just flying same. But the sources of the That was one of those things kites or whatever ideas are different. that I thought, “Yeah, we one wants to do can have fun with this.” The at a kite festival. What are some of your sources rokkaku is also a nice canvas That includes for ideas? for graphics. night flying. Night flying is so seldom CBP: I once did a kite of Have you spent a lot of time in done in the States. “Dorilys” Lady of the Storms rok battles? It’s real fun. That that was inspired by an image would be the main I found on a book cover by CBP: As often as I could. I difference I see. Marion Zimmer Bradley. I don’t think I ever won a rok thought that would look cool battle in Europe but that In the States, everyone in the sky. It’s something changed when I came to flies for a while then every- that fits in the sky. For me, the States, which I thought thing moves to the hotel or a a locomotive doesn’t fit in was quite amusing. But my restaurant, rather than moving the sky. Put something that passion is in the making of everything into a large tent belongs in that fluid state— the kite more than flying it. I in the middle of the kitefield. octopi or fish are a given, but think that’s kind of strange. The social aspect is there, it’s there are other things that But it’s to do with using just removed from its source. could fly such as goddesses or

one’s imagination to create others then it ceases to be my Facebook with a like-minded an image. It’s also the crafts- idea. I want to work on kites kite person [Gayle], and in manship of how to put it that no one else has thought August 2013 we decided that together and make sure all the about or work with graphics we should actually meet up. reinforcements are in the right that no one else has done. One Because we’re both kitepeople, place, etc. It’s getting the cen- of the things I’ve been playing we decided the best place to ter of gravity in the right place. with for years is designing meet would be at a kite festival It’s the challenge of working the graphics to counteract the so if the chemistry wasn’t out things that I like. It’s like curvature of a kite. If you put there, we’d still have a group anything: if you want to do it a circle on a delta kite, in the of kitepeople to hang out with well, do it properly. air it doesn’t look like a circle. and we could enjoy the week- I want the graphic you see on end. If sparks flew, perfect— Your appliqué technique is the kite to be correct. and it did. In February 2015, pretty unique. we decided to get married I’m reminded of your and I dropped everything and CBP: The technique that I use Godspell kite? moved to the States. That’s in for hot-cutting is something a nutshell how I came to live that I’ve not seen anywhere CBP: Correct. Each panel in Texas. else. It came to mind when I with that kite is so curved was working with nylon and that to make that image into a And how are you readjusting I wanted a way to make the two-dimensional figure, every- to her passing? parts stay put. If you hot-cut thing has got to be stretched two pieces of fabric so stitch about the angles. It’s another CBP: Slowly, but surely. width is overlapped, then the challenge that went off partic- It’s not getting easier, but it pieces will stay flat while you ularly well with that kite. is getting less difficult. Or sew it. It’s not going to get maybe I should say it’s getting wrinkled. Otherwise, with What kind of studio do you have different. I’m preoccupied with nylon, depending on the for kitemaking? home maintenance because temperature at the time of for the last few years not a lot day, there could be a micro- CBP: I have a large room of things have been done for difference in the pieces and where I’ve built in shelves and obvious reasons. I’m keeping you end up with something a light table, which I find is busy. I’m not sure what the that’s got bulges in it. I like essential for doing appliqué. I next kite is going to look like perfection. I don’t want have my fabric storage so that but it’s going to be something wrinkles and bulges. colors are findable at a glance. from inside of me. It will be I don’t throw fabric away a fantasy figure and there’s Do you consider yourself a because the way I do appliqué going to be birds in there. It perfectionist? I can use pieces that are down won’t be ready for the Seaside to about an inch square. That’s Convention because I can’t put CBP: Maybe not quite to that the other side of the technique 100% of my thoughts into it— extent. But I do like to do that I use: there is the reduc- there’s so much else going on. things properly. I wouldn’t go tion of the waste of the mate- But the idea is hatching and I as far as to say that things I rial. There’s no back-cutting know roughly what’s going to make are perfect because that involved. This also shortens be involved. The next ques- wouldn’t be true. I do them to the amount of time that one is tions are: how difficult am I the best of my ability. actually making the kite. going to make the cutting, the sewing, and how fine can the Any kitemakers really inspiring How did a British kitemaker details be? It’s still in fruition; you at the moment? from Germany end up living in it’s all fitting together inside Texas? of me. CBP: No, not at the moment, but that’s because if I’m CBP: I had been spending a collecting inspiration from lot of time chatting through FALL 2019 19

“Sentinelle” Kites, by Ramlal Tien, flown at Mont Saint Michel Bay, France. 20 KITING

By George Peters European Kitemakers Push Boundaries with New Flight Patterns Sky.We live under it every day. It colors our world and mystifies our nights; we look up and consider how insignificant we are. It offers us a daily parade of enormous puffs of condensed moisture that are, to some with imaginations, a dreamscape cavalcade of animals, birds, faces, and dragons disguised as clouds. The kite, a child’s toy, hovers up there, too. We may remember how transfixed we were as children to see an object defy the laws of gravity and hover high in the sky, rocking gently back and forth, magically floating atop a stiff string of tension. In my early “sky” memories, I ran outside the moment I heard the sound of an air- plane overhead, pointing and waving as if the pilot could see me in our tiny backyard and tip his wings just for me. Flying things took hold of me and wouldn’t let go. Soon enough I found that there were others who had this same affliction: a passion for all things that fly, including kites. An artist may see the sky as a blank blue canvas. It has possibility for story—a blue curtain to a stage. It offers a chance to leave the two-dimensional ground of human existence and soar. This pull from a line to the sky has enabled all sorts of possibilities like air-inflated spinning windsocks and “line laundry” including giant octopi, whales, enormous cartoon characters, lions, tigers, and teddy bears, oh my! Attending and flying at the kite festivals over the years has brought kite friends and the exchange of ideas. What seemed like a simple occupation to me opened an astounding world of kite culture. In many other countries, kites are not at all a childish thing but a deep connection to history, in some instances to warfare, to a nation’s art and gods, and to our continual wish to fly as well. Early explorers charted the lines of the world’s coasts and oceans in order to get a bird’s eye view of their worlds. There are many current kite people to admire for their inventive spirits, and particularly those artistic minds who combined their backgrounds in the arts with kites. Look to European artists/kite- makers and it is possible to find a dedicated contemporary group who push boundaries, inventing new uses for this medium of aerial flying forms, playing off ideas seen in the sky one year and coming up with new and exciting kites and wind art the next. The artistic mind is untethered and not bound by the normal rules of convention. FALL 2019 21

Many of these kite artists have been drawn together to learn, to play, and to invent new scenarios for not only their own kite creations, but also collective visions of how to make kite flying into an experiential event. Some have made artist/kitemaker groups to further their visions. Others prefer to create sky events purely for their own pleasure through altering or “drawing” in the sky; this is not a festival as one would define a kite event, but a temporal, kinetic, aerial environment meant to inspire the mind into a state of wordless awe. The art of it surpasses technique and enters the realm of the spirit. While I cannot include all of the European kitemakers who fit into the categories of inventor, innovator, rule breaker, and artist, here are a few who have devoted a good part of their lives to using kites as their art form. These are primarily single-line flyers and people who have been active in the kiting community for many years. RAMLAL TIEN the aim being not the kite itself, but the group of them and especially its interaction with the space or landscape around. The plain white French artist and kitemaker, Ramlal Tien, works with kite surface disguises what is full or empty, from the sky or the kite. I like how forms that dance, float, and glide on the winds. His instinctual Scott Skinner describes them, like sharp cuts in the surface of the sky. understanding of the wind and flying forms leads him to make unusual and surprisingly simple shapes that he flies in the air KISA SAUER flow above the heads of festival onlookers. His white, three- leaf vane “Sentinelle” kites are highly visible at many European Kisa is from Germany and is the sister kitemaker along with kite festivals, adding a dash of rice to the overhead “frito misto” Anke. Her kites developed through her long career in the theater plate of aerial floating kitemaker personalities. His flying works arts of set design and painting. She is quite adept at painting and defy the norm like a sprinkled spice, yet are cooperative in and sculpture, using this to her advantage in kite design concepts. Her with nature. They are like wisps of cirrus clouds in a peppered kite works stretch the ideas of perception, giving the sky a look of overhead array defining the airspace and making the volume of an open-air theater. atmosphere tangible. Painted figures dance and walk in the aerial theater sky stage as if viewed from above. Meteor pitted asteroids float overhead I never had other work before making kites. I was student in an art menacingly like an end-of-the-world scenario. A giant winged school when I flew a big kite for the first time and then went to a small and clawed harpy figure underlines her point: “I hate cute kites!” kite festival few weeks later. I immediately felt I wanted to work in this direction and changed the subject of my final work from animated Waterline banners by Kisa Sauer, in Cervia, Italy. toys to kites. I was in the metal sculpture department and my final work had to fit with metal work so my first kites were made from very thin aluminum sheet and metal or carbon frames. I nearly destroyed the sewing machine of a friend. By modifying it little bit, I finally managed to stitch these aluminum sheets by using thin coated steel thread with nylon coating. Some of these prototypes collapsed at first launch; others flew, making a weird sound. I never had enough time for any other kind of work since then. In the late 1990s, I was designing different shapes with fabric and sticks without knowing if it would become a tent, a kite, or any other thing. What became later the ‘Sentinelle’ kite first was a mast for a tent. I was looking for a rigid shape with good resistance to compres- sion, using cheap and weak sticks (6 mm ramin wood) and fabric. The surfaces were all around the three curved rods. I liked the shape and modified it to make it fly. I made three prototypes to compare settings, proportions, and size. At their first flight in summer 1998, the way they were moving forward and away from each other was making the space between and around them alive, like giving it a kind of thickness and depth. It was a fast decision to build more and to use them as a modular system to shape pieces of sky. I tried to keep proportions and color as sober as possible, 22 KITING

Installation in Penvins, France, featuring banners by Kisa Sauer, “Sentinelle” by Ramlal Tien, “Arches d’O” by Alain Micquiaux, and the deKompresso light show (pages 24-25) by Tomm Jeckyl. A flock of tall banners reflect the color of the sea; another group used as land art installations are given the color and texture of rusted vertical metal beams. Her white banner arrays create a blank canvas for nighttime projections of abstract color patterns that she and her partner, Tomm Jeckyl, design and produce in stunning kinetic light show events. During my career in different theatre and opera studios, I have learned about painting techniques by watching the painters. Many tools are over-sized like big brushes, the distance from the work on stage to the spectators is always important. The same happens with kites in the air; they are seen from a distance and the painting has to be effective for this. I love reading science fiction stories. This inspired me making my planets and Kisa Sauer. asteroids. I want to create a surreal image in the sky; that’s why I work with free form shapes. Also, the challenge about flying ability or not is part of the game. The sky walkers show the consequence in working with figures in the sky, not like a painting on the wall; the upside down is more logical to me. I never thought about this deeply before making them—the idea just came over me, while thinking about a paper project. The other part of my kite work is the creature just by the shape itself. The ‘flugfeld’ are kites attached to poles flying on their own. Their movement in different wind conditions make the wind and air flow visible. Flugfeld (Flight field) can be a field of growing something or an airfield. The “L4a” kites idea was transparency and flow. It took four generations to make it as it looks now. My work is complete with the wind and the landscape. FALL 2019 23

Night flying in Penvins, France (see details on previous page). 24 KITING

FALL 2019 25

ANNA RUBIN Anna came to kites while attending the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts in Austria. A small Malay kite with a feathered tail was her first project. She was told about a nearby kite festival in Cervia, Italy, that had many artist/kitemakers. A trip there led to full passion, working with the kite form in a highly unique way through the traditional split bamboo and paper techniques. Some of her kites look like they were made from bird’s nesting materials with a delicacy of hand work and spontaneous design rivaling anything that could be found in the natural surroundings of a forest. The idea of flying has interested me since I was small. I remember dreaming it. I made myself a set of wings. Remembering this when I started teaching many years later, I wondered how I could explain the fascination of flying to kids. Kites, I decided. To build a kite is like an airborne translation of what is occupying my mind. It is a trans- lation, a form based on the dialogue between the ability to fly, bamboo and paper, and my thoughts. The rules of flying and the handcraft work of splitting bamboo, tying, gluing, cutting paper, are giving me safety and solace in this process. I like it that flying a kite in a landscape is leaving no permanent trace in it, even though there can be a strong exchange between the kite and the place. And I do not see myself as an artist. I call myself kitemaker. 26 KITING

ANKE SAUER Adjusting bridles (above) on one of six kites flying (below left) in Anke Sauer’s “Getting to the Point” project. Anke is from Germany and comes from a conceptual background. Over many years of working with kites she has made her own niche in the kite world, astounding both novice and master kitemakers with her innovations and idea-based approach to sky art. Her works are both conceptually simple but technically complex. Her current kite works center around paper fold techniques creating kite forms that fold and unfold in a stunningly beautiful spiraling motion and fitting neatly into a round cookie tin or a specially-shaped box. The hundreds of bri- dle lines supporting the flying structures are thin strands of sewing thread. Her “Getting to the Point” kite project took several years to realize. It emerged from the most used symbol in the written language—the period at the end of a sentence. The dot. With my flying objects I conquer a part of the sky as my personal space to open a space to others, which they can walk through with their own senses. The spherical flying objects create images that draw reality into the surreal without going into detail. I also build these objects to counter the simplicity of the sky. But perhaps only for the sake of absurd beauty. The pyramid dragons are in a long form for a practical reason, but their nature allows a variety of design possibilities, although limited in form. Now I prefer to work on grouping these dragons, which have a meaning for me. Another example is the project ‘Getting to the Point.’ It has the message of, ‘Get to the actual statement of what you want to say, and don’t miss it.’ The frayed dot on the six kites is the ‘round’ and is brought to a ‘dot’ proximity during flight and by the black strings. The long, thin bridle cords are also the focus of my work. The shimmering, flowing movement, when the wind passes through the weighted line, has a special aesthetic for me which I cannot resist. My wish is to create a space that in this moment belongs to me and where I indirectly communicate something to the attentive observer. FALL 2019 27

ALESSIA MARROCU Alessia lives on the island of Sardinia off the Italian coast. She has been involved in kiting through her family for many years, and has made her own style that is unique in the realm of traditional kitemaking with paper and bamboo. She is also well known for her fashion design work with beautifully simple wearable and artful clothing designs. Her current kite works feature a single-stick, winged-bird shape abstracted with dashes of ink. Each one is unique but by making and flying many in an aerial array they become a dancing and flying flock of winged wonders. Similar creatures, which choose to share their existence can gain strength. Animals learned this long ago: to move cohesively, to share a course in a collective flight, to be stronger, to be free. A flock is made of many little identities which join together naturally in a new collective body. It is a perfect community where tasks are shared and the weak are protected. A flock of kites, little wings for human dreams, is a wish of collective balance that comes from the sky. Marrocu’s “Impression” kites are made of paper, ink, and bamboo. Alessia Marrocu. together with other artists like Anna, Anke, Kisa, and Ramlal, we compose a collective sky picture, And, yes, intimate is a good word; the sky is big but my relationship with flying together is a silent talk…the same feeling kites and with flight is something very close. I like to keep the contact. when you can stay a long time with someone without talking for hours and tell everything When I fly my kites it’s like feeling a deep communication, as if we with eyes only. were telling secrets but without words. I feel this contact between me and my kites but also between my kites and other kites. When I fly I started with kites by chance. It was my father who 28 KITING started it and he brought me to Cervia when I was 12 years old. I met all of the crazy kite people who made me fall in love and gave me materials and support to try myself and start to play. You can easily get addicted to kites! When your project works and starts to fly, it is like giving life to something very different from a drawing or a garment—you really feel you gave birth to some- thing. A kite is like a little wild animal with his own movement, his own identity, and his own will. You made it, but then it is not yours anymore…like a cat. And yes, I like the single kite flight but also the collective flight with a group of mine along with others with totally different styles that somehow seem like they were born to fly together. This happened a lot with Anke and Anna for me.

ALAIN MICQUIAUX I envision the kite not as a mere object that is stolen aimlessly. I want to use it in a set, a drawing in space. I want to draw and stage Alain is from France and uses sky as a canvas. With it, he paints the kites to create public reactions. The artistic and environmental fields of floating, flying red poppy flowers, magically balanced work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude influenced me a lot in the on long green flower stalks. He draws a giant aerial stick figure dimension that a work can have. whose flying head supports the ribbon legs, body, and arms that then can be made to walk the beaches with the help of five To summarize my philosophy… Do not kite. Do something hands each. His circle kite arrays fly in arched trains, and red with kites. fish fill the overhead sky space like an aerial school let loose. His kite forms are astoundingly simple but powered by a keen sense of design and aerodynamic principle. Creating patterns in the sky, Micquiaux’s red “Poissons” (above) and his “Bouquet of Poppies” (right). To give a little value to kites and wind art accompaniments, each year I do a little artistic coordination at the festival A Tout Vent. I try to direct and organize a showcase of the sky art and favor the public’s points of view. We also use the visual power of the kite to bring a heavenly dimension to a show for the Saturday night fly using light projections. I started in this role and am learning that staging requires directors. A festival presents shows, works, and diversity to an audience. Without staging, the sky is a warehouse of intangible forms, unapproachable and incomprehensible. My philosophy is simple, I look for evidences and forms by simplifying them as much as possible. I’m basically a lazy guy and I do not like long builds. FALL 2019 29

JEAN-PAUL RICHON One of the major themes of French kitemaker, Jean- Paul Richon, is movement and motion. It is also making the invisible element of air visible through its inherent random currents. Wind animates our world. There is always change because of this constant motion of the earth’s breath on our world. He makes tall bamboo wind flutes, capturing the sounds and music of the wind. Long mylar ribbons hang in the sky curving with each turn of the wind and making the air come alive with flashes of reflec- tive light. A group of white stretched fabric banner staffs curl and ripple in a dance with the winds. The wind is one of my favorite elements: unstable, come and go, always in movement. What are we able to find so close to the wind if it’s not the kite? Assemble, disassemble; up and down in the sky; appear and disappear. It is ephemeral, like a life. It seems we are running after the wind all around the world without ever reaching or touching it. Jean-Paul Richon. By extension, I consider a weathervane, a kinetic sculpture, a mobile, a wind installation, banners, even a wind instru- ment, everything that plays with the wind in the same way. In my mind, it’s following the same mechanism: idea, creation, construction, tests, installation. I set up in a space, in the sky, to bring a touch of color and light, playing with nature and our environment. It is art in the air, and unquestioned in most countries like China, Bali, and Japan. Beside that, it is certainly all the kite festivals, aerial events, or exhibitions that we participate in, all these people we can meet from everywhere, all countries and places we are able to visit, the food we taste, a great and lucky opportunity we have to follow the wind. When people on the kite field or an exhibition come to tell me, “Thank you for what you do and the pleasure you bring us!” we French say, “La cerise sur le gateau’’—the cherry on the cake—which means “the extra part,” we can say “above all.” This is my best award! “Petales et les Yeux” (Petals and Eyes). Richon’s “Mesdemoiselles” in Dieppe, Canada 30 KITING (above) and Black Rock City, Nevada (right).

More information about these artists can be found at: Anke Sauer, Kisa Kersten Sauer & Tomm Jeckel Wikuku.net Alessia Marrocu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG4i23dLG9c Anna Rubin http://www.annarubin.at/ Alain Micquiaux https://www.alain-micquiaux.fr/en/art-kites/ Jean-Paul Richon https://www.jardinduvent.com/creations/ FALL 2019 31

By Yezid Vargas Photos by Luz Myriam Bernal very year, the stron- The KOGUI Kite Show includes some big kites from Peter Lynn (above) and kites made by the club (below). gest winds arrive in Colombia during passion and enthusiasm. This kite club was kite with a black tail that distinguishes our the month of August. given the name KOGUI. members at every exhibition, show, or kite They are eagerly awaited festival, domestic or international. and, with them, the cometas The name, KOGUI, is a tribute to one that dress the sky of every of the aboriginal tribes of the country, The club was founded in Bogotá, the corner of the country in colors. that even today, inhabit the north coast capital of Colombia, located 2600 meters It is a time when little ones work of Colombia. The word means “guard- above sea level, in the middle of three at home with pieces of wood, thread, and ians of the world´s harmony.” The club mountain chains and more than 900 kilo- colored paper to make traditional style kites uniform consists of jackets and T-shirts meters of the nearest beach. In this city, including a hexagonal shape called pandero, with white and blue colors in general, and there are several urban parks, suitable for that only rises thanks to a tail made of the Colombian flag colors in the logo´s flying. At 988 acres, the Simon Bolivar knotted scraps with messages to be carried detail. The club logo has a “G” letter with Metropolitan Park is a large green space to the heights. a special design representing a red delta in the middle of the city that offered ideal In 1996, this irreplaceable toy of the Colombian people became a big passion to Luis Ruiz, Nilza Riveros, Nicolas Civetta, Leonardo Bermudez, and Jorge Beltran, and they formed a kite club. Their goal was to not have kiteflying be limited to the traditional August flying, but to expand it to make every single day of the year a party in the sky. They put all their talents, energy, and aesthetic perceptions into sharing their 32 KITING

The club megateam in Villa de Leyva (above) and a power kite demo in the country near Sopo (below). Don Luis Ruiz is the club conditions for the founding of KOGUI. family formed by smaller family groups founder and, at more than By flying in this public space, the club including parents, marriages, sons, sisters, 70 years of age, our most began spreading the word that kites could and brothers. The group contains archi- senior member. He is a be more than the traditional experience. tects, engineers, handicraftsman, adminis- wood handcraftsman, and While encouraging people to cherish the trators, web designers, fashion designers, maintains his passion to make cultural and historical value of kites, the transporters, health workers, sociologists, and fly fighter kites, of which he is club also introduced them to new ways and other professions. We meet frequently an expert. He embodies the commitment, to make and fly kites, demonstrating that in city parks to discuss new kite creations, spirit, and dedication of the club. No mat- they are not only recreational but compet- and techniques. We explore ideas about ter the day or hour, he is always the first itive, too. new exhibitions for the future. But above to arrive and he offers attentive to support all this, we are a group of friends united by to whoever needs a hand. His sport kite The core essence of KOGUI Kite Club a common passion—to fly kites. ballet—flying with a tail to the music of has always been family. It is like a big the Tango—was one of the first such per- formances in this category in the country. Along with Don Luis, Jorge Beltrán stands out because of his marvelous and emotive individual ballet routines. Flying a dual-line sport kite with a long tail generates a lot of applause at every presentation. Jorge and Nilza Riveros were also team pilots, with some other KOGUI kiteflyers, to form one of the first sport kite teams in Colombia, “Bogotá 2600 Team.” That team had the honor of representing Colombia several times in the World Sport Kite Championship in Berck, France. Andrés Bolívar (aka Andresito) started flying as a child and is today one of the best sport kite flyers in Colombia. He has flown as a pilot with the Bogota 2600 Team at international sport kite com- petitions and is now a member of Team Atemoc, which recently took 3rd place in the World Sport Kite Championships. But Andresito also finds time to fly sport kites with one of the oldest members of the Club, Luis Bolivar, his father. KOGUI is also the seedbed for sport kite teams. This is the case of the Team AndeSky whose pilots, José Upegui, Nilton Contreras, Jorge Beltrán, and Yezid Vargas, have taken part in international festivals in Doha and Dubai. They also competed at the last World Sport Kite Championships, where they took 8th place. Another of the club´s families is the one formed by Elder Olascuaga Pilot, designer FALL 2019 33

Colombia offers a range of flying conditions from the green hills of Don Matias (above left) to the beaches of Riohacha (above right) or Santa Marta (below). and kite builder of the some of the biggest with his inflatable kite creations, and just kiteflyers. For example, Luz Myriam KOGUI kites. He and his wife, Lina Julio Nelson Lopez who built unique stained- Bernal is the club’s social media manager also fly as a pairs team called Zero Gravity. glass looking kites made of wood and and thanks to her, the larger community is Everyone is expecting good things from plastic. Currently, Edgar Peralta is also well-informed about the club’s activities. them in the short term. another kite builder who, with his wife, While she likes flying, she also contributes Blanca Venegase, and his sons, Daniel and her expertise in fashion design to help Besides sport kite competitors, there Valentina Peralta, shares his kite passion in design and construct new kites as well as have been many contributions made by the club. The Peralta family is also respon- doing repairs as necessary. Luz Myriam’s members that have introduced Colombia sible for storing and transporting the club’s son, Sebastian Galindo, has competed to other kite-related activities. Nicolas equipment to every event. It’s an important with several international sport kite teams Civeta, German Eduardo Rojas (AKA el job when you consider that the equipment and is now one of the main components of Chino), and Andres Bolivar, were some of weighs almost a ton. the freestyle dual-line kite sport category the first kite-buggy flyers in Colombia and in Colombia. are probably still the most skilled. To maintain and grow a kite club like KOGUI On the other hand, the Contreras Along its history, KOGUI has had for almost 23 years family formed by the brothers, Nilton important kite builders like Jose Manuel requires more than and Cesar, come from Villa de Leyva, Paredes (RIP), who left a great legacy 34 KITING

In Bogota, the club likes to fly at El Parque del Tunal (left) or Parque Simon Bolivar (right). a traditional colonial town about three many contributions of my own family. I used for a safe flight in almost all condi- hours from Bogotá. Villa de Leyva is home started out as a kitemaker and have won tions. All the kite shows are accompanied to the oldest kite festival in the country some competitions with giant inflatable by songs carefully selected to enhance the and kites have been a part of the brothers’ kites, which, along with competing with public’s experience in combination with lives since they were children. They joined AndeSky, are two of my biggest kite our professional announcer, Reynaldo our club a few years ago and now Nilton is passions. But it was about 11 years ago Bernal. teaching his four-year-old son, Geronimo, when my wife, Alexandra Ruiz, and I were All this history has motivated KOGUI the love of kiting. Geronimo is one of our traveling in France that my world took to become the newest affiliated kite club of youngest members. a dramatic change. One day we had the the American Kitefliers Association. We choice of touring the Palace of Versailles look forward to joining the AKA to bring In honor and remembrance of the great or taking a day trip to see the kite festival forward the color, joy, fantasy, art, and kiteflyer, Ray Bethel (RIP), we have a in Berck-sur-Mer, on the northern French freedom of kites in hundreds of scenarios, member, José Upegui, who has developed coast. This is one of the most important domestically and internationally. We invite the ability to fly three dual-line kites kite festivals in the world and seeing it was AKA members from around the world to simultaneously in a musical ballet. Don like a dream come true. I must also thank come fly with us in Colombia and meet José is also a kite builder, quadline flyer, my daughters, Ana Lucia and Ivvana our kite family. and competes as part of AndeSky. Again, Antonia, who were born into this world of family makes it all possible as he could not kites and have been a part of KOGUI all FALL 2019 35 do all he does without the unconditional their lives. support of his wife, Margarita, who is also a kite club member and pilot. Remaining loyal to its founding prin- ciples 23 years ago, KOGUI is still one of Another family joined the club years the biggest, well-recognized kite clubs in ago—Hilda Gonzalez, Juan Pablo Duran, Colombia. Our interaction with the public and their daughter, Daniela. At nine years often revolves around our large Kite Show. old, Daniela soon established herself as an This includes a 65-meter giant octopus, accomplished sport kite flyer, a skill she big whales, bears, dogs, rays, bunnies, has continued to expand even though she astronauts, dragons, delta kites, rokkaku has now graduated with a degree in sociol- kites, 10-meter rotors, power kites with ogy. Along with so many other women in buggies, sport kite presentations with the Club, Daniela and Hilda reflect the individuals, pairs, teams and megateams, power of women in KOGUI with their night flies with delta kites and inflatables enthusiastic participation. decorated with hundreds of LED lights, and one Air Banners systems among oth- With all this reference to the big family ers. Flowforms, pilot kites, and anchors are of KOGUI, I must acknowledge the

Region 1 started off The Newport Kite Festival at Brenton State Park, July 13-14. the summer with lots of club flys through- Tim and Deb Allen of Toms River, NJ, ed in the event program. Summer Winds out the Region. The flew their Rolf Zimmermann Dragons on Kite Festival, July 27, came off without a Great Lakes Kitefliers the presentation field both days. Paul and hitch. It was held at Fort Taber Park, on Society (GLKS) in Tina Keeler from Bethlehem, PA, flew their the water side of Fort Rodman. It is a wide Western NY has monthly flys the first Sun- great stuff on the hill by the flagpole. Joe and open, flat area almost completely surrounded day of the month at Gratwick Park, NY. If Dawn Kay came up from Totowa, NJ, to by water. The morning winds were light but you are in the area, join them for the fly and help fill the north field along with Ray and steady and consistent in direction. Pauly Be- check the calendar at www.flyglks.com. The Jeanne Merry from Island Heights, NJ. Lisa rard made bubbles and put bubble wands in Nor’Easters Kite Club has hosted several flys Willoughby brought a whole crew of kiters the hands of all comers using pie tins of bub- at Bug Light Park, South Portland, ME. with her. Fred and Donna Taylor repre- ble juice. Pauly even got DATMA Director sented Region 13 and set up their wonderful Lindsay Miś involved! John Davenport lined The New York Kite Enthusiasts (NYKE) ground display. Director for Region 2, Kurtis a pathway with his banner display. Many are busy again this year with kite flys and Jones, was Master of Ceremonies and kept light-wind and indoor kites dotted the sky. kite building workshops with children. The the field filled and moving. Sue Moskowitz After lunch, the winds built slowly and by East Branch Friends of the Arts held their did her usual terrific job of herding the cats 3 PM they were perfect. Jeff Carpenter and 12th Annual Kite Fly. This is a community and getting everyone where they needed to Mike Dioguardo performed an impromptu kite fly held on Marcy Field in Keene, NY, be, when they had to be there. Tricks Party Shoot Out that wowed the on Father’s Day each year. There were bol crowd. Jeff and Dana Marie kept their spot races and many kites flying. Some of the The conclusion of both days at the Newport on the field filled with their great seahorse. kites in the air were made by the children Kite Festival was a tribute fly to Richard Sue Moskowitz, Steve Santos, Art St. Pierre, at the first kite fly! Deb Borg, Gary Sharp, Hopkins, who recently passed away. Kites and Beth Bowen performed a Team Quad Jon and Jeannette Hosford, and Jim and Peg flew to the 8-minute version of “Stairway to Ballet that had people stopping and videoing Peck were there to represent NYKE. Thank Heaven.” There were single-line, dual-line, their performance. Jackie Maciel flew a great you, Deb Borg, for writing such a great and quads in the production. It ended with show on the performance field while hubby account of the event! Revs forming a stairway. It left people in awe Dick filled the sky with beautiful no-sew both days. nylon creations. Joe ‘Photo’ Perron did a Kites Over New England (KONE) and great 3-kite, One Man Kite Team display in ConnectiKITERS have also had local events. The Summer Winds Kite Festival was minimal wind. Espedito ‘Espo’ and RJ Rive- Check the websites and Facebook pages of a Design Arts Technology Massachusetts ra had a perfect corner of the park and kept the clubs to find out more about the club production (datma.org). DATMA is a non- it filled all day. Christine Traboulsi came flys. New events are being scheduled that profit entity organizing events in New to visit and share tips. Matt ‘Rosie’ Rosen you don’t want to miss. Bedford, MA, that showcases design, arts, had a great spot mid-park where he flew his and technology. Their theme for the summer Merritt Beck Delta and a great black and The Newport Kite Festival took place July 2019 is Summer Winds. With a theme like white Sutton 252. Kurtis Jones emceed the 13-14 at Brenton Point State Park in New- that, they had to have a Kite Festival includ- port, RI. It was sponsored by Ron Kitt of Kitt Kites. The Kite Festival has been held in various iterations for over 30 years and draws large crowds. Large and small kites dot the sky. A presentation field features dual-line and quad-line performances, candy drops, and kid mass ascensions. Traction kiters give demos on buggies. 36 KITING

festivities and kept everything moving along. an abundance of white ghosts, dual-line flew for a while, and also tried out the new A wonderful time was had by all! tricking, a quad-line team, Ray Merry’s beer flavors. Jack Wilson was the lead in- Support your local kite retailers and kite flexifoil arch, pairs flying, and two big white structor with help from Sharon. Mike Klaiber clubs. I’m looking forward to hearing about single line kites. It was incredible and had showed his quad skills, and I flew a little of your events and flys. many people in tears by the end. Folks said everything. this year’s Newport Kite Festival was the best   Many members of Region 3 travelled What a great summer! they had seen in a while. Ron Kitt has even outside the region based on Facebook More kiteflying up more plans for next year. posts. We had flyers at Wildwood, NJ, in and down the Jersey Don’t forget to sign up for the AKA con- the South Pacific, Pennsylvania, WSIKF, shore then I can ever vention! Always good times with kiteflying Kite Fest Louisianne, Detroit, Outer Banks remember. It was an peeps from all over. Please let me know if of North Carolina, and the list continues. awesome start with you have anything going on kite related so Besides kiteflying, there are numerous other Wildwood Interna- we can post it on Facebook and put it in our activities listed by our members including tional Kite Festival where there was great monthly report.  pets, gardens, and a few other hobbies. If you wind, weather, and plenty of flyers.  Get a kite and feel the sky!  are willing to share on Facebook, please send Another event I love is actually located an occasional picture to @akaregion3. south of our region—The Cherry Blossom After National The 41st Rogallo Kite Festival was held Kite Festival held in Washington, DC. It Kite Month ended, on Jockey’s Ridge June 14-16. The winds is truly amazing how many kites fill the sky the pace of kiting were mostly off the Sound—quite light at flown by the general public. I don’t know any only slowed a little times on Saturday and excessive on Sun- other event in United States that can match bit. The 15th Annual day. Whenever there were a lot of kites in it in that way.  Atlantic Coast Kite the air, there was a large crowd of spectators North of our region, the Newport Kite Festival, sponsored on the dunes watching. Festival added several new ideas to the kite by the city of Virginia Beach and guided by   On June 20, the Big Cork Winery held show. A “Golden Ticket” was added to Jackites and Christopher Stankus, was held its first kite event with several members of each candy drop and whoever found it won May 3-5. The winds were light but swung WOW in support, including Paul La- a new kite. There were free “Kiteflying 101 around to a favorable direction and the Masters, David Ashworth, Fletch, and Lessons” for the public on the show field. It kiteflyers and builders’ contest had a great others. From RAF we had Alan Ballou worked surprisingly well, and the public took turnout with several beautiful kites. There to it like a bird to the sky. Also a surreal mo- are always some noteworthy handmade kites Kiteflying and beer sampling in Richmond, Virginia. ment was the giant “Dragon Fly” when Paul at the event, particularly from a couple of FALL 2019 37 Keeler, Billy Echevarria, and Tim Allen flew regulars who enter every year. Thanks to a flock of six dragons over the show field at Adrianne Balmer for handling the judg- the same time, complete with music from ing. There were way too many flyers to the “Game of Thrones” and “Puff the Magic acknowledge here but they put on great Dragon” playing over the PA system. ground displays, helped in the public flying The grand finale each day was a kite area (especially the New Era Kite Club), flew village production of performance art flying sport kite demonstrations and special single to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.” The line kites (members of RAF and WOW), show field was filled with kiteflyers flying at and even flew a few show kites. different sections of the song as queued by   On May 18, Alan Ballou gathered a group Sue Moskowitz who served as stage manager of kiteflyers at Licking Hole Craft Beer for the weekend. The list of kites included Company, west of Richmond, VA, where we showed some folks how to fly sport kites,

and Will Smoot. The kids’ kitemaking was Summer is in full swing Sorry about the lack of keeping up with accomplished with a roll of freezer paper and hot. Here are a things; I’m going through some medical issues and a ball of string, and the new flyers had a couple of the happen- and some days are better than others. I will terrific time. Many of the regular visitors to ings from the coast. not be running for RD as I must focus on my the winery brought their own kites and had a personal life at this time. great afternoon flying and tasting wine. In May, the Carolina If you haven’t checked out the AKA Kite Club and Kites website, there is a new style calendar of events   July 13-14, I was back on the Outer Unlimited of Atlantic Beach, NC, helped and it’s very much improved. Go check it out: Banks for the Wright Kite Festival on the out at the Mile of Hope event for the fami- http://kite.org/calendar/ grounds of the Wright Brothers Nation- lies of children with cancer. This is an annual Let’s wrap up a wonderful kite year 2019. al Memorial. If you have not visited this event in which the families get to spend a site, it is worth the trip in my opinion. It is weekend at the beach, get away from doctor Summer is here and it where kites became gliders and then the first appointments and hospitals, and relax and is hotter than heck at successfully-powered flying machines. In- enjoy themselves. Kites Unlimited provides times here in the great terestingly, the weekend we celebrated the kites for the children, and the club members Midwest. Rain early Wright Brothers’ accomplishments of 1903, help the children with their kites and provide in the season put the we also remembered NASA astronauts a display of kites in the sky. kibosh on some our walked on the moon in 1969—just 66 years flying, and those who did get out are still apart. Several members of WOW were there For Memorial Day, the kite club put on a trying to remove all the dried mud from with big show kites and had some success display at their weekly kite fly. All man- clothing and equipment. on Saturday. Sunday it was pretty much ner of kites were in the sky—deltas, sleds, Our local club, PIGS Aloft, welcomes flyers sport kiteflyers using their indoor skills as eagles, and various types of line laundry to our monthly kite flys in West Chester, or the winds were very light. Joe Hadzicki had flying high—all in red, white, and blue. The at the Cleveland Kite Festival on Saturday, come in from Revolution and gave lessons weekly kite flys are held on the beach at Fort August 24. all weekend. Thanks for the great pointers Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, NC. New festivals keep popping up as the he gave me. Several hundred new kitemakers occasional older festivals fade. New kites and got to fly their first creations on the grounds, In June, members of the Carolina Kite gear also keep popping up. One great place as evidenced by the white sleds all around. Club provided a display of kites for the to share all the news and new stuff is at the annual Maritime Day event sponsored by the AKA Convention held in Seaside, OR, Future events to watch for are: NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC. The October 7-12. If you haven’t registered yet, winds were not the best, but they were able you are highly encouraged to do so soon to Labor Day weekend: Mile High Kite Festival, to put up some light wind kites for people to take advantage of any potential discounts. Beech Mountain, NC enjoy. Kites were also available for children The town of Seaside likes the AKA and pulls September 7-8: OBX Kite Festival, Jockeys to fly. out all the stops to provide us with great Ridge State Park venues for classes, food, kiteflying, entertain- The heat and high humidity in the month ment, and, of course, food. September 14: Allison’s Reach Kite fundraiser, of July have led to cancellations for a couple After all the fun in the great Northwest, it Westchester Commons, Midlothian, VA of the scheduled kite flys. We take each week will once again be time for many of us to slow as it comes and hope for it to cool off soon. down, repair, build, plan, commiserate, and September 19-22: Sunfest, Ocean City, MD relax after what, for me at least, has been a busy The Morikami Museum Japanese Kite summer. Remember to invite young people September 28: Coyner Springs Kite Festival, Festival that was scheduled for Father’s Day to fly with you; that is how we will build the Waynesboro, VA appears to have been rained out, but they hobby. Festivals are also a great way to do that. had a wonderful indoor presentation. October 7-12: AKA Convention, Seaside, OR I also understand the Central Florida Kite Columbus Day weekend: LBI Festival, Club is having a workshop on the July 20 Long Beach Island, NJ and I hope everything goes great for them.  This is my last RD report. I always enjoy meeting fellow flyers and that makes this job quite easy. I hope you will continue to share your kite adventures with your next Regional Director, and keep in touch if you have any ideas or concerns about AKA.    Color the sky!   38 KITING

Sky Fest over Fort project article. You can access the article at where they can set up and teach kitemak- Stevenson 2019 took https://subarudrive.com/articles/diy-kite-fun- ing. They have supported our purpose with place on Memorial family-project-ss19. a club of twenty 4-H students in Broken Day Weekend at Fort If you haven’t done so, now is the time Arrow, OK, along with being involved in a Stevenson State Park to register and make hotel reservations to weeklong camp with the Little Light House in Garrison, ND. Rena attend the AKA’s 42nd Annual Conven- Therapy Team in Tulsa the last week of Rustad, owner of Prairie Wind Kite Compa- tion in Seaside, OR, October 7-12, 2019. June. Tom Wallbank, Larry Stiles, Mark ny, organized this event. On Saturday, over Registration is open online. Sign on to the Breeden, Linda Logan, Gail Burgess, and 200 kids made trash bag kites that flew in member’s page of kite.org and follow the Susannah Henson participated in all or part the very light winds. I heard that stronger instructions or visit https://members.kite.org/ of the week. On the fourth day, the theme winds later caused Chris Dodson’s train of event-3432565. was Noah’s Ark, and the kiters brought out 81 sleds to travel 23 miles down the south Don’t miss out on all our Convention has animal-themed kites to help make that day side of the lake. to offer. I have registered and made my hotel special. The Little Light House Therapy reservations. See you there. Team expressed their gratitude that the Garrison, ND is known as “Walleye Capital of Tulsa Wind Riders came out to fly kites with the World” and Wally the Walleye attended Change in leadership and for their clients. the kite festival just as rain started. Guests brings change in direc- and participants had fun inside the event tent tion and focus. What is By the time you read this, many of us will taking picture with Wally. our purpose? What is it be preparing to gather in Seaside, OR, for that makes us who we our 42nd Annual National Convention and Utah Kitefliers had two informal flys are as an Association? Grand National Kite Competition. Won- at the Taylorsville Rec Center. The group Our stated purpose is “to educate the public dering what goes on at Convention? There announces events via the Yahoo Group in the art, history, technology, and practice are workshops for learning, meetings for “utahkitefliers.” If you live near Salt Lake of building and flying kites—to advance joys decision making, kiteflying for competition City and want to fly with others, this is the and values of kiting in all nations.” We have and pleasure, visiting, catching up with place to connect. been very active in carrying out our purpose old friends, making new friends, the Great across the region. Kite Auction, banquets, awards, and lots of On September 7-8, the Medora Hot Air fun! Depending on how quickly your mail Balloon and Kite Festival happens in ND. It’s great to see so much social media service delivers this magazine, there may still Kiteflying will be located at the top of the coverage of kitemaking events. In April, be time to you to come join us. Check out Burning Hills Amphitheatre. There will be members of the Dallas Area Kitefliers Orga- details on kite.org or call the AKA office at balloons in the yard at Badlands Motel in nization (DAKO) helped teach fighter kite 609-755-5483. You will be glad you did. the early morning and kites afterwards. making in McKinney, TX. They brought the joy of kiting to over 15 young people You won’t want to miss the upcoming The 3rd Annual “End of the Trail” Kite while assisting them to create their very own Corpus Christi, TX Kites and Bikes Festival Festival in Pine Bluffs, WY, takes place on fighter kites. Another group from DAKO, being held November 2 at Waters Edge Saturday, September 28. The event will be Chris Bangma and Jack Jaquez, taught kids Park. Also, the Annual Dead Bird Buggy held at Pine Bluffs Park, 1200 S. Beech, how to fly kites at a homeowners association Bash will be held over the week of Thanks- Pine Bluffs, WY. meeting at Craig Ranch. It was reported that giving. Come out to the Galveston, TX the April rains kept them indoors all day. beach for a great time of kiteflying and kite Looking for kite events? You can find the buggy and blokart riding. As new events are AKA’s events calendar at http://kite.org/cal- In Tulsa, the Tulsa Wind Riders have planned, please let me know so I can help endar/. You can post your events, do a search been educating the public at many different keep our calendar of events up-to-date. to find events in Region 7, as well as events kitemaking events. The Wind Riders are al- all across the country. ways looking for a club, a group, or an event I look forward to hearing from each of you. If you are planning a trip over the hol- Want to make kites with kids? Subaru idays to somewhere warm, check the AKA Drive Magazine recently had a DIY kite calendar and drop in on a festival or fun fly near your destination. You might even make contact with fellow kiteflyers and get together with them. I’ll see you on a flying field real soon. That’s all the news that fits, for now. FALL 2019 39

I could never have Having big fun before the festival started in Lincoln City, Oregon, Brett Morris flies his new quad-line stack. imagined how many different types of Be sure to let me know the unique places Region 9 and 10 events, the Washington places Diane and you have been flying kites. I know Eli Russel Kitefliers Association (WKA) has an event I have had the flies all over in different environments. You calendar (wka-kiteflyers.org/cal.htm) covering opportunity to fly kites. might see him under a freeway overpass or Washington and Oregon. Remember you We love to fly at the beach, but this season next to a waterfall. It’s great to see the cre- can always look for any events anywhere and we have flown on a frozen lake, inland grass ative, yet safe, places to fly kites. I am hoping anytime on the AKA website (kite.org) under fields, as well as balloon and kite festivals. you are out flying wherever and whenever events/calendar. Hot air balloon festivals seem to be the type you can. of events that welcome kiteflying. When August 19-25 Washington State Inter- the balloons are able to tether or have scenic Southern Oregon Kite Festival in Brook- national Kite Festival (WSIKF) is in Long rides, the winds are calm and kites are down. ing, OR, was another well-attended event. Beach, WA. At WSIKF 2019, John Barresi When the winds are up, the kites take over This event is all about the spectators and the will be organizing an attempt to set a new and the balloons are grounded. This makes community. The grassy field is small and world record of 100+ quad-line kites flying for a happy festival and organizer. Recently there is only one flyer, team, or kitemaker maneuvers at the same time. In 2013, I flew we flew in McArthur, CA, and then again allowed to perform or display kites at a time. in the 81-kite mega fly. I can tell you that at the Grants Pass Balloon & Kite Festival. This makes for a very different type of festi- you need to be able to hold your hover for Both were well-received by spectators and val. Many spectators come to this event from a long time. If you plan to be there for this the kiteflyers who were asked to attend put all over, year after year to watch the kite event, get your lodging reservations made on a great show. Many more people are show, and it features some amazing kiteflyers and practice, practice, practice. There will learning and discovering all about kites by and master kitemakers. also be quite a few quad stacks flying. On flying at balloon festivals. Monday August 19 (and throughout the Below are some of the remaining kite fes- week), Dylan Nguyen has planned for quad Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival was tivals in Region 9 and 10 for 2019. For more again a huge success. This year the condi- tions were great, with steady wind both days, warm temperatures, and mostly sunny skies. This was my first time flying my 8-stack of quad-line black Phantoms with white ghost kites and I had so much fun. I can’t wait to return and attend their fall festival in October. Several of us had a last minute request and opportunity to fly at Parkland Heritage Park near Brooks, OR, over the 4th of July weekend. The 62-acre park featured a vintage trailer rally and Civil War re-enactment battles all four days. The park itself has 14 museums and they were very excited to add kiteflying to their event. We were surprised when the organizers told us some of the spectators came because they saw the kites and wanted to see more. You just never know when or where you might be flying and spark someone’s interest in kiteflying. 40 KITING

Caption only. Please don’t forget to mark your ballot Washington clubs, showed up with a wide and send it back in the mail. The deadline to selection of kites and ground displays. stacks to color the skies; I think he has 30 receive them is October 1, 2019. Thank you. Particularly appreciated were the flyers people coming to fly stacks. I know I have from the Whidbey Island Kite Flyers, who mine ready to fly. I have been enjoying flying This has been a busy made the considerable drive from the island my black and white 8-stack as much as I can. spring and summer to perform multi-line demos at the event. season in the Region For their part, the Suncadia organization On October 5-6 there is the Lincoln City 10 area. It has been provided music, food trucks, parking control, Fall Festival. The theme continues as “Zoom.” characterized by an and activities for younger children. We had Lincoln City, OR, is a great place to visit, fly interesting mix of a respectable visitor turn out during the day, kites, and get to know people. Then on Mon- new or newly expanded events and ‘old but unfortunately, the on-field program was day, October 7, drive up the coast to Seaside, favorite’ festivals. One thing that most of cut short by heavy rains in the afternoon. OR, for the 2019 AKA National Convention these shared was good weather and steady, and Grand Nationals, October 7-12. Regis- adequate winds—an unusual occurrence This event was something of a milestone, tration is open so login at www.kite.org and for a multiple-month period in the Pacific as it proved that our kite clubs could deliver register. I hope to see you there. The beach is Northwest. Here are some of the highlights a fully featured festival-class event outside huge, so there is plenty of room to fly. of the season: of our traditional ocean front sites. In spite Kites Over Kingston was held on March of the challenge of planning for flying in Rogue Valley Windchasers Fun Flys 30 in Kingston, WA. Kingston is a small unpredictable mountain winds, our kite (weather permitting) are in Crescent City, community across the Puget Sound and a bit flying community and Suncadia organization CA, the first full weekend of each month north of Seattle. Kites Over Kingston has are committed to growing Soaring Over (http://windchasers.org/ ). become a very popular event in the commu- Suncadia so that it becomes a major activity The AKA voting ballots have been mailed nity and most families bring their own kites on our Northwest festival schedule. out to current AKA members. AKA Region to fly. The organizers provide music, DJs, 9 will be voting for the President position and food trucks at the event. For several Suncadia’s “Hero of the Day” was years, Washington Kiteflier Association announcer Bob Wendt, for taming and orga- (WKA) member Rick White and his alter- nizing a crowd of 80-plus over-excited kids nating band of helpers have been assisting (and parents) wanting to run on to the field the Kite Over Kingston organizers with and catch a teddy bear all at the same time! kiteflyers, kids kitemaking workshops, and games. This year was a record year for Rick’s On June 7-9, there was the Grays Harbor team with over 250 kits assembled over County “Festival of Colors” at Oceans the day. Shores, WA. The festival is one of our On May 25, Soaring Over Suncadia was traditional oceanfront festivals well-loved by held at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, WA, a flyers throughout the Northwest and British resort community located on the plains east Columbia. This year did not disappoint. of the Cascade mountains. This was the first Blue skies and good winds saw hundreds of year for the event, which was located on a kites of all kinds flying for well more than retired dairy farm located in a high mountain a mile down the beach. The Northwest valley with three very large fields and ample Sport Kite League (NWSKL) conducted a space around the nearby barns and stables for complete round of competition and scoring booth activities and a play area. for the local teams and flyers. The after-event Our flyers, from multiple western dinner and raffle/auction was well-attended and just plain fun. Salutes go out to Rick Beveridge, Monty Davenport, and Brent Williams for their success as first time organizers of the festival. And thanks go to Andy and Brenda Sias for their mentoring of the new team and for designing the festival’s graphics. On June 22, Kite Day was held in Blaine, WA. This was a first time try-it-and-see type gathering at Blaine’s very pretty Marina Park about a mile from the Canadian border. FALL 2019 41

The Berkeley Kite Festival attracts thousands of spectators every year. Kiteflying season is in full swing now that the The event was basically an enhanced impressive. Grayland is another of the sites weather has warmed fun-fly, with separate flying areas reserved on the NWSKL sport kite circuit and the up. The annual Moun- for club flyers and the public and offering League conducted a full round of com- tain House Festival a kids’ kitemaking booth. The event had petition over the weekend. The festival is was held on June 7, good winds through the day. There was notable in that it is put together by a small with Mike North and an impressive turnout of flyers from the crew of Westport Windriders members, Tom McAlister trying to get a few big kites northern part of the state and from British headed by Barry Crites. Year after year, the up for the spectators and keep them flying. Columbia. These pros brought out an event has good vibes, good flying conditions, I finally had to bring out my old low wind amazing collection of art and big kites that and well-organized activities that make it an Phantom dual-line so there would be some resulted in an “Oh Wow” reaction from the event well worth attending. activity on our field. We’ve all been there… spectators. Participation by local families and trying to put on a show, but Mother Nature kids was good, considering the first-time In addition to attending a full schedule just won’t cooperate. nature of the event. Our kite clubs will be of fun flys and festivals during the season, working with the Blaine community orga- kiteflyers from around the Region organized A much better result was at the Coyote nizers to determine the future and scope of or participated in numerous community Point Festival on June 29. I joined the crew this event for next year. outreach activities at schools, churches, and of Tom McAlister with his daughter Sara, community/social organizations. These Mike North, and Kerry Sagar; together On June 29-30, there was the Skamolkawa activities ranged from conducting kiting we were able to put on a pretty good show Valley Fun Fly in Cathlamet, WA. classes to hosting Kites for Kids workshops. with a trilobite, octopus, and multiple whale Skamolkawa had its origins as a fun fly orga- In fact, as a group, we’ve lost track of the kites on display. This year, it was decided nized three years ago by the region’s big kite- total number of kids’ kits we’ve made and to put up an extensive ground display to flyers. The flying site is located on the north distributed, but the estimate is somewhere in supplement the kites and we received many shore of the Columbia River. This year the the thousands. One thing our entire regional compliments from the spectators. weather and wind cooperated, and a good population agrees on (a rarity, by the way), is mix of big kite and sport kite flyers partici- that these outreach activities are an opportu- Bay Area Sport Kite League held a com- pated. This event is attracting attention from nity to offer that important first exposure to petition at DiMaggio Field in Martinez on people in the surrounding communities as the joys of kiting to kids and families. June 15, as well as a rescheduled competition “the place to go” in late June. at Balletto Winery in Santa Rosa on July 6. See you out there—preferably with a kite We look forward to their annual competition On July 12-14, the Westport Windriders in your hands . . . at the Berkeley Kite Festival at the end of July. Grayland Kite Festival was held in Grayland, WA. This festival is another of the region’s Speaking of Berkeley, we are gearing up established, ocean beach festivals. Weather for this year’s big event. Every year we cele- and winds were good when needed and brate kiteflying with tens of thousands of the the turnout by flyers and the public was community on July 27-28. This event comes just after the deadline for this article, so I’ll 42 KITING report about it in the next issue On August 10, the Presidio Kite Festival will be held in San Francisco, on the pristine grass parade grounds. There are beautiful Bay vistas (if the fog holds off) and some- times erratic winds. September will find several of us attending the Balloon Fest in Bloomington, IN, where

they have a kite component. Last year, this out many of his whimsical favorites; Don I’m pleased to see how event was cancelled at the last moment due Fox skillfully flew the tail chase with a his active the worldwide to serious weather in the area, so we are Rev; Rick Spurgeon and the rest of his sweet kite community is, by hoping for the best this year. gravitational tactical team executed three following the stories in precise candy drops; and kite ballets were the news and on social Lastly, if you have not decided yet, please running all day long courtesy of Vernon media, and particularly consider attending the AKA Annual Con- White, Craig Adams, the dynamic duo of by being able to visit and see many of you vention in Seaside, OR, this year. I highly Roger Carlson and Cecil Cole, and others. overseas and abroad. recommend it for first timers. The event SDKC President, Dave and First Lady, Iris runs from October 7-12, and if the weather Corning, along with Russ and Laura kept As you read this, the fall kiteflying season cooperates (Hope! Hope!), it is a beautiful everything as fun and anti-establishment in the Northern Hemisphere will be in our place to fly and hang with fellow kiteflyers as possible. And let’s not forget the efforts midst and a number of major summer events from all over the country and world. There of Jim and Melanie Nickel, John and Lyric will have successfully been completed and are lots of seminars, competitions, open McCarthy, and the rest of OB Kiwanis for stored in our collective history books. In the beach flying, indoor flying, silent and loud making this event possible, year after year. Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand was auctions, bag raffle, banquets, and just old A special shout out to Ed, longtime OBK much involved in a Matariki Kite Day at fashioned camaraderie. Check out the AKA volunteer who took the expression “break a the end of June. This was featured in three website www.kite.org for details. leg,” way too seriously. separate simultaneous locations throughout Auckland. We’re very excited to As I type this, all I can think about is fly- have our Convention ing. I want to fly at festivals. I want to par- In Colombia, the national day in August back on the left coast ticipate behind the scenes at competitions. I was celebrated with kites, which also happens this year! Registration want to sit, relax, and be amazed watching to be the tradition in the country of Chile. can be done online by kite ballet. I want to connect with another logging in at www.kite. children’s groups and help them make their In Canada, the tail end of the kite season org, or calling the AKA office at 609-755- first kites and see their smiles when the saw the annual WindFest kite event in 5483. It’s our 42nd and we are grateful to all winds bring their efforts aloft. I want to drop Toronto held in September and the Kites the people who volunteer to put it together. into a library, museum, or open space and over Callingwood held in Edmonton over If you’re planning on attending and would see a static kite exhibit. I want to get back Labour Day weekend. Canadians now look like to assist in any way, the convention to my old routine and fly indoors on Sunday forward to conducting kite workshops and committee is always looking for volunteers mornings. I want a casual day to fly on grass. planning winter kite events. for all aspects of our event. Call the front I want to meet up early with whoever can office or email [email protected]. We’d join me for breakfast before flight. Then, Upcoming events in Region 13 also love to hear from you. of course, meet up for dinner later to discuss include the International Kite Festival in the wonders of the day. I want! I want! Malta, Festival International de Fréjus in If you didn’t go to the Kiwanis 71st Ocean I want! France, the Cape Mental Health Interna- Beach Kite Festival, you were missed and tional Kite Festival in South Africa, the also missed a great day. With several of our Okay, now that I got that out of my sys- Fuertaventura Festival Internacional de regulars unable to attend, members of the tem (temporarily), I have a question for you. Cometas in Canary Islands, Spain, and the San Diego Kite Club (SDKC) stepped up What do you want? Make your list, check it annual festival in Cambodia. (in their usual fashion) and made the day as twice, and send it to me, call me, or better special as I knew it would be. Joe Hadzicki yet, share it in person. Being part of this Remember to keep the news coming to from Revolution Kites shared quad-line Association means you have an infrastructure me. Also connect via the new Region 13 techniques with the public; Charles Gillespie at your disposal willing to make your flying Facebook group. flew his artful pieces; John Rogers brought experience as pleasant as possible. Besides the peace and Zen, which is yours and yours FALL 2019 43 alone, there are many ways the AKA can assist in filling your kite calendar. Please don’t forget to let us know how we may be of service.

MerchantMembers Merchants in BOLD sell Kiting! ARIZONA DELAWARE MAINE NORTH CAROLINA AZ Moonlight Enterprises Rehoboth Toy and Kite Company Cricket’s Corner Flying Smiles Kites PO Box 36781 1 Virginia Avenue 41 Shore Road Corolla Light Town Center Tucson, AZ 85740 Rehoboth, DE 19971 Ogunquit, ME 03907 Corolla, NC 27927 520/745-6168 302/226-KITE 207/646-2261 252/453-8442 www.colorofwindkites.com www.rehobothkite.com www.cricketscornertoys.com www.flyingsmileskites.com ARKANSAS Rehoboth Toy and Kite Company MARYLAND Kites Unlimited - Atlantic Bch 70 Rehoboth Avenue Atlantic Station Shopping Ctr. KaleidoKites Rehoboth, DE 19971 The Kite Loft PO Box 2278 1-C Spring Street 302/227-6996 511 Boardwalk Atlantic Beach, NC 28512 Eureka Springs, AR 72632 Ocean City, MD 21842 252/247-7011 888/836-6251 FLORIDA 410/289-7855 www.kitesandbirds.com [email protected] www.kiteloft.com Flyer Kites Kitty Hawk Kites CALIFORNIA 3436 E. Atlantic Blvd. MASSACHUSETTS 412 Front Street Pompano Beach, FL 33062 Beaufort, NC 28516 Candy & Kites 954/248-9139 Blue Hill Observatory 252/728-6670 1415 Coast Highway www.flyerkites.com Top of Great Blue HIll www.kittyhawk.com PO Box 8 Bodega Bay, CA 94923 Kite Stop Observatory Road Kitty Hawk Kites 707/875-3777 321/613-8697 Milton, MA 02186 Timbuck II www.candyandkites.com www.kitestop.com 617/696-0562 785L Sunset Blvd. www.bluehill.org Corolla, NC 27927 Highline Kites Of Berkeley Kite World 252/453-8845 6809 Del Monte Avenue 424 N. Harbor City Blvd. Sea Side Kites www.kittyhawk.com Richmond View, CA 94805 Melbourne, FL 32935 1 Pleasant Street 510/235-5483 321/725-8336 Cohasset, MA 02025 Kitty Hawk Kites www.HighLineKites.com 781/925-3277 Monterey Plaza Kitty Hawk Kites www.SeaSideKites.com 819 Ocean Trail Kite Flite Of San Diego Harbour Walk Village Corolla, NC 27927 Seaport Village 34 Harbour Blvd. MICHIGAN 252/453-3685 San Diego, CA 92101 Destin, FL 32541 www.kittyhawk.com 619/234-KITE 850/837-2800 Kites & Fun Things www.kiteflitesd.com www.kittyhawk.com 40522 E. Ann Arbor Trail Kitty Hawk Kites Plymouth, MI 48170 1216 Duck Road San Francisco Kite Company Kitty Hawk Kites 734/454-3760 Duck, NC 27949 Pier 41, Fisherman’s Wharf 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy. www.skyburner.com 252/261-4450 San Francisco, CA 94133 Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 www.kittyhawk.com 415/291-8770 850/796-0102 MISSISSIPPI www.sfkites.com www.kittyhawk.com Kitty Hawk Kites Kewl Kites MP 12.5 Second Wind Windworks Inc. 206 Jeff Davis Avenue 3925 S. Croatan Highway 1805 N. Highway 1 13009 Village Blvd. Long Beach, MS 39506 Nags Head, NC 27959 Bodega Bay, CA 94923 Madeira Beach, FL 33708 228/206-0322 252/449-2210 707/875-WIND 727/320-9463 www.kewlkites.com www.kittyhawk.com www.secondwindfun.com www.floridawindworks.com MISSOURI Kitty Hawk Kites The Sky’s the Limit Zephyr Kites Waves Village // MP40 761 Doliver Street www.zephyrkites.com Flying High With Charon 24502 Hwy. 12  Pismo Beach, CA 93449 5633 Carlton Drive Rodanthe, NC 27968 805/773-8697 GEORGIA St. Louis, MO 63049 252/987-2297 636/677-3029 www.kittyhawk.com Up Up And Away Kites Piedmont Kites [email protected] 139½ Main Street 1451 Piedmont Avenue, Suite B Kitty Hawk Kites Seal Beach, CA 90740 Atlanta, GA 30309 MONTANA Island Shops 562/596-7661 404/815-4271 39432 North Carolina 12 www.upupandawaykites.com www.piedmontkites.com Livingston Kite Company Avon, NC 27915 113 W. Callender Street 252/995-6060 COLORADO HAWAII Livingston, MT 59047 www.kittyhawk.com 406/222-5483 Into The Wind Big Wind Kite Factory facebook.com/livingstonkitecompany Kitty Hawk Kites 1408 Pearl Street 10 Maunaloa Highway 5848 Hatteras Landing Boulder, CO 80302 Maunaloa, Molokai, HI 96770 NEBRASKA Hatteras, NC 27943 800/541-0314 808/552-2364 252/986-1446 www.intothewind.com www.bigwindkites.com Breeze Catchers www.kittyhawk.com 5428 S. 185th Street Rocky Mountain Flag & Kite Company ILLINOIS Omaha, NE 68135 Kitty Hawk Kites 12503 E. Euclid Drive 402/895-2331 Community Square Centennial, CO 80111 Chicago Kite/Kite Harbor www.breezecatchers.com Ocracoke, NC 27960 303/745-9035 773/467-1428 252/928-4563 www.rockymountainflag.com www.chicagokite.com Show Stopper Kites www.kittyhawk.com 600 Pine Avenue CONNECTICUT KANSAS Gibbon, NE 68840 NORTH DAKOTA 308/240-9266 Colors in the Wind Kansas Kite Connection [email protected] Prairie Wind Kite Company 564 Main Street 1806 16th Street 207 Cimarron Drive Branford, CT 06405 Great Bend, KS 67530-4110 NEW JERSEY Roseglen, ND 58775 203/481-5483 316/793-6164 701/743-4500 www.colorsinthewind.com Air Circus Kite Shop Wings Of The Wind Kites 1114-1116 Boardwalk Sky Dog Kites 550 N. Rock Road Ocean City, NJ 08226 220 Westchester Road Wichita, KS 67206 609/399-9343 Colchester, CT 06415 316/684-8383 860/365-0600 [email protected] Cobra Kites www.skydogkites.com 2608 Route 37 East Toms River, NJ 08753 www.cobrakites.com Kitty Hawk Kites 701 Broadway Barnegat Light, NJ 08006 www.kittyhawk.com 44 KITING

AKA members receive a 10% discount from these member merchants OHIO TEXAS Big Kid Kites Kitepower Australia 3 14236 142nd Avenue NE 302 Grand Parade What’s Up About Kites Renton, WA 98059 Sans Souci 4500 Chagrin River Road 713/305-6777 206/713-2366 Sydney, NSW 2219 Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 [email protected] www.bigkidkites.com (+61) 2 9529 6894 440/247-4222 [email protected] B & S Kites Brooxes.com KiteSmart Australia 2812 Padre Blvd., Ste. B 312 N. 83rd Street 21 Roxby Street OKLAHOMA S. Padre Island, TX 78597 Seattle, WA 98103 Manifold Heights, VIC 3218 956/761-1248 www.brooxes.com (+61) 3 5221 6908 Kites In The Sky www.bskites.com www.kitesmart.com.au www.kitekits.com Great Winds Kite Company promo code = AKA2013 Big Mike’s Kites 312 N. 83rd Street OREGON 8851 CR 946 Seattle, WA 98103 OzFeathers Celina, TX 75009 www.greatwinds.com PO Box 758 Gomberg Kite 214/406-7852 Willunga, SA 5172 Productions Int’l. www.bigmikeskites.com Hi-Flyers (+61) 8 8556 2681 PO Box 113 55 Main Street www.ozfeathers.com.au Neotsu, OR 97364 Family Fun Kites Pacific Beach, WA 98571 541/996-3083 14100 South Hwy. 281 360/276-8377 BRAZIL www.gombergkites.com Santo, TX 76472 [email protected] 817/360-2720 Kite Site In The Breeze www.familyfunkites.com Ocean Shores Kites Rua Trajano Viera de Macedo, 143 PO Box 6417 172 W. Chance A La Mer Sao Jose Dos Campos Bend, OR 97708 Fly It Port A Ocean Shores, WA 98569 CEP 12240, Brazil 800/847-1417 405 W. Avenue G 360/289-4103 (+55) 12 8146 2408 www.inthebreeze.com Port Aransas, TX 78373 [email protected] [email protected] 361/749-4190 Northwest Winds - Lincoln City facebook.com/pages/Fly-It-Port-A-Kite The Kite Shoppe CANADA 130 SE Highway 101 PO Box 820334 Lincoln City, OR 97368 G & Z International Vancouver, WA 98682 Boreal Kites/Gothic Design 541/994-1004 11424 Chairman Drive 360/904-1424 45960 Sparta Line, R.R. #4 www.NWWinds.biz Dallas, TX 75243 www.thekiteshoppe.com Saint Thomas, ON N5P 3S8 214/342-1900 519/775-2527 Northwest Winds - Seaside www.gzintlinc.com Pizazz Kiteworks www.gothicdesign.ca 19 Broadway PO Box 266 Seaside, OR 97138 New Tech Kites Coupeville, WA 98239 Great Canadian Kite Company 541/994-1004 7208 McNeil Drive, #207 360/678-6266 4517 Harvest Green www.NWWinds.biz Austin, TX 78729 www.pizazzkites.com Taber, AB T1G 1A1 512/250-0485 877/382-3956 Phantom Star Kites www.newtechkites.com Wind World Kites www.canadiankitecompany.com PO Box 988 115 Pacific Avenue S Lincoln City, OR 97367 UTAH Long Beach, WA 98681 Le Gite Du Cerf Volant 541/994-7556 360/642-KITE 935 Rte De La Seigneurie www.phantomstarkites.com A Wind Of Change [email protected] Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies 2825 Rose Park Lane PQ G0R 4E0 PENNSYLVANIA Salt Lake City, UT 84116 WISCONSIN 418/354-2182 www.awindofchange.com www.legiteducerfvolant.ca Burlesque Kites Aerial Stunt Kites® 189 Analomink Street VIRGINIA 121 Wrigley Drive The Kite Guys East Stroudsburg, PA 19301 Lake Geneva, WI 53147 PO Box 606 570/421-6562 It’s A Breeze Specialties 262/203-5534 4901 50th Avenue www.kitesonconsignment.com 8221 Little Florida Road www.askites.com Bentley, AB T0C 0J0 Mechanicsville, VA 23111 403/658-5483 Quinco Kites 804/779-0183 Gift of Wings www.kiteguys.ca 6548 Vixen Court www.itsabreez.com 1500 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive New Tripoli, PA 18066 Milwaukee, WI 53202 JAPAN 610/707-2957 Jackite 414/273-5483 www.quincokites.com 3612 West Neck Road www.giftofwings.com AGAIN Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Joyfull Tsurumai 1F RHODE ISLAND 877/522-5483 Gift of Wings 3-14-16 Chiyoda Naka Ku www.jackite.com 9955 W. Saint Martins Road Nagoya, Achi 460-0012 Narragansett Flags and Kites Franklin, WI 53132 (+81) 52-339-3830 909 Boston Neck Road Kitty Hawk Kites 414/425-8002 www.agagas.co.jp/again Narragansett, RI 02882 320 Laskin Road www.giftofwings.com 401/782-0318 Virginia Beach, VA 23451 NETHERLANDS www.riflags.com 757/351-3959 Unique Flying Objects www.kittyhawk.com 2022 Washington Street Bults.Biz_KAP.com SOUTH CAROLINA Two Rivers, WI 54241 Broek 2a Life’s A Breeze Kites 866/UFO-4FUN Holthees 5824AC Kites Fly’n Hi 804/405-4515 www.uniqueflyingobjects.com (+31) 478-636707 The Rainbow Market [email protected] www.KAPshop.com 40 N. Market Street WYOMING Charleston, SC 29401 WASHINGTON SCOTLAND 843/577-3529 Have Kite Will Fly Above It All Kites 2141 Essex Gentles Limited TENNESSEE 312 Pacific Avenue Casper, WY 82604 11 Corbiehill Avenue Long Beach, WA 98631 307/472-0753 Edinburgh, EH4 5DT Flags and Kites 360/642-3541 (+44) 131-3365472 3846 Shores Road www.aboveitallkites.com AUSTRALIA [email protected] Murfreesboro, TN 37128 615/896-7201 Airsports Unlimited Kitepower Queensland UNITED KINGDOM www.flagsandkites.com 211 Ranchette 2/10 -22 Hornibrook Esplanade, Selah, WA 98942 Clontarf Kiteworld UK River City Kites 509/571-3113 Queensland Australia 4019 6 Cottage Grove Chattanooga, TN www.airsportsunlimited.com (+61) 7 3284 1186 Clacton-on-Sea 423/902-1959 www.kitepower.com.au Essex CO16 8DQ www.rivercitykites.com www.kiteworld.co.uk FALL 2019 45

Voices from the Vault MoskowitSzu&e SteveSantos By Patti Gibbons Somewhere in the late 70s or early 80s, Sue Moskowitz and “we opened the High Flyers Flight Company in Newport” and Steve Santos were directed by their doctor to find a hobby to from the outset, “we knew we wanted it to be a pro shop” that counterbalance the demands of their stressful careers. Sue had stocked quality gear. With a great location, in a wind-lover’s town, climbed the corporate ladder as a buyer for a large retailer and business thrived, and the shop became a hub of kite activities. Steve spent his weekdays in a chemistry laboratory as a food “We didn’t really have a club. We didn’t need a club.” At the sales research scientist. Under the gun, the young couple said “I do” to counter, Sue and Steve met “dozens of dedicated kiteflyers” and each other and committed to kiting as a way to escape the grind “we basically helped all the newcomers out, teaching them to fly.”  of “pretty intense jobs.” For fun, and investing in their wellbeing, Steve and Sue started flying single-line kites at their favorite From the beginning of their retail journey, they were very oceanfront spot, Brenton Point State Park, in Newport, Rhode active in the Newport Kite Festival; a year after founder Tom Island and found that kites let them “live in a different world on Casselman stopped running it, they stepped up and took over the weekends,” just as the doctor ordered. the reins from a small local club that had trouble handling the logistics. In those days, the Newport Kite Festival was part of Kite life started out recreationally and around 1982, “we saw the Black Ships Festival, but after a few years, things got too somebody flying a Peter Powell stunt kite.” After striking up a big. Crowds, parking issues, busing needs, police coverage, and conversation with the flyer, Steve went to the local kite shop and cost were all factors and “we decided to back off and separate bought his own: “that was it, he was hooked.” Sue resisted for ourselves.”  a few weeks until Steve convinced her to “give it a try.” Sue was hesitant, but after one flight, “I wouldn’t give it back to him.” In 2006, Sue and Steve took stock and realized Sue’s hours That started “us team flying as a pair because from that point were getting long at the shop and cut into their time together. forward we have never flown as individuals. We always flew With an excellent 13-year run, Sue retired and soon found that together.”  “you have more time to fly when you aren’t running a kite shop.” Since closing, they have had more time to travel and kite trips Flying side by side, and occasionally with friends, kites were take priority. As a passport to fun, “kiting has been great to us; for fun and nothing too organized. “Then one day,” Steve and it has sent us all over the world.” Looking back over nearly 40 Sue said, “went out to our park to fly kites, and lo and behold, years, “We have been very fortunate. Kiting is the best thing the park was full of kiteflyers.” It was the AKA’s 1986 Newport we have in our lives, besides each other,” and it is “doctor convention. Displaced, they were initially miffed that “we had no recommended.”  place to fly, but quickly realized that this was something special.” Instantly welcomed into the AKA, the couple was “so enthused Voices from the Vault articles are based on interviews recorded to learn there were other people out there.” Things escalated for the World Kite Museum’s Oral History Project. Please soon after that chance encounter, and Steve and Sue dove into contact Patti Gibbons at [email protected] to share organized kiting and hit the competition circuit with their your story. newly-formed High Flyers Flight Team. While at a sport kite festival in Miami, Sue told Steve she was tired of her job. Steve saw the future and asked, “‘Why don’t you open up a kite store back in Rhode Island?’” In 1993, 46 KITING

Join the effort to preserve worldwide kite history! BECOME A MEMBER Membership Benefits FREE Admission to the Museum • Previews of New Exhibits 10% Discount in Museum Store “Members Only” Special Events MEMBERSHIP SPONSORSHIP Bronze..................... $ 35 Box Kite................... $250 Silver........................ $ 50 Diamond................. $500 Gold......................... $100 Rokkaku.................. $1,000+ More Information about Membership at: WORLDKITEMUSEUM.COM Post Office Box 964 Long Beach, WA 98631 (360) 642-4020 WORLD KITE MUSEUM & HALL of FAME HOME OF THE WASHINGTON STATE INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL Hardwood Spools & Winders www.shantikites.com 530-470-8884 Kiteflyers making quality kite products since 1974. FALL 2019 47

Kite and photo by Alain Micquiaux. 48 KITING