I SAW THE NEW ZEPHYR KITE on Monday the 11th of June at Prism. I hefted the kite with my hand. It weighed nothing. And with a 92.5 inch wingspan, we’re talking a large kite. The P-100 Sky Shark spars keep the weight down, and the polyester sail will stay lighter - not absorbing moisture as nylon will. As I spoke to Mark Reed, I was struck again with, here was a brilliant kite designer who was also a fanatic for detail and quality. He reached for a pair of tiny sewing scissors and snipped off a thread no longer than one of the whiskers on my 5 o’clock shadow face. Mark leaves no detail unfinished, both in kite design and quality. He has incorporated Prismatex mylar near the leading edge to gain a longer stall and give more control in freestyle tricks. The wind across this slick fabric moves with less resistance than across the polyester. The wing tips will have rubber vinyl covers and all the freestyle tricks will be possible without the added gimmicks of kites like the French Connection’s “roll bars”.

The Zephyr looks like a kite - unlike the French Connection, the Acrobatx, and many other kites today. There are none of the do dads hanging off of it. (See my article on the French Connection kite compared to the French Citroen automobile). Instead, the lines of the Zephyr are clean and beautiful, each with a purpose. The color choices are wonderful. And the design motif is very pleasing. Each line has a purpose. Prism has had the advantage of placing it’s kites in the Boeing wind tunnel. Mark said the results confirmed some of what was already known or suspected about kites in flight, while also showing some new data.

Much discussion has been seen on the web about the Zephyr and its new unique bag. It is in fact not a bag! It is a clamshell. And besides the Zephyr, it will hold another kite inside and a third kite laced on the outside. It is like a violin case, or even a gun case. Yes it may draw attention of TSA, until they see what is inside. There is room for three linesets and an I-Pod. The Zephyr itself comes with two linesets.

How many times have you gone to the beach or flying field with a roll up bag full of kites. You fly one or two, change out linesets, and have to keep an eye on that bag all day. We had a dog lift his leg and pee on our open kite bag! I have seen kids running and step on a kite bag, or kick up a load of sand into the bag. We, here at Elmer’s Flag & Banner, Kites Too! have always wanted to design and build a “kite quiver”. Something you could put on your back and have it with you as we move down the beach. You’d pay $75 for such a kite case, if you could find one. So the $239.95 for the Zephyr and it’s case is a bargain. The kite alone is worth the money! No, I have not flown it. Will it fly well? Is it a Prism?

But don’t get your hopes up. The Zephyr will be in short supply and high demand. Only about 60 or so were made in the first run. They will arrive at Prism sometime in late June, or early July and will be parceled out only a few to each dealer. Place your advance order soon. Few if any will reach the showroom floor. More will follow, but I predict, not until the early Fall. Visit www.elmersflag.com to make a purchase. We will let you know where you are in line for your color choice. Also, we are offering the Zephyr in combination with the Hypnotist Kite at a great price. Thre colors of Hypnotist available for this promo. The Hypnotist Glacier, Fire and Ice. You can save $40.00 on the package deal. We will ship the Hypnotist inside the Zephyr case.

NEWS FLASH FROM PRISM: JULY 3RD, 2007. MARK SAYS THAT “THE KITES WERE DELAYED DUE TO THE MOLDED HARD-SHELL CASE.” “THAT TECHNOLOGY TOOK LONGER TO GET THE REQUIRED CONSISTENCY.” AND, “KITE PRODUCTION HAS PROCEEDED VERY SLOWLY TO ENSURE THAT EVERY KITE MEETS OUR RIGOROUS STANDARDS.” “THIS MEANS WE’LL BE RECEIVING RELATIVELY SMALL BATCHES OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND CHECKING THEM THOROUGHLY BEFORE SENDING THEM ON THEIR WAY.” THE FIRST KITES, HE SAYS, “HAVE FINALLY MADE IT THROUGH CUSTOMS. WE EXPECT MORE BATCHES TO FOLLOW WEEKLY.” “WE’LL BE SHIPPING ORDERS IN THE ORDER RECEIVED.” MARK ENDS BY SAYING “THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND WE HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT OUR GOAL IS FIRST AND FOREMOST TO OFFER THE BEST DESIGNED AND BEST BUILT KITES OUT THERE, EVEN IF IT TAKES US LITTLE LONGER TO PULL IT OFF.” You got to love these folks. They realy do make the best kites out there for the money. Maybe for any amount of money. Check with us and we’ll put you on our waiting list.

UPDATE AUGUST 24, 2007. Zephyrs are back in stock. After filling the preorders, we now have some available again for sale out of our third shipment. Take advantage of our special package deal and save $40 on a Zephyr and a Hypnotist. We will review the kite flight habits within a few weeks. But initial reports from customers who have flown one are very good!

Keep Flying,

Kite Guy