Kites Too!

New Kites for 2009

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:10:19 +0000

Lots of new kites were introduced for 2009. They were previewed at the KTAI Convention at San Dustin, FL. Lets look at a few single line kites, first.

NEW TECH KITES only brought new products. Of those, three were new single line kites by Xilhu “Tiger” Lee, including a green and yellow Pterodactyl, and a 3D Eagle, and Toucan. All are 92” wingspan. These winged wonders are beautiful and well made. Another flying machine is the new 3D Tactical Fighter, which is a very well detailed and authentic looking military design.

Among the Cellular Kites, is a 48” Shooting Star and 36” Snowflake, both multi faceted on the order of Kathy Goodwind’s Starflake. In the designer series by Robert Brasington is the Angel kite, at 45 inches wide by 102 “ long. It is a dodging kite with multiple flowing tails.

HQ KITES has introduced the Paint by number kites, new for 2009. They are creative and novel. They add extra fun and sense of pride and accomplishment. These 18 X 28 inch Traditional Diamonds come complete with paint, brushes, instructions, kite and kite line. (more…)

Kite Trade New Product Review

kiteguy — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:26:05 +0000

Highlights of the 2008 KTAI Trade Show and new products

The 2008 Kite Trade Assoc. Intl. Convention and Trade Show was held in Portland, OR Jan 7 to 11. Over a hundred of the movers and shakers of the kite world attended. Kite store Dealers from all over the country and Vendor/Exhibitors and Kite Designers came together for the annual meeting to exchange ideas, see new products and celebrate and award their most influential and noted contributing members. The Revolution kite flying team I-Quad received the award for the best Kite Promotion. Emphasis here is on promoting the sport. Past years the award was for best marketing effort, catalog, etc. George Emmons, of Into the Wind, got the Checkley Lifetime achievement award. All the nominees were deserving.

The Trade Show was set in the Ballroom of the Red Lion Jantzen Beach Hotel on the banks of the mighty Columbia River separating OR and WA State. The huge wall of windows overlooking the river gave a spectacular look to the kite displays, even if sunlight was in short supply. Some new products (but not all) that caught our eye were Premier Kites new Spider line of stunt kites by Jon Trennepohl & Wayne Brunjes. Notably the Wolf and the Widow are huge steps forward for Premier. Jon’s previous kites flew well, but became design dated. The new Spider series has a velcro T at the spine base, allowing the addition of a spine weight. (more…)

The Kite Runner

kiteguy — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:27:17 +0000

The Movie The Kite Runner, based on Khaled Hosseini’s 2003 novel is both horrific and haunting. With the book, you want to stop reading, but you can’t put it down. The movie is just as powerful. It is about betrayal and hopes for redemption. It is about cultures in collision. It is about the terrible Taliban, and their cruelty. It is about war, occupation, and the devastation it brought on Afghanistan in the 1970’s. It is also about fighter kite flying. (more…)

Zephyr Review

Air Skipper — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:16:40 +0000

Zephyr [zef-er]

a gentle, mild breeze
(initial capital letter ) Literary. the west wind.
any of various things of fine, light quality, as fabric, yarn, etc.
The Greek and Roman god of the west wind, considered the most pleasant of the winds.

After playing in a steady 5-8 mph Twilight Breeze (coming form the West no doubt) you’ll agree that these 4 definitions describe the Zephyr aptly.

The Zephyr flies like a dream. It feels smooth and steady, even in variable wind. It will try and go in any direction it’s guided. If the kite’s angle changes a little bit, it will gracefully flip over and still float, or crash trying.

After filling up the sail with wind (and designating one of many wind directions), a few “tugs” is all it takes to make this baby climb. Done incorrectly, the kite feels surprisingly heavy; if you fight the kite, it will barely get off the ground in lighter winds. Change the kite’s angle a little and lessen your movements, and the kite’s weight all but disappears [even in the lightest wind.] (more…)

World Kite Record Set

kiteguy — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 23:43:13 +0000

At the annual Convention of the American Kite Flyers Association in Ocean Shores, Washington, 20 giant octopus kites flew all at one time, setting a new World Record. The revious record was 19 such kites aloft. Each kite weighs about 35 pounds and cost $4500.00.

The convention ran from Oct. 1- Oct. 7th. It featured competitions in dual and quad line sport kites, fighter kites, kite making, mass ascensions, workshops and seminars for participants. About 350 people attended all or part from almost every State and many foreign countries. Delegates came from Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain, Canada, Guatemala, and more. Total members in the AKA are about 3600. Ask us about membership and the benefits, like discounts on kites at particpating kite stores. (more…)

Kite Flying Locations Near Portland, OR

kiteguy — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:17:28 +0000

OUR FAVORITE FLYING LOCATIONS in the Portland, OR area are Delta Park West and the Columbia River beach on Marine Drive adjacent to 42nd Street boat ramp.

DELTA PARK WEST IS NEXT TO THE PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY. It should not be confused with Delta Park East where the baseball and soccer fields are. Delta Park West is a large grassy field next to the yellow Light Rail Train’s park and ride lot and the entrance to PIR. If driving, take I-5 to the PIR exit, and follow the signs to the entrance to the racetrack. Park next to the field in paved lot. You can judge wind speed by the flags on top the race track entrance. The field is grass until late July and early August when it gets dry. Fly in the south non-dog area away from the power lines. Great place for single line kites flown no higher than 400 feet. (more…)

Prism’s Zephyr, Raises the Bar for Kites!

kiteguy — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 22:28:39 +0000

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”. (more…)

Last of the Floaters, Enter Tango

kiteguy — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 21:11:00 +0000

Last night I flew the floater for the first time. Strangely, I was flying a discontinued kite from HQ Kites. We purchased 8 of the last ones, and have them for sale while they last.

It was a cold day, 50 degrees. And the wind was only registering 3.5 on my meter. Not many kites in most folks bags will fly in that low a wind. But here in Portland, we keep some low wind kites in our bags for just such a day. The flags on the Portland Raceway field were just barely flying on the pole. So I chose the Floater. I was not disappointed. It performed beautifully. At 63 inches by 31 inches, this kite is moderately quick. Pull in this low wind is light, but the kite is very responsive. Turns are definite. The kite comes with 65 feet of Dyneema line (read European Spectra). I think 50 foot would be better in such low wind. 65 feet was a bit long for my taste. But it performed well. This kite meets my requirement of: velcro closure at the base of the spine, has well seated standoffs, and strong bridle. The case has velcro openings at top and bottom. How many times have you tried to get a standoff out of the bottom of a long narrow case? And there is a separate pocket for the line set. Just remove the retail card and you’ve got a pocket for a lineset. The spars are 4 mm Carbon. (more…)

Prism Introduces New Colors

kiteguy — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 07:14:49 +0000

A new color scheme has emerged lately, especially among young people. Everything from furniture to bedding and even wedding colors are boasting this new palate. And Prism has captured this color and added it across their existing kite lineup, as well as on some exciting new kites. Citrus is their newest color combination, and it is beautiful. It looks great in the sky. You are not likely to have anything in your kite bag this color.

Almost all of Prism’s kites are now available in citrus, including: the Nexus, Quantum, Hypnotist, and their brand new low wind Zephur. Also, the tried and true Triad, and the new EO6 and EO10, come in citrus. The new Snapshot Parafoil is available in a citrus lime too.

Watch for reviews of the new Zephur dual line, the Snapshot Parafoil, and Stowaway Diamonds with Fractal-based geometric patterns. And as always, these new colors and styles from Prism are ultra high quality and sure to give great flight. Check them out at the on-line flag and kite store www.elmersflag.com. Not just a kite store, America’s largest flag store!

Review: Genuine Kite Parts

kiteguy — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 06:37:56 +0000

Many kite manufacturers, having their kites made in China, do not get any replacement parts for their kites. They simply do not have a single part to replace those broken in shipment to dealers, returned because the part is defective, etc. In extreme need, they may even take parts out of unsold kites on their shelf. But usually they cannot provide any replacements. Instead they rely on the dealer to stock a variety of parts, from which the replacement part is cut to size and substituted for the original part. For single line kites, this usually works. Although many times the replacement is not the same weight, thus throwing off the delicate balance of the kite. (more…)