Go Fly A Kite

[JimboRocks]

Anyone else want to get something going for a huge kite flying afternoon? Something like a 100 ppl flying a 100 kites. I'm thinking of trying to get a discount and having that as my give-aways for ppl and kids this year. Not the $$$ kinds with cables like some kite fliers I have seen out there but maybe some neat ones. Any of the professional kite fliers who fly the huge ones even out there on the boards? If so, PM me or respond on this board with some ideas.

Kite flying afternoon? Fun or cool?

[KB]

At least 2 or 3 people from our crew (including me) are bringing our kites. The huge fields out in the campgrounds make wonderful areas for flying kites, assuming the Kansas wind is cooperating. The wind last year was either too strong or too soft to fly kites (at least when we had ours out).

Mine's not a pro kite by any means - it's an 8' octopus-style kite with a big alien head on it - I love it. It was a 30th birthday gift from the Bacon Fairy.

[travelphan]

I need to remember to bring mine. It is a hand made kite that has a huge tye-dye dancing bear...when you bow it correctly if dances in the sky :lol:

[ajones6]

Oooo fun! I have a para foil kite that has no type of structure/vertibrae. It folds up into a little pouch. I'll bring mine for sure!

[ajones6]

\"Lets go fly a kite
Up to the highest height
Lets go fly a kite
and send it soaring
up through the atmosphere
up where the air is clear
oh let's gooooooooo
fly a kite\"
-Mary Poppins Soundtrack

[KnottySarah]

Hell yes! We're in! But we tend to buy dollar store kites and ruin them within a couple of days...so maybe we will have to force ourselves to buy some real ones. But dollar store ones have freaking dinosaurs on them!

[JimboRocks]

hell ya! I'm actually bringing about 15-20 \"dollar store\" ones to give away to kids at Waka. So if you see a guy with an Dessert camo army assault ruck walking about with a bunch of kites hanging out of it, stop me and ask for one. Adults can have one if they scream WAKA JIMBO ROCKS! and admit that they're a big kid at heart.

:)

See you all out on the open fields and at the lake.

Power to the peaceful!

[~dave~~wave~]

[quote:a5e3210b36=\"JimboRocks\"]hell ya! I'm actually bringing about 15-20 \"dollar store\" ones to give away to kids at Waka. [/quote:a5e3210b36]

That's the spirit, Jimbo. You do rock!
Last couple years I have brought a bag cheap water pistols, glow sticks, etc. to give to kids, its a ton of fun.

[~dave~~wave~]

Kites are one of my favorite Waka activities, the park is ideal for it and the June Kansas breeze is sure to be favorable for a good part of the fest.

[quote:16c17fecc7=\"KnottySarah\"]Hell yes! We're in! But we tend to buy dollar store kites and ruin them within a couple of days...so maybe we will have to force ourselves to buy some real ones. But dollar store ones have freaking dinosaurs on them![/quote:16c17fecc7]

I got my fill of cheap kites as a kid in the 60s.
If anybody wants to try a serious, grown-up, Wakarusa tested and proven kite, consider the $26 Boulder Sled.
I kid you not, this is one of the best toys you can get yourself or a kid.
I give them to all my nieces and nephews.

http://www.intothewind.com/images/sku_lg/5060.jpg

http://www.intothewind.com/shop/Traditional_Kites/Airfoils/Rainbow_Boulder_Sled


My friend Lightning turned me on to these quality American-made (in Boulder, get it?) kites. They are the best flying I have ever found, by far.
They fly in 3 to 18+ mph wind, go straight up, and never falter.
They are made from rip-stop nylon and can't tear or break. I had a couple that lasted for over ten years of hard use, then I gave them away at Waka III.

In 06 I put one up at the late, lamented Sun Up stage at noon on Friday. It went up 500', I tied a ukulele to the kite string, staked it to a lawn chair and walked away.
It flew until I took it down at sundown.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/ukeflyer/DSCF0571.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/ukeflyer/p1010114_t640.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/ukeflyer/P1010124_t640.jpg



That Sunday I had it flying for Cat Empire.
Some folks had 1,000 glow bracelets & generously offered to hang some on the kite string. It got dark, STS9 came on, and the rest is Waka history.

Last year we continued the tradition, and will be back for 08.
Look to the skies!



http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/ukeflyer/2007_0611pix0041.jpg

[JimboRocks]

OMG That was you! How awesome. I saw the ukulele at the Jake Shimabukuro show and thought it was something he did.

I think I'm going to look to get one from Boulder just cuz I LOVE Boulder. Maybe I can get a Mtn Waka-ian to bring it to me to get out of the shipping charge. Or maybe I'll quit being a cheap azz and not risk a wookie running off with me $25 kite. hmmmm

At any rate, awesome ukulele kite. I'll meet you where the air cools our lungs and the spirits run free.

[KnottySarah]

did you get it at the toy/kite store on pearl street? my father and I walked all up and down that strip and that was literaly the only store that he wanted to go in, the rest of the time I just dragged him into stores I deemed interesting.
But that kite is awesome.
Plus that 20some dollars really isnt that bad!

[kgbnfx]

I remember last year in VIP you flying that thing and this lil' girl maybe 6 or 7 years old trying to grab the ukulele as you would drop it right outta her reach and then let it soar back up in the sky over and over again. I knew you guys were having fun, poor kid! LOL

[~dave~~wave~]

[quote:f195baab19=\"KnottySarah\"]did you get it at the toy/kite store on pearl street? my father and I walked all up and down that strip and that was literaly the only store that he wanted to go in, the rest of the time I just dragged him into stores I deemed interesting. [/quote:f195baab19]
Yes, Pearl Street Mall, but now I just order them on the web site.
Next time remember, Daddy Knows Best.

[quote:f195baab19=\"kgbnfx\"]I remember last year in VIP you flying that thing and this lil' girl maybe 6 or 7 years old trying to grab the ukulele as you would drop it right outta her reach and then let it soar back up in the sky over and over again. I knew you guys were having fun, poor kid! LOL[/quote:f195baab19]

Hey, I'm just a big kid at Waka. Sharing toys is fun.
This kid, at the fire ring Friday morning.
She got so excited she spit out her pacifier, check it out.
(Click the pic to play the video)

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/ukeflyer/th_2007_0611pix0044.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/ukeflyer/?action=view&current=2007_0611pix0044.flv)

It was nothing but the kite dropping that uke up and down, it was tied off to a stump.
I try not to tease kids more than they tease me.

[JimboRocks]

[quote:29f01892cb=\"~dave~~wave~\"]Hey, I'm just a big kid at Waka. Sharing toys is fun.
This kid, at the fire ring Friday morning.
She got so excited she spit out her pacifier, check it out.
(Click the pic to play the video)

It was nothing but the kite dropping that uke up and down, it was tied off to a stump.
I try not to tease kids more than they tease me.[/quote:29f01892cb]

You so rock! I love you Dave~~Wave!

P.S. I found INTOTHEWIND's online store. OMG I want one but I think I'd be a damn fool if I tried it entirely on my own. Any chance we want to set up a time to learn because I've seen you guys with your SUPER MEGA KITES and they quickly go from that lite hearted fun to Futurama intergalatic zooming. (i.e. special cords/lines, handles, ect)

I think I'm going to order me up a beginner one with something super cool as a tail/line climber.

What ya say daveWave

[kgbnfx]

[quote:30a9624ced=\"~dave~~wave~\"][quote:30a9624ced=\"kgbnfx\"]I remember last year in VIP you flying that thing and this lil' girl maybe 6 or 7 years old trying to grab the ukulele as you would drop it right outta her reach and then let it soar back up in the sky over and over again. I knew you guys were having fun, poor kid! LOL[/quote:30a9624ced]

Hey, I'm just a big kid at Waka. Sharing toys is fun.
This kid, at the fire ring Friday morning.
She got so excited she spit out her pacifier, check it out.
(Click the pic to play the video)

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/ukeflyer/th_2007_0611pix0044.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/ukeflyer/?action=view&current=2007_0611pix0044.flv)

It was nothing but the kite dropping that uke up and down, it was tied off to a stump.
I try not to tease kids more than they tease me.[/quote:30a9624ced]

Awesome bro! I'll have to show this too the wife in the morning, she'll get a real kick outta it! :D

[~dave~~wave~]

[quote:585a835961=\"JimboRocks\"]P.S. I found INTOTHEWIND's online store. OMG I want one but I think I'd be a damn fool if I tried it entirely on my own. Any chance we want to set up a time to learn because I've seen you guys with your SUPER MEGA KITES and they quickly go from that lite hearted fun to Futurama intergalatic zooming. (i.e. special cords/lines, handles, ect)

I think I'm going to order me up a beginner one with something super cool as a tail/line climber.

What ya say daveWave[/quote:585a835961]

Let me be clear about this, I am not a kite geek, I am the world's laziest kite flyer. I want them to go up and stay up, I don't want to work at it.

That's why I only fly the Boulder Sled. It is the ultimate beginner kite.
I tried one of the fancier kites from the catalog, and it wasn't for me.
The only geek accessory I have is an upgraded winding reel. Because I'm lazy.

More power to the stunt kite folks, I'd love to see them come out.
I seem to recall last year seeing a big kite in the backstage area.

http://www.intothewind.com/images/sku_lg/5060.jpg