About this Blog

My main hobby is kiting in all its forms, but especially competitive sport kiting.

I have flown kites for as long as I can remember, and somewhere in the family albums are pictures of me aged around 8 flying my pirate kite on Woolacombe beach.Interest took another step forward in the mid 1970's when I purchased a "Peter Powell" stunt kite. This kept me busy for many hours, including my days at Birmingham University studying Chemistry. With aluminium spars in, I discovered the art of two line kite fighting to destruction!

Years rolled on and the flying stopped, but a year or so after the birth of my first son, My wife brought me a two line stunt kite for my birthday (1989?). It only lasted a few months, so the following Christmas she gave me an "Aircrafts Zonda Whispa". This made the habit become an addiction. A flexifoil 6 followed for the next Christmas, and there was no stopping me.

In the mid 1990s I discovered the internet, and found that other people also flew kites! This led to me joining the Midlands Kite Fliers (MKF). And I started going to a few festivals and fly ins.

In 1999 I received an e-mail circular from MKF mentioning the STACK BOOT CAMP. I wanted a short break, and this seemed ideal. The weekend was cold, wet and very tiring, but incredible fun, and I made a lot of new friends. I also learnt a lot about kites!

The outcome from this was threefold:

• I ended up buying more kites
• I started taking part in Winter Leagues during 1999/2000.
• I started flying in pairs with my eldest son.

2000 saw my first season in STACK National competition, where I won the Novice class.

I still fly various Shuriken Omegas in pairs, but these are now not really competitive, so are generally avoided.

In 2003 I purchased a set of used Airdynamics T2s. This took my flying to a completely different standard. Then during the middle of the 2004 season I switched to a Carl Robertshaw Fury (skyshark frame) and this moved my whole flying on more still. I still fly the T2 ultralight when the wind is very low. I am still finding out more and more about the Fury, especially when it is "stuffed". It is a very physical kite that deserves its name!

I also make kites. I have a few of my own sport kites which are good fun, and lots of single liners.