Power Kite Forum

Kite forums disappearing .......

Kober - 6-9-2016 at 08:00 PM

We do not have too many sources of information on landkiting ...
Since I started my adventure with kites I search many different forums for answers to my questions and with help of many contributing forum members I was always able to get the info that I need ... Usually, it was right here on PowerKiteForum .
5 years ago when starting I bookmarked the whole bunch of forums , and thru past years I visit those and notice how they are becoming less and less active and finally disappearing with all those pages full of kiting knowledge .....
We all have seen how Foilzone was gone without notice and explanation , I see Kitezone.ca is also gone ..... Racekites.com have no new posts and there is few more links in my bookmark collection that are not working anymore ......
Power Kite Forum and helpful members are the reason why my adventure with kiting started so easy and kitemare free ..... I found here everything I need to know about kite buggy , all different types of kites and techniques , and after 5 years of kiting I still need some help and answers ..... I know I can always find those here .....
So Thanks to all of you who share the knowledge on those pages ......
If you never posted and are reading this and you are coming here for all your answers , please make sure to pay back by creating new informative posts with your experiences, kite tests or any kite related advice so PowerKiteForum database gets bigger and stronger and more active ... I would hate to find out one day that those pages are no longer existing or that last post was created 2 years ago .........

bigkid - 6-9-2016 at 08:22 PM

You wouldn't be particularly fond of PKF would you?
Nicely said:thumbup:

ssayre - 7-9-2016 at 01:42 AM

Well said. Personally, I'm by myself and have no local shops or kite scene at all. PKF provided the advice I needed to get started and to keep kiting. I probably would have given it up long ago with nobody to share experiences with. Also, the for sale section made it possible to try many different kites affordably.

So, yes, chime in people.

soliver - 7-9-2016 at 04:42 AM

100% agree... its too bad that the forums are disappearing. I used to join in the discussions on Kitecrowd, but it got to where I would check it regularly and there was no notable activity, or even NO activity at all, so I gave up on it. I also used to go on Extremekites, but my kiting activity decreased significantly in the last 12 months because I honestly just don't have the time and opportunity to go out as often so I just stopped participating there and I have decreased my participation here. Yes I have gained interest in other hobbies, but I check in regularly and join as many posts as I can.

My kiting "career" started and gained significant momentum thanks to PKF and I am indeed thankful for the last 4 years and hope it continues for many years to come.

I wonder how much social media has participated in the demise of some of the forums... I don't participate in FaceBook, but I'm sure there are many kiting groups that use those forms of communication for the same thing we use PKF for... jussayin.

abkayak - 7-9-2016 at 05:44 AM

PKF saved me from myself...and than taught me alot
i met some great people because of it, and shared some really great times
i kinda like hanging around here as well, but i already talk too much
so im holding up my end of the deal :thumbup::thumbup:

BeamerBob - 7-9-2016 at 05:57 AM

I too participated in flexiforum/kitecrowd. Along with race kites. And also the arc users forum. Now just here. Facebook might have replaced several forums. There are robust for sale forums with good representation. Popeye created a series of pages that have become the center of land kiting on Facebook. Kite buggying and the kites and buggies for sale page are the most valuable. Both are full of UK and European racers so the content is rich and real. PKF is at least checked in on a few times a day as well for me though and has equal ranking for my sources.

skimtwashington - 7-9-2016 at 06:42 AM


You only need one good forum site-where all can go.

This site isn't diminishing or disappearing anytime soon.

This site has it all:

.. adventure takers, film makers, equipment breakers....

...reviews, previews, sea views ...

... propulsions, discussions, concussions...:o

...sails, sales and 'say all's....

Randy - 7-9-2016 at 09:27 AM

This site has been a great place for me to visit. I've gotten a lot of encouragement here and learned a lot from the good (and sometimes bad) experiences of others. I'm not on Faceplant and would honestly hate to have to join to get the kind of content we get here. I have joined a few other forums, but not been active. I've been thinking about joining Kitebuilder though. Anyway, let's keep the party going.

Windstruck - 7-9-2016 at 09:29 AM

Three cheers for PKF! :roll::bouncing::bouncy:

I've truly enjoyed getting involved here on PKF and getting to know so many fine people through our various threads. Not mentioned yet it seems, I also really enjoy the friendly banter and humor that weaves its way through many of the posts. As noted, the FOR SALE and WANTED sections have really opened up doors for me isolated as I am so-to-speak from other enthusiasts.

I too am a tad active on Extreme Kites from Down Under but really consider PKF my "home" for the traction kiting part of my life.

Finally, and this is a big deal to me, PKF opened my eyes to Lake Ivanpah, a short seven hours drive from home. IBX earlier this year was an absolute highlight of my year outside of family activities, made all the more special by the actual in-person interaction with fellow enthusiasts. Now that's a nice slice of livin'. :D

With great folks like us I am hopeful we can keep this little darlin' afloat for years to come.

ssayre - 7-9-2016 at 09:47 AM

Off topic but right this very second I'm sitting in kite paradise about an hour 20 from home. I had recently joned Hoosier kite fliers and found out about it. I'm going flying.

abkayak - 7-9-2016 at 09:56 AM

Indiana...a basketball state w/ a kiting problem

B-Roc - 7-9-2016 at 10:09 AM

Sad but true, great forums like flexi/kitecrowd, foilzone and racekites are now just hollow shells of what they used to be. Those and PKF were supremely influential in my learning and growth curve in the sport. I am not a facebook, instragram or whatever user so I'm hoping PKF becomes the default landkiting resource. PKF Strong, PKF Forever!

Kober - 7-9-2016 at 10:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by B-Roc  
PKF Strong, PKF Forever!



lol ..... This is good ........

BeamerBob - 7-9-2016 at 10:55 AM

You know you can lurk on Facebook without joining? Or you can join without sharing any personal information. You can even spoof your name. It nicely compliments pkf and will likely remain a valid kiting resource till the next big thing comes along.

Mikelp3586 - 7-9-2016 at 12:17 PM

I'm glad I stumbled into this forum, after almost 2 years I've found another junkie like me. lol

Mikelp3586 - 7-9-2016 at 12:18 PM

I'm glad I stumbled into this forum, after almost 2 years I've found another junkie like me. lol

skimtwashington - 7-9-2016 at 03:32 PM

Plenty of content here on PKF. What's missing? Just need an active membership that post -like Kober implied.



BTW...Where would you go (link?) to lurk on facebook with regards Power kiting enthusiasts/groups?

shehatesmyhobbies - 7-9-2016 at 04:13 PM

I found this place in 2009 not long after I started flying foils. It was my second home for many many hours on end. Now almost 3400 post, it's still a place I visit up to 8-10 times a day. A big difference from the 25-30 times a day I used to visit, but it's still a place I spend plenty of time reading, watching and learning more and more about the sport and the people involved in it. I must admit that I don't get to buggy as much as I want, but my passion hasn't changed for kiting, the people I enjoy kiting with and the place, PKF, where I come to share in the joy!

aronma - 7-9-2016 at 05:54 PM

PKF is where I started. I asked many questions and received a TON of great advice. I learned about the WWBB through PKF. Bought most of my gear from members selling equipment. Met-up with many of you through meet-up requests. I plan to stay active and contribute when I can. Great post Conrad!

hiaguy - 7-9-2016 at 06:42 PM

In 2009 I was looking for a kite to fly in the park across the street from my office. By the end of 2010 I had a couple of foils, and in 2012 attended by first WBB.
Since then, I've received great advice on purchases, technique, and safety, and have had the privilege of meeting many of the members of this forum.
The "new" social media - Facebook et.al. - may have its place, but this forum is where I feel most "at home".
My thanks to this forum and all of you that contribute.
- Howard

Memopad - 8-9-2016 at 10:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre  
Well said. Personally, I'm by myself and have no local shops or kite scene at all. PKF provided the advice I needed to get started and to keep kiting. I probably would have given it up long ago with nobody to share experiences with. Also, the for sale section made it possible to try many different kites affordably.

So, yes, chime in people.


Same for me. Learned everything from youtube videos and reading on these forums, pulled the trigger on some kites and haven't looked back :thumbup:

skimtwashington - 11-9-2016 at 08:48 AM

PKF is used often enough by 'internet-ers' that you only have to type out p-o-w-e-r- k-..............and the search engine will know what you want and finish your search term the full PKF moniker in the opened drop box! :thumbup:

When you only have to type p-o-w-e-r and PKF comes up in the drop box...well... then we are REALLY active, boy!

Bladerunner - 11-9-2016 at 09:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob  
I too participated in flexiforum/kitecrowd. Along with race kites. And also the arc users forum. Now just here. Facebook might have replaced several forums. There are robust for sale forums with good representation. Popeye created a series of pages that have become the center of land kiting on Facebook. Kite buggying and the kites and buggies for sale page are the most valuable. Both are full of UK and European racers so the content is rich and real. PKF is at least checked in on a few times a day as well for me though and has equal ranking for my sources.


BeamerBob, can you put up a link to this Facebook site that Poppeye got going? I may not contribute much too it but would like to check it out.

I came to this forum when I was put off by the commercial influence and the general biatch fest that our local forum ( skypilot ) turned into. Other established forums seemed to carry a group of egos that liked to take stabs at newcomers / anybody who didn't see things their way. This was the ONLY FORUM that showed an ounce of respect for my choice to enjoy blades as well as all other rides. ( accept extremekites ) . Many other sites told me my choice of ride is " gay ". Of course this was from people who had never tried it and I suspect were afraid to.

Bob created this website to " pay it back " ! No commercial interest and open to shop owners input. I to believe in " paying it back " and this has become my outlet. I was fortunate. I got into the sport with LOTS of access to top riders and kite rep's locally + down the west coast. I know that I was lucky. I still want to pay it back. I just find I get much more satisfaction helping people who are all alone or at least inquiring on here. Locals who are serious have lots of others ( with more free time to fly than me ) willing to teach if they come out to the park.

This forum survives because of it's respectful acceptance of newcomers, Willingness to help, and Welcoming Family feel. Bob's plan to pay it back is paying off. The fact that so many folks are also willing to pay it back like Him is the life blood of the site.
:bigok:

BeamerBob - 11-9-2016 at 04:11 PM

Ken I'm an admin on the pages and added you as a member. It should show up in your notifications.


https://www.facebook.com/groups/kitebuggying/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/kitebuggysale/

Bladerunner - 11-9-2016 at 06:02 PM

Thanks Buddy!

RedSky - 12-9-2016 at 01:09 PM

Yes Blade, other forums I found to be the same. I did not really venture beyond our local South London group on RK. Here on PKF I found everyone without exception to be far more accommodating, friendly and grown up in their responses. Popeye told me that this was his favorite site too.