I wanted to share this with you guys, this really did amaze me.

So this weekend I was running the powerkite field at the Fort Collins Kite in the Park event. Not only flying, but demo'ing for the 2000+ folks that showed up, and teaching at least 40 folks how to fly. One of the best, and honestly one that I was a little worried about, was my friends 6 year old daughter. (She proudly boasted she is almost 7)
The wind conditions were gentle, (at times) so I wasn't worried about that, but I was nervous about putting a power kite in a 6 year old hands. Yes, i did wonder if she was way too young, and to light to be flying. The smallest kite I had in my quiver was a beamer 1.4m. At first I knelt behind her and showed her how you fly, and we kept going over 'how do you brake' and 'how do you power up' and most importantly, 'what do you do if your in trouble?'. She did great! I actually moved away from her and she flew on her own!! Granted she really had to work her little body to get the thing to turn (kinda hard for her to do the 'brake side turns' she had to pull the whole handle)
At one point she did get pulled forward ( about 2 feet) and I was thinking oh my god I just killed her. But she landed on her knees and laughed after the kite crashed to the ground. She can't wait to go again!

I shouldn't be too shocked, I have been teaching this young pup how to ski and she is already doing blue-blacks and tackling the terrain park.

ps. Dean and Corey - if you read this, notice that I have yet ANOTHER girl flying a kite in a skirt!

And dang if that skirt don't look ever so PINK. .

ATB,
Sam

Nice! My kite skills came from starting to fly stunts @ 9, wish I could have started earlier

Oh yea, wish events like that were held around here!!!!!

Very nice!!!!

I bet that image will stick in your head for a long long time. I recently bought an Imp 1.5m 3 line trainer for my son's 8 year b-day. Hopefully he takes to it nicely as I think that in a few years when he is ready to take on a more big boys kite he will have the skills to move right into buggy or board. Either way just think it'll be a good father son experience. Nice post!!!!

shaggs

She's a cutie. Sounds like fun.

Super cute photo! My 3.5yr old flys a 1.2 sting... He flew it in 15mph this weekend and loved it. Lots of squealing! I chose to give him a little extra weight and hold on just in case I remember when I used to fly big kites as a kid and was staked into the sand...

Now you have to ask yourself. Would YOU want your daughter to grow up and marry a Power Kiter ? :smug:

pshhhh no I would want my daughter to grow up and BE a power kiter.... if I ever had a kid.

I should make a book called "What to expect when you are marrying a powerkiter". A play on that book for preggo women.

way to go Nic!

Quote:

Originally posted by flash pshhhh no I would want my daughter to grow up and BE a power kiter.... if I ever had a kid. I should make a book called "What to expect when you are marrying a powerkiter". A play on that book for preggo women.

Nic way to go with all you did this weekend. Awesome. That book would be helpful for those dating powerkiters and for those whose partners suddenly take up the hobby. It could brace them for what is to come.

We just need to start a kite-widow(er) drinking club...

sweet!!! more kids into the sport.

im glad mine likes to sit in the buggy, and thx to Grant (kc888) he has his own booster seat too.

although i have to keep my eyes on him when we're not flying, he wants to pickup the handles and fly.