Hi Everyone!

Not sure exactly how to start this so I'm just going to jump into it.

I'm looking to build a community of kiters in New Mexico. I know there's not many (probably about a dozen of us at most, a couple with buggies, a couple who mountain board, and a handful of others I'm vaguely aware of and one person who kites on water that I know of - Stuart Penny - who's rarely in the state as he works professionally in the kite community as a videographer). I'm not looking to make money, or do anything aside from expose people to our sport and hopefully get some new people into it (selfishly so I have people to fly with). If I thought I had enough skill, I'd go about getting trained to be an instructor as a starting point, so I could more easily teach people and safely bring them into the sport (not looking to make money, but I'd not feel comfortable offering lessons to people I don't know without more training/certification). In terms of things in New Mexico, there's a few kiteable lakes, a few large open sand dune areas, and plenty of other wide open space for flying. In the winter there's a few established areas, and definite potential for more for kiting on snow. There's no kite instructors/schools/shops located in the state.

I'm not really sure about the best way to go about this, and so decided to ask for input from people on here. I have absolutely no industry connections in terms of trying to get an event setup here. I have talked to and am setup with the New Mexico Wind Surfing/Paddleboard group, which just changed it's name to NM-WAWA (New Mexico Wind and Water Association). I've tried posting a few facebook events through there to try and gain some people and exposure. I plan to also try and get a group setup at the local university to introduce people. I'd love any tips people have on how to get events setup in state, attract people, or the like. A couple of the issues I know will come up are:

• Lack of professional instruction in state
  
• Lack of kite stores in state
  
• Lack of equipment. I have some, and am willing to lend my equipment with me there... But I lack anything in the proper sizes for trainers (which I refuse to do two-line because of gusty conditions). I have no clue about any affordable way to get some of that stuff so we can easily let people try and see if they're interested enough to make an investment
  

Any advice, tips or input people have is greatly appreciated. I'd also happily accept equipment donations to New Mexico Wind and Water Association (I doubt this will remotely happen) for any equipment that might be appropriate for begginers/to introduce people to the sport. Also does anyone have suggestions on who to reach out to, kite company/industry wise, to try and get some involvement from them?

Thanks in advance for any help.

To give some background about myself, I'm in my mid twenties and have lived most my life in New Mexico, with plenty of summer on the east coast and a year I lived in Wisconsin. I'm a computer scientist/mathematician work wise... I've always loved kites, and spent tons of times flying stunt kites as a kid. I got into power kiting in 2005, starting with my purchase of an HQ Beamer 3.6 and a no-name 1.4 meter quad-line kite, and teaching myself how to fly them (and having plenty of dragging moments in the process). These days I have half a dozen or so static foils, and a handful of LEI kites, which I mostly use for playing around on land/snow, either on foot, mountain board, or skis/snowboard. I've just barely started on the water. And while I am competent, I'd not say my level is anywhere close enough to be an instructor by any means, not to mention lacking proper kites in small sizes for helping people learn/try out the sport.

When I was newer to the sport I had visions of it taking off and becoming popular . Over time I have started to accept that on land this is slow to grow. Lots of folks show interest but I think they get put off when they discover it is not as safe and easy as we can make it look. The cost is another deterrent but second hand gear has made that less of an issue. Around here, lack of locations is also a drawback.

It sounds like you have some good locations. Just having kites on hand to teach folks who show a real interest is the best 1st start. Having something you can leave with them if you trust them is good. Lead by example ! Go out and have fun. Those who are really interested will come out. You need only to be able to give them the basics about the wind window and safe location etc. . Once they have flown a trainer the rest will be up to them.

You may want to contact your local paper and tell them what you do / are about. They are always looking for stories and may want to use yours. Something like that would give you the exposure you seek ?

Be careful. I have seen too many people put their heart and soul into building a community and that community making their life difficult. One of the best ways I have heard it described is like " Hearding Cats ".

First and foremost thanks for the reply. I realize it's an odd question, and am glad for any input!

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

When I was newer to the sport I had visions of it taking off and becoming popular . Over time I have started to accept that on land this is slow to grow. Lots of folks show interest but I think they get put off when they discover it is not as safe and easy as we can make it look. The cost is another deterrent but second hand gear has made that less of an issue. Around here, lack of locations is also a drawback.

Yeah, we're actually pretty blessed location wise, as long as you don't mind dirt (not lush grassy places for many of them). There's a few established places, and I have a feeling a lot of other options I/we aren't aware of yet. Land is really the only option for growing it instate, as we don't have the right bodies of water / lakes with proper wind for doing it too many places.

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

It sounds like you have some good locations. Just having kites on hand to teach folks who show a real interest is the best 1st start. Having something you can leave with them if you trust them is good. Lead by example ! Go out and have fun. Those who are really interested will come out. You need only to be able to give them the basics about the wind window and safe location etc. . Once they have flown a trainer the rest will be up to them.

This is probably my main current plan for things. I'm in the process of getting a couple more small kites (under 3M) so I have stuff that's safe for others to use and learn on, as I lack that right now... Mostly as I've always been a bit of a fat guy, and so a 3M kite isn't too much pull / hard for me, when I started learning. Safety is definitely my number one concern, as I don't want to see anyone get hurt, nor do I want to end up hurt.

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

You may want to contact your local paper and tell them what you do / are about. They are always looking for stories and may want to use yours. Something like that would give you the exposure you seek ?

I debated this. It's a mixed bag for exposure that way, and was wondering if people would suggest it or not. On the one hand it might gain a good amount of exposure, on the other it might lead to angry people when they realize there's no stores in state, and that there's no professional instruction or the like available. Not to mention the risk of people seeing it and just running out to buy equipment and not understanding the risk at all.

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

Be careful. I have seen too many people put their heart and soul into building a community and that community making their life difficult. One of the best ways I have heard it described is like " Hearding Cats ".

Point well taken. I realize that at the end of the day, it's most likely this will be more trouble than it's worth, but I think it's worth trying to bring the sport to a broader audience here, and get more people aware of it and involved.

There was a NM snowkite school and event, but apparently both disappeared in 2012.

Quote: Originally posted by erratic winds

There was a NM snowkite school and event, but apparently both disappeared in 2012.

Yeah, I unfortunately didn't make it to attending either one. I actually know the person who did that event, and have emailed him to talk to him... He films Kiteboarding for a living and was going to be off filming this past year, and so there was no event (or at least that's what I heard through the grapevine). Out of curiosity, you somewhere close for having known about it?

Met some NM snowkiters at the now also defunct Colorado snowkite events.

I'm not sure how to help, but I've been rekindling an old love of kites and getting into the sport. I live in Albuquerque near UNM and would love to get together with some other local folks to learn more and have fun.

You might want to reach out to Joe Catanoso of the Wildwood Catholic High School Power Kite Club. He is on the forum as JoeCat.

He's probably had some experience with what you are going through.

ATB,
Sam

Its a long slow ride. 6 years ago, there was nothing here in Dallas. a remnant of a local club that wasn't active at all. The current president took over and now has over 140 members with more than a third of them pretty active in the club.

You have to make of it what you want to make of it. If it wasn't for him, the club would have fizzled within a couple years. Is it work? yes. Is it worth it? I think so. He isn't slowing down.

The main thing... It won't happen without somebody doing it. You have the interest by posting it here. That is the first step.

John,
there are a good amount of kite folks in NM they just hide out some where.
Many are destination bound people who don't like or trust NM for wind.
In 8 years I have met many water and land kiters, they come and go.
Best advice was what bladerunner said " let them try a trainer and decide for themselves"
as far as LEIs do not try to teach anyone about flying these guys as there are many bad habits one can pick up from novice advice, send them to a professional instructor.
I really like the "hearding cats" comment, so true.
Don't think I will be buggying any time soon as my rehab from broke arm,back, and rotator cuff injury is going slowly but surely.
Biggest lesson I learned is never fly a depower kite in gusty conditions without a auto release.
Hope to see you soon at balloon fiesta park or the lake this summer.
Bob