I have been around this forum since 2007 and while I still surf or view it every few days- I am amazed at the number of people that have either dropped off or quit kiting and the "new" Generation- as a result thought I would post a question / answer for folks to share a little:

1. How long have you been flying in motion? not static or stunt but with wheels, board, skis- movement
2. How often to you get to fly (again movement static doesn't count)
3. What is the thing about kiting that keeps you coming back?
4. Last one how old are you?

My answers-
1. first time I got moving was in a buggy in 2007 then followed up with depower on a mtn board and also have tried on water and on snow
2. My kiting has shifted to almost exclusively events ie wildwood bashes and JIBE and maybe 2 -3 times at my home fields (wind sucks) a yr.
3. I still get fired up when I can jump and float through the air- tried paragliding and while it was truly more flying then kiting - I much prefer kiting for the added rush.
4. 46

scott

1. I've been buggying since 1993. Done some landsailing and blokarting, but keep coming back to my buggy.
2. Used to come to the beach every other weekend to buggy. Then moved to the beach and buggying dropped off. Now that Washington beaches have been opened up to buggying, I try to get out more. Usually go to Ivanpah, SOBB and WSIKF each year for major buggying.
3. The feel of being pulled down the beach on a buggy still gets me. I guess it's in the blood.
4. I turned 72 this March and have no plans to stop buggying.

Morrie

i started buggying in 1994
i only have time to buggy twice a year now at wildwood.
i have two more hobbies that take my time away from buggying
my matching numbers 1930 chevy going to car shows
my rc nitro cars and trucks
i do have a blokart and manta landsailer
i am 58 yrs young and have no plans to stop buggying.
for me its something about the power of the wind thats keeps me driving a kite and landsailing

1. 2 years
2. varies greatly. sometimes a few times a week with some 2 month droughts
3. I like to be outside and I like the challenge of ever changing surface and wind conditions
4. 41

I would also add that if it were not for doing skateboard and buggy, I might have given it up already. It's nice to switch up and between the 2 I have many more opportunities to get a fix.

1.Started buggying in late 05 /early 06. Lurked on the forum for about a year. Buggy and ATB
2. 5-10 times a year if I'm lucky,2-3 times if not.
3. Still makes me permagrin. And around here I am the only land kiter. So ,I am the one people are breaking out cameras for.
4. 52 , no plans to stop.

1. How long have you been flying in motion? not static or stunt but with wheels, board, skis- movement
___■ since 2011 ATB & snowboard

2. How often to you get to fly (again movement static doesn't count)
___■ 3-4 times / mo

3. What is the thing about kiting that keeps you coming back?
___■ The elusive pursuit of a non-janky wind day

4. Last one how old are you?
___■ 55

1. How long have you been flying in motion? not static or stunt but with wheels, board, skis- movement
Answer: just over 1 year
2. How often to you get to fly (again movement static doesn't count)
Answer: twice a week on the high side, twice a month on the low side except during Spring when everything is muddy.
3. What is the thing about kiting that keeps you coming back?
Answer: still thrills me and makes me grin like a kid. I've loved kiting since I was a young boy and this is just a wonderful extension of that youthful spirit that still burns in me. As the year has gone by I am drawn much harder towards snowkiting/kiteskating than buggying, EXCEPT when I can go down to Ivanpah. Having been there twice now (once for IBX!) buggying on my home fields just doesn't really measure up anymore. Moving forward I plan to snowkite/kiteskate locally on a regular basis and buggy at Ivanpah a couple of times a year.
4. Last one how old are you?
Answer: 55 with no plans on slowing down.

Scott, I think about some of the names that are long gone, only a few that I keep in touch with, that showed up and spoke their piece and disappeared.

Started with a Highflyer and a red wagon in the early 70's while they were building the 509 freeway through Burien outside of Seattle. Didn't know the term was "downwinder" at the time. Tie the kite to your waist and steer with your hands, all while trying to stay on the graded dirt road. Moved to the buggy in 08.

I get out when the winds are right and I have time. Never enough times to satisfy the desire but it's enough to keep me happy.

I spend about 50% of my kite time in R&D. The other 50% is play and getting my fix.

I am 6 as of last Monday. If you really need to total the number add 55.

1- 2004 I took lessons but really struggled with no board skills on water. Almost gave up. 05 I found roller blades and skis. 06 Buggy. 07 ATB.

2- I seem to have stopped going out after work the last few years. I am now a weekend warrior. Life gets in the way and I am lucky to get out twice or 3 times a month in summer. Once a month in winter. Shoulder seasons are a bust. I try to get to SOBB and Ivanpah for annual events but haven't been able to make either this year.

3- I kite to escape. Even when I am out and skunked kiting takes me places I wouldn't otherwise go to. When it is good it's AOXO! Sometime around 55 my approach changed. I started going out for quality days rather than quantity of days. I started to care less about progressing to new levels. Coming home uninjured became more important.

4- I am 57. I want to ride stand up as long as I can. Mentors like Morrie have me believing I will be able to ride it out in my buggy! When that gets too much, I see myself flying a rev' hooked up to my oxygen in my wheelchair.

1. I'm one of the new guys I've been in motion for about 4 months now
2. When I'm home I usually get out a couple times a week. At least once a week.
3. Silence and focus. I've spent most of my adult life sailing on ships. I work in the Engineroom
Before sailing ships I was in the military (11B). I also have 3 kids. I'm constantly surrounded by noise. But when I'm in the buggy it's just the wind. Many times I put my ear plugs in and I don't even hear the wind. It also allows me to clear my head and focus on just what I'm doing at that moment. I know it's kinda a long answer. Sorry.
4. I'm a youngster compared to most of you at 39. After being on the forum awhile and spending a week at SOBB. I've come to notice there aren't many younger people buggyin. No offense intended to all you geezers. Haha!
But it does make me ask myself why that is.

1. 3 years.
2. I go to JIBE every year. Outside of that, maybe 2-3 times at my local field. It is wind direction critical there.
3. The people first and foremost. Great group of guys and gals. When I fly, all day to day troubles go away. A great escape.
4. 42

Great thread Scott!

1. I've had my seat in a buggy for just over four years (thanks Markite)
2. My best flying is at WBB twice a year but I also get yanked around my local field 1-2 times per week through the summer (as long as the soccer players don't get in the way)
3. I think there are three things that keep me buggying. First, the people; second, the escape from the rest of daily "issues"; third, the smile - sometimes from a great session and sometimes from great conversations.
4. Normally I'm 55, but when I'm flying I don't care.

1. got the kites almost two years ago, probably finally got enough snow to get out on the snowboard 18 months ago.

2. Managed to eke out one session on crappy snow the first year, and one session on crappy snow/mud the second winter. So I'm averaging one session a year. Hopefully we get enough snow to change that this winter.

3. Everything just clicks.

4. 27

Wow, great thread. Seen some names come and go myself.

Been buggying since 2008. Started with a pansh ace 5m and an Eolo rad sail buggy. Moved up to my sweet custom homemade buggy and now in the GT Rapide!

I definitely get out during WBB and then a few times a year other than that. Most of my friends on here know I volunteer each week just about as many hours as I work per week so it keeps me busy.

As for what keeps me coming back, my kite family more than anything. It's a great extension of my family that I always miss until we see each other at WBB. Second would be the speed factor. I have always been a speed freak, now that I have better tools to get me there I am always looking to up my PB. Third is the pure separation from everything else I am involved with and I usually only think about hearing those lines sing. Being NAPKA president helps keep me around as well. Making sure things are in line and continue to grow.

Well my actual age and my acting of age are two different things. I'm actually 45, but I always strive to remain 25!

Look forward to seeing everyone on the beach soon

1. How long have you been flying in motion? do shoes count? if so just around 4 months.
2. How often to you get to fly ? Not often enough
3. What is the thing about kiting that keeps you coming back? The learning curve and the excitment of learning to control the kite .
4. Last one how old are you? 29

I'm not sure but I think 2007 on a MTB, 2008 buggy, 2009 skis, 2012 water
I get to fly quite a bit probably between 30 and 60 days a year.
Its always different and always a blast
54

I think its going to be windy this weekend, just got back from 6 days of 25mph+ in Aruba. double and triple sessions every day

1..in motion for 4yrs bug and board
2..I fly once a week on average maybe more
3..no better use for an onshore wind in the world, and really get such a kick out of this sport
4..im a 55yr old kid

1. I started buggying around '98
2. I've gone some years without taking the buggy out but recently I've been trying to get out to the dry lake at least once a month.
3. I just enjoy the feeling of motion with only the wind for power.
4. 54

1. I started kiting 2 years ago - june 2014, iirc. Got moving on ski's December 2014. First ATB April 2015, iirc. Been Buggying for less than a year, borrowing our little club's only PL Bigfoot as often as I can..

2. From several times a week to once a month. In case of the latter, work colleagues can hardly cope with my whining on windy days (should have called in sick) Lunatics has their case pretty much sewn up, how about us windatics? ;-) Maybe get a job like Chris..

3. So many things, just getting out not in the least. And when your not on water you can kite as slow and casual as you like - as long as you have the right kite for the conditions and what you want to do, ofc. Snow kiting rocks!! :D Buggying is crazy cool!

4. Not even 50 yet. 49 !!

1. Flew for the first time about a year ago. Tried a little snow kiting, but mainly static.

2. Fly about once a month.

3. I love anything that involves flying.

4. Only 25 yrs old.

9 years kiteboarding, 4 years buggy, just learning ATB

When ever the wind blows and I am not windsurfing. Good winds here on the Gulf.

Love to watch that kite in the air and feel the power and speed

69 years old

1. How long have you been flying in motion? not static or stunt but with wheels, board, skis- movement

Been riding since the winter of '02/'03. Started with fixed bridles, rode them for 2 seasons then depowers started to show up. Dumped the fixed bridles and never looked back. That was the last season I sat on a chairlift. Taught myself how to fly as there were no instructors in the area. Pushed myself to become as technically proficient in snow kiting as I was as a skier and mountain biker. Started breaking speed records, earned a sponsorship with Peter Lynn and others, ended my sponsorships and started Hardwaterkiter.com as a school and supplier of snowkiting because I was burned out on the bike industry and Stormboarding, host of Kitestorm and the first snowkite school in the country closed it's doors for more noble pursuits. Been trying to make a living at it now for 4 years.

2. How often to you get to fly (again movement static doesn't count)

May-Nov. NEVER. (would like to change that) From Dec-April, about 3 days a week for at least 2-3 hrs each session. The rest of the time is either teaching or catching up with orders and office stuff. Most of my riding is work related, for example doing site inspections to check ice thickness and surface conditions at potential lesson/guiding areas. Make no mistake, it's work. Operations on ice involves a lot of preparation to insure client safety, and knowing what lakes to use in which wind direction takes years of experience riding each lake in a given wind direction. In an effort to further my knowledge base I have to ride lakes that are relatively unknown to me and "see what happens" in a given wind direction. Sometimes it works, sometime you get skunked. Involves a lot of driving and hole drilling.

3. What is the thing about kiting that keeps you coming back?

The solitude. The beauty we get to witness that you don't see on the slopes or ripping along on a snowmobile. The power of the wind. The speed. It's an activity that when done well is low impact, even as you push the envelope. It allows me to explore my limits in spite of my ever growing physical limitations.

4. Last one how old are you.

45. It's not years, it's mileage that counts. :D

WOW Southpadreburt, You have my RESPECT!

At 57 I am questioning how many ATB years I have left in me. It is the simplest ride for a quickie session in my local park and something I enjoy very much. It has taken it's toll on my right ankle ( for some reason it sticks with the board? ) and is generally the ride that has injured me most. Especially pushing it and jumping. I was thinking I may only have about 3 more years before it gets too much. You give me hope I can keep going!
:cool2:

1. How long have you been flying in motion? not static or stunt but with wheels, board, skis- movement
--I will have been kiting 5 years this fall... I got my first Buggy the early the following spring 2012.

2. How often to you get to fly (again movement static doesn't count)
--Not all that often... The Atlana wind is not always rideable, and I have a LOT of family and household responsibilities... I try to get out once a month, but it is more frequently once every 2 months. I have to fly when I don't have other responsibilities and when the wind cooperates, which doesn't always work out.

3. What is the thing about kiting that keeps you coming back?
--The satisfaction of putting all of the parts together and making it work and work well.

4. Last one how old are you?
--I am 37 years old... But I have 4 daughters, so that has to add some years on right?

I started using kite and ATB (and more recently a longboard) a little over 2 years ago. Between November and April, I can usually make it out 2-3 times a month if I'm lucky, but it depends a lot on wind. The rest of the year - not very often. I've gone to JIBE 3 times and catch a few sessions here or there when I'm in other locations with better conditions. I'm 63.

What leads me to pursue this sport? I've windsurfed since 1996 and started landsailing around 2000, so I've invested a lot of time and energy in wind related sports. This seems like a natural in times when its too cold to get on the water and I enjoy the challenge of it. (Now if I could only figure out why wind sports appeal to me......)

2007 , 10 years next march

daily

motion/suspension

48, with disposition of an endlessly restless, socially awkward 7 year old that seems quite permanent...curious these moving elements they do bring such comfort i pray they persist

1. How long have you been flying in motion? not static or stunt but with wheels, board, skis- movement. If you count the face plant, then 30 seconds. :o

2. How often to you get to fly (again movement static doesn't count) If you count the face plant, then once. :o

3. What is the thing about kiting that keeps you coming back? One day I'll own a buggy and a 2nd vehicle to transport transport it.

4. Last one how old are you? 67 years old.

yes there a number that have come and gone and some that still lurk but aren't very active

1. How long have you been flying in motion? not static or stunt but with wheels, board, skis- movement

Well not quite the same thing but somewhere I have a newspaper clipping riding my bike in a park with a single line kite that was tugging me along in early 80's, mid to later 80's did a number of downwinders using stacks of flexis with a windsurf board. But the real traction kiting got going late 92 with my first buggy then after watching friends kite ski for a few years (no skiing background) I started kite skiing mid 90's and I've still never actually downhill skied. Then kite surfing started late 90's and added the snowboard a few years later.

2. How often to you get to fly (again movement static doesn't count)

It seems the winter gets the highest activity when I can go out any day of the week even if it's a short session as long as there is wind. Buggying is usually the shoulder season between winter and summer but because of conditions and the distance to get to the buggy beach and chance of wind being the right direction we went from bugging quite a bit now down to just a few times a year. More bugging done going to events. Kiteboarding / surfing is the next bigger chunk of the year but other than some summer holiday time it's mainly a weekend activity so it depends on wind for weekends between the end of April to the end of October - again it's also distance. Nice being between the different great lakes but it means 1 hr 20 min to 2 hrs each way to hit the different beaches depending on wind direction.
It's not traction kiting but in between all of this i will often go over to neighborhood parks on a nice breeze eve just to throw up some single line kites I've made and then also attend a number of festivals through the year to put on displays.

3. What is the thing about kiting that keeps you coming back?

as others have said there are some really great friends in the kiting community that I always enjoy riding with - then it's a mix of reasons, sometimes it's the speed on a buggy or skiing and it can also be just as enjoyable light wind sessions skiing and surfing or playing buggy games with friends or checking out interesting terrain. It can be peaceful and taking in my surroundings or ripping and riding the edge.
One other part for me is teaching people -I don't charge for lessons but always seem to be teaching someone how to fly, how to surf, how to fix a kite how to something.... I also get a lot of satisfaction seeing someone that was struggling make a connection and progress after I try and help them out. Fiona will always sigh when I detour when i see a family flying a simple kite with kids and it's set up backwards or misbridled or whatever and i say I'll just be a minute - she knows i'll be talking a long time and she'll have to come and get me but at least the kids aren't throwing the kite down and looking bored because it wouldn't fly and the parents are always thankful.


4. Last one how old are you?

56 but some of the harder landings make me feel older.

Mark

1) started kiting in 2000 on two line wipika. Then moved to four line naish ar 5. Have always been a water guy, but I dabbled using a mountain board here and there. Never a buggy (It seems like I'm the one and only pure water guy here on the forum) got into kiting because I was a hard core addict windsurfer.

2) winter means pure surfing because winter winds are storm but waves are perfect for regular surfing. Spring and summer north winds come back and it's all about ridding waves with a kite. Fall is both. But paying the bills seems to take precidets over sports. But then again I love my job so much that it doesn't feel like a job.

3) I have no idea why I'm soooo addicted to it. It keeps challengeing me every time I ride, 16 years later.

4) 48

1. How long have you been flying in motion? not static or stunt but with wheels, board, skis- movement
Have used a buggy for about 3 years now.. WELDNGOD introduced me to kite buggying and put me in the seat for the first time.
I'm pretty sure I used a single line bat kite to pull me on a skateboard back in the late 70's. but I wouldn't call that power kiting.

2. How often to you get to fly (again movement static doesn't count)
I fly kites almost every week but you say static doesn't count.. so almost never. Less than 10 times in 3 years..
If you count scudding as movement, then far more often.

3. What is the thing about kiting that keeps you coming back?
I like the "doing something different" aspect of it and I love flying my stacks. If you look at my First Post I really haven't deviated much from what originally brought me here.
I still prefer static whether it's a 2 line stack, Rev or a 8M Toxic..

4. Last one how old are you?
just past the half century mark so "middle aged"