1998 Kite Trade Show Report
Bfk
KTAI Report
The Kite Trade Association trade show is now officially called the Kite Trade
Association International or KTAI. Historically, I have prepared a report that
highlight new product offerings from each of the manufacturers. This year I am
taking a different perspective because the industry has also changed. The
number 1 selling product at the show was probably Yomega Yo-Yos but that is the
subject for another installment.
Instead of presenting a long list of new products, I will highlight a handful
of the products that I had a chance to actually test. There were hundreds of
2,3, and 4 line kites at the show but most of them were modified versions of
existing products and lacked any real innovation. It really took some effort to
find the really new and exciting products.
In my opinion, the most significant stunt kite introduction at the 1998 KTA was
the Beetle from Flying Wings. The company probably brought over a hundred units
and sold every one of them. Just about everyone walked out with at least one
kite. The last time something like this happened at a Kite Trade Show was 9
years ago when Revolution introduced the first quad line kite.
What makes this kite so special? For the first time in the stunt kite industry,
a manufacturer has released a great kite for less than $50.00. The Volkswagen
Beetle started a revolution in the auto industry with an inexpensive, reliable
car that was fun to drive, the Flying Wings Beetle does the same with the stunt
kite industry in the form of a great inexpensive kite.
Framed in carbon and ready to fly, it is light weight (wind range of about 4-15
mph), nearly indestructible (they challenged people to step on in it and throw
it nose first onto the concrete show floor). It comes well equipped with a
carry case, and full support with replacement parts.
I got a chance to test fly it on Sunday and was quite pleased with the flight
characteristics... not a performance kite, but good enough to put a smile on a
beginner without putting a dent in the bank account.
The next kite that caught my attention was the Level 7 designed by Andy
Preston. The industry has seen precision kites, radical kites, trick kites, 3&4
line kites and now we have the next level (no pun intended) of sport kites. If
you think that you have flown everything and need a new challenge, this new
kite is for you. Get your hands on one and it feels like you are starting to
learn to fly all over again. I don't know how to describe it but there is
definitely a moderate learning curve with this kite and once you have mastered
it, there is a whole new range of "tricks" and maneuvers that can be
accomplished with this kite. Andy was doing a remarkable job of showing the
potential of this product. Definitely for advanced fliers.
The new T&T from Skyburner demonstrates that there is still some room for
growth and improvement in the traditional high end stunt kite category. This
kite does just about everything from "tricks" to straight line precision and
"tracking" well. A solid kite designed with that unmistakable Skyburner quality
and innovation. If you love quality dual line kites, this is the one to save
for in 98. Expect to see it on sale around $300
Prism is a company that seems to do just about everything right and the crowds
at their booth easily reinforces that position. This year they have produced an
indoor/outdoor ultralight/low-wind kite that does a lot of things right. While
Skyburner's Nik Nak and Buena Vista's Feather defined this category last year,
Prism's new Ozone combined their design skills from kites such as the Vapor and
Illusion to produce a kite that is definitely a category killer.
This is not meant to be a conclusive list of products at the show. Dodd showed
several new "Jam" models, and new Tana models. He also worked with Rev to
produce a new dual line kite called the Phase 2. Revolution overhauled the
entire line with some faster and less expensive Revs. Buena Vista's introduced
a couple of new models, Pulse and a new version of the highly sucessfull X4i
called P i. More info will be available once I get a chance to test fly some of
the new products.
If you would like to view this report along with photos from the Trade Show,
visit:
http://www.kitestore.com/kta98/report01.htm
We are planning to fly and photograph many of the 30+ kites we have collected
at the trade show either at our Los Angeles / Orange County location or at Las
Vegas (depending upon weather). If you are interested in helping us with this
really tough job, drop us an email note and we will fill you in on the details.
Hoy Quan
BFK
Angel6
On 13 Jan 1998, Bfk wrote:
>
>Instead of presenting a long list of new products, I will highlight a handful
>of the products that I had a chance to actually test. There were hundreds of
>2,3, and 4 line kites at the show but most of them were modified versions of
>existing products and lacked any real innovation. It really took some effort to
>find the really new and exciting products.
And to what should we attribute this lack of innovation? And what do
people suggest need to be done to ENCOURAGE innovation? What would
MOTIVATE research and development?
>I got a chance to test fly it on Sunday and was quite pleased with the flight
>characteristics... not a performance kite, but good enough to put a smile on a
>beginner without putting a dent in the bank account.
So...the most exciting kite, the most INNOVATIVE one at the show is
one designed for BEGINNERS! Imagine that. Guess some old-timers are
going to get annoyed to find their flying venues getting more crowded
as those pesky newbies buy those cheapy kites and 'take over' the
flying field...and the old-timers will make sure to NOT let those
pesky newbies know about the local flying club, just to make sure it
REMAINS the private enclave of exclusivity it's ALWAYS been...
D. June ;-)
*=======================================================================*
When you come to the edge
Of all light you have known,
And are about to step off into darkness,
Faith is knowing there'll be something to stand on,
Or you will be taught how to fly.
*=======================================================================*
* . *
. _\/ \/_ .
\ \ / / . .
.. .. -==>: X :<==- _\/ \/_
'\ /' / _/ \_ \ _\/\/_
\\// ' /\ /\ ' _\_\_\/\/_/_/_
_.__\\\///__._ * ' * / /_/\/\_\ \
' ///\\\ ' _/\/\_
//\\ /\ /\
./ \. ' '
X-NO-ARCHIVE: YES
SPC
In article <Pine.BSI.3.95.98011...@comet.connix.com>,
Angel6 <rev...@connix.com> wrote:
>...and the old-timers will make sure to NOT let those
>pesky newbies know about the local flying club, just to make sure it
>REMAINS the private enclave of exclusivity it's ALWAYS been...
Oh pahleeaase!
Attitude such as what you express is not only innacurate it gives
outsiders the wrong impression of the kiting community. I've never
found anybody to be stand offish or blah, blah, blah. Sure there
are people that you don't get along with but that is true of any
group of people. Not everybody is going to be a friend but everybody
I've ever meet, and I've been around a long time, has been atleast civil
and courteous, Yeah, even Mr. Nasty is like this. '-)
Sorry folks. I just had to get that off my chest and vent some.
Gentle breezes,
Stevie C
Tako kichi *********************************** aoxomoxoa
http://www.facilities.gatech.edu/steve/kiting/kiting.htm
PS: The URL is working again...
Mike Reagan
I do believe it was meant to be funny.
Lighten up folks.
See, that's the trouble with sarcasm. Either it is, or people mistake it
for, disguised anger.
Keep Looking Up!
Mike Reagan
--
If I can make people laugh, I have served my purpose for God. -Red Skelton
Mike Reagan
You mean to tell me Hoy Quan is alive? And all this time I felt guilty for
not sending flowers?
Damn, it sure is good to see you back on rec.kites!!!!!
Keep Looking Up!
Mike Reagan
--
If I can make people laugh, I have served my purpose for God. -Red Skelton
This was sacasm folks....meant to be funny.
Bfk <b...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19980113061...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
> KTAI Report
>
> The Kite Trade Association trade show is ....
>
> Hoy Quan
> BFK
>
>
Jody McCann
SPC <s...@prism.gatech.edu> wrote in article
<69forr$q...@acmex.gatech.edu>...
> In article <Pine.BSI.3.95.98011...@comet.connix.com>,
> Angel6 <rev...@connix.com> wrote:
>
> >...and the old-timers will make sure to NOT let those
> >pesky newbies know about the local flying club, just to make sure it
> >REMAINS the private enclave of exclusivity it's ALWAYS been...
>
> Oh pahleeaase!
>
>I read this thread and decided to put in my penny's worth. I am a
relative newcomer. I've bought a few kites. I work more than full time
and have a very busy family life. I can't practice a lot so things come
slow. Both the people in Milwaukee and Seattle have been terific at
offering help, instruction and encouragement. They have taught me little
stuff that I can now build on even though I have little time to practice.
I think there are many practicioners who are willing to share and help.
Mark: Thank you for square corners, ground recoveries and "Lazy Susans".
Mike: Thanks for axles. I'm still trying and I let people try my kites
and tell them how cool it is.
Ian Newham
In article <19980113061...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, Bfk
<b...@aol.com> writes
>The next kite that caught my attention was the Level 7 designed by Andy
>Preston. The industry has seen precision kites, radical kites, trick kites, 3&4
>line kites and now we have the next level (no pun intended) of sport kites. If
>you think that you have flown everything and need a new challenge, this new
>kite is for you. Get your hands on one and it feels like you are starting to
>learn to fly all over again. I don't know how to describe it but there is
Can you tell us more? Sure sounds interesting.
What things does it do that other kites dont, why is it such a challenge
etc etc etc.
TIA
Ian Newham mailto:i...@helen.demon.co.uk
http://www.helen.demon.co.uk
Simo Salanne
Hoy Quan / Bfk wrote:
>
> KTAI Report
>
Thank you for a good report.
Simo
--
si...@kfs.org http://www.kfs.org/kites/simo/
=============================================================
Let's keep the signal above the noise in rec.kites
SPC
In article <01bd2033$923e0180$62ae61cc@yikester>,
Mike Reagan <yike...@capital.net> wrote:
>I do believe it was meant to be funny.
Only the originator of the original post with the comment can verify
if it was meant to be humourous. It certainly didn't come off that way.
No winks. No smiles. No *laugh*'s. Etc.
The nature of the original comment about kiting being of closed nature
rings of the old "kiting is elitist and cliqueish" comments that have
been throughly debated and argued over many times in this group. It has
been a while since this has been discussed but when the subject is
discussed, people have been thoroughly serious in the charge. So
hopefully you can see my concern.
I suppose we just have to wait for the originator to let us know
what they meant.
As an aside, if one does intend to make a comedic comment of
sarcastic nature, please leave some form of hint that this is
how you meant the comment. There is nothing worse than a flame
war errupting because somebody made such a comment and it was taken
the wrong way. Like a battle starting by mistake.
Bill Rogers
Hi Ian,
I got a chance to try Andy's new kite for a few minutes. Not long enough to get a real
good feel for it, but long enough to know it was the most bizarre (I mean that in a good
way) dual line kite I have ever flown. It doesn't always react how you expect a dual
line kite to act. It is just different. Square push turn corners didn't, spins kept
going after you stopped, etc. It is one that will take some getting used to.
Andy was doing great with it though. One trick that sticks out in my mind is he put it
in the fade position, then started flat spinning the thing on its back, over and over
again. It just kinda spun there in the air like a top. Looked way cool. This was not
your typical rotating backflip at all!
If you are looking for something different and challenging, this is definitely the kite.
I will be getting one when they come out.
Hope this helped.
See ya,
Bill Rogers
Miguel Rodriguez
Bill Rogers wrote:
>
> Ian Newham wrote:
> >
> > In article <19980113061...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, Bfk
> > <b...@aol.com> writes
> > >The next kite that caught my attention was the Level 7 designed by Andy
> > >Preston.
Hi All,
Interesting, very nteresting. The kite is actually quite original. I had
the opportunity to test fly it. Though I am not really familiar with the
"trick" style of flying, I can say I had fun for about 30 min. at the
test field. I think it offers all sorts of possibilities. It sort of
draws an "S" when you try a straight line. Yet you could use this as a
tool. I also explored and experienced that it really likes axels and
most axel related moves.
I can only imagine how versatile it could be. I think that for
inovation, this kite truly qualifies.
Good job Andy! and thanks for letting me try it.
Miguel Rodriguez
"Dos Avispas"
California Wasp
Bfk
>
>You mean to tell me Hoy Quan is alive? And all this time I felt guilty for
>not sending flowers?
>
>Damn, it sure is good to see you back on rec.kites!!!!!
>
....
Yep... I am still alive and flying... I took a break for a few months due to
some medical problems. Everything seems to be working normally now - including
the computer.
In response to the lack of innovation from a previous post, the industry is
going through a major shakeout. You can count the number of serious U.S. stunt
kite manufactures on one hand.
Last year we lost Air Master, Hyperkites, Buena Vista, Aerie Kiteworks (The
last two got absorbed by other companies).
The retailers have not helped the situation much. A lot of money got diverted
to Yo-Yos, Devil Sticks, and Boomerangs. That's where the growth is today.
KTAI had a record number of non-kite vendors this year.
And the Internet is partly to blame as well. Today anyone with a computer and
a scanner can open up a virtual kitestore with "virtually" no inventory. Count
the number of stores that have scanned the new Prism Catalog and claim to have
every model and color in stock. It makes it tough for both retailers and
manufacturers to compete in such an environment.
Hoy Quan
BFK
... save the flowers
Kurt Svensson
Mike Reagan wrote:
>
> You mean to tell me Hoy Quan is alive? And all this time I felt guilty for
> not sending flowers?
>
> Damn, it sure is good to see you back on rec.kites!!!!!
>
Uuhhuum; just to se if I get the point; so IF it wasn't meant to
be funny it would have been disguised anger.
Hi Mike :-))
--
Anima
The active principle present in living things.
Angel6
On 14 Jan 1998, Bfk wrote:
>And the Internet is partly to blame as well. Today anyone with a
>computer and a scanner can open up a virtual kitestore with
>"virtually" no inventory. Count the number of stores that have
>scanned the new Prism Catalog and claim to have
>every model and color in stock. It makes it tough for both retailers and
>manufacturers to compete in such an environment.
It seems to me that the manufacturers would BENEFIT by having
increased outlets on the web....why would the increase of online
stores hurt manufacturers, seems like the additional market thereby
opened up would increase orders, which in turn would encourage futher
research and development...
Djskites
BFK writes>The retailers have not helped the situation much. A lot of money
got >diverted
>to Yo-Yos, Devil Sticks, and Boomerangs. That's where the growth is today.
>KTAI had a record number of non-kite vendors this year.
So what is so wrong with that? Kite shops never could survive on dual line and
upper end sales alone. I am really into Sportkites, but if I had a retail shop
again I would sell Yo Yos, Devil Sticks, boomerangs, Juggling, Plastic single
line (along with high end of course) and any type of flying toy to make my
rent and bring customers into my shop,In Addition to the best sport kites and
accessories I could get my hands on. Choice, I would give them choice just like
I do now in my wholsale business.
I saw the growth as normal at the KTAI. I saw no cause for alarm. I did not
get a chance to spend lots of time in each booth, but I did see an effort by
many of the exhibitors to progress this hobby/sport in both single line and
dual line and accessories with new improved designs and selling concepts.
I applaud all of the exhibitors of the 1998 KTAI for a job well done!
It depends on what you were looking for as you walked around the KTAI.
If you did not spend time talking to the Exhibitors, and just looked, you
would not find that much. Some retail shops were only looking for what they
had last year, wanting a cheaper price. In my booth, we were trying our best to
offer other alternatives to selling sport kites besides just lowering the
price, . Like innovative selling concepts, selection, quality, availability
and knowledge of product.
Every year at the banquet and after I ask some retailers if they saw anything
new in the entire KTA and the response is usually the same. Not really ,
nothing new and exicting. I suggest to those Retailers that you spend more time
and listen to the exhibitors and their ideas instead of rushing around looking
for the best discounts and only the innovative products that stick out. And fly
Fly Fly at the product demos. If you are not a flyer yourself, get others to
evaluate the products for you but get out on that field, not just to take
pictures and watch, but acutally fly and test the products in most cases with
the person who designed it!
>And the Internet is partly to blame as well. Today anyone with a computer and
>a scanner can open up a virtual kitestore with "virtually" no inventory.
Count
>the number of stores that have scanned the new Prism Catalog and claim to have
>every model and color in stock. It makes it tough for both retailers and
>manufacturers to compete in such an environment.
This is a problem for sure.but on the other hand......
When I had a small retail shop and struggling to make rent, personally
teaching everyone who I came in contact with, supporting events, traveling, and
basically giving it all my sweat and blood for many years only to be under sold
by a mail order catalog who offered basically nothing more than a low price, I
felt the same frustrations. Hmmmmmmmmm? Makes you think huh?
I became one of the first full service mail order catalogs, DJSportkites,
anybody remember that one? I had the videos, the free training in the catalog,
and answered many questions on my free 800 number and taught for free (before
Flight Schools)everyone I could but Still i was forced to close after giving it
a good try for several years due to the fact that people want a cheap price and
thats it. I would give them all of the info, spend the money on my 800 number,
and still they would call around afterwards and get the best price, most times
the difference of $2-5. If you give free info, thats great too, but the bottom
line is price for alot of people, but NOT ALL PEOPLE!!!!
Some of you appreciate great service, availability, selection and a
knowledgable staff. I believe you will find more knowlegable kite shops and
mail order catalogs these days, and yes, even on the Net! The same applies that
applied to Mailorder. Support the shop that gives you the best service,
selection, availability and knowledge. If you e-mail a web site and they can
not deliver right away, chances are they do not have that product in stock and
have done exactly what Hoy said they did, merely scanned in a catalog and wait
for the orders. So check around before you buy. Don't buy from them. Don't buy
from the shop or mailorder catalog that offers nothing more than what seems to
be a great price, because you will not be happy in the end.
In most cases you will find that spending the little extra is well worth it in
the end.
Still, nothing beats going into a shop and talking directly with a qualified
salesperson/flier that can answer all you questions, touching the product and
really looking at it. But then, dont' go home and e-mail a web site, give your
business to the shop that earned it and took the time to help you.
Happy flying
Dodd Gross
Master Instructor
DKC, Import/Wholesale Distribution for the US
Hunter Brown
Hello,
I also got to spend some time on Andy's new kite. I think it is very
inovative. I see it as the future of radical flying. I think that it
is way ahead of its time and maybe a lot of flyers aren't ready for it
but will spend time and learn it. It does amazing things. Andy would
take it out to do a slot machine and give it the first pop and the kite
would flaten at a bit of an angle and stall for a few seconds. Then he
would give the second pop and the kite would make the rotation. He was
doing mad multiple rotating backflips, 5 to 10 at a time. Crazy. Most
impressive to me was the kite would do rotating fades. Not just one but
again multiples, 5 to 10 at a time. It doesn't get hung up much at all
either and recovers from almost anything. Good job Andy!
Other kites to mention are the Passion and Phase 2. The Passion is an
all around sweat kite. It is smooth and beautiful. It tricks nice and
had exelent precision. Good job Alex! The Phase 2 turned out great as
well. It tricks wonderfully and had great precision. It flys down
around three mph and still tricks good in 10 to 15. It is much faster
in axels and flat spins than other kites similar in design. A lot of
people think it looks like the Illusion (another great kite) and they
try to fly it like one but you can't. It is different. The advantage
frame seems to be very durable too. Great job Dodd!
Well, I hope this lets some people know what these new kites are like.
Steady Winds,
Hunter
Mike Dallmer
Just curious what was offered in the single line field, everything I've
seen so far has to do with dual lines.... Good WInds.. Mike Dallmer
SPC
In article <19980114153...@ladder02.news.aol.com>,
Djskites <djsk...@aol.com> wrote:
Well said Dodd.
>So what is so wrong with that? Kite shops never could survive on dual line and
>upper end sales alone. I am really into Sportkites, but if I had a retail shop
>again I would sell Yo Yos, Devil Sticks, boomerangs, Juggling, Plastic single
>line (along with high end of course) and any type of flying toy to make my
>rent and bring customers into my shop
And let us not forget flags, banners and windsocks. Away visiting in-laws
this past Christmas, I ventured into a shop of one of the larger kite retail
operations on the east coast and was taken by the shear volume of what
I mentioned. Now I have known the owners for years and according to them,
the windsocks, banners, etc., is really what keeps them in business
and pays the bills. They know the market they have and service that
market. By carrying items other than kites, they have been able to stay
in business, prosper and expand. As Teddy Rosevelt would say, bully for
them (that's an expression of approval, btw, just in case your TR history
is a bit faulty - nothing negative). The thing is that by carrying other
items, they are able to support selling kites.
Personally, I prefer to see kite stores stay in business, even if they have
to carry other items besides kites and it might seem these other items
dominate.
Dan Carey
Mike Dallmer wrote:
>
> Just curious what was offered in the single line field, everything I've
> seen so far has to do with dual lines.... Good WInds.. Mike Dallmer
Take a short hop to Gone With the Wind Kites and have a look at the
single line pictures(there's quite a few).
http://www.gwtw-kites.com
--
-----------------------------------
To reply, take the "TRASH" out of my address
___________________________________
Ian Newham
*Lots of comments on the Stranger Level 7 snipped*
Thanks Bill, Miguel & Hunter
OK I'll have to get my hands on one :-) Does anyone know when they will
be available, likely price spec's etc?
Goodwinds
To all interested -
One of the most interesting aspect to the KTAI Trade Show and Conference was
the comaraderie among the exhibitors that is becoming more apparent.
A growing sense of pride in one's own industry was one of the most outstanding
aspects of this year's show.
Every year there are new products and once in a while there is a major break
through but this years show was a show of strength, strength in an industry
where the participants are growing up and putting on a great show.
Thanks Hoy for the great run down. Hope you are feeling better and keep up the
reports.
Congratualations to:
David Gomberg the new President
Me for Vice President
Stu Eisenmen for Sec/ Treasurer
and the new board members
Julie King- Tori Tako
Kurt Degener-Avia Sport
Scobie Puchler- Prism
Monica Barber - Cutting Edge Kites
Lolly Hadziki Ryno- Revolution Kites
Neffie Scarborough
Kathy Goodwind
rec.kites
Andy Wardley
Hunter Brown <hcb...@ipass.net> wrote:
>...doing mad multiple rotating backflips, 5 to 10 at a time. Crazy. Most
>impressive to me was the kite would do rotating fades. Not just one but
>again multiples, 5 to 10 at a time. It doesn't get hung up much at all
>either and recovers from almost anything. Good job Andy!
Was it the kite doing it, or was it Andy? :-)
It's one of those tricks that I thought was possible, but could never do
it (which I *guess* is as much to do with the kite as the flier).
Andy managed to keep the Level 7 well under his hat, because the first I
heard about it (and other people in "The Biz" I've spoken to) was from the
KTA. I can't wait to try it out. It sounds like the Old Bugger might have,
once again, shown us what a great innovator he is.
A
--
Andy Wardley <a...@kfs.org> http://www.kfs.org/~abw
Signature lost in transit. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Joe Rademaker
Andy Wardley wrote:
> Andy ("Preston") managed to keep the Level 7 well under his hat, because the
Joe Rademaker
Andy Wardley wrote:
> Andy("Preston") managed to keep the Level 7 well under his hat, because the
> first I
> heard about it (and other people in "The Biz" I've spoken to) was from the
> KTA. I can't wait to try it out. It sounds like the Old Bugger might have,
> once again, shown us what a great innovator he is.
>
Where will this kite show up first in the U.S.? I really need something else,
I have no idea
how to fly.
Kokomo Joe Rademaker
jr...@hotmail.com
Simon Dann
On Thu, 15 Jan 1998 10:15:57 +0000, Ian Newham <i...@helen.demon.co.uk>
wrote:
Come to Blackheath abd may be have a look at one....
see whats evolving ????
Simon Dann STACK UK Head Judge 1993 -1998 so far..
STACK 1988 - 1998 - Happy Tenth Birthday.
World Indoor Duration Record Holder - Quadline
I fly Revolutions, use Shanti Speed, wear Bolle Sunglasses;
Because they are the best !