Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1993 05:49:59 -1000 From: WVOSS@novell.com (Wes Voss) Message-Id: Organization: Novell, Inc Subject: Cost of kiting (was:Is it a sport?) In article lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca (Larry Marshall) writes: >From: lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca (Larry Marshall) >Subject: Re: Is it a sport? >Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1993 11:59:51 GMT >>In my opinion, the best thing we could do to promote the growth of the kiting >>industry is start working with the kids. Things like kite-building seminars, >>festivals, etc. A chance to get a line in their hands and let them see the >>more upscale kites as they get older and more serious. >While I agree with working with kids I'm less convinced that this is where >growth of this activity will come from. I think it's our first instinct >to believe that if we convince the kids they're neat we'll have growth. The >same thing is said over and over again in the model airplane hobby. Then people >are surprised that there are no kids in the hobby. Somehow the fact that it >costs several hundred dollars and requires superb hand-eye coordination, to say >nothing of long attention spans to be become proficient at it (and the >fact that kids have none of these things) is lost on the advocates. Good point. You may be right. >Actually I question the idea of "getting started" in kiting for $50 if >you're talking about setting up a set of Spectra lines with a decent kite >attached. Kite rentals may permit cheap test flighting but I think it does >a dis-service to the potential kite flyer to hand them second class equipment >and expect them to enjoy things the way we do. Inexpensive kites are getting >better, no doubt. But I have yet to see anything where the total package costs >$50 and yet will actually perform. Beginners need good equipment. It's hard >to get cheap equipment to fly decently. The thing is, spending a couple >hundred bucks on a hobby is peanuts relative to the so many things people do >to enjoy themselves. I think what you're talking about is getting them >to a point where they see it as something they want to do and there, having >someone hand them the lines to a kite is the best way. I understand what you mean about good equipment, but I kind of disagree. Probably because of the way I got started. I had seen them in Hawaii when I was there on a business trip, and was very scared away by the price. I couldn't afford it. At all. When I saw my first Peter Powell for $50, I saved for a while to get it. I had to convince my wife it would be fun to fly. I flew that thing for 2 years before I decided I wanted to get serious and get a better kite. I think there is a place for that kind of purchase. I have seen many guys around here who got things like Skynasaur deltas for father's day this year. It is more than they know how to handle. As I've got to know them and answered questions for them, they've progressed to the point that some of them are starting to look at purchasing more expensive kites as replacements. When that happens, you have a kite you can hand to a spectator and give him a 5 minute lesson without having to worry about creaming your nicer kites. For most beginners, I think a $50 kite is good enough to learn with. Next step might be something like a Griffin. If they keep working, I would imagine the next move would be a specialty kite of some type, based on their interest (foil, rev, etc.). As far as a couple hundred bucks being peanuts for a hobby you are right. However, most sports such as golf, etc. have the advantage in that your dad or someone takes you golfing the first few times and you get exposed to the sport with no investment on your part. Then you rent clubs. Then you buy used clubs. Then you buy a nice set. If you need it, later you buy a nice set of Pings. The hardest part is introducing people to the sport and getting *something* in their hands. If you can do that, they will sell themselves a new kite or an upgrade. IMHO, of course! Wes wvoss@novell.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: These are just my opinions, and no one else's; no one else wants them; especially my employer! ___________________________________________________________ = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1993 01:57:05 -1000 From: lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca (Larry Marshall) Message-Id: Organization: Forestry Canada - Petawawa National Forestry Institute Subject: Re: Cost of kiting (was:Is it a sport?) In WVOSS@novell.com (Wes Voss) writes: >I understand what you mean about good equipment, but I kind of disagree. >Probably because of the way I got started. I had seen them in Hawaii when I Well, I wouldn't want to take my side of the argument too far :-) Also, the quality of a $50 kite has improved dramatically over the last few years. >However, most sports such as golf, etc. have the advantage in that your dad or >someone takes you golfing the first few times and you get exposed to the sport >with no investment on your part. Then you rent clubs. Then you buy used clubs. Good point...this is where the helpful, kite-flying zealot can help with an occasional "here, try mine" offer. My poor old Spin-off is still getting quite a work-out as I can't communicate the "don't pull harder if it's heading for the ground" suggestion to new pilots (grin). There are some advantages to heavy fibreglass rods (grin). ---------- Larry Marshall lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca Forestry Canada (613) 589-2880 Petawawa National Forestry Institute (613) 589-2275 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1993 20:25:30 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Re: Cost of kiting (was:Is it a sport?) In article lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca (Larry Marshall) writes: >My poor old Spin-off is still getting >quite a work-out as I can't communicate the "don't pull harder if it's heading >for the ground" suggestion to new pilots (grin). There are some advantages >to heavy fibreglass rods (grin). My 5m peel is my favorite kite for handing to a rank beginner. It is difficult to break and slow enough for me to tell them what to do, them to understand what I'm saying, work out their right from their left and pull the right line before the thing hits the ground. For the timid/weak/young/scared, it is also the only kite that can easily be flown by two people, one per line. Andrew -- Work: gaffer@plx.com Phone: +44 793 614 110 Fax: +44 793 614 297 Play: andrew@tug.com Phone: +44 256 464 912 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =