Chuck Colht

I just started flying kites in May but got my first kite (besides those paper eddys from childhood) several years ago, I used to fly RC helicopters but wanted to try something else. So I bought a Prism Adrenaline from the local (only and now gone) kite shop. The first time out I had a great time but the second time ended up with a tangled mess of lines so I just shoved it all into the bag and put it away. Fast forward about 8 years. My family has been going down to Homer Alaska for the last few summers and for those that don't know (almost everybody) it is a fishing town on Kachemak Bay that has a nice beach on a long thin peninsula called Homer Spit. Yes, it is a real sandy beach. No, you don't frolick in the surf without a wet suit. Great wind and I always saw kite surfers out there. We rent a condo right on the beach. Anyway, I had been moving this Prism around and always meant to do something with it. This year I decided to take it with me to Homer but also bought several other kites 'for the grand kids'. First time back out one of my lines snapped from age. Fortunately I had plenty of line so that just slowed me down a bit. Back in the air, my wife said my face just lit up. The only way to describe my expression was as pure joy. I was barely keeping up with the kite in the high winds but knew I was hooked. Back in Anchorage, the winds are generally light and variable so the Adrenaline was literally grounded. So I got a 4D. Lots of fun that! Then I got an iFlite and started making miniature kites. My kids are used to me doing quirky things so flying a kite around the house is considered 'normal.' My wife is a quilter and is going to teach me to sew. Who knows where that will lead. I also just got a Rev B Std but my first outing in light wind was not too successful. This is to be expected and I still had a good time. That's what matters really. Single line kites are special too because of the way they work with the wind. I can lose myself just watching them drift around, feeling the changing pull on the line. I have no interest in competition but still want to get as good as I can while keeping the joy in it. Hopefully that will take the rest of my life.