10 minute read
FROM TAILS TO TRENDS: Bridging the Kite Generation Gap
BY: PAULA VILLARREAL
When considering flying a kite, one probably thinks of a single-line kite with bright colors and shaped like a diamond. Although that is what most people start flying first, much like myself and my husband, there is an array of other styles of kites one can choose to fly with. So grab a cup of coffee and be prepared to be enlightened by the diversity of kites.
This story is for the most experienced to the not-so-experienced kite flyer. There is so much beauty when talking about kites. There is never a dull moment with all the neat things they can do as an expression of color in the big blue sky.
But first, let me share a personal story. My husband and I have been flying kites for a combined 20 years now in the state of Texas, primarily on the shores of South Padre Island. What we noticed early on when we started flying with other kite flyers on the island was the big age gap between us.
I started to question this, but I never really had an answer for it. I brushed the notion aside and continued to do my thing and kitefly!
Until recently, I started to dabble further in understanding this question. Why was I bothered by this question? I was concerned about the notion that no one younger than my husband and I were flying. Again, why is it that no one younger than us is flying kites? Furthermore, why is the next age flying 30 years above my age? The simple answer is this.
When thinking of my generation, Generation X tapped into using technology for minimal everyday use due to its novelty. We had the privilege of living without an abundance of technology, such as tablets and cell phones, overtaking our lives. For example, I owned my first phone when I was a Senior in College at 22.
To put that time in perspective, the typical child from a study conducted in 2021 called
The Common Sense Census, received their first phone at the tender age of 11. This article also shared that half of American children of age 11 own a phone, placing them in the front row of a screen they cannot put down.
My generation, Generation X, encountered technology later in life. However, once one tastes it, it is difficult to put it down at least, that is my experience.
Looking at the generation ahead of us, such as the Baby Boomers, they lacked access to technology as an integral part of their lives. Therefore, this led them to experience being present in many areas, especially the outdoors. The younger generation coming up, such as the Millennials, Z, and A, have grown up experiencing a full-fledged array of technology that is readily accessible at their fingertips.
Since technology is so readily accessible now, it limits the ability to try new outdoor things, such as kite-flying. Some do take advantage of a balanced life of technology and being in the great outdoors. However, I have yet to encounter many of them. We can learn a lot from the older generations. See, technology has the ability to consume our attention, and it is difficult to stop looking.
The answer to my question is this. Less technology equals greater means of experiencing outdoor activities. More technology equals less means of experiencing outdoor activities. This revelation motivates me to put down technology, whether scrolling on social media or spending too much time on streaming apps. I want to be more present for outdoor activities like kite-flying. I want to share the art of kite-flying with as many people as possible, especially the generations that I don't see kite-flying.
As mentioned earlier, people usually start flying single-line kites. My first kite was a simple dolphin delta shaped kite that came with a 15-foot tail built in. I thought I was on top of the world when I got it back in 1999.
That is right, you read that correctly. My first kite was gifted to me in 1999 by my best friend. That is how my story began. Many of you have your first story on how your interest in kite-flying began. You may even think of that first taste of "coolness" as you let that kite go up in that bright blue sky. It may very well be one of your life's best days.
What is neat about flying a single-line kite is that some kites require rods called spars to help set up their body before flying, and some do not require spars to build them. Those kites that do not need spars allow the wind to shape them in the sky. These kites are called parafoils.
Parafoils will enable the wind to take their way in the open skies. These parafoil kites have sections that open up where wind can pass and lift them to the sky.
Once you get these single-line kites up in the air with that single line, you find an appropriate length of string you wish to set up. You can hold that kite in your hand, but you may get tired. Experienced kite flyers stake their kites to the ground, which is stationary for everyone to enjoy from far or close.
The fun does not stop there with staking the kite to the ground. With one-line kites, one may desire to dress up that line with such extras called kite laundry. Kite laundry is fun, and it can tell a story. I want to share one of my favorite kite laundry pieces, pictured below.
The next type of kite-flying is a dual-line kite. A dual-line kite is a step up from a single-line kite. It has two strings attached to the kite. The beauty of this kite is that the person holding it can direct the kite's direction. As always, wind plays a factor, but when you drive it correctly, you can direct the kite's direction in the air. These kites do not require you to stake it to the ground as the flyer controls the direction of the kite. There can be flips and loops in which the two kite strings can get tangled, but the exciting part is detangling them in the air through acrobaticstyle kite movements.
Moving along to more complex style of flying is quad-line kite-flying. Quad-line kite-flying is for the most adventurous and dedicated person. I have dabbled in this kite-flying style, and I have yet to master it. It takes a tenacious person to keep at it with time and precision as one moves their wrist slightly to direct the movement of the four strings. However, once you master this form of kiteflying, you can move it in multiple zones to display its vulnerability in the sky. Through this vulnerability, a quad-kite can share the sky with other quad-kites and display a beautiful arrangement of pictures in the sky for others to enjoy. In addition, one may add music to make the story in the sky come to life.
Wind plays a role in all forms of kite-flying. The wind speed at 5 miles per hour may be low enough to put a single-line kite up, but if you have a kite, such as a glider, you can put that kite up with no problem. Now, if the wind was 10-15 miles per hour, you have a sweet spot to play with when putting up a single-line kite. With wind past 15 miles per hour, even the experienced kite-flier can get into trouble. A kite can get into severe flying problems. Such problems as the kite pulling too hard on your line or the line can knock other kites down. Either way, when attempting to fly, watching the wind meter is essential to a successful kite-flying day.
There is one more style of kite-flying that is not a typical kite in the air. Ground Bouncers are "kite-like" in that they are attached to a short series of strings that enable them to bounce up and down on the ground. These can be fun for the kids and even the kid at heart. Ground Bouncers are a great source of ways to color the ground while big kites fly in the sky. Whichever form of fun you decide to try out, both are equally fun to set up.
For someone reading this article, this information on kites may be something you already know. For some, it may be something you have never heard about.
The goal of this article is to share the different forms of kite-flying with as many people as possible. The second goal is to shed some light on the generational gap observed in my community of kite-flyers.
Now, where does one go from here? Maybe after reading this article, you have sparked interest in picking up a single-line kite. Or maybe you have dabbled in only single-line kites and want to spice it up with a dual-line kite.
Maybe you want to challenge yourself with another form of kite-flying. I challenge you to do it. Even if you are scared, do it scared! The key word is "do it!"
I challenge you to share this article with a colleague or someone who knows nothing about kites. That person you are thinking may be the one who thinks kites are a thing of the past. You may be the only line of contact to link them to kites.
Kite-flying is a beautiful sport and hobby. I have enjoyed flying with my husband on the shores of South Padre Island, Texas, and I treasure all the friends I have met along the way.
No matter what kite you choose to fly with, do it joyfully. I will leave you with this. Someone once said, "I have never seen a sad person flying a kite." Now go fly a kite!
WRITTEN BY PAULA VILLARREAL. PAULA FLIES KITES WITH HER HUSBAND ON THE SHORES OF SOUTH PADRE ISLAND AND ARE KNOWN AS THE KITEKOUPLE.
