Kite flying ranges from simple to stuntworthy

By Lynn Taylor Rick, Journal staff | Sunday, April 20, 2008

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A middle school teacher first piqued Jason Hoar’s interest in kites.

“He would talk about kites and use them in his math class,” Hoar said.

Later, as a college student, Hoar visited California and saw people flying elaborate trick kites along the windy coastline. He decided to bring one home as a travel souvenir.

Since then, his kite collection has grown. Today, he has numerous kites, from simple two-string outfits to his favorite — a parachute-style kite.

“I’m not too serious about it. … It’s just fun. Just for a change of pace,” Hoar said.

April is National Kite Flying Month, a month when kite enthusiasts hope to entice a few more people to break out their kites.

Kites are believed to have been created in China more than 2,000 years ago. The earliest written account comes from 200 BC.

Over time, kites have evolved. While kite flyers can still buy the simple one-stringed affairs for a few bucks, they also have the option of buying elaborate two-

and four-stringed kites: kites that do loop-de-loops, dives and even lift the flyer off the ground. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials, and can cost several hundred dollars.

Jin Ken-Yuu of Rapid City grew up flying kites in Utah. He said a lot of people don’t realize that kite flying can and often is a strenuous sport. With stunt kites strong enough to lift a person off the ground, stunt kite flyers have to be in good shape.

“It takes a lot of endurance. It takes a lot of upper body strength,” he said.

He’s seen kite flyers hook themselves to their kites with rock climbing gear and literally be flown from one place to another.

Although he didn’t intend for it to happen, Hoar experienced such an extreme kite-flying experience. “I’ve even had it pick me up off the ground: 10 to 15 feet,” he said.

While the stunt kites offer a little something more physical for a segment of the kite-flying population, there remains a place for people who want a relaxing afternoon with their single-string kite.

Laurie Root has owned a wide variety of kites over the years, including one that blew bubbles while in the air and another shaped like a wasp that buzzed when it flew. Her favorite now is a giant fish kite, complete with eyelashes.

Root doesn’t go in for the stunt kites, preferring instead to keep it simple and fun with her young cousins and nieces.

“I’ve just always thought it was really relaxing,” she said. “I always wondered if you were up on the kite, what could you see?”

Hoar sees the hobby much the same way. “They’re relaxing,” he said.

They also draw a crowd. When he attended college in Brookings, Hoar used to fly his kites on campus. Within a short time, he almost always had company.

“People would come over,” he said. “If they see a kite doing loop-de-loops … they’re kind of intrigued with that.”

Contact Lynn Taylor Rick at lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com or 394-8414.