I recently participated in my first kite-making retreat, and I’m glad I did. Honestly, I’m more into kite flying than building, but I gave it a go, with the Classic Crossdeck kite, in a class led by Cliff Quinn at the Upper Midwest Kite-Making Event in Oregon, IL.
The experience provided an incredible look at the equipment, skills and techniques needed to do things right. Beyond that, it served as a terrific opportunity to meet and network with a wide variety of kiting enthusiasts and experts. And the kite raffle did not disappoint! More on that in an upcoming video.
You’ll find a handful of these retreats around the country. Classes can include everything from color theory and how to create your own kite designs to the making of award-winning kites and ground displays – banners, spinners, wind serpents and much more. Take some time to watch the classes captured here and visit the retreat links below for details about each event and what you can learn.
Kite Making Retreats:
- Keystone Kiters Winter Kitemaking Workshop, Camp Hill, PA
- Oregon Kitemakers Retreat, Rockaway Beach, OR
- Maryland Kite Society Retreat, Ellicott City, MD
- Upper Midwest Area Kitemaking Event (U-MAKE), Oregon, IL
- Fort Worden Kitemakers Retreat, Stanwood, WA
As for kite building, designs this year ranged from the Astral Glide, Classic Roller, Starlight, Ohashi, Trash Bag Delta, Dondai, Miniature Cody and much more! All were led by accomplished builders including Barbara Meyer, Ed Grys, Folke Gfrörer, Rod Beamguard, Ron Gibian, and Steve Anderson to name a few.
Keep in mind that all skill levels are welcome. Even someone like me with virtually no skill level came away from my first build with a solid flier. All of the materials are provided in a kit with instructions, experts help you every step of the way, and I even finished in a jiff at home. Sure, the stitching wanders a bit, but as high as I fly my kites, it’s absolutely perfect!
Michael K. Sherman 