About 15 years ago I was lucky enough to stumble upon and then join the slightly bonkers but oddly cool population of dual line kite flyers in the UK. I was, admittedly, a bit peripheral as I was slowly learning the skills but was regularly enthused by the abilities of many of the longer serving FA members. Over a few years, I bought a bunch of excellent kites and attended various festivals in the UK and even went over to France once for a big competition (as an admirer, not a competitor!). Bought an FA beany and Tshirt and wore both with pride.
I then, 12 years ago, made the mistake of becoming self employed and the kite bag started to gather dust in my workshop - somehow it never got to the top of my 'must do' list.
A couple of weeks ago, while searching for a silver lining in this rather wretched locked down dystopia, a beacon of positivity hove into view. I suddenly realised that this was the perfect time to dust down my 'Jest of Eve' Talons, repair the Deep Space and finally get to do a comete.
So, I logged onto to my FA account and went to the forum to see what's hot and .....
Well, nothing, really.
A spark of life in Scandinavia but that was about it.
I expected there to have been a bit of come and go while I was AWOL but it seems to be all 'go'. I was stunned and not a little sad.
What happened?
Was the scene 15 years ago a bit a bit of a bubble brought about by a coincidence of technological advance and highly motivated individuals?
Did we just get to the end of the range of tricks that could be done and folk got bored?
Was performing kite ballet on a beach listening to music in your headphones too esoteric for anyone under 30 ?
I have ordered a Supernova from Tim and can't wait for it's arrival, but should I resign myself to the fact that kite flying nowadays is a singular pleasure? For me that will still be enough to make it well worthwhile.... just tinged with a little nostalgia for those old, social days.
Marklookssouth