Hey Guys
Just wondering what anyone knows about the history of the first commercialised kite surfing kites ( wipika put a patent on the first inflatable kite in 1997 ). I am doing a school assignment on technology and how its developed and decided that seeing as pretty much 99% of the class is doing an iPhone I would do kites. So decided that at the speed that kites developed at such a fast rate and were virtually non-existent before the 90's then why not. So I am looking for any input ( preferably not negative ) as to your personal experiences or just what you know. Everything even what kites were like (don't say death trap).
Cheers Guys
HI! JUST SEARCH IN THE ARCHIVE. AWILE AGO THERE WAS A GUY FROM CANADA WHO WANTED TO DO THE SAME THING. CS
Yes, and he too got ripped a new one.....
Mate, this is not a valid source for answers.... and some will actually send you along the wrong path just for fun....
There should be plenty of information about this stuff in search engines.
Just google kiting equipment from each year starting from the late 90's and it should give you some info.
Basic progression as I know it: started out as 2 lines, then went to four, then went to five, then back to four (for some), then octopus inflation and now the latest is to miss out on the middle strut.
Theres things like the advent of the delta shape, C shape, Hybrid kites, Bow kites, Sigma kites, the changes in the bar systems, the advent of depower straps etc.
Lots of things went into different companies design and for the best part of the 90's to about 2007-2008, we were all guinea pigs for the trialling of this gear.
Happy trails mate, now go and do your homework!
don't forget that kitesurfing started before inflatable kites.
it started in delta style stunt kites.
Years ago now, I did my disertation at Uni on the forces Provided by leading edge inflatable kites in the research that was done prior to the investigation. I descovered that it was the Chinese who were the first to harness the power of kites to help tow rafts over great lakes.
There is information out there.
http://www.kiteboardingevolution.com/kiteboarding-kite.html
Before Wipika got to the water there was Cory Roessler and his dad who invented the Kiteski using a larger version of a stunt kite. There were reel bars in those days.
www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2374301&p=735012
Peter Lynn also developed the C-Quad, which was another non-inflatable kite (but very powerful).
the discovery channel have launched a project to create a kiteboarding film to show how advanced kiting has become and how the riders have got it to where it is today, see a trailer at www.kickstarter/ projects/1148654711/with-a-kite
Call Darren Marshall at AKS in WA and Ian Young at Windesigns.
These guys have been involved from the early days in WA and Aust, at least and will point you in the right direction and I am sure give you some great tips into the history.
They were there man!
Andy! Next time you'll write an assignment send it to the doctor and get it checked!
Win win situation for everybody...and keeps the doctor busy and off the forum!
But the Doc is the Doc and is always entertaining...sometimes he steps over the line or under the belt.....
cs
Hey Doc i think ur white pannel van with panted out windows was impounded, my dad the policeman sais there is some susicious Blood stains and lollies scattered through the back, better get a good lawer ;)