Seattle AirGear

Hotter speed and turning than competition kites. Higher-quality exercise and livelier pull than power kites.
WindDances are "airgear," a new concept. They fly better and feel more exciting than typical stunt kites.
Our other advancements: Ergo T-handles that boost feel, control, exercise. Natural active FLY-a-kite skill.

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What others say

The FEEDBACK we've received -- about 75 pages dating back to mid-1997 -- confirms everything we claim about WindDances, other kites, control handles, kite retailers, and the peculiar kite culture that drives the thinking and behavior of organized kiting.

The red section below illustrates how virtually all kite retailers misrepresent WindDances into something inferior, or refuse to sell them, or worse. In addition to violating their retailer code of ethics, they steer their customers away from WindDancing fun.

Why do they do it? Their kite culture demands it. You see, our WindDance parafoils are made for and excel at "kite FLYING" with "basic skill." That is, we made WindDances for "REAL kite flying." As a result, WindDances fly way better than parafoils are 'supposed' to fly, basic skill works far better with WindDances than with other dual-line kites, WindDances provide higher-quality exercise than other kites do, and WindDances are pure joy to spectacularly fly side-by-side with a friend. All of that rubs the kite culture the wrong way. Since kite-retailing shops, catalogs, and websites serve as portals into their restrictive kite culture, they cannot promote the wonders of kite FLYING with basic skill or the reality of WindDancing.

The pressure to conform to their kite culture is so strong it overwhelms good business sense. No wonder kite shops are failing. No wonder both USA kite magazines -- Kite Lines and American Kite -- died in the year 2000.

Our response to critics. Yes, in addition to the many "raves" we get "flamed," too!

He r e a re things flyers have run into when dealing with organized kiting and its kite culture:

"************* has lost my business until they clean up their act in regard to the WindDance. I have found a WindDance easier to fly than any delta I have tried. We have had my father-in-law who is over 80 and grandchildren ages 6 and 10 both flying the WindDance. ************* not only gives you a bad rap in regard to flying characteristics, it grades the WindDance as more difficult to fly than it actually is. . . . " -- 5/00 email

Epilogue Feb-2001. That retailer did clean up their act, sort of: they dropped WindDances and the false advertising against them from their catalog. And they dropped us, too -- kite flyers Dan & Sue Ruuska -- from their mailing list after sending us a catalog every year for a decade. A customer sent us his 2001 catalog; we see how they replaced WindDances with inferior parafoils and continue with the same kite-culture sales methods as before.

Due to the kite-culture beliefs that guide them, kite retailers prefer parafoils that pull well but don't FLY well. We use ************* as a stunning example: how they dumped parafoils that fly superbly for ones that fly poorly.

A few years ago, a Seattle kite retailer suggested that we consider reducing WindDance performance to strengthen our sales to organized kiting. Instead, we boosted performance by improving to the WindDance2000. And look what happened. Should we have listened?

"The stink from the new ************* catalog is so bad I have to keep it in a closet." -- 2/00 phone call

That customer of ours, who is also an ************* customer, was upset about the catalog's unfair treatment of WindDances.

A retailer is supposed to fully and accurately represent the products they sell. It is plain wrong for a retailer to advertise a high-performance product as having much lower performance. It's also wrong to advertise a lower-performance product as having high performance. The KTAI (Kite Trade Association International) has a Retailer Code of Ethics to prevent such misrepresentation, to prevent such wrongdoing. It didn't stop the kite retailer.

In their catalog's performance-comparison tables, 1) they adjusted WindDance performance downward from their 1999 catalog -- down to their LOWEST speed rating for parafoils -- in spite of WindDances (original & 2000 models) actually being faster than other foils and nearly all deltas, too. 2) They gave unrealistic high ratings to other products.

What do these "performance adjustments" do? They force WindDances down into the kite-culture's low place for parafoils, making WindDances appear to the consumer as less than what they actually are. And they make other kites, both foils and deltas, look better than they actually are. These adjustments please the bigger kite manufacturers and the kite culture, at the expense of Seattle AirGear and at the expense of the retailer's customers who want sport kites that FLY extremely well.

In reality, WindDances (original & 2000 models) do fly faster** than the sparred-parafoils long claimed to be the fastest kites in the world. When a sparred-parafoil enthusiast tried a WindDance on Seattle's Kite Hill, his immediate comment about the astounding performance was, "This is really going to piss off Flexifoil!" Even some of our dealers told us about the WindDance's obvious speed & turning superiority over sparred-parafoils.

In reality, WindDances (original & 2000 models) do fly faster** than virtually all deltas especially in medium and brisk winds. On Seattle's Kite Hill, flyers not yet brainwashed by the kite culture have remarked how WindDances are faster than their deltas -- even faster than their tiny speed deltas.

In reality, WindDances (original & 2000 models) do fly faster** than the parafoil the catalog promotes as the "best stunt foil yet." Although the catalog rates its speed as "faster," the Winter-99/00 Kite Lines magazine reports "slow forward speed" for that same product. Although the catalog rates WindDance speed as "medium" (two notches slower than the "best stunt foil yet"), the Spring-1999 Kite Lines rated WindDances "fast" with overall performance superior to most delta sport kites.

Here in Seattle when our WindDances are flying (original & 2000 models), the "best stunt foil yet" looks pathetic in comparison: slower forward speed, slower turning speed, and when turned the wing distorts out of shape because it has only half the bridle needed for maneuvering flight. That flight performance is so poor that some have called the "best stunt foil yet" a big mistake that makes its manufacturer look bad. How superior is WindDance flight performance? View our MPEG clips and see for yourself.

It appears as if the kite retailer did a switch -- gave the low performance of the "best stunt foil yet" to WindDances, and gave hot WindDance performance to the "best stunt foil yet" -- to promote the celebrity manufacturer they chose to heavily feature in the catalog.

WindDances ARE NOT mediocre-speed power kites. WindDances ARE easy-to-fly hot aerial Ferraris that turn on a dime, have near-perfect tracking, have stronger power-zone and turning pull than power kites of the same size, and they surpass the acceleration, speed, agility, turning power, and wind range of delta performance kites and other parafoil kites. They also provide livelier pull and higher-quality exercise than power kites. This is how kite retailers are obligated to present them.

The catalog's false representation of WindDances continuously damages our reputation for the life of the catalog.

Shame on the kite retailer for not playing fair. And for misleading their customers away from loads of pure fun.

** WindDances certainly are that fast when tuned in accordance with the user's manual, a simple & easy process. But our dealers have told customers it's too difficult to even try to tune them. Or to never adjust the bridle (which has the same affect as never tuning a hot sports car). Or to don't bother because a tiny bridle adjustment can't possibly make any difference. Many dealers hyped their customers to NOT expect hot performance from their WindDances -- "they're 'power' kites and 'pocket' kites, not 'performance' kites" -- which discouraged them from ever tuning to achieve maximal speed-&-turning performance or strongest pull either. One dealer removed the user's manuals and messed up the bridle settings to make sure the WindDances he sold would fly poorly. That is why most WindDances sold by our dealers never achieve the full speed-&-turning performance -- or the full power -- they are capable of. Can you imagine any other type of retailer treating their products and customers with such disrespect?

"You can't stack them . . ." -- 2/00

That's about the first thing a salesperson for the above kite retailer told a flyer who called to buy a WindDance 3-Pack: a WD 1, 2, & 3. The caller, who didn't even mention "pull" or "power" or "stacking," wanted a WindDance 3-Pack to experience the sport-kite-FLYING fun we describe in the fun way link on our homepage. Since the salesperson appeared not to have a clue about what WindDances are for, the flyer purchased the 3-Pack directly from us here at Seattle AirGear. The flyer also bought the sensible control handles necessary to achieve full kite-FLYING performance & exercise (the retailer had rejected those hand-friendly performance-enhancing handles and does not carry them).

The salesperson, rather than mentioning any WindDance selling points -- such as how they FLY so well in the three essential ways compared to all other dual-line kites -- told the customer in essence that WindDances are no good because they can't be stacked. Which implied that the only good parafoil stunt kite available is the one that's stackable: the "best stunt foil yet" featured in the catalog.

The stacking system of the "best stunt foil yet?" In 1992 we performed an engineering analysis of that stacking system and rejected it as fundamentally unsound for maneuvering flight: the kites distort out of shape and lose performance as soon as the stack begins to turn. Its bridle system, also, is fundamentally unsound for maneuvering flight: there are no bridle lines to support the other side of the wing during a turn, which causes the kite to lose shape and performance whenever it is turned. The bridle system and stacking system are fine for flying straight, however -- everything works until you begin to turn. The kite's manufacturer, and its many dealers, keep quiet about those two huge defects: the fundamentally-flawed bridle system and the fundamentally-flawed stacking system.

The flyer called to buy three WindDances, which are aeronautical engineered for high-performance sharply-maneuvering flight. But the kite retailer tried to sell him lower-performance fundamentally-defective stunt kites that work correctly only when flying straight.

"The fabric that WindDances are made of is inferior. WindDances don't have any internal reinforcing. The workmanship is inferior. WindDances are slower than the other parafoils. . . . " -- 2/00

WindDance dealers -- who are supposed to say only nice things about WindDances -- told those things to flyers, who phoned us.

Specialty kite retailers have also told flyers not-so-nice false things about our personal integrity and the legitimacy of our business.

Ever since our new-and-better WindDance2000's came out, attacks from kite-culture kite retailers have grown more vicious.

We think much of it is urged on by one kite manufacturer that is powerful & influential within the kite culture. Their key designer -- during a May-1997 fun fly on Seattle's Kite Hill shortly after we received our first WindDance shipment -- expertly made our WindDance 2 demo look like a terrible kite that no one would want to buy. A year and half later, the company introduced a dual-line parafoil that doesn't come close to WindDance performance (see the Kite Lines reviews, Spring-1999 and Winter-99/00 issues), but is falsely presented by specialty kite retailers as the "best stunt foil yet." That act on Seattle's Kite Hill, an unethical thing for a sport-kiting celebrity & guru to do, appears to be continuing today but on a far larger and more-unethical scale through the company's extensive dealer network.

Motive? The kite culture has painted itself into a corner. Even if it could develop parafoil sport kites that fly much better than deltas, it CAN'T. Their belief system demands that parafoils cannot and must not -- and dare not -- perform as well as or better than deltas. That's why parafoils produced by the kite culture MUST have sub-delta performance; the new "best stunt foil yet" is a perfect example. But WindDance parafoils DO perform considerably better than deltas -- in all three essential ways: 1) response to basic skill, 2) response to the wind, 3) having a natural steering-&-turning feel -- which presents a big problem for the kite culture. The only solutions? A) Beat WindDances down with hype into what they're supposed to be like, plus a bit farther for good measure. B) Or crush them by any means possible. Both solutions are being attempted.

Visit your nearest kite-culture retailer and do this. Now do you see the motive?

For the record: Our fabric is Porcher Marine New Skytex, a top-of-the-line paraglider fabric. Paragliders made of Porcher Marine New Skytex have won world championships. Nothing else works better. Right away we eliminated the 'top' kite fabric favored by the kite culture, a stiff fabric that is plastic-coated/impregnated. Why? When you stretch that fabric along its bias, it stays stretched out of shape like a piece of plastic film. A tiny flat square sample becomes a parallelogram. It does not rebound back to the original square shape. During crashes when some of the fabric takes an adverse permanent set along the bias, the kite's shape & performance become permanently altered. Also, that material severely wrinkles from repeated crashes which deteriorates the kite's performance. Yet another example of the 'best' not being so in organized kiting.

For the record: WindDances are loaded with internal reinforcements. On the lower skin. On the leading edges of the upper-skin, lower-skin, and ribs. Where the bridle connects to the lower edge of a rib, multiple reinforcement strips fan to the upper edge of the rib from the bridle-attachment webbing loops. Reports Kite Lines in the Spring-1999 issue, " . . . every conceivable stress point has been reinforced. Cell openings are edge bound and bridled ribs have a strip of material zig-zagging down their length to spread pressure. In fact, the WindDance kites are so well built they can withstand a power dive into the ground at the center of the window -- an action often devastating to other stuntable parafoils."

For the record: WindDance workmanship is excellent. Spring-1999 Kite Lines magazine: workmanship is "excellent." Since then, workmanship has been improved to even higher levels in the WindDance2000.

For the record: WindDances are fast. Spring-1999 Kite Lines magazine: Straight speed, "fast." Speed in turns, "fast." "These three new, dual-line soft wings . . . will turn on a dime, [and] scream across the sky . . . " See it in our VHS video, and in the MPEG clips on this web site. Below, read how fast they are in the feedback from WD owners -- such as the comment from a spectator, "What kind of engine does that thing have in it?" The new WindDance2000's perform even better.

A few years ago, the KTAI (Kite Trade Association International) removed the boycotting-is-wrong ethic from its Code of Ethics. We feel it's only a matter of time before they update their Code of Ethics so that flagrantly lying about products is no longer wrong either.

In spite of their resistance to WindDances, our sales rise: 72% in 1999. WindDances are far too good a product for the status quo to beat down and crush.

Remember, in addition to resisting 1) kites that FLY really well, organized kiting is resisting 2) the concept of achieving hot performance from basic skill, and it is resisting 3) hand-friendly performance-enhancing handles, too. They are resisting what can make the sport and their businesses grow.

Shouldn't organized kiting be promoting these three wonderful things instead?

"Parafoils can't turn sharp corners. You need a delta for that." -- That was a Seattle kite shop -- a WindDance dealer -- educating a customer. Our dealer convinced him to buy a "best stunt foil yet" rather than a WindDance. -- 4/00

We met that flyer in a Seattle park, who tried our WindDances. He quickly discovered he bought the wrong kite: he found his "best stunt foil yet" had lower performance and was more difficult to fly than our WindDances. We asked if the kite shop explained any of the key WindDance selling points: how they FLY better than other dual-line kites in the three essential ways, how they have hotter speed & turning than delta kites, how they can do snappy square corners like a delta 'performance' kite, how they provide better exercise than power kites, how you get all that hot performance and fun and exercise from simple basic skill, how you don't have to adjust the bridle for different wind strengths. No they didn't explain any of that, he said.

Nearby we spotted a new WD1-2000 and headed over to chat. It was set up with "sport" line (a thicker, heavier, lower-performance line that costs more than the pure Spectra we sell at full retail). And he had wrist-straps, the worst-possible control handle if you're interested in hot FLYING and good exercise. We mentioned how the dealer (same dealer as above) is required by their Code of Ethics to explain why pure-Spectra line and hand-friendly ergo T-handles are needed to bring out all the performance, fun, and exercise a WindDance has to offer. They didn't do it, he said.

"WindDances don't recover from mid-air collapses as well or relaunch as well as some other parafoils." -- Second-hand comment from a WindDance dealer explaining the PRIMARY reason why they favor some other parafoils over WindDances. -- 4/00

We agree with their assessment of re-fly ability.

Other dual-line parafoils are in essence scaled-down versions of sport-parachutes and paragliders which are designed to reinflate reliably because human life is at stake. With these parafoil kites, the kite culture has made a big thing about recovering from "killed" flight and relaunching from any kind of crash or landing -- just like it did with their delta 'performance' kites. Within organized kiting, good recovery qualities are far more important than good FLYING qualities. So much so that having to walk to your kite to set it up for relaunching after it falls out of the sky or after it crashes is called The Walk of Shame.

When engineering WindDances, we went after superb FLYING performance rather than superb reflyability. You can see it in the wing shape: WindDance Wingtips look like those on the latest European high-performance sailplanes. Features that enhance reinflation -- such as vent holes in the ribs -- are detrimental to turning performance. That's why WindDances don't have them. Sure, a WindDance may not recover in midair every time when clobbered by a nasty gnarl of turbulence, and then it may not relaunch every time after it falls out of the sky. But WindDancers don't mind a turbulence-induced collapse every now and then. Walking to your WindDance to set it up for launching and then walking back to your handles, a 150-ft round trip a few times during a nice afternoon of flying, is called Good Exercise. WindDancers see nothing shameful in that.

The smaller WindDances DO re-fly quite well. Reports the Spring-1999 issue of Kite Lines magazine about the WindDance 1, ". . . able to recover from almost any sort of tangle, flip or fall."

See the pattern? It sure seems like many kite retailers will do anything to keep WindDances from being sold.

Here's what the kite-culture offers with their favorite parafoils: Dull speed & turning performance -- it's visually & physically dull -- little turning exercise, and little walking exercise.

Here's what Seattle AirGear offers with WindDance parafoils: Exciting speed & turning performance -- it's visually & physically exciting -- great turning exercise, and some good walking exercise.

Hmmm, which is better for your mind and body? Which is better outdoor recreation? Which is more fun for people outside of the kite culture?

" . . . Previously, I had talked to two other stores . . . This was before I had ever heard of WindDances so the subject was foils in general. They appeared to be negative about foils - if you aren't interested in buggying, why would you want a foil? They don't seem to understand that some of us - at least me - want to feel the wind and not get dragged around by it, nor am I interested in showing off, drawing a crowd, doing fancy tricks, etc. . . . " -- 3/00 email

"I very recently purchased a WindDance 2 from [a WindDance dealer]. Following their advice based on relative wind conditions in my area, I also bought a 120ft/150# dual Spectra and 2" flying straps.
Imagine my surprise, when, upon reviewing the manuals and tip sheets included with the kite, that you folks recommend max. line length of 100ft and use of [ergo] handles vs. straps!
I depended on a distributor of your product to make recommendations based on your requirements and not based on their sales needs." -- 12/99 email

Our reply: "We have tried to persuade our dealers to recommend the most suitable accessories -- that is, the lines and handles that lead to the highest levels of WindDancing fun -- but with little success so far. The salespeople prefer to push what *they* personally like, not what's best for the customer. With your permission, may I forward your email to [the dealer]?" Permission arrived and we did. The dealer soon ordered many pairs of Eclipse ergo T-handles.

"I was just visiting your site and was trying to get some info on which retailers sell your parafoil kites. I live in the Chicago area. If you could tell me if there is anyone in northern Illinois that stocks your kites, I would appreciate it." -- 11/99 email

Our reply: "Nobody in northern Illinois stocks WindDances. As we explain on our web site, kite retailers generally force flyers to order directly from us."

"I was kind of expecting that answer, but I just wanted to make sure. I'm sorry to hear that the kite retailing population treats your product as they do. Parafoiling seems to me to be a very exciting experience. I am very interested in getting more information on your WindDance kites (probably a 1 or 2). I am new to parafoil kites and as such would like an entry-level type set up. I think the best thing for me to do would be to call in early next week sometime with the hope of being able to get a few minutes of your time to help me get started. In the meantime I will continue to read through the info you have on your web site. Please let me know if there is a convenient time to call.
Thanks for your quick response. Looking forward to speaking with you." -- 11/99 email.

He soon called, and purchased a clearance-special WindDance 2 and accessories -- including the hand-friendly performance-enhancing Eclipse handles that most kite shops refuse to carry.

"WindDance? Seattle AirGear? Never heard of 'em. You don't want that anyway. You want a Thunderfoil [a different brand of parafoil that doesn't fly anywhere near as well as a WindDance]." -- 6/99

That's how a kite retailer on the Oregon Coast served a flyer from Idaho on vacation, who wanted a WindDance. That retailer had received several dealer mailings from us including the WindDance video (we sent one to every store in their chain). They couldn't have missed seeing our continuous full-page WindDance ads that began early 1997 in two USA kite magazines. They couldn't have missed seeing the favorable WindDance review in Kite Lines magazine. During two KTAI trade shows, staff from their kite-store chain walked past our booth and saw WindDances in high-performance action on the demo beaches.

"Sorry, I want a WindDance. I'm going elsewhere. It's your loss."

After leaving the above kite store, the frustrated flyer called us. We directed him to The Kite Company, Newport, OR.

". . . The guy in the shop almost shouted at me when I told him that I wanted a foil and not one of his carbon-framed, Icarex-covered creations. He pretty much refused to sell me anything that didn't have 3 corners! . . ." -- 4/99 email

"It's amazing to me that dealers aren't pushing WindDances." -- 4/99 email

"Hi! Just wanted to say what a pleasure it was to meet you at the KTAI trade show this past week, and to thank you for the WindDance 1 I purchased! I LOVE it! It's everything you said it would be!
I was just on your web site and was especially interested in the reactions from the kiting retailers regarding your products. I guess that, being new to the industry, I would never have treated your products as some have, but I can see how you could represent a "threat" to the traditional delta kite community. It's somewhat strange . . . I will be ordering more WindDance kites from you soon to support my shop here in [my] area. (In fact, I've seen one of the WindDance dealers who is relatively close to me try to move me from your product to a standard delta, thus verifying your observations). . . . Again, thanks for a great product! I look forward to working with you more in the future!" -- 1/99 email

"Hi! . . .
I would have ordered the kite from [a local kite retailer that has sold WindDances], but the kite guys that work there pushed a delta on me last year when I went in looking specifically for a parafoil. I'm not very happy with the Prism I bought. . . Thanks!" -- 1/99 email

"Tried one. Didn't like it." -- That was a Seattle-area kite shop -- a WindDance dealer -- educating a customer about WindDances. -- 8/98

That bias sure put off the customer. He vowed never to go back to that kite shop, bought a WindDance directly from us, and later bought a second one from us.

More-recent reports of the kite culture's dislike of "REAL kite flying" are sprinkled in our "rave" feedback section.

Regarding the feedback we receive. In addition to "raves" about our products & service and reports of how the kite culture limits choice and fun, we get a few "flames," too. They come from members of the kite culture: those who think the kite-culture way is the only way to fly kites, and who reject and can't tolerate anything that breaks their rules.
But we don't print ugly mail. All it would do is expose organized kiting and its kite culture more deeply, and this website is long-winded enough about that.

Consumers have two very different dual-line kiting choices: "Kite-culture flying" and "REAL kite flying."

"REAL kite flying" is "active FLYING." You FLY a kite using airgear, ergo handles, and active skill. How hard is it? "Just PULL it!"

In "REAL kite flying," your kite, handles, and skill are all OPTIMIZED for the most important yet most neglected aspect of flying a kite: "FLYING" a kite.

"REAL kite flying" is based on "FLYING a kite." On the science and engineering of flight. And on the performance & handling, skill, and exercise you experience in virtually every form of sport & recreation on Planet Earth. It is full FLYING with full skill.

The three key elements of "REAL kite flying" bring dual-line kiting up to the minimum standards of the rest of the sport-&-recreation world:

The kite has three essential FLYING qualities -- "airgear" performance & handling qualities -- engineered and built into it. Here's what happens with the parafoil type of kite: see yellow banner and gray box. We did it with the delta type of kite, too. Any type of kite can be "airgear." What's next? THIS and maybe THIS!

The flyer uses full basic skill -- the sport's easiest, hottest-performance, best-exercise skill of all.

The flyer uses good control handles -- that enable full skill & exercise and the kite's full performance to happen.

Key elements just like 1-2-3 above are an integral part of all kinds of normal sport & recreation and its gear , but they're strangely missing from the usual "kite-culture flying" supplied by organized kiting -- as we discovered when newbies. "Why should kiting be so strangely different from other sports?" we asked ourselves. "Why can't it be normal?" So we did something about it. The result -- "REAL kite flying" -- transforms dual-line kiting into exciting outdoor recreation for people of all ages.

Dual-line kites which have the three essential FLYING qualities engineered and built into them are "airgear." These three performance & handling qualities are the most important features to insist on when buying a dual-line kite.

It's fair to compare the two choices: "kite-culture flying" and "REAL kite flying." It's also fair to warn others about how the pure fun of "kite FLYING" is being blocked by those who claim to be promoting it.

The people who lead our sport -- organized kiting and its "kite culture" -- promote "kite-culture flying" only. And reject "REAL kite flying" and try to block it from reaching consumers. Here's how we found out.

"Kite-culture flying" -- from kiddie flying all the way to elite stunt-kite competition and kite surfing -- is based on four major design flaws that prevent full performance & handling, full skill, and full exercise from happening. It evolved that way, and they seem to want to keep it that way.

Organized kiting says, "We have something for everyone! We sell fun!" Examine the falsity of that claim. As you can plainly see, "kite-culture flying" is a limited form of dual-line kiting that appeals only to small segments of the public. Of course it has sold poorly.

Since organized kiting doesn't teach real "FLYING," or do it, or optimize their kites for it, or optimize their skills for it, or optimize their control handles for it, most kite flyers today don't know what "FLYING" a kite is. Consequently, many picked up terrible "FLYING" habits, and need their body & mind completely reprogrammed about kiting. We offer easy solutions:

What is "FLYING" a kite? CLICK HERE.

What are the different types of kites? CLICK HERE.

What are the other basic concepts of "REAL kite flying?" CLICK HERE.

Did the "kite culture" already take over your head so completely you're unreceptive to the pure fun of "REAL kite flying" -- like in this example? If so, we hope this normal good sense -- CLICK HERE -- will inspire you to purge your mind of that awful handicap they inflicted on you.

Have loads of fun! We certainly do!

The pattern of suppression is unmistakable and bizarre. It began within weeks after we introduced REAL kite flying in the form of WindDancing in early 1997. Here are some eye-popping examples; here's another.

They even go public about it on rec.kites, an organized-kiting newsgroup. Strident members of the kite culture have advised flyers not to view or believe the content of this website, that is, not to learn from our knowledge base of REAL kite flying. Some have 'explained' how we are "psychotic" and therefore not credible, and how our video clips are skillfully false and deceptive. (Read about our actual craziness and video skills!!!)

Well, members of the mainstream public go to rec.kites, too. They see past the words to something very strange: a "kite culture" preaching, "DON'T eat the yummy Forbidden Fruit of REAL kite flying."

We've steadily proposed a common-sense approach for organized kiting to implement: give people choices -- promote "kite-culture flying" and "REAL kite flying" together. Offer something to make the kite culture happy and something to make the general public happy. Make everybody happy. Possible side effects? It might cause an epidemic of WTMF (way too much fun) in organized kiting, and halt the self-destruction of organized kiting and its kite industry.

On this website, we compare the reality of "kite-culture flying" to the reality of "REAL kite flying" -- here's a summary -- and we reveal how organized kiting is keeping the great fun of "kite FLYING" with "basic skill" away from the public.

Although critics express general dislike for what we write about that, they never cite anything specific or factual about what they think isn't accurate.

Why? Because we are dead-on accurate about what the kite culture promotes and likes best. Because we are dead-on accurate about how the people in organized kiting have miserably failed in their stewardship responsibility: how they damaged the ability and desire and made victims of thousands of flyers -- and how they damaged the sport and their own kite industry -- by promoting the kite culture's choices only and by shutting out REAL kite flying.

If we have any factual errors and inaccuracies, we will apologetically correct them. However since 1995, when we created this website, our critics have not come forth with any.

Nor have we received, from the people in charge of the sport, any acknowledgment or peer review of our development of minimum product standards and the fundamental performance equations of dual-line kiting. How come? Because our contributions benefit "REAL kite flying" rather than "kite-culture flying."

We respond to the heat with light.

Critics who flame us obviously received their entire kiting education -- a limited "kite-culture" education -- from organized kiting. In all likelihood, they have never experienced the REAL kite flying they object to!

We try to explain how their perception of kiting reality is clouded by their rigid kite-culture beliefs. Beliefs that don't hold water in the world of "kiting" where the REAL kite flying takes place.

We try to open their minds to what's real and to pure fun. Others in organized kiting who fly delta 'performance' kites and parafoil 'power & traction' kites -- and who are fond of WindDances and REAL kite flying, also -- think this website is wonderful and praise us for it (see our testimonials). So we ask, "Why can't our critics be as reality-oriented and fun-minded?"

We try to explain how they perceive and discriminate by stereotype. According to their kite culture, "A kite either flies like a delta or it flies like a parafoil." Which is like saying, "A person either behaves like a man or behaves like a woman." Both stereotypes are hogwash. You see, we developed experimental delta kites that didn't fly at all like the kite-culture's deltas (ours flew better). And we developed parafoil kites that don't fly at all like the kite-culture's parafoils (ours fly better). Some have said that WindDance parafoils fly more like deltas than like parafoils; our experimental deltas flew more like WindDance parafoils than like kite-culture deltas; our experimental deltas and WindDance parafoils have vastly superior FLYING performance & handling and they feel nicely different from their stereotype counterparts. Why do our kites so totally blow away the stereotypes? Because they have the Three Essential FLYING Qualities necessary for REAL kite flying, and because the kite culture's kites don't have those qualities. Instead of using the old misleading stereotypes, we ask our critics to describe kites in a fresh and accurate way: "A kite either flies well (it has the Three Essential FLYING Qualities), or it flies poorly (it has none of the Essential FLYING Qualities), or it's somewhere in between (it has one or two of the Essential FLYING Qualities)."

We try to explain how it's perfectly OK to be fond of things that aren't normal in mainstream sport & recreation. Such as kites that can't handle or withstand full basic skill (see below). Such as kites that don't respond well to the wind. Such as competition kites that fly slowly and turn powerlessly. Such as power kites that stress & strain your body violently but exercise you poorly. Such as kites with an unnatural steering-&-turning feel that makes control and learning difficult. Such as advanced skills that focus on killing speed and power. Such as control handles that can hurt and injure your hands. Although kite-culture flyers overwhelmingly choose and prefer those things -- and we are happy for them -- other people might like kiting that's more mainstream in nature. It's good to offer different choices, we say, just like other sports and their industries do. So we try to explain how it's not OK for the people in the kite culture to force their personal favorites onto everyone else, and how it's not OK to suppress and discredit the REAL kite flying the general public would like.

We try to explain the relationship between "organized kiting" and the larger "world of kiting". Of all the kite flyers in the world, members of the tight, insular kite culture are a mere fraction and they do not represent what the general public likes. For example, the amazing performance and fun shown in our WindDance 1 at play video clip turns off kite-culture flyers -- especially the 'elite' flyers -- and it triggered kite retailers to stop selling WindDances and to reject them at trade shows! Is it normal to react in such a bizarre, repressive way to breakthrough state-of-the-art that elevates fun and excitement?

We ask our critics to adopt a broad, tolerant "world view" of kiting -- rather than cling to their narrow, intolerant "kite-culture view" of kiting.

We try to explain how the people in the kite culture are unwittingly working as a team to harm organized kiting and its kite industry. And how they could prevent further harm, and reverse the damage they caused, by promoting BOTH choices: kite-culture flying and REAL kite flying.

We try to explain how their objections to this website -- and their objections to the amazing performance and fun shown in this video clip -- might be caused by their misunderstanding of "kite FLYING" with "basic skill". And how that misunderstanding would vanish upon completion of our 3-Step cure which leads to the Pure Joy of REAL Kite Flying.

Our valuable hints would help them reach Kite-FLYING Nirvana, too.

Someday we hope our critics, as well as the rest of the kite culture, will see the light.

A typical flame-and-response cycle is triggered by our description of the first sub-element of REAL kite flying. It's about essential FLYING quality #1, how any dual-line kite should respond well to the sport's basic skill:

Buying a dual-line kite and pulling hard on one line (a basic skill) is as basic as buying a pair of shoes and pushing off hard on one foot (a basic skill), as basic as buying a bicycle and pushing down hard with one foot (a basic skill). Although you can do it with good results with every pair of shoes you buy and with every bicycle you buy, you CANNOT with the kites you buy from the kite culture -- but you CAN with the kites from Seattle AirGear.

How well do the kite culture's dual-line kites respond when you energetically pull on one control line (a basic skill)? The turning wimps out, the kite deforms out of shape, and it may fall out of the sky. With some 'performance' kites, spars snap in midair when you go for hot turning! Why? Because the kite culture arrested dual-line kite development in the "toy" stage: when you turn them, and when the wind & pull rise, their delta 'performance' kites and parafoil 'power' & 'traction' kites readily deform out of shape and lose performance just like toy kites do. Which prevents flyers from learning and using full basic skill, and forces them to use a limited version of basic skill instead. The kite culture seems hell-bent on preserving that status quo, and on preventing further progress.

We at Seattle AirGear, using aeronautical engineering and common sense, advanced dual-line kites into the "gear" stage: when you turn them, and when the wind & pull rise, WindDance parafoils keep their shape and performance like rigid airplane wings do. (We did this with delta kites, too!!!) With a WindDance, you're rewarded with tight, fast, powerful turning and good exercise when you actively pull on one kite line (a basic skill). Which encourages flyers to learn and use kiting's highest-performance, best-exercise, and easiest skill of all: pull-on-a-kite-line skill that dates back perhaps thousands of years. A huge difference, yes?

The above is in regard to essential FLYING quality #1 (response to basic skill). Elsewhere on this website, we compare "kite-culture flying" and "REAL kite flying" on the basis of essential FLYING qualities #2 (response to the wind) and #3 (steering-&-turning feel), also.

We're also up-front about skill, which triggers criticism. Our critics claim to be experts at basic skill, and they claim to teach basic skill to beginners. But in reality, both claims are incorrect. You see, their kites prevent full basic skill from being learned and used in the first place: with those kites, which respond poorly to basic skill and discourage flyers from using basic skill, our critics can't learn basic skill and their students can't learn basic skill. To make matters even more difficult and confusing for beginners, their user's manuals are wrong: they instruct, "To turn right, pull on the right handle," but when you do it energetically the pull subsides and the kite turns poorly or falls out of the sky or maybe breaks in midair. Which the experts call "over-controlling" and a "beginner mistake." But by mainstream-recreation standards, that skill is just fine -- the kites are terribly at fault for not being able to handle the sport's basic skill. The kite culture's basic skill is a limited version of full basic skill: you have to keep the pull fairly even in both lines or else, and you can't pull back on one line too hard or too far or else, because their kites are made as toys and not as gear.

We're also forthright about control handles, which triggers criticism. The kite culture prefers wrist-straps that tend to strangle your hands like a noose, and they have good reason for it. Since pulling energetically on one control line does bad things to their kites -- remember, kite-culture flyers overwhelmingly prefer such kites -- they need handles that discourage active pull-turning skill. Well, wrist-straps discourage you from pulling hard on a kite line as surely as tacks in a bicycling shoe would discourage you from pushing hard on the pedal. Which makes wrist-straps wonderfully ideal for kite-culture flying. However, for "kite FLYING" with "basic skill" -- which is REAL kite flying -- you need handles that encourage active pulling skill: handles like these.

Our critics say, "You're attacking the kite culture and the people in it. You're bashing the kites, skills, and handles you don't like. You're tearing down the sport. You're being negative."

We say, "We're just factually comparing two very different groups: the tight insular kite culture, and mainstream recreationists. And we're just factually comparing two very different choices: what the "kite culture" offers, and what "kite FLYING" offers. People deserve the truth, including about how the kite culture is keeping the truth away from them. Armed with the truth about the choices, people are free to like either choice or both. Education about the choices is healthy and positive for the sport and for individual flyers."

We also say, "The Kite Culture Way has a loud voice. Doesn't REAL kite flying -- Kite FLYING with Basic Skill -- deserve a voice, too? So that people can actually KNOW there's another choice?"

And the flame-and-response cycle ends.

When we do what's natural during normal recreation -- energetically pushing off on one foot when walking or skating, or stomping on the forward bicycle pedal, or thrusting back with one cross-country ski pole, or actively pulling on one kite line -- we like the pure fun. So do most people. We wish the kite culture would just let it happen with kiting.

He r e are 80 or so pages of feedback, beginning with the most recent (except for the top two stories in red). This feedback dates back to when we received our first shipment of WindDance airgear in early 1997 (WindDance development began in 1991). To all of you, including the Seattle cop below with the delightful sense of humor, a big "Thank You!"

This happened to me (Dan) in the late 1990s as I was WindDancing in mild wind on Kite Hill in Seattle's Magnuson Park: I was flying in the same spot where a year or so earlier Sue had videoed a WindDance 1, our slowest model, averaging 90 mph during an edge-to-edge pass in strong wind (I figured that out by counting video frames). The park's speed limit is 20 mph. The Seattle Police cruised into the parking lot and stopped. Loudly over the patrol car's PA system, "Your kite is going too fast!" The officer grinned and drove off. Busted!

April-2004 email from a customer in VA: "If you use this on the website, please don't print my name! As you know, I live in northern VA, 25 miles west of Washington DC and maybe 10 miles from Washington Dulles Airport. One of my favorite kite fields is 5 miles from Dulles but right under the southern approach. I was flying there the other day in 10-15mph winds (bumpy, ornery...but with the bumpy wind adapters, WTMF) and the WindDance was just rocketing around the window. As the airplanes flew overhead, I wondered what my WindDance must have looked like from above. After about an hour, a police car pulled into the parking lot and an officer got out of the car and walked in my direction. After taking my drivers license back to his car and (I presume) checking me out, he walked back over to me and told me that I needed to fly my kites somewhere else. Turns out that one of the airplanes reported a "suspicious object moving at high speed near the ground." Guess I need to find a new flying field. Take care."

"I lost my kite [WindDance] in a move . . . was the best kite I ever owned. . . . You guys were the BEST!! Have a Wonderful Retirement!" -- 4/07 email

"I emailed you about a year ago trying to get a winddance but you had none left. I subsequently bought a used WD2 and WD3 through ebay (just missed getting a WD1 also). All were 2000 models.
I must say, they are the BEST designed, BEST manufactured, BEST performing, AND MOST FUN parafoils that I own. And I own plenty. Thanks again for your contribution to, and love of, the sport. . . ." -- 3/07 email

"Subject: Farewell to the greatest kites ever & thank you
It really is sad to see that you will not be selling anymore WindDances, especially since I want another one! However I would like to thank you for all the fun that you have provided me, and all of your other customers. From the first time I flew my WindDance, and even up to today I still have so much fun. I look forward to seeing what's around the corner for Seatle AirGear, and want to say thanks again for developing such a excellent product. Your customers will miss you !!! I know I do !!" -- 2/07 email

"I am looking for one of your kites. I know you stopped selling them . . . I need one very badly. I am willing to pay 2X the original price + shipping/handling . . ." -- 9/06 email

". . . I have been reading your entire website. You have provided a fantastic set of information about the sport and, I have to say, everything you say on the website hits home. I hate to see you having to pack in your business when you obviously provide such passion to the sport.
I read your comparisons of your WindDance handling and flight descriptions/characteristics and I feel the connection you have for advancing the performance, and joy of the flying experience. Naturally, I am in awe of the WindDance product descriptions and love the video links on your and others websites. I would love to own and fly them. All the drawbacks of poor design that you mention are so obvious in the [dual-line kite] I currently have and, searching the web, I don't see anything out there to purchase from current vendors that seems to focus on and include the design characteristics of your WindDance designs. That's a shame. . . .
I hope retirement is going well.
Thanks again for your tremendous contribution to the advancement of the sport." -- 8/06 email

"I'm sad beyond belief to see that you've closed the doors on your business.
My WindDance kite is the best and most fun kite I've ever flown... bar none... and I have many kites. . . .
They really are awesome... such a total joy to fly.
I can't express how sad I am... and I'm not exaggerating.
Thanks for the many, many hours of joy you have given to me and my son.
I wish you both the best." -- 8/06 email

"I am a bit sad that you are retiring from the winddance sales business but nothing lasts forever. I am very grateful that you will continue support for your product. I received my winddance 3 as a graduation present in 2003 and was lucky enough to meet you at your nearby post office to pick up my new winddance. It is a very treasured gift of mine and I fly it frequently, I would be very upset if anything happened to it. I am now in new zealand and I have tons of nice beaches and extremely smooth and steady winds to fly it in. Yesterday I had a new experience happen that I doubt has ever happened to anyone before, it was low tide and I was flying my airgear right about the middle of the tide lines on the beach, I crashed my airgear ahead of me and promptly relaunched it, well something was wrong and it seemed as if 2 of the segments were not filling up and the bridle seemed tangled, so I landed it to check out the problem. Well, a clam had latched on to the bridle at the middle of the beach, it was sitting on the shore alive half open and when the line hit it it latched on and took to the air. I had to pry it off the bridle with my pocket knife! No damage to the bridle though. Everybody that sees me flying it wants one, I am eagerly awaiting the plans that you will post on your website for the new generation airgear and the winddance 1 and 2. I might have to keep my eye out for a used winddance online, but I havent seen many here. Please keep up your cool attitudes, good luck in your future endeavors, and thanks for all the fun . . . " -- 7/06 email from New Zealand

"Subject: WOW WOW WOW
Today the wind was 2 to 20 miles per hour.
Your/my kite [WindDance 3] flies like a sports car.
This has got to be the best kite ever built.
My arms, back and legs hurt all over.
Thank you for building such a great kite." -- 6/06 email

"Thank you for processing my [WD3] order so quickly! It arrived in perfect condition and unfortunately sat in my office until this weekend when I had a chance to go try it out. . . ..
Just some comments on the WindDance 3.
I bought the WindDance 3 from your website because the hype was just too much. I figured if it wasn't true then at least I got a decent kite at a discount. At best I was expecting something *nearly* as good as my flexifoils. I haven't flown yet this year so today I followed the instructions, built the flying lines, and headed out to the local ball diamond with the WindDance 3 and two foils, a 4 foot hotshot and a 10 footer. I warmed up with the 4 footer and then moved on to the 10 footer to get some calibration for speed and power and because I am very comfortable flying the foils. I then tried the WindDance 3. I couldn't figure out a good way to launch it so I had my 5 year old hold it down as best she could while I got set. Wind was gusting between 15 and 30mph and I had no idea what to expect with the WindDance so naturally I expected the worst, I thought the kite would fold in half because of the lack of physical structure and simply fall back on the ground. I was wrong, very wrong. The WindDance leapt off the ground and started pulling hard, very, very hard. And the speed was shocking. It is not much bigger than my 6 foot foil but pulls much harder than my 10 footer, and speed, wow, there is no contest. I realized that the hype wasn't hype at all, it was fact. This thing is faster, more agile, and pulls harder than my foils. I had to recalibrate to the constant pull in both arms but I found that this actually provided a more balanced feel to the flying experience. Wow, and I mean WOW. I don't know what you are coming out with next or how you are going to top this thing but I will now be waiting anxiously for your next creation. For now however I am ordering my second WindDance 3 right away before you run out.
Thanks for the prompt service and I look forward to receiving my second WindDance! . . . I will be placing the order for my second one in a few minutes.
Thanks again," -- 4/06 email

"Sorry to hear that Seattle AirGear is folding. My friends, family and I have enjoyed many hours of flying WD's 1, 2 & 3s. By far the easiest and most fun kites available." -- 4/06 email

"Got the Winddance 3 yesterday. Wow! Even in very poor wind conditions (0 to 5 miles per hour and choppy) it flew great right out of the bag. Thanks it looks as though this is going to be WTMF." -- 3/06 email

"I went to your site to order a WindDance 1 and noticed you are retiring. My son and son-in-law both have your WindDance 2 and love them. Is it possible that you may have a WindDance 1 somewhere that I could order for myself? Your kites are the best!!" -- 3/06 email

"Hi folks-I'm . . . (from the UK-Scotland) and placed an order for a winddance 3 the other night . . . and I wish the both of you a long and happy retirement together.
Excellent site, by the way. Very extensive and informative." -- 3/06 email

"Thanks [for the WD3]. Sorry to see you pull out of the kite business. By the way, I already have a Winddance 2 and love it. I have flown it all over the world and plan on flying the new Winddance 3 in England this summer.
Happy retirement and all the best." -- 3/06 email

"This web site is really outstanding for info." -- 3/06 email

"Subject: Noooooooooo!!!
I read with much dismay that fact that you're discontinuing the WD series! Bummer. Anyway, I'll be ordering a WD 3 next week . . ." -- 3/06 email

"I have owned a winddance 3 since 2000. I bought the 120 KG lines and it has never let me down. I went back to Puerto Rico (where I had my first winddance 3 experience in 2000) last week and took it with me. The winds there are continuous without gusts. A friend of mine came along and he has never flown a kite before. Within 15 minutes he had the basics down and told me that this was one of the most intense workouts he has had in a loooooong time. . . . If you ever need somebody to promote the winddance 3 in the South Florida region I'm your man!!" -- 2/06 email

"I met you on the beach at the International Kite Festival in Long Beach, Washington years ago. You introduced me to the WindDance kite, which I bought later that afternoon at a local kite shop. Actually traded in my delta stunter for a WindDance 2.
The best part of that day was our conversations about kiting and your former career with Boeing. I still remember. . . .
I’m glad our paths crossed, and perhaps someday they will again and we can spend the afternoon shooting the breeze and flying an incredible kite." -- 2/06 email

". . . I had a chance to fly my new green WD3 2000 on Sunday. The wind was only about 3 to 4 mph but the kite performed flawlessly even on the first flight. So majestic and graceful and maneuverable even in the low wind. Thank you again," -- 2/06 email

". . . Sorry to hear you are exiting the business. I bought a WD2 a couple of years ago and love it. Looking forward to my WD3. I took my WD2 with me on vacation to the Dominican Republic a couple of months ago and had a crowd of 20 people from Spain cheering me as I winddanced on the beach. Your designs are the best. Good luck!" -- 2/06 email

". . . Just thought you might like to know I am a big fan of Winddance kites. My wife and I bought a Winddance 2 about ten years ago during the International Kite Festival. After seeing you fly one on the beach, we had to buy one of our own. It quickly became our favorite kite . . . Anyway, good luck with your retirement – give me a yell if you ever decide to start production again." -- 2/06 email

"I just read that you have decided to retire. Although I was disappointed to hear such news, you guys have really worked hard over the past number of years to produce a great and reliable kite. You probably now deserve some rest !!! Glad to hear that you will still be in a support role. Fortunately, I still have my two #1's, two #2's and one #3 Winddance kites. I guess I should seriously think about getting a second #3 before they have all gone as well.....
I hope that our paths will cross again at the various kite functions and thank you for your past support etc.....
Best regards," -- 1/06 email

"Dan and Sue: I'm saddened to hear you will no longer sell new kites. I was planning on purchasing a WD2 (I gave mine to my best buddy) this month and saw that dreadful message about you retiring.
That's the way the cookie crumbles (the fox trots, Niagara falls). If you happen to have ANY WD2 in good condition for sale, please let me know . . .
Minolta is quitting the camera business, Nikon will stop making film cameras and now Dan and Sue are giving up!! What's this world coming to! Groan." -- 1/06 email

"Thanks for the quick shipping of this great flying kite [WD3]. . .
My first day was 15-25 mph winds - way too much at the 25 mph end since my tails were only about 15' long. I flew a bit, then snapped one of the 150 lb lines. Thanks to all the excellent instructions on the line fabrication, I just snipped off the ends and the line set was ready to go again with new loops.
Second day, yesterday, featured ideal 10-15mph winds and I enjoyed the WD3 flying much more, again with the 150 lb lines. I like the whistling sound that the kite makes when it flys fast, it provides some nice audible feedback. My WD3 survived an accidental collision with a soccer goal . . ." -- 1/06 email

"Subject: Say it's not so! Happy Retirement
I was just checking back to your website as I do now and then. I was in shock to see that you are retiring. I love my WD3. . . . I wish both of you the very best in whatever retirement brings. This is the end of a truly legendary kite. . . ." -- 1/06 email

"Thank you! Your product is definitely high performance. . . .
The WindDance 3 is certainly a handful in anything over about 10 knots unless you're a big strong person. Good thing I am. The WindDance 2 I've ordered is for my girlfriend who finds the 3 fun but a bit much for her to handle.
I've also had success flying my 3 in zero wind on 20-25foot lines all it takes is a bit of walking back and forth with gentle pulls at the turns. I had an audience the other morning doing this. Everyone was amazed I could fly a "kite" without any wind.
Anyways thanks for the great toys! They're loads of fun." -- 11/05 email from MA

". . . I also wanted to thank you for the countless hours of enjoyment I've gotten from my WindDance so far. I often fly at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis and it never ceases to amaze me the amount of people that stop to watch, approach me to ask questions, or are fellow WindDancers themselves. I'm eagerly watching the weather forecast for the next windy day!" -- 9/05 email from IN

"Subject: Praise to the WD-3!
I have had my WD-3 for about 3 weeks now, and I have not had any complaints. I was shopping around a kite store in Colorado Springs for a kite for my daughter, when I asked the guy behind the counter if he had kites for "big kids". I know very little about kites, but he threw me a thunderfoil. I wanted something that would whip me around and drag me across the ground. He said that something that size wouldn’t be a good idea for a beginner. (I hate it when people say that!) I paid the guy and went to the park the same day. It took me forever to get the hang of setting it up and flying. The kite worked nicely for me. It did the job for a bit and satisfied my immediate need for a good tug-around.
The nature of the beast took over a couple weeks later. I started looking around for bigger and badder kites. I wasn’t satisfied with this dinky 5 foot foil anymore. I am one of those people that has to get hurt in order to learn a lesson. I researched for the best foils out there, and came upon your website on a few search engines hits. The way you had everything laid out in detail and told of your impressive flying machines had me sold. Despite subtle warnings about the big WD-3, I had to buy it anyways.
I unpacked the thing and marveled at the differences between the thunderfoil and this monstrosity. I didn’t make any change to the kite whatsoever before liftoff. It took to the air faster than any kite I have seen. The darn thing turned on a dime, despite its huge wingspan! And with more wind the kite improved flying power more and more. I must have been at the park for at least 3 hours. To my amazement, there was a group of people behind me. Mostly kids, but there were a few adults there too enjoying the show. The sun had gone down behind Pikes Peak and was getting dark, but the wind was still ripping between 15-20mph. I was really having WTMF! Gusts of wind would literally make my body get thrown forward. My body was at about a 45 degree angle back during my fun in the power zone! When I sat in the grass, I would get pulled about a foot each time. I had to stop that evening due to darkness, but only afterwards I knew that I got a killer workout. I realized then that I was sweating from top to bottom.
Since purchasing the WD-3, I have only brought out the other foil once. I thought I would do it for old time’s sake, but the kite did not handle anywhere near to the satisfaction that the new one gave me. Thunderfoil, rest in peace...
I am in an epic debate on buying your WD-2. Your super-sized version has me hooked enough already!
Keep up the good work, you two!" -- 7/05 email from CO

This wonderful email greeted us first thing in the morning. Next afternoon, we shipped his WD-2.

" . . . Few things have brought me as much happiness as this kite [WD1]." -- 6/05 letter from NJ

"Many thanks for our wonderful WindDance kites. They are truly wonderful flight gear. I can't fully comprehend the math behind the machine, but I can deeply appreciate on an intuitive user-level how they fly, turn, bank, pull, soar, streak, delight. I'm not sure where all the kite flyer's have gone, but I frequently find myself alone in great flying conditions and am certainly a walking advertisement for WindDances. . . .
Many thanks and best regards." -- 6/05 email from WA

"Still looking forward to your "new airgear" project.... it is great that nobody has caught up to the WD for speed and performance, yet you are still working to improve on it.... " -- 5/05 email from MB Canada

"Thanks guys, I received the WindDance [3] yesterday and had a lot of fun with it today. Fast, nice pull, and handles well... " -- 5/05 email from WA

"Our whole family had a blast flying our WindDance 2. I'm probably a late-comer to the whole kite experience, but this is what we've been looking for. We had some issues with sharing, hence the order [for three more: WD1, WD2, WD3]. I found line building to be easy and the instructions straightforward. The engineering is wonderful. I've had the blessing in life of catching summer steelhead, and flying the winddance is very similar. If you don't 'play it' right and maintain contact (tension), you can loose it... " -- 5/05 email from WA

"Thanks.... this WindDance 3 is awesome !!! I love the speed in high winds. The pull across the powerzone had me "dancing" and fighting all over the field today as the winds were about 25 mph. I had to sit down eventually, which really made the flying much easier, since all I had to do was lean back and fly. The kite dragged me on my butt a few inches when I swooped across the powerzone, and I weigh 220 lbs !! . . . " -- 5/05 email from TX

" . . . I continue to be impressed with what you have accomplished in the detail of your design/engineering. I have spent some time inspecting the kites in great detail, and they never cease to amaze me. . . . " -- 5/05 email from OR

"Hello again from the So Cal COAST
This year the winds post frontal were rather weak. Only getting to about 35 to 40 MPH... SO my gang of pilots and I were only getting to about 125 to 135 MPH on our kites...
We all wanted to say T Y for the greatness in your kites..." -- 4/05 email from CA

"Thought you might like a couple bits of feedback on the WD 2 I recently ordered. . . . The weather was absolutely fantastic with excellent steady winds every day, and nearly all day long! In a word, the kite was AWESOME! Everything I read on the website was absolutely accurate and the kite is positively incredible. I am a long time Stunt Kiter and was really wanting a fast, power-type kite and the WindDance 2 turned out to exactly fill that bill. It screams across the sky, pulls like a truck and handles, as you say, like a Ferrari. Once I got used to the pulling motions (about a two minute learning curve), it was all good! Again, I have flown Stunters for years and I think I flew them twice the entire week . . . and the rest of it was all the WD2. Again, job well done, as the "2" is absolutely awesome.
Here are a couple other bits of feedback. I was hugely paranoid about tangling the bridle. This happened one time when I caught a very tall weed(about 3' tall!) on the left control line. The kite tumbled into a ball with both sides of the bridle completely tangled. I could not untangle it on the beach so took it inside and spread it on the floor and went through the instructions in the book for untangling. Rather than fly the kite back through the bridle, I flew the control line back through the bridle and untangled it that way. Both sides were tangled and I used the same approach on both sides, and it worked both times.
Lineset instructions are great. The "looseners" are brilliant! An excellent way to quickly change handles and lines.
Handles are also excellent and lend to the entire experience…and remember that is coming from a confirmed old "Stunter".
All manual instructions are excellent, from Set-Up to Teardown, to Bridle Adjustment (another one that scared me a bit, on the front end of things).
I flew the heck out of the kite, all week long, all day long, so long as the wind was blowing and every second of it was WTMF! . . .
Thanks again for a great product . . . " -- 4/05 email from GA

"This note is long overdue. Briefly, the kite [WD2] arrived here [in China near the Tibet border] very quickly. The instructions for setting up the lines etc., were clear and I had no problems, although of course I took my time reading, and patiently setting up the lines so I wouldn't make mistakes.
The weather hasn't cooperated until recently, and from the beginning I had to learn the kite in turbulent winds, which was sometimes frustrating, but ultimately instructive. Many periods with turbulent stretches, then no wind at all.
The winds have now become more consistent, generally here at this time of year from the southwest. There are large empty fields west of the city, where I have been flying. It is a good 30 min. cycling to this area, so if the wind isn't up, I at least get the bike ride!
The kite is a real joy and a lot fun--it certainly is responsive and lively--and I am glad I chose it.
Thanks for your support, and I wish you continuing success with your business, and I would certainly consider purchasing from you in the future." -- 11/04 email from China

"We flew the WindDance 3 and it is really awesome. Amazing tracking and good pull. The only sad part is the wind was full of mini tornados and currents and we had trouble keeping the thing from collapsing, (did play with the bridle and get that thing moving like a rocket though) -- when the wind strengthened I was able to get off some nice tight figure 8s . . . the residential neighborhood type soccer field I flew it in had shoddy wind. I will say that your flight handles, lineset instructions, and Real FLYING skill tips were followed and all rang true, and we had a wonderful time.
I posted a little article about my sister's reactions . . . she had a total blast. I think we're both going to start saving for another WindDance now so later we could fly together . . . thank you so much for this lovely fun machine. What a blast and a half! My sister says it is better than pony rides. I'll take her word on it :)
Had WTMF," -- 9/04 email from WA

"I met with Buz at the Ventura [CA] kite shop yesterday and he tells me the WindDance will be discontinued to make way for something ???better??? not possible in my opinion. I've flown my WindDance 3 for four years and bought a half dozen more to try to find something better. NOTHING EVEN COMES CLOSE. I'm buying these two new kites [two WD3s] as back-ups. Can't stand the thought of not having a spare now that you are discontinuing. OK, I'll stay in touch with Buz to see what comes up new from you guys. I visit Ventura once a year and chat with Buz but now I'll stay in close email contact to be first on the list to see what you have up your kite flying sleeve!
Thanks for all the enjoyment so far!" -- 8/04 email from AZ

WindDances will live on -- as new form of airgear after we sell out our stock of parafoil WindDances.

"I received my WD2 yesterday at 2:00 pm EDT. After watching the video and reading perusing the manual i headed for Fox Point State Park in Delaware. I was and flying/crashing about 3:30pm. I had a ball. I had to unlearn a few things from my other kite flying "skills," but it was a real blast. The winds were about 4-5 mph. Variable direction, but I was still able to fly and have a great time for about 2-3 hours. The WD2 has far exceeded my expectations to fly in the low winds that I had. I am looking forward to a day with 10+ winds. Thanks for a great product and a new experience. Even with the low winds that I had, I still got a good workout.
Thanks again." -- 6/04 email from PA

"We had great kite weather up at Ft. Flaggler. They have a HUGE parade ground overlooking Admiralty Inlet. It was a great place to let my wife learn to fly. (I admire her method, she talks to the winddance to give it voice commands, (Over..., Higher..., Not That Way...) Etc. Great fun, but make it hard to keep my mind on the WD I was flying listening to her have so much fun. We drew an audience for a bit too. . . ." -- 6/04 email from WA

"I posted the following message on a camping site where I'm active. Maybe it'll inspire others to explore the WindDance experience. Thanks Again!
"I was camping out at one of the Pacific Ocean beach campgrounds and was passing the afternoon flying a simple one line kite. My camping neighbor was flying one of those fancy stunt kites. He offered to let me try one of his old parafoil (nothing to break!) kites. I had a great time!
I explored on the internet to figure out what kind/brand/style would be the best FUN kite for me to add to my camping activities. I came across a local (for me) but international supplier of great, easy to fly and "Way Too Much Fun" (his line, but I agree) two line kites. I also appreciated his very rich web site, and all of the information that he had. His Fun is more important then competition point of view appealed to me. If you're curious, the web site for WindDance kites is http://www.seattleairgear.com I think you'll enjoy exploring his site, even if you don't choose to give this hobby a try.
I've got to tell you, that the combination of Fun, Developing Skill and as a family activity, not to mention burning a few calories, I'm hooked."" -- 6/04 email from WA

"Just got my kite [WD1] here in Nova Scotia . . . 30 km winds . . . When I read about being sore after "winddancing" I thought I would be fine, but dancing my new toy this weekend was a GREAT workout! I look forward to increasing my "arsenal" soon . . . thanks for the great gear!" -- 6/04 email from Canada

"We camped up at Fort Ebey this weekend. This was our first opportunity to do some extended real flying with our WindDance 2.
It was a great day! Just down the field from a dozen or so hang gliders, we set up and flew. The WindDancing was great. I crashed a few times, but after some practice, only when I was working into the advanced, close to the ground maneuvers. I invited my daughter to fly and she picked up the skills very quickly and had a great deal of confidence very quickly. She was swooping and turning all across the sky. We worked back and forth trading flying for being the ground crew.
The wind was strong, and a bit bumpy, but with two 15 foot tails, we were fine. My WB2 is still set at 'First Flight' so now I'm looking forward to another outing to work towards tuning towards max speed and performance.
Thanks for a great weekend!" -- 6/04 email from WA

"[J]ust wanted to let you know, enjoying my W2. I flew it yesterday in ZERO wind, with occasional "gusts" to 3 mph or so. First try, i pulled a 360. whoo hoo!! played with the non-existent wind for about 20 minutes, and called it a day. Today, however, was a different story. i think the wind was around 15 mph, maybe 12, real bumpy and gusty. what a riot! (btw, instructions for the line set were sufficiently detailed, good work) man that thing is fast!! i think i might have to get a W1, i like the turning. i also like the pull :-), so someday i might get a W3. . . .
I noticed that most every person that is on your comments page makes some sort of statement including themselves as a spokesperson/representative of Seattle AirGear, and i now understand why. i understood when i saw the depth and detail of your website, and the physics that you explained. i love that stuff. count me in, i would be more than glad to give a recommendation. i've already told all my friends, and am going to take them Dancing/Flying as soon as i can. thanks for your expediency in shipping, and absolutely wonderful customer service. i wish you well, and that WindDances really start to take off in popularity, not just off the ground. thanks" -- 5/04 email from MI

"I am writing you today but, it is something that I really have been meaning to do quite a while ago. I wanted to tell you just how much I enjoy the WD3 that I purchased from you 2 years ago. Its maiden flight was in the shadow of the Mackinaw Bridge on the lower peninsula of Michigan, Mcgulphin Point to be exact. That was the first of many enjoyable times with the kite. It is a pure pleasure to fly! Precision handling and smooth as silk in flight. Every time that I have flow off my home beach at Metro Park on Lake St. Clair someone has come up and commented on how great the kite looks in flight and this is usually with spar kites flying adjacent to me. Last winter we had a quick freeze here in Michigan and Walled Lake near were I work froze over as smooth as glass. I put on the hockey skates and took out the WD3 for a kiteskating session. I realize that this was not the intent of its design but, it worked great. I must have kited across that lake 30 times that afternoon. Anyhow my WD3 is my mainstay flying machine and I just wanted to complement you on a fantastic design that has put a lot of pleasure in my life. . . .
PS If you send me out some more of your cards I will pass them out to the people that come out and question me continually as to were did I buy that. My response has been----If you have a computer look up seattleairgear----everything you need to know, including demonstration videos, is right there." -- 4/04 email from MI

"Just wanted to drop you another email about my WindDance 1. I originally bought it from you back in late 1999 (it was a white close-out model), and had a blast with it. Well, I got caught up in other things . . . and the kite ended up in storage for quite a while. I moved across the Bay to Oakland recently and as I unpacked, lo, what should I see but my WindDance, along with my lines and handles. On the earliest available weekend I went over to the Berkeley Marina and did a shake-down flight in a fair 15-20mph Bay breeze. The kite flew as though she missed me...I was caught off-guard by the cornering pull but it put the grin back on my face. I still want to add a 2 & 3 to the family before I take a planned vacation to Hawaii this summer.
BTW, one time I also brought out an old 6' delta along as well, just for kicks. I only flew for a few minutes before determining that something was, well, lacking. It now decorates my apartment. I brought it down and flew the WindDance for the rest of the afternoon...far more fun even if I did break a line during a hard turn, d'oh! It snapped at the handle, but was easily repaired. I readjusted the other line length to compensate and was good to go within 5 minutes.
Almost every time I put the WindDance up, someone almost always inquires about the kite, and I have sent them on their way with the seattleairgear.com URL. The last time I flew I was pleasantly surprised when I overheard an onlooker commenting to another: "That kite looks like it's dancing!"" -- 4/04 email from CA

"I have several "soft" cell type dual line kites. . . .
I had fallen across your web site many times over the last several years and found myself spending more and more time there reading your thoughts about flying and the information about the design and performance of your WindDance product. With full knowledge I finally decided the WindDance 2 was the way to go. About the right size for myself and my kids, specs seemed good, sounded like fun. . . .
Made my decision, decided which shop to order it from, got it delivered and couldn't wait for wind! Finally some wind and started flying. WOW... it was fast and man could it turn and for the size had the pull as advertised.
BUT.... I was extremely frustrated... why you ask? Tiny bit of turbulence or hit the edge of the window, (any edge of the window) and it folded up like a cheap suit. Figured that was fun but would take some learning to keep it in the air. Fun but frustrating. Over the last couple years I've only pulled it out of my kite bag a couple times with the same results. I would fly it a few minutes, get bored with running down the lines and simply put it up. . . .
I figured...there must be something to all that tuning they talk about all over the manual and the web site! . . . I adjusted it . . . MAN WHAT A KITE!!
OK, I'm a slow study! Just wanted to let you know that I still don't get to fly it much! My kids won't let go of it. It's some great fun flying and I'm sure there is a second one in the works here very soon.
Thanks a bunch." -- 4/04 email

"I bought a WindDance 2 from you last November. . . .
Northern VA kiting is a mixed bag. Occasionally you get a decent, steady, monodirectional hour or two. The usual conditions, however, are winds that constantly vary in direction and strength. I spent most of my first two WindDance outings getting "exercise"...walking out to the end of the lines to unravel a Gordianly tangled, collapsed WindDance.
It wasn't until my third day out that I realized that I was missing half of the WindDance equation: You have to MOVE when the winds are bumpy and fickle. I started to mix my arm movements with rapid darting back and forth to keep the tension on the lines. I was keeping the kite up for 15-20 minutes at a time after a while. When I got home, I was panting and soaked with sweat (in spite of the 30 degree temperatures) but exhilarated after 3+ hours of WTMF.
Since then, I have been out 2-3 times each week. Yes, I have a few delta stunt kites I fly (sorry, but I like the slack line wizardry, too) but I spend 50% at least of my kite time with my WD2. And the WindDance is the kite people walking by like to watch and the only one I will let them fly. Something about the tight turns, zippy traverses across the window and that cool, high-pitched whistle when the kite is really cooking gathers crowds at my kite fields.
And thanks to you, I have lost about 20 pounds...after another 30 or so, I can be your Jared (the Subway guy)!
So thanks for an excellent product. I have read most of your website and am more than a little mystified by the run-in you had with the kite industry. I hope they will come to their senses eventually. What you are selling is very different from the mainstream dual-line delta and foil products out there. Judging by the testimonials on your website (and on rec.kites, for that matter), there is obviously a niche for a fast, maneuverable, easy-to-fly kite. . . .
Take care." -- 3/04 email from VA

In regard to bumpy, fickle, pesky winds, here's an instructive exerpt from our email to a customer: "Personally, I [Dan] don't like to WindDance in smooth "clinical grade" wind. Too boring. We prefer the excitement of frisky wind that's textured with pulses and jolts of speed and power. With basic FLYING skill alone -- no bridle-setting increases to make it more stable (we like "fast" settings on the verge of being too low), no bumpy-wind adapters to make it more stable -- we can fly in pretty gnarly winds including immediately downwind of trees. There's no "running around" to keep it flying, just the natural active "flyrod" action of our arms that maintains FLYING tension in our control lines. Of course on some days the wind is way too frisky: the wind instantly shifts direction sometimes 90 degrees or a turbulent blast hits the upper skin or a vortex twists up the wing and bridle into a knot. One day, when we were having trouble, the wind was so nasty it suddenly pitched delta stunt kites downward and knocked them out of the sky."

"I ordered a WD2 and finally got to fly it this weekend. I like it. A lot. It was surprising to find that it pulls harder than my 'Firestorm' (a 10' power delta).
WD2 is a quality product with great design features. The bridle looks complex, but is straight forward and appears to be difficult to tangle (I couldn't do it!). It is a blast to fly! . . . " -- 3/04 email from MO

"Thanks for the patch film and all. I got my kites fixed and they're all flying once again. I was reading your customer comment page and I wanted to drop you this line. To possibly use on your website at just HOW fast your kites are and how hard they pull...
I have been flying your kites since 1997. I have two white ones, a 2 and 3. Then I stepped up to your new 2000 series kites. They're a LOT faster and much more nimble. I have a flyer who also flies your kites who works for the Police Dept. He brought a radar gun out and we had a little fun. It was an older version that picks up most movement. With a touch of foil tape we had it on. The wind was severely POST Frontal 40 to 45MPH...
We dug into the beach and buried our butts in the sand. We started clocking it. I was hitting 120MPH in the power zone turns. After a bit of tuning to greater speeds we were at our bodies' physical limits. With 400LB kevlar lines I was hitting 158 to 160 MPH. When the lines broke !~! Both lines one right after the other 161 MPH in that turn set. So let the other companies compare their kites to yours any day!~!
One Very happy CAMPER in CA" -- 3/04 email from CA

"well....the winddance 2 does it again. i am just letting you that the winddance 2 i got from you guys 3 years ago is still doing really well and is about to go all over the world and have flying where ever i end up....i will try to get some pics to you guys soon..as my brothers all have one...my girlfriend is getting one and to see 3 or 4 kites all flying together intertwined is something that i have never seen in my life until now..it is nuts!!" -- 11/03 email from NH

"I am a humanitarian worker in developing countries and work with refugees. I have been doing this for the past 25 years and the first things I pack are my fishing gear and my kites. I have flown the WindDance in Kenya (over Mt. Kenya and on the beach in Mombasa), on the beach in The Gambia, in Quetta, Pakistan, on the hills overlooking Pristina in Kosovo, on the hills around Skopje (Macedonia), over the skies of Lake Superior (Isle Royal National Park), in Michigan (of course), over Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and the Canadian Arctic (Spense Bay) to name but a few.
One of my best flying experiences was on the beach in Mombasa where I attached two, small (one inch), calumide light sticks to the bridle branch clusters (with scotch tape) and flew at midnight.....You could not see the kite but the lights let you know where you were in combination with the pull...It was a unique experience and did not effect the performance at all...
I also used my WindDance 3 to signal my pickup ride off Mt. Kenya by flying off Mugi Hill on the Chogoria route. I went fishing and my ride was waiting for my signal....
Take care and I have more stories if you would like. I take my WindDance kites wherever I go...I am due in Liberia next...." -- 11/03 email from MI

" . . . I also would like to acknowledge receipt of the WD 3 which you sent me recently - I used it for the first time on Friday at a local school's kite event - you probably will get two direct orders and maybe a couple more later as a result, because it was by far the most impressive of the 50 or so kites being flown and I had a queue of people wanting to fly mine so I spent most of the time watching other people getting the hang of it. It is so docile that even young children can keep control, and so powerful that it can pull full grown men off their feet. A great design . . . " -- 9/03 email from the UK

"i received my winddance 2 a month ago. since then i had little chance to try it, lots of work and lousy winds. but the few days i had a chance to use it was great fun. the kite is super fast, almost too fast!!!
a friend of mine, he has over 20 different kites of all kinds, tried it and he simply couldn't let it go, he was having too much fun! he said it was the fastest thing he ever saw!!!
i'm having lots of fun with the kite! it's amazing!!!
congratulations on a marvelous flying "machine," it's unbelievable!!!" -- 8/03 email from Portugal

"Thanks Dan
It's easier doing business with you than with some shops in my own town.
All the Best" -- 8/03 email from New Zealand

"Lovin this thing!!
Didn't know what I was getting myself into. . . . I looked for the Porsche of kites. After looking at all that was offered I found your website. After purchasing the WD3 I must say I have the Indy car of kites. I've been flying it on the red rocks above Lake Powell down here in Utah. It's like it rides on rails!! The people here all hoop and holler and want more when I try to put it away. I think I'm addicted. I look outside every once in a while waiting for the BIG WIND. The faster the more intense the ride.
I can't wait to take it to Crystal Mt. Washington for the winter. I can just see it in those big winds we get there. I made an investment of a lifetime.
Thank you for your help.
Flying fast and furious" -- 8/03 email from UT

"I've been enjoying the summer storm breezes that roll through in the afternoons here. Yesterday however the wind was a light, steady 3 mph off the lake. I'd forgotten how smooth and precise the WD3 can be. It truly is a joy to fly! Beautifully precise, tight patterns and I especially enjoy outlining the clouds and chasing the small birds. We have a family of bald eagles that seem to enjoy hovering high above me. I imagine they are thinking; "that sure looks like fun down there."
I let a guy who had a T-Foil and training bar fly my WD3. He was amazed. I had to encourage him to spin it. He was afraid it would get tangled up. He had never spun his past a 180. The bar really limits your inclination to just have fun.
Dan, I do "Feel an itch for the new fun that's coming." I wish you would hurry it up a bit. Not that I don't thoroughly enjoy what I have, but I can't help thinking about what it might be! I wish you would add some flesh to your descriptions of the new stuff. So far we know more what it is not, than what it will be.
As always HTMF!" -- 8/03 email from NC

"I thought I'd drop you a line on my WD2 experiences.

How I came to your web site?
I stumbled on to your web site looking to replace a line I broke on my Firebee 1.0. At that point, I managed to stay at your web site for about an hour and a half, reading, watching and learning. Guess where my Firebee line broke? Right in the middle.

Next steps.
I'm not new to kiting. I have been addicted to kites for about 4 years now. In that time, I have managed to accumulate 2 deltas and two quads. I have found that I enjoy flying kites, but each of my kites has gone from "new exciting" to not much fun. Most of this has come about because of the varying wind conditions here where I live. Most of the time the winds are light and variable - not good for anything I have in my bag. So why do I own kites that are not suited for my area? Ah, I bought them on vacation, near the beach!

In flies winddancing.
I decided to buy a WD2 instead repairing the Firebee line. I'll tell you right now, it still is not fixed - 2 weeks later. The WD2 arrived on a Thursday. I was on lunch break and missed the mailman and the package, so I tracked him down on his route. By Friday, I had the first lineset made and I was pumped up to try out my NEW kite. The wind did not want to play. I looked outside and not one leaf on any tree in my line of sight was moving. I was crushed. An hour later, I detected some leaf movement, and decided to go for it. I knew full well that with the lack of wind I saw, I would never bothered to go out to the high school where I usually fly. Based on the feedback on your site and what you advertise, I wanted to put your kite to my ultimate test. I was NOT disappointed. I packed up and dragged my son out to the field; he just got his driving permit and I promised he could drive. I arrived and the flags in the area hardly moved. When the wind "gusted", I could feel a slight movement on my face. I would guess that the winds ended up being 2-5 variable and mostly in the 2-3 range. The WD2 had the nerve to actually fly in this crap breeze! I had to walk the kite back sometimes to keep it flying, but I had a great time. Make no mistake about it, nothing else I own would have gotten off the ground and stayed in the air, the WD2 did.

Day 2.
The wind speed picks up to 5-10, with some higher gusts. Man can this thing fly. I take my 12 year old daughter out and she is up and flying in about 6 minutes flat. After about 15 minutes of flying she turns the controls over to me; she had sore arms. I break my first line on my WD2. Notice I say first line, I anticipate more in the future! Line breaks right where you say it will, at the kite end, by the knot. After following your instructions to inspect the knot -- it melted, no frays. I pulled hard in a turn, hit a gust and the knot moved. It was a novice line-stringing issue. I correct the problem in under 5 minutes in the field and I'm back flying. Hint. My Firebee line can not be fixed, just replaced.

Conclusion.
I have flown the WD2 in some of the lightest, most inconsistent winds this area has to offer. Winds I would have never attempted before. Your kite is the best made kite I have ever come across. The customer support you provide, is unsurpassed. I have spent hours on your web site taking it all in, learning. Testing the information in my environment. Taking it as truth after I experience it for myself. Some of the information you present with such authority, I thought, well it all can not be 100% truth. Let me say that I still have not been let down by any advice or piece of data yet. Flying the WD2 is exciting, I'm looking for some good reason to keep my other kites. I will wait a few weeks to see if a good reason shows up. I plan on a WD1 in the next week or two and within the next two months a WD3. I decided I will be kiting through the winter this year. Thanks again for sharing your passion." -- 8/03 email from NY

"I had a wonderful day at the lake. 15 mph off the lake and smooth as silk, with gusts to 30 mph!! The WD2 was great, but the WD3 was absolutely awesome!! I'm a big guy so the 3 was just right. The gusts in the power zone pulled like a truck! Finally during a spin in the zone my left BWA popped in the middle. I quickly relooped them at the end, took care of some minor tangling at the kite end and I was back up for another hour. What an incredible workout. I was doing multiple figure 8's in the power zone and leaning back 45 degrees to keep my balance. My arms were burning and I was soaked, but it felt sooo good I couldn't stop. I had 40' ripstop tails which didn't seem to have much affect on the speed of the kite, but made it much more exciting to watch. There was nothing else up in the air but me and the WD's. . . .
Finally, I want to thank you for building so much strength and durability into these kites. It's hard to believe they can take the stresses of the high winds, plus the high speed crashes and still not show any damage. I was really impressed when I noticed the extra zigzag reinforcements between each of the cells the other day.
Sincerely having way too much fun!" -- 7/03 email from NC

"Just a quick note to thank you folks for getting my new WD3 so quickly. I received it 2 days after shipping last week (remarkable for cross border) I only just got a chance to fly it last night and did not stop until the wind died so much I could not play any more.
Winds for the most part where 15 to 25 mph, so it was a good time to experience the full gamut of flying the new airgear.
I think my old Delta will be spending more time grounded now.
I am planning to be in the Seattle later this summer so I might look you up and come flying out there.
Thanx again" -- 6/03 email from Alberta, Canada

"Hi Dan, thanks for the fast service. I got a bit stung for duty on the parcel, but nothing I didn't expect . . . I took it [WindDance 3] out for a quick blast before the wind disappeared (hasn't been a breath of wind since... grr) but was very pleased with how it flew, really fast, and much more pull than I expected. Great stuff! Cheers!" -- 6/03 email from the UK

"Just thought I'd drop you a note to thank you for providing such a great product and more importantly the tremendous amount of information on your website.
During the short period of time that I've flown my WD2, I have experienced many of the situations you have illustrated. All the way from at first being intimidated by the kite and wanting to pack it up and send it back to the pure joy of being able to actually fly the kite with full confidence and control.
I've found the kite to be virtually indestructible as it's had many full speed crashes and several tangles with trees. I've experienced broken lines, tangled bridle, no wind, strong wind and many conditions in between. In each instance I was able to refer to either the manual or to the information on your site to rectify and understand what was happening.
My biggest chuckle came when a couple bicycle riders rode by while I was flying and one remarked to the other "It looks like he's dancing with the wind."
Thanks again" -- 5/03 email from WI

"Awesome!! . . . It's a blast!" -- 5/03 email from NY about a new WindDance 2

"I must say this THE most complete and impressive website I have EVER seen! The only other website that compares is a website on the SR-71 Blackbird (http://www.wvi.com/~lelandh/sr-71~1.htm). Kind of like comparing apples and oranges, but there you go.... The reason I found you is because I was looking for shock cord for a 2 line delta kite I have flown (poorly, as it turns out... LOL) 2 times. It was ok as far as I was concerned. But just ok. Granted it is not a $300 kite but a $62 kite from a local hobby store. After 4 rather unsubtle landings the lower shock cord is breaking and it seems that no one locally knows what I am talking about so I ended up searching on-line. I still have not found a local source. But I did start looking at various kite stores on line. Thus, to make a long story dull, I have given myself rather severe eye strain from reading this fabulous website. With all the time and work you have put into this site how do you ever get out to the field???
Anyway, to my question... I have just recently relocated to the Phoenix AZ area and the wind here is somewhat unpredictable in its velocity and reliability. I am wondering if I am making the right choice here with the WindDance 2.... I am a relatively fit, somewhat strong 6'2 male, 225lbs, some of which MIGHT be muscle and I really do not wish to be an experimental flight model yet I would like a fun kite that might give me a rather firm workout. . . .
BTW, you really should be a bit stronger in your opinions about the mainstream kite industry, being as subtle as you are may not get through to those morons.... LMAO!!!!
Thanks for listening." -- 5/03 comment included with order from AZ

"Well I have to tell you I am so damned impressed I am still giggling! I received my WD2 on Friday (it was at the post office, since I was not home to sign for it) and was very impressed by the construction and the overall design. I spent Saturday evening (I had to work during the day) doing all the "rigging" of the Spectra linesets and setting up the "rough wind" lines per your VERY complete instruction sheets. Thank you for being so very complete and informative as to the how and why. I hate it when they just say "set it here because we tell you to" and don't give a reason why it is important. . . .
I went out to the park at about 11am and the wind was a fairly steady 8-10mph. I brought my delta "just in case". After attaching my lines and setting the handles under my Igloo Cooler, (I forgot to get a stake) I proceeded to try and fly my new toy. Well after a couple attempts at OVERPOWERING the lines I sat and reread the instruction book and then proceeded to just go crazy! I have NEVER had this much fun with my clothes on before!!! I have to tell you in no uncertain terms that this is THE BEST investment I have ever made!
I did use my delta quite a bit, too. Rolled up in it's case it made a perfect sail anchor for self launching my WD2! LOL
To make a long story dull, I stopped two soccer games, a softball game, and a whole bunch of pedestrians!!! Everyone wanted to know what it was I was "flying", where they could get one, and the all important "how much?" I stayed at the park for 3 hours and had so much fun I ignored the fact that I was getting a sunburn. But, who cares?!!?? I had an absolute BALL!!!!! My mouth is killing me from smiling. And I agree with your sentiment about scratching your nose, only for me it was when I pushed my sunglasses back that I klonked myself in the forehead.....
I gave one fellow an extra "line tying" instruction sheet so he would have your www address to order himself one. I let him fly mine and he kept saying, "oh yeah!!! I am definitely getting one of these!!!!" He crashed about 2 times and then was just blazing away through the sky.... And I must say it looks just as good from downwind as it does from the flight line, maybe even better.
Please accept my most sincere thanks for a product that I am going to be enjoying for a long, LONG time!!!! Also expect to sell a few more in Phoenix, people were writing down your web address as I gave it to them.
With Best Wishes and Warmest Regards." -- 5/03 email from same customer in AZ

"I finally was able to fly my WD2; what an experience. The HQ parafoil was nice but the WD2 is bad. I would venture to say that I will drag it out into the pasture every chance I get because (as you repeatedly say on your web site) it is so much fun. There is a learning curve with it but it just bounces back from mistakes. Thank you for producing such fine airgear.
A Devoted WindDancer" -- 5/03 email from KY

"Hello Dan, its good to know not all Americans are in favour of the war! Thanks for writing your piece on it.
Can you edit movies with QTime6? I have a few I can send over on CDROM, taken with my digital camera, they are all about 1 minute and 15MB each, but would come down to a manageable 2-3Mb or so with the same treatment as the last one I sent. They are from my February visit to the coast and show me flying the WD2 in 25-35km/hour winds. There are a few sections where I am doing tight 360s with long tails, viewed form the side, a couple of crashes and a relaunch, some flying below horizontal on the headland, and general WTMF flying! They could be shortened in some cases, or segments cut and pasted together perhaps. Anyway, feel free to do what you like with them. I'll send the CD tomorrow.
I'm finding WindDancing to be a good complement to my mountain biking - it's good for improving the reflexes and also the upper body workout effects. I just wish the wind would blow more often around here!" -- 4/03 email from Australia

Here are eight clips of having WTMF with a WindDance 2: CLICK HERE! Thank you Gordon!

"I made a few videos of my WindDance 3 and put it up on my website. There is a video of just the WD3 and another with the WD3 towing my newly developed Tom-EEE! human shaped drogue [full human size!].
The videos are made with Windows Movie Maker and saved in the .wmv format which is playable by Windows Media Player 9 [and 7.1, too!].
I don't know if you have seen such long lines [150'] used on a WD3 or such a large drogue (185cm [6'1"] tall).
My main page has some comments about the WD3 and some pictures on the "Purchased Kites" section.
I usually fly the WD3 as is, or with two 90 foot long RSN tails. I have had dozens of people come over to see what kind of "rocket" I was flying, but not a single one (as far as I know) has gone on to purchase one. For the second year in a row I am conducting the "kite lessons" fields for our annual ILRC Kite Festival on Fathers Day. Last year I let people fly my little Parastunter and if they showed some aptitude I let them also fly my WD3. . . .
It still bugs me when people say that the Flexifoil is the fastest kite in the world because it was officially clocked with a radar gun. I have a local friend with a WD1 and WD2 and along with my WD3 we have all the winds covered and I can say that each of these (in my estimation) has gone faster than that pokey Flexifoil." -- 4/03 email from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Here's the WindDance 3 with music video: CLICK HERE! Thank you Tom!

"I would like to pass on a recipe for wtmff (way too much FROZEN fun). Who says you have to put away your kites for winter? Mix the following:

one large size frozen lake (no snow please)
one wd3 or wd2 if strong and or gusty winds
one fearless flyer with safety gear (helmet etc..)
one good read of dan's physics 101&102
one cordless drill with bit
one pair of ice skates
and above all, a desire to go fast !

Mix these on a moderate wind day 6-12 mph, and you will have a great time. A few tips: keep your kite moving fast in the power zone until up to speed. Also make sure to reduce the bridle somewhat [to reduce the pull]. A broken line at speed is sure to put you on your, er.. landing zone. Take note of the shoreline, because you can get going pretty fast on a beam reach (90 degrees to the wind) If you really want to go fast, try squatting to reduce the wind resistance but be aware it's harder to balance the kite's pull this way. Oh i almost forgot, the cordless drill is for drilling a hole in the ice to hold your groundstake, and to test the ice thickness. Have fun and fly safe.
terry in the frozen north" -- 4/03 email from Nova Scotia, Canada

When Terry stopped by in Seattle during a trip, he explained how the forested shore came up so fast at 60 mph durng a beam reach he had to be VERY careful to turn in time!

" . . . I thought I'd set up a test to compare the two of them in the same gusty surface winds (W-SW 15-25 mph). . . .
I first set up and flew the Flexi Pro Team 8....270 lb test line.....wind window was 30-60 degrees off centerline depending on the wind gusts....Flexi flew from edge to edge in 2-3 seconds with varying speeds. Between 15 and 20 mph, the pull would increase and require a step forward to keep one's balance. Exhilerating, but with turns on 125 foot line sets, best I could get was 2 sets of 180 degree verticle "s" turns and I had consumed all the airspace I dared to use. Tracking was straight and true, but required a slight amount of oversteer to compensate for the gusty conditions.
I next set-up the Wind Dance II, and using the same flying lines, and adjusting the bridle setting a second time in 2 years, to an more OPTIMAL setting, I was astonished to realize a pull similar to the Team Pro 8. Turns were more like pivots, and any series of multiple turns could be accomplished from a common radius point. After 10-15 of these, opposite direction spirals could again be accomplished FROM THE SAME RADIUS POINT!! The turns could be sped up manually, with hardly any increase or decrease in radius, even in gusty conditions. Tracking was like the WD2 was on a rail. . . .
. . . the work-out potential of the WD2 (or any other WD Product) is way understated. My son flys at Daytona Beach, and before long he draws a crowd. His most asked question is "How much of a full-body work out can you get from this"? He tells them honestly, "What you see me do, is what you can achieve, and then some". I never realized the heath benefit you mentioned on your web-site, but the public is sure tuned into it! . . . " -- 4/03 email from IL

"hello,
this is Zebulon writing about my WindDance 2000 [WD2].
I am writing about the kite that i bought and now that it has been about a full year plus,..... i would like to let you know what i have been doing with the kite.
I have flown the thing all over the place, Moab in Utah, City of Rocks in Idaho, Teton national park and around Jackson hole wyoming, in Massachsetts on the Cape as well as very inland......and of course where I live in Mount Washington Valley (North Conway, NH), and basically any place that i feel like stopping at to fly cause it is windy..
I should let you know that i basically wanted your kite to get me into the kite world of traction sports...well it did and didnt do that. I was thinking Kiteboarding and such and now after really getting REALLY good at flying my Winddance 2000 i have found the kite to be awsome! the windance was able to drag me about 20 feet in 45 plus winds, before the lines broke....but man i was impressed! then in the nothingness of low winds i am still able to fly the kite with pleasure...so anyways....i now have a whole bunch of kites from smaller to the windadance 2000 to 13 times bigger....i have foils, inflatables, etc for kiteboarding on water and snow. That is certainly a rush with the kites power and speed and ability to get air, but you know there is something about the winddance that is just unlike anything i have flown before.
now, my older brother and his wife to be, BOTH own a winddance 2000. we all have different colors and my older brother who has been like me flying kites since a very young age are able to fly the two together like nothing i have ever seen before....
the times that we have been able to spend in our windy days together are unreal....never willl be forgotten....
the winddances are a valuable kite to me, it is simplicity.
Dont get me wrong i love going out and getting serious air and speed with the larger traction kites as well as the "drag" and pull races that my friends have....anyways, i am just letting you know that i did infact have trouble when i first got the kite.....it wasnt flying how i wanted it to but now later in the winddances flying career i have been able to use the kite on top of rock pinnacles that were up to 600 feet high....and man.....seeing a person fly a kite in the Utah desert on top of a pinnacle can only be explained by the feeling you get flying such a craft in that area.....the same with where i live....i fly the thing often while stting out time in tents with clients on mount washington (i teach mountain climbing(rock ice and mountaineering) for a living in NH)...so now instead of just sitting there i am able to go out in the wind and fly the kite that is full and loaded with such great memories!.all i did was learn to tune the thing for different winds haha
I have been able to collect some really great pictures of me and my kite, cause it is such a simple thing that brings such simple pleasure of playing with wind...
basically, i am stoked with your kite......and really i have flown a lot of big and small kites...but i keep pulling out the old windance before i go kiteboarding, before i go to bed before i rappel the climb, before the bike ride .....it is always in my truck ready to go.
i have had so many memories with the thing that i cant get over how much fun i have had with it in the last few years...and man i think i didnt tell you how cool it was to have three winddances flying around each other and having them get all twisted and being able to fly along side the people that are important to you! to sum it all up i must say that stupid end all qoute so whatever, here it goes...
"a man (or woman) and his (or her) kite, it is a beautiful thing!"
dan and sue at WindDance, thanks.
I am still flying my kite strong!" -- 3/03 email from NH

"I've had my airgear for about a month now and finally flew it this last Saturday. March and April are typically pretty windy here in Salt Lake City. I bought two WindDance 2s and three sets of lines . . .
While breaking in my first WindDance 2 on Saturday I noticed this weird thing happening to my face, I couldn't stop grinning. In fact most of the time, the harder the wind blew the more I smiled. You should warn people that flying WindDances from Seattle AirGear can overstress your smiling musculature.
When a particularly strong air stream would start playing with my WindDance I just couldn't help hollering. It was like being stuck in an old Batman TV Serial, "Hah!" "EYah!" "Whaaa!" "Yeehaaa!"
I don't know about dancing with the wind, but I sure am excited about playing with it. I just turned 50 in February, and I already know what I want for my 51st, I'll be ordering a pair of WindDance 1s. When I'm flying my WindDances in a strong wind I feel like I've found the fountain of youth - I'm in my twenties, a genius, and indestructible! It's quite intoxicatiing. I hope I never get used to it. Thanks for a "winderful" product!" -- 3/03 email from UT

"My name is ******* and I am 28 years of age. My wife and I reside in Warsaw, Indiana. I own a [dual-line delta]. I like the kite, however it is the first and only dual line kite I have owned. My brother had a chance to fly it and fell in love with the 'dual-line' kite sensation as well. Fortunately for him, he did some research prior to purchasing a kite and is a PROUD owner of a WindDance 2. My brother, *****, had called me the day he received his kite and was bragging how his WindDance put my kite to shame. I chuckled as I saw this as a typical gesture - as we both commonly do - for my brother to 'one-up' me. He called my kite everything from the "dual line sloth" to the "flying bus" Ha ha - your story little brother. He recently came home and brought his WindDance with him. As he begged and pleaded me to take it for drive - I hesitantly agreed - as it was close to 37 degrees at the time - but plenty of wind!!!!!<