Of all the kites I own, this one probably has the most miles on it. Back when I found kiting and had no life, I’d sit at Lake Crabtree all day in the summer waiting for a puff of wind. It’s an amazing design, I love the wingtip tensioners, and it’s so tough that when kids come to my inland kiting spot with beach kites that need 12kts, I can give the 4D to them because it will fly in 4kts.

Of all the kites I own, this one probably has the most miles on it. Back when I found kiting and had no life, I’d sit at Lake Crabtree all day in the summer waiting for a puff of wind. It’s an amazing design, I love the wingtip tensioners, and it’s so tough that when kids come to my inland kiting spot with beach kites that need 12kts, I can give the 4D to them because it will fly in 4kts.

This one’s probably an old McMackin kite from our beach days. I keep it around for kids to fly because it’s stable and good for pulling small tails.

Got this kite for a high-wind beater to lend out to people but found I liked it in big wind when I didn’t want to risk the Talons.

Was really impressed by this kite when I flew it in a demo. Eventually bought one for Lyndsey and Eric so they’d have a good dualie and to support Flying Smiles during the pandemic.

Bought Dec 2013 as a gift for Julie; she named it after Conrad’s then-girlfriend’s daughter, who flew it well.

Bought Dec 2013 as a gift for Julie; she named it after Conrad’s then-girlfriend’s daughter, who flew it well.

Bought Dec 2013 as a gift for Julie; she named it after Conrad’s then-girlfriend’s daughter, who flew it well.

Got this kite for a song browsing the GWTW forum late at night. It’s probably the only collector’s item kite I own. Flies in very, very light wind but has some issues with oversteer. I’m thrilled to have a kite from Ken McNeill, an NC kite-making master.

Got this kite for a song browsing the GWTW forum late at night. It’s probably the only collector’s item kite I own. Flies in very, very light wind but has some issues with oversteer. I’m thrilled to have a kite from Ken McNeill, an NC kite-making master.

This is the kite that started it all when I was a little kid at Myrtle Beach. I had so many happy hours with the family flying it.

Bought 10/21/2010 and I enjoyed it for a while but it’s kind of klunky and I prefer more agile 2-liners. Gave it to Ross and he really enjoyed it.

Bought 10/21/2010 and I enjoyed it for a while but it’s kind of klunky and I prefer more agile 2-liners. Gave it to Ross and he really enjoyed it.

I recommend the Symphony all around because it’s user-friendly. It’s often the 2-liner that I give to people, though it can get moving quickly. I’ve sewn on a tail loop to slow it down a bit but haven’t tested it yet.

This Talon (with the white panels) was my first custom kite and it was a huge leap of faith to buy it. Took Mark 3 days to make it and I got to watch him stream his work online when that was a really unusual thing to do. Incredibly agile kite.

I LOVE this kite. It’s so agile and fun to fly. With it and its standard twin I won two golds at nationals in 2014 for novice ballet and precision.

I LOVE this kite. It’s so agile and fun to fly. With it and its standard twin I won two golds at nationals in 2014 for novice ballet and precision.

I LOVE this kite. It’s so agile and fun to fly. With it and its standard twin I won two golds at nationals in 2014 for novice ballet and precision.

Bought way back when, maybe late 1990s from the kite store in Hilton Head. Also bought a pair of straps that I loved to handle but didn’t know how to use.

Bought 12/20/2010, fades like a dream and introduced me to the world of freestyle kiting. Shame that this kite has such a narrow wind range, because once I got the Talons it was obsolete.