There really is no end to good kite websites on the Internet, especially if you’re interested in more than one kiting style or discipline… The trick is finding those sites when looking for kite instruction or learning what kites to fly, so we’ve done our best to list all of the “front end” kite links that are likely to cover most of your immediate needs and lead to anything else you might be searching for.
By no means complete, we’ve chosen these websites specifically for their quality and depth of relevant content and resources.
Please let me know if any of the links fail to work, thanks!
My Sponsors (big thanks to them)
Kite Forge
JB's own brand of kite designs, built to service and withstand a wide variety of skill levels.
JB's own brand of kite designs, built to service and withstand a wide variety of skill levels.
The Kite Shoppe
Based online, TKS is a regular presence at kite events throughout the Northwest USA (where I live), offering "pro shop" for fliers as well as sponsorship support to folks who show an interest in growing kiting.
Based online, TKS is a regular presence at kite events throughout the Northwest USA (where I live), offering "pro shop" for fliers as well as sponsorship support to folks who show an interest in growing kiting.
Kite Organizations
American Kitefliers Association (AKA)
The AKA's purpose is to educate the public in the art, history, technology, and practice of building and flying kites - to advance the joys and values of kiting in all nations, they provide a magazine, event insurance, competition standards and much more.
The AKA's purpose is to educate the public in the art, history, technology, and practice of building and flying kites - to advance the joys and values of kiting in all nations, they provide a magazine, event insurance, competition standards and much more.
Bay Area Sport Kite League (BASKL)
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, BASKL is a sport kite league but also hosts a wide range of kiting interests including miniatures, fighter kites and more.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, BASKL is a sport kite league but also hosts a wide range of kiting interests including miniatures, fighter kites and more.
Drachen Foundation
The Drachen Foundation is a non-profit educational corporation, established in 1995 and devoted to the increase and dissemination of knowledge about kites worldwide. It takes its name from the German "Drachen," which means "kite" or "dragon."
The Drachen Foundation is a non-profit educational corporation, established in 1995 and devoted to the increase and dissemination of knowledge about kites worldwide. It takes its name from the German "Drachen," which means "kite" or "dragon."
Eastern League (EL)
The EL services the entire east coast, helping to organize competitions, tracking points and rankings for end of year awards.
The EL services the entire east coast, helping to organize competitions, tracking points and rankings for end of year awards.
National Kite Month (NKM)
National Kite Month is a year long effort by kite professionals, enthusiasts, supporters, manufacturers, and friends to promote the wonderful qualities that kite flying has to offer people of all ages & physical ability levels.
National Kite Month is a year long effort by kite professionals, enthusiasts, supporters, manufacturers, and friends to promote the wonderful qualities that kite flying has to offer people of all ages & physical ability levels.
Northwest Sport Kite League (NWSKL)
Focusing on Oregon, Washington and British Colombia, the NWSKL organizes events throughout the Northwest and tracks points for end of year awards.
Focusing on Oregon, Washington and British Colombia, the NWSKL organizes events throughout the Northwest and tracks points for end of year awards.
World Kite Museum
The World Kite Museum & Hall of Fame is the only American Museum dedicated exclusively to the thrill, joy, art, science and world history of kites. Besides its outstanding kite collections, the Museum has extensive archival materials.
The World Kite Museum & Hall of Fame is the only American Museum dedicated exclusively to the thrill, joy, art, science and world history of kites. Besides its outstanding kite collections, the Museum has extensive archival materials.
Kite Publications
AKA Kiting Magazine
The last full color kite magazine left in North America, this is the official newsletter of the American Kitefliers Association, chock full of information, photos and reports from throughout the kiting world.
The last full color kite magazine left in North America, this is the official newsletter of the American Kitefliers Association, chock full of information, photos and reports from throughout the kiting world.
Discourse by Drachen Foundation
A strictly digital publication, Drachen's newsletter shows the experience of those assembling content - nearly every issue includes several in depth exposes on kite history, culture and major events.
A strictly digital publication, Drachen's newsletter shows the experience of those assembling content - nearly every issue includes several in depth exposes on kite history, culture and major events.
Kite Lines (1977-1998 / 50 issues)
Kite Lines was the longest-running professional magazine in kite history to its end-point in time. It was the authoritative and comprehensive source of kite news and the trusted standard of reference for kiting in
Kite Lines was the longest-running professional magazine in kite history to its end-point in time. It was the authoritative and comprehensive source of kite news and the trusted standard of reference for kiting in
KiteLife Magazine
Wholly owned and managed by the Barresi family, KiteLife is the single largest kiting website in the world, home to a wide range of video tutorials, ezine articles, interviews, photo galleries, out of print publications, a discussion forum and more.
Wholly owned and managed by the Barresi family, KiteLife is the single largest kiting website in the world, home to a wide range of video tutorials, ezine articles, interviews, photo galleries, out of print publications, a discussion forum and more.
Stunt Kite Quarterly (1988-1993, 14 issues)
Published from 1988 to 1993 by Cris Batdorff and family, Stunt Kite Quarterly packed into each issue more dedicated sport kite information and competition coverage than any other magazine in history.
Published from 1988 to 1993 by Cris Batdorff and family, Stunt Kite Quarterly packed into each issue more dedicated sport kite information and competition coverage than any other magazine in history.
Kite Kits (DIY / classwork)
Kites In The Sky
Quality kite kits for everyone. From simple just add art to intermediate skills required. We have kites to meet your event needs.
Quality kite kits for everyone. From simple just add art to intermediate skills required. We have kites to meet your event needs.
Discussion Forums
Gone With The Wind Forum
One of the longest running kite forums around, GWTW was also one of the first such online communities for kitefliers.
One of the longest running kite forums around, GWTW was also one of the first such online communities for kitefliers.
KiteLife Forum
An active, friendly kite forum that specializes in assisting novice, intermediate and recreational kite fliers.
An active, friendly kite forum that specializes in assisting novice, intermediate and recreational kite fliers.
Kites on Facebook
American Kitefliers Association on FB
The AKA is a member-based organization, but their Facebook page is open to anyone and there is generally a solid feed of interesting kite news, photos and videos, as well as updates from throughout the AKA community.
The AKA is a member-based organization, but their Facebook page is open to anyone and there is generally a solid feed of interesting kite news, photos and videos, as well as updates from throughout the AKA community.
Drachen Foundation on FB
Since they have no official discussion forum, Drachen's page on Facebook serves as an supplemental source of news in combination with their digital newsletter and website content.
Since they have no official discussion forum, Drachen's page on Facebook serves as an supplemental source of news in combination with their digital newsletter and website content.
Kites on YouTube
Other Kite Resources
AKA Event Calender
One of the most comprehensive list of kite events you'll find anywhere, this calendar is open to the general public, is sortable by geographic region, and has links for adding your own event or requesting AKA sanctioning (insurance).
One of the most comprehensive list of kite events you'll find anywhere, this calendar is open to the general public, is sortable by geographic region, and has links for adding your own event or requesting AKA sanctioning (insurance).
AKA Regional Resources
Full list of regional association resources, contacts, clubs and stores, easily found by way of a clickable map - great place to start if you're looking for local kiters.
Full list of regional association resources, contacts, clubs and stores, easily found by way of a clickable map - great place to start if you're looking for local kiters.
AKA Sport Kite Standings
Every year, sport kite fliers compete to earn a top position in their region and an invitation to compete at the AKA Grand Nationals - this link will allow you see the current standings.
Every year, sport kite fliers compete to earn a top position in their region and an invitation to compete at the AKA Grand Nationals - this link will allow you see the current standings.
KiteMap.org
The only website of its kind, KiteMap is an interactive, user-submitted Google Maps database of flying locations all over the world - find a new favorite, or add your own.
The only website of its kind, KiteMap is an interactive, user-submitted Google Maps database of flying locations all over the world - find a new favorite, or add your own.
