Due to the Corona restrictions the traditional Nordic Kite Meeting, this year is at least postponed. But cleaning up some old stuff down in the (kite) basement I came over a CD with a few videos from the Meeting back in 2002. Same digits, but sequenced differently. ???? This meeting was the fourth in a row starting back in 1999.
In those early years, we gathered under another name, the Nordic Sportkite Meeting, hence the somewhat more competitional approach. The first meetings comprised the Nordic Kite Challenge competition, a scaled-down competition format with elements from both precision- and freestyle flying. (Hmmm… I’ll write more on that competition format later.)
Back to 2002. In those early days, we flew our kites a little north of Blokhus, at Grønhøj Strand to be exact. A fifteen minutes drive from Blokhus and a wider beach.
Since the NKM this year will not happen, I’d like to share some of the action from eighteen years ago. The quality of the videos are not quite up to 2020 standards, but I hope you’ll enjoy the clips anyway.
Welcome
The first video clip is a very big welcome to the 2002 Nordic Sportkite Meeting. Let the action begin!
The Sunset
If I remember correctly, all the footage in this clip was shot on the evening of the arrival day. Nice and warm weather and combined with a dying wind and a setting sun made for a few good hours on the beach before bedtime.
Get that body movin’
But off course, this beach is also known for the WIND and when it picks up you need to move that body. Some say it’s all in your leg work. I kind of agree!
The Gemini
This kite…. This KITE!!! I got my first one … must have been late 1999 and I flew it to shreds! It quantum leapt my flying skills and opened all the doors into freestyle flying. I still take it to the field and have big fun with it!
It’s not ALL about sportkites
No, true nerds bring single-lined kites too, and here’s a presentation of some of them.
Pairs Flying
Is this the true birth of what was soon to be known as … The AERIALIS Team Flyers? Yeah, maybe. Anyway, it sure was our first bang at something called synchronized flying!
Innerspace Magic
The Benson Innerspace, as its name implies, is actually an indoor kite, but when the wind drops you can fly it outdoors too. Here is a video proof that shows the kite surely does hold a solid fade. I think you can see a pretty big grin on my face towards the end of the video.
A bunch of … (fill in whatever comes to mind)
It’s not all about having fun…. Well, hmmm…. Yes, that’s what it’s all about, and with our somewhat weird humour, this is what it might end up.
Thank you!
Finally a big thank you to all involved making the Nordic Sportkite Meeting 2002 possible!
That’s it, folks! I hope you enjoyed that little travel back in time and hopefully, things get back to a new normal that will allow us to meet again on a beautiful Danish beach to fly some kites together again.
Until then, stay safe and … make a kite!
