Two weeks. Just two weeks left until departure for the 28th edition of the Nordic Kite Meeting 2026 — and somehow the countdown suddenly feels very real.
The preparations have entered that strange final phase where everything is mostly under control… at least I think so. The logistics are finally falling into place, travel plans are sorted, and little by little the mountain of gear, clothes, tools, gadgets, and kites is starting to look more like an organized expedition and less like complete chaos spread across the house.
As always before a big kite event, there is that familiar mix of excitement and mild panic. You know the feeling: one moment you are convinced everything is ready, and the next moment you suddenly remember something incredibly important at two in the morning.
And honestly? The last two weeks before NKM are almost an event of their own.
The practical preparations are now moving into high gear. The car still needs some attention before it becomes a long-distance kite transport machine. The roof rack and roof box have to be mounted, the oil level checked, and maybe topped up if needed. Both the inside and outside of the car are also begging for a proper wash before departure.
Then comes the real “pre-flight checklist.”
Every team kite needs to be unpacked and checked carefully. Every lineset has to be inspected, sorted, and packed. The orange team clothing has to be located — which somehow becomes a yearly treasure hunt — and tickets need to be printed before they disappear into the digital void forever. Gadgets, cameras, batteries, chargers, and all the other tiny electronic things that suddenly become critically important on the road are currently spread across multiple rooms waiting to be charged.
And of course, there is the endless list of practical everyday things:
Paracetamol. Toothpaste. Sunscreen. Bedding. Business cards. Laundry. Rubber boots for any rainy day. Speaking of which… Rain gear that probably should have been washed weeks ago… or maybe replaced entirely.
Packing the car is currently scheduled for no later than Sunday evening before departure. In reality, it will probably evolve into a large-scale game of “how much kite gear can physically fit into one vehicle before the laws of physics give up.” Especially when Anders joins in!
Still, despite the stress, this is always one of the best parts of the journey. The anticipation. The planning. The feeling that something special is getting closer with every checklist item completed.
Because Nordic Kite Meeting is never just another kite event.
It is reunions with friends from across the Nordic countries and beyond. Early morning coffee while watching the wind. Endless kite talk. New ideas. New inspiration. Team flying. Laughing until midnight. And those unforgettable moments where hundreds of meters of line connect people through color, motion, and sky.
And speaking of preparations, the latest NKM vlog from May 4th is now online and gives a small glimpse into the road toward this year’s meeting. If you want a little taste of the atmosphere before departure day finally arrives, it is definitely worth watching.
