WORKSHOPS
SOLA DRAGEKLUBB, NORWAY
I flew over to Norway in October 2013 to the town of Sola, situated near Stavanger in the south of the country, to spend a long weekend leading a Genki kitemaking workshop with members of the Sola Drageklubb. Since my previous visit four years before, when I had been flying genkis at their annual kite festival, the group had been keen to bulid their own large kites using carbon fibre and ripstop nylon.
The genki has a high aspect ratio and is very well suited to light winds. The large surface area of the kite allowed the group members to continue adding graphic elements after I had left.
The workshop was held in the club's excellent premises, with plenty of space to spread out the large kites and for each participant to have their own work area with a sewing machine.
During the workshop we were able to cover basic design and construction techniques, adding and correctly setting a bridle and tail making. Strong winds allowed only a limited amount of test flying outside the workshop.
Feedback from the workshop was very positive. Participating during the weekend were: Sveinung Dybvig, Jens Petter Ianke, Iselin Salte, Ketil Olav Sand and Ellen Johanne Munkvold.
