Kitemaker Profile

by Graeme Poole

Hi readers, welcome back to another issue of Kitemaker Profile.

This month it is a pleasure to present to you a profile on Joel Scholz. Joel has been making kites for many years and is one of the most recognized kite makers from the US. Joel's commitment to quality kites and continual explorations of new designs is an example to all serious kite makers. Enjoy reading about Joel and some of his philosophies on kitemaking.

Since my last article I have created my own web page. For those who are interested in finding out a little more about me, please visit my web site and leave send me any comments you may wish to pass on. If you have any suggestions for future Kitemaker profiles, whether it be people you know, or would like to see featured here, please send me their details, this includes nominating yourself if you like.

Personal Details :

Location : Texas, USA
Address : Sky Delight Kites, P.O. Box 1989,Kingsland, TX (USA) 78639
Phone : (888) 545-4837
Email : joel@skydelight.com
Web site: http://www.skydelight.com

Personal background :

I have a fairly eclectic personality. Prior to becoming a full time kite maker in 1986 I worked at being graphic artist-cartographer, laboratory technician, x-ray technologist and art teacher.

Professional background :

I have made kites more or less all my life, and rarely make time for other hobbies. Prior to getting deeply involved in Kites I spent many years sailing. This taught me a lot about how sails work. This knowledge has proved invaluable in kite design. Kites consume my life for better or worse. There are times that I wish kites were just a hobby again but, all in all, kites have lead me to an interesting life, allowed me to make friends all over the world, travel, create, and fly kites for a living. I have met so many wonderful people that have become good friends and inspiration for me.

Who had the most influence on you in kitemaking ?

Some of the people that have the most influence on me, to name a few would be people like Richard and Marian Robertson who taught me that it was OK as an adult to fly kites. Joe Vaughn, who is the closest thing to a kite poet that I know of. He taught me to fly fighter kites, for which I will be forever grateful. George Peters is an inspiration in his fabulous use of colors. Steve Brockett for his creative kites and magnificent artwork. Peter Lynn whose consummate showmanship, childlike lust for life, and true genius in kite design. Kathy Goodwind who bought my first kites, and has taught me so much about business and life and is always ready to listen. And finally Bonnie Palmer, my significant other, without whose loyalty, hard work and dedication I would not be able to do what I do. The people I miss the most are Lee Toy, and Doug Hagaman, both of whom were true kite people and good friends.

How long have you been interested in kites and how did that interest begin?

I have been making kites and model airplanes since I was around 9. My first real kite making experience happened as a boy scout when a Chinese kite maker helped us kids build Chinese butterfly kites.

What type of kites do you make? What is your specialty?

I make all kinds of kites, single line, fighters, stunt kites, quadlines. If I have any real specialty, it is creating figure kites. I get most of my ideas from nature, and build out of modern materials, ie. ripstop, icarex, fiberglass, and graphite. I now design all my kites on computer, digitize the pattern and cut the pieces out with a laser cutter. It's quite a machine and I have not even begun to realize all of its potential. It will allow me to build to any scale I choose, cut intricate pieces, which are accurate to one-10,000th of an inch, and do so while I'm doing something else.

I figure by now I have made thousands of kites. They can be found pretty much all over the world.

Where do you see yourself in ten years time in terms of kitemaking?

Where do I see myself in 10 years? That's a hard one to answer. I have seen kiting change so much over the years; it's hard to predict where it is going. I know that the era of many small time kite manufacturers, working mostly due to a true love of kiting, is gone. There are currently probably less than 5 or 6 kite makers still producing kites in the U.S. The rest are either out of business or making kites off shore. I believe and hope to see kiting events become less of a competition thing, and become a celebration of kiting and life. I think that the interest in kiting is on the wane all over the world due to the fact that kiting has become less of a family activity and more of a sport, and outdoor hobby activities in general are shrinking.

Unfortunately, kiting competitions have failed to become a spectator sport, so cannot draw the big money necessary to promote itself in the media. I think more people know that if kiting is to continue to grow and prosper, today's kite competitions must become tomorrows kite festivals. I believe that in 10 years almost the only manufactured kite you will be able to buy will be made in Mexico or China. I think the Internet will be the vehicle for sales of kites in the future. It will take another breakthrough kite like the parafoil, the stunt kite, or the quad-line, to revive the growth of true specialty kite stores. I believe more people will build their own kites.

For myself, I can only dream of where I would like to be. I would like to be able to build whatever kite I wished without worrying if it will make money or not. I want to make fewer, more spectacular kites. I would like to be in a position of only having to design kites and not have to produce them. Actually making kites on a full time basis is a job like any other. It can be monotonous at times, exciting and rewarding at other times. I do know that kiting, like the rest of the world, is changing and at the present time it is a shrinking pastime. I hope that this is a cyclical thing, but I don't really know. I have seen too many small companies like my own going out of business not to be concerned with kiting's future. I do know this. The Lord has opened many doors for me that have allowed me to make kiting my life. Everything that I have done in my early years has led me to this place, and I feel that my life will always involve the designing and making of kites in some form or fashion. There will always be a market for a quality product of which I feel we provide some of the best. The rest remains to be seen.

Currently I am working on a series of inflatable 3D birds. These will include a Canadian goose, a swan, crane , dove and probably a flamingo. I am also working on a keeless parafoil type of kite along with some normal mainstream figure kites. We normally introduce around 7 or 8 new designs a year and at present I only have two of these so I need to get very busy.

Do you have any construction or kite design tips for our readers?

If I would give any advice about designing and building kites, it would be to keep it simple. I'll never understand building kites that require a tool kit.

Start with the frame. Keep it light (it is more likely to work), but as unbreakable as possible (use easily found materials.)

Make any casings that rods fit in bigger than you think you need. If it's too small when you need a larger, stronger frame, you may as well start over.

Leave yourself more than one way to adjust it.

Have a clear idea how it can be bridled.

And remember, it's easier to cut a rod down than to make it grow.

What awards have you won for any of your kites and which one meant the most to you?

There are two awards that stand out in my head. Winning the Black Ships Festival and a trip to Japan, with my Geisha kite and winning the Hawaiian AKA Nationals fighter kite competition with my Butterfighter.

Which was the most rewarding kite to make?

As Clinton might say, " I don't know what you mean by reward"…. most profit or most fulfilling? The Neptune Stunt Kite was the best seller. But I think Percy the Pelican is my current favorite, because he is such a great flyer and so lifelike. My best overall kite is probably the Triangulation for its flight characteristics. It flies at an incredible angle and is stable even in high winds. Really, my favorite kite is usually the one I am working on at the time. I probably enjoy the creative process more than actually flying kites.

What is your favourite kite NOT made by you ?

I think my overall favorite kite is Rolf Sturm's "Snoopy".

Thanks Joel for taking the time to give this interview and share your kite experiences with us.
Remember, if there is a kitemaker you think might like to be featured here, please send their name and contact details to me. It would help if the kitemaker has an email address. Until next issue … happy kite making!