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Kiting Legend Peter Powell dies aged 83


RedSky

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Kiting legend Peter Powell inventor of the steerable two line stunt kite has died.

The popularity of all types of multiple-line kite flying today can be attributed directly to Powell's development of a modern dual-line kite.

He once man-lifted a 70yr old granny named Mary Hardy 30ft into the air using 7 of his kites, he flew his kites over the Hudson River in New York for the national TV program 'Today' and had disastrous dealings with a Tokyo business man.

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I learnt of his passing while listening to an interview with his sons Paul and Mark on Radio 4 last Sunday. For anyone who might be interested here is that audio and if you're on Facebook an excellent video showing footage from the early days.

Radio -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdT7S3KJDms&feature=youtu.be


Video -
https://www.facebook.com/pointswest/videos/922246637870480/


An interesting interview with MyBestKite.com

http://www.my-best-kite.com/peter-powell.html

Shop

http://www.peterpowellstunterkites.com/

 

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4 hours ago, eyrewaves said:

Sad news.

Peters kites started in 1974 and are still going strong.

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I have my original - bought it in 1980 - and a host of "parts kites and accessories" that I bought at a garage sale.

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I'll have to get it out again and fly it as a memorial!

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Great to see that patent. Thanks. I think Peter started selling his kites in 72. I can see from your patent that he filed the UK patent in 73 and the US in 74. Yes you should fly the kite again, its been too long stored away. Come payday I will be buying a stack of three. Can't wait. :)

 

 

 

I never appreciated Peters work until now. I knew his name was connected with kites somehow but after listening to his obituary on Last Word I realized that he was very influential in starting this craze. Flexifoil started in 72 also, both heading along different paths. Where Flexifoil was a team effort, Peter did it all alone, selling all over the world. Pretty impressive.   

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18 hours ago, RedSky said:

Great to see that patent. Thanks. I think Peter started selling his kites in 72.

Thanks for that RedSky.

Just listened to the BBC LastWord (Sat 13 Feb 2016) - lifted his 70 year old Granny to 30ft with a kite - "I limited her with a nice thick rope" classic!

Produced up to 75,000 kites a week - holy kites Batman.

My days of flying the Peter Powell stunt kite brings back good memories - Seacliff Beach S.A.

I was unemployed at the time and made the decision to spend some "government sponsorship" on myself.

It was a big purchase - no regrets.

What's to like about kite sports? - Everything!

With thanks to Peter Powell for the inspiration.

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