My first intro to kiting was in the Columbia Gorge when I saw Cory Roeseler kited by me at Swell City heading down to the Marina. It was unreal!. This was in the late 80's. The next exposer was in Maui in 99. I was there for the month and for the first couple weeks I did not see anyone who could actually do it. The kites were Wipika 2 liners. One day while windsurfing in Kihei, Elloitt Leboe unrolled a flexifoil kite and set up. I watched. It was so good! He jumped to the moon!!!!
I started with a 2 line Naish AR 3.5 9m, Naish 7'6 Sky Pirate and a video. No such thing as a trainer kite. The big deal was the 4 line kit for the AR 3.5, which started the depower era for me. That summer (2000) the second big thing in kiting came out(first was the original kite) the Naish AR 5. Moving from directionals to TT's, JL pickle forks, LW Dave TT's with boots,Hanna crew asymmetrical's etc.
I like to think I invented drift launching. We do not have a beach at most of my local spots so it was that or wait for someone to help launch your kite.
The next big thing was of course the bow kite. Thats where we are now. I think we are in a period of great equipment that is being refined for ease of use and safety.
It was a great time to be in close to the ground floor. I went to Maui the fall of 2000 and kited with the legends of the sport, Lou,Flash, Elliott and Chris Gilbert( Julie too!).
Ride a C kite if you get the chance. If you really want to experience a flash back and have a stopper on your CL(Slingshot),put it all the way in and edge baby!(dont be near anything...lol). It was fun,still is ,always will be!