The 2026 conference content has been set and, as usual, it has turned out to be another great slate of instructors and classes!
The following instructors have accepted invitations to present their projects at the upcoming Fort Worden Kitemakers Conference! Check them out and see what sparks your interest!
- Class duration ranges from 1/2 day to 2 days.
- We have beginner, intermediate, and experienced level classes.
- We will offer kites and line laundry, small kites and large kites.
- You can sew or not sew.
- Most classes use ripstop but some may use paper or plastic.
- Learn how to split bamboo then use it building a miniature kite!
Below are photos of the projects and brief descriptions. Complete Class Details, the Schedule, and Additional Information are available on the Details page.
Briefcase Buka Fighter Kite
Ken Conrad
Seattle, Washington
Ken will join us to present his Briefcase Buka Fighter kite. This 15″x10.5″ polyester and carbon kite is assembled with a heat-bonded adhesive not degraded by dust, sand or time. Ken will custom print sails from the students’ own digital files, and will include a digitally controlled fusing iron.
Philform 15 Soft Kite
Bary Crites
Olympia, Washington
Bary returns to present his small Flowform kite. This 15 sq ft 4-cell soft kite, based on a Phil Scarfe design and modified by Bary, is a good flying kite complete with a 53′ tapered tube tail. Bary also promises to feature tips to “take the scary out of soft kites”.
Ladybug Ground Display
Glenda Davenport
Gig Harbor, Washington
Glenda will teach her wonderful inflated Ladybug ground display. Learn to create the “bug” from the inside, then turn it right-side out. Recognizable by all, they create an eye-catching display on any beach or field. And why just one? Build a swarm!
Shield Kite
Sam King
Anacortes, Washington
Sam is taking time from building kites to present his Shield kite. A stable flier, this 4’ Shield provides a nice platform for a wide range of graphics, yet breaks down well for easy travel. In class you’ll have a choice of two shapes and three layouts, or use the provided options and dimensions to design your own sail in advance.
Bamboo Splitting
Dan Kurahashi
Burnaby, BC, CA
Dan is returning to teach a traditional method of splitting and bending bamboo. The resulting bamboo, some as fine as 1/32″ (.7mm), can be used in making miniature kites. This or one of Dan’s past splitting classes is a prerequisite for his following Miniature Cody class.
Miniature Cody Kites
Dan Kurahashi
Burnaby, BC, CA
Dan will continue his morning bamboo splitting session with the creation of two Miniature Cody kites. Both are 25mm cells; one pre-cut white sail and one a printed pattern to be cut out. Dan’s morning or past splitting class is a prerequisite for this session.
Heat Sealed Cody Kite
Dan Kurahashi
Burnaby, BC, CA
In this class Dan will teach a heat sealing process for kitemaking, creating a 14″ Cody kite with a white plastic sail. Heat sealing is a permanent method of joining plastic panels that will withstand time and beach wind flying.
Fractured Wedge Mandala Kite
Ron Ortega
Vancouver, Washington
Ron will teach the design and construction of a round, flat Mandala kite with long tails. Learn an easy way to design a multi-sided circular kaleidoscope motif without computers, along with quilting tips on odd-shape alignment.
Intro to Kitemaking
Gerry Pennell
Olympia, Washington
Another of our long time teachers (+25 times!) is Gerry, who will be teaching her always popular intro to kitemaking. Learn the basics of sewing kite material and hear invaluable tips and tricks, plus make a wonderful pocket sled kite or a classic windsock.
One-of-a-kind Tower Kite
Suzanne Sadow
Seattle, Washington
Suzanne will inspire students to conceive and create surface designs for the 5-sided Tower kite. This 40″x30″ Tyvek and fiberglas kite is the perfect platform on which to then draw, paint, or color your design, and is a steadfast flyer in a variety of winds.
Small Whoosh Kite
Nigel Spaxman
Richmond, BC, CA
Nigel will present his unique Whoosh quadline kite. This 60” carbon-framed quad is great for stacking but also fun on its own! The smaller sail area has less pull for easier stacking and flies in winds similar to a mid-vent. Make one, two or more! Of course, it makes a whooshing sound while flying!
Kite Line Marker Flags
Bob Wendt
Puyallup, Washington
Bob will be joining us to present an attractive and very colorful 10 ft string of small flags that, when attached to your flying line, mark your anchor point and help prevent people and vehicles from running into your line.
Trash Bag Glider Kite
Donna Wendt
Puyallup, Washington
Donna will present the construction of and flying techniques for a Trash Bag Glider kite. An indoor or very low wind kite, this delta is a popular beginner glider and the construction will leave plenty of time for practice flying.
Kitemakers Roundtable
Rob Pratt
Lacey, Washington
Attendees will have the opportunity ask and find answers to vexing questions, trade techniques with other kite makers, and explore mysteries of the universe (are you paying attention?).