Classes and Instructors

The 2025 conference instructors and classes have been set. As usual, it will be another great slate and conference!

The following instructors have accepted invitiations 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 sharpen and rejuvenate your cutting tools!

Below are photos of the projects and brief descriptions. Complete Class Details, the Schedule, and Additional Information are available on the Details page.

Dopero Kite

Dopero Kite

Rod Beamguard
Vancouver, Washington

Rod is returning to teach a 4 foot Dopero kite, learning techniques necessary to build the standard 12 foot kite used for KAP (Kite Arial Photography). This kite flies at a high angle and is very stable in the sky. Instructions will be given for scaling the dimensions to build a larger kite after the workshop.

Miniature Winged Box Kite

Miniature Winged Box Kite

Dave Butler
Tigard, Oregon

Dave will be returning to present a miniature winged box kite as a 6” and 3” project. Learn bamboo splitting techniques as you create this unique miniature with a wonderful 6 winged structure made from bamboo with a paper skin.

Butler Celtic Bowed Kite

Miniature Celtic Bowed Kite

Dave Butler
Tigard, Oregon

Dave will also be presenting a miniature Celtic-themed kite in a separate class. Learn Dave’s art coloring techniques as you create a unique-to-you miniature bowed kite from bamboo, washi paper and water color art pens.

Skunk Postcard Kite


Postcard Genki Kite

Bary Crites
Olympia, Washington

Bary returns to present his Postcard Genki kite, The kite provides a great platform for all kinds of graphics and flies nicely in fairly light winds. It is fairly simple to build & adaptable to a wide range of graphic options including paint, applique, even printed photographs and any quilt or piecing techniques.

ExoHex Cellular Kite

ExoHex Cellular

Chris Hanson
Bellingham, Washington

Chris will present his ExoHex, a very different and stable type of cellular kite that is simple to put together and fly. Students must accurately measure, trim and sew together the completed sails, and build the exoskeleton of the kite using 3D printed connectors.

Light Air Fighter

Light Air Fighter

Brian Johnsen
Bainbridge Island, Washington

Brian will present a single line controllable kite that can be flown in light winds or indoor. The sail is cut from plastic single use shopping bags as an alternative to tossing them away. No-sew construction uses glue and tape and a three point bridling system to control yaw, pitch and roll. Various fighter kite information will be discussed.

Flapping Magpie Kite


Flapping Magpie Kite

Dan Kurahashi
Burnaby, BC, CA

Dan is returning to present a variation of his flapping kite – this year the Flapping Magpie. However, not a miniature, this kite will be sewn with ripstop and framed with carbon. An easy kite to build, a fun flyer and terrific to see in the sky.

UpSide Down Rok


Upside Down Rokkaku

Dan Kurahashi
Burnaby, BC, CA

Dan will also present an unusual kite, the UpSide Down Rokkaku. This special kite can be flown right side up or upside down, and change from one to the other in mid-air. This unique kite will be constructed with Tyvek and bamboo.

Pillow Talk Tube Tail

Pillow Talk Tube Tail

Barbara Meyer
Maple Grove, Minnesota

Barbara returns to present a fun, quick tail or line laundry based on an original idea by Frank Schwiemann back in the 1990s. Class project is about 8 ft long and able to be expanded indefinitely. A very basic intro to inflatable shapes, easy and quick to make. Make you own spiral stripe tubes.

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.

Ohashi Edo Kite

Ohashi Edo Kite

Rob Pratt
Lacey, Washington

Rob will teach a variation to the Ohashi style of Edo to allow a wider range of winds and easier handling of the kite and bridles. The Edo will provide the student a kite that is scalable, easy to fly and a great platform for graphic design that will be completed prior to class.

Suspended Wing Delta Kite

Suspended Wing Delta

Jon Trennepohl
Plymouth, Michigan

Jon is returning to present his Ultralight Suspended Wing Delta. Students will learn to tape and fit panels together, use different types of stiches and learn about framing. The kit will feature an all-wrapped carbon frame and Icarex cloth. The kite has been proven to be an great flyer.

Kitemakers Roundtable

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?).