Pulsar Feature
Review
Video
Interview

kHiTe got the chance to catch up with freestyle and general kite guru Carl Robertshaw and ask him about his new kites and the sport in general:

kHiTe: The Atom, the Orbit and the Pulsar are the first new non power kites From flexi in some time - who are they aimed at?

The Three kites are aimed at the first time kite flier. They are designed 'to fly out of the bag' (box) without any adjustment. The three kites have been aimed at three price points that will appeal to the widest range of people who want a kite to learn with. The kites fly like each other - fast forward speed, slow turn rate strong pull (Flexifoil style) and have the ability to do tricks if the flier wants to progress with their skill level. The kites feel like they are much larger on the end of the line so you get more for your money.

kHiTe: What qualities were you looking for in the kites when you designed them?

I wanted them to feel larger than they really are in the air, and to have the biggest wind range, because beginners don't always choose the best wind conditions to learn in! I wanted the kites to be easy to fly, like the older style of sport kites, rather than a twitchy modern sport kite.

kHiTe: At the top of the range how does the Pulsar compare to other freestyle kites on the market, like the Dot Matrix?

The Dot Matrix is a specialist trick kite that appeals to the experienced flyer. It uses all the best components and materials and is very sensitive on the end of the lines. It's like a top end hand built sports car, compared to a mass produced hatch-back. The Pulsar is an easier kite to fly and will appeal to a wider range of people. The Pulsar can do a lot of the tricks that are done today, but most people will enjoy it because they can learn the basic maneuvers and then choose to get other kites that are more specialized or keep the Pulsar as their kite of choice.

kHiTe: The non-power side of the UK scene has been very quiet recently compared to the rest of Europe - why do you think competition and freestyle kiting are doing so much better the other side of the Channel?

The power kite scene is going ballistic all over the world, like the sport kite craze did back in the early 90's. New technology pushes the designs along at a rate that's hard to keep up with. There are still new sport kite designs coming out (albeit slower than previous years) and they are mostly being created in France. They have a large following of younger kite flyers there, and that helps the development of the sport and new designs. There are new tricks and combinations of tricks being flown in France that I haven't seen anywhere else in the world. As soon as a new trick is created, that pushes designers to incorporate that attribute into their new designs.

kHiTe: What's next for Carl Robertshaw?

I have lot's on at the moment. I am working on several Architect and design projects. I like taking kite technology and construction techniques to areas outside the kite world. The web site is being redesigned so it can be updated regularly and show the variety of work I do. I'm continuing making kites for TV and advertising agencies (I've just done a photo shoot for Harpers and Queen, made the red box kite that's on the HSBC ad campaign) I'm also working on several kite projects, single line and dual line that will be finished later this year.

kHiTe: How do you keep your boyish good looks?

Surround yourself with older people!

kHiTe would like to thank Carl for his time, and some great kites. Cheers!

Pulsar Feature
Review
Video
Interview