Rod Thrall

Newberg, Oregon

Rod and his wife Cindy began flying kites more than 30 years ago after moving to Oregon, and what started as a hobby quickly grew into a lifelong passion. In 2000, he purchased his first show kite - a 40-foot PLK teddy bear - and since then, their collection has expanded significantly, Over the years, Rod and Cindy have been blessed with the opportunity to share their love of kites, bringing joy and putting smiles on people’s faces all around the world.

Rod has proudly been a member of the #BojiKites team since its very beginning, and he’s always looking to returning each winter to put on the show. For him, few things are more rewarding than filling the sky with color and watching the delight it brings to the crowds below

Kevin Cole

The Dalles, Oregon

Kevin Cole is from The Dalles, Oregon. Kevin is a highly decorated United States Air Force Disabled Veteran. He served in the Cold War during the 1980’s and Desert Storm/ Desert Shield. He started flying 2-line kites in 1986 and has been flying them since (almost 40 years). He started flying large inflatable kites in 2018 when he met Rod and Phil. He continues to grow his collection of kites every year. This year’s new kite is a custom ultra-light Red, White and Blue Peter Lynn 7KG kite which he has named “Liberty”.   He has started sewing his own kites and creations to add to collection.  He has flown his kites on the coast of Oregon, and Washington. He also comes out east to Garrison and Jamestown North Dakota for their Kite Festivals. He has even flown over Medora. He is also an accomplished dual line and quad line kite flyer, you might catch him flying his Red, White and Blue kites on the on the field.

 

Phil and Barbra has been flying kites for many years, both in the U.S. and internationally. He specializes in flying large inflatable kites on beaches, open fields, behind boats and vehicles, and even on ice. He also enjoys flying dual-line kites outdoors, as well as indoor kites with his wife in a synchronized ballet set to music.

A retired firefighter with 35 years of service, Phil is now a lapidary artist and the owner of his own lapidary business. In addition to kites, he also flies a radio-controlled model hot air balloon for days when there isn't enough wind to take kites to the sky.

To Phil, kites are a universal language-wherever they soar, they carry worries away, leaving only the joy of looking up at vibrant colors dancing in the sky.

Phil Burks

Portland, Oregon

Tim Sorenson

Palmer Alaska

My name is Tim Sorenson, I'm from Palmer, Alaska, a member of Alaskiters and The Northwest Beach Bandits.

     I have been flying kites from a very young age. Our parents used to buy us kites and wooden gliders for toys during the summer. We didn't have video games or internet so that's what we did for entertainment.

     

I like to share the joy and experience of kite flying through appearances around the country. I have a large collection of art, show, and sport kites, and years of experience encouraging the joy of kite flying. Our family likes to travel around the country sharing our colorful wind art and kite displays.
      Our Alaskan club, Alaskiters, was recognized as the AKA Kite Club of the Year for 2023 by the American Kite Fliers Association for sharing our love of kite flying. Alaskiters helps with kite festivals around Alaska. We work with various organizations to arrange festivals and events that include annual festivals in Kenai and Seward. We make appearances at events including Colony Days, The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering, The Alaska Vintage Festival, Summer and Fall Harvest Festivals, and Alaska Winter Snow Kite Festival.  We participate in winter events and festivals on ice in Alaska, Oregon and Iowa. We also enjoy warmer weather festivals in California, Florida, Oregon, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, Texas and Washington.
     Our entire family enjoys flying kites and we often travel to festivals together. Our newest kite flyer is our 2-year-old granddaughter, who loves being outside with kites.
    We really enjoy flying in the Pacific Northwest. It's close to home and we get the opportunity to fly with friends and family several times per year.
     We appreciate the opportunity to share our love of kiting with you and hope you enjoy the colorful fun we bring along.
     You can follow us on The Northwest Beach Bandits website.
     You can also follow Alaskiters on Facebook to see some interesting flying adventures in Alaska.

Steve started flying sport kites way back in the '80s and was instantly hooked. Over the years, his interest in kites has taken many forms, with his latest focus on show kites. For years, Steve didn't own any "big" kites of his own but enjoy helping others fly theirs Mentors like Rod Thrall and Phil Burks taught him the ins and outs of flying large show kites safely.

Steve shares, "I love single-line kiting because of the camaraderie-it gives you the opportunity to get to know people as they come by to see your kites. Many new friends have come from time spent together on the flying field!"

In November 2017, Steve was invited to join a kite team made up of many types of kite-flying disciplines to participate in Saudi Arabia's first-ever kite festival. Since then, he has been a regular at many Pacific Northwest and Midwest kite festivals, flying a variety of sea life-themed show kites.

Steve Tipton

Silverton, Oregon

Sky Cedarleaf- Grey

Florence, Oregon

Sky Cedarleaf-Grey was born and raised in a coastal beach town in Oregon. Wind is inevitable. Because of that, kites abound. 

When he was a child, he fell in love with kites and wind. Since then, his fascination with kites has blossomed. From stunt kites to power kites to show kites, he has experienced the joy they have to offer. Whether powering down a beach with a kite buggy and power kite or achieving the perfect mix of show kites and line laundry, Sky’s passion shows the power and beauty of the wind. 

Sky attends and exhibits in the Washington State International Kite Festival each year and frequently can be found flying a kite
in the Florence Organ area. He hopes to add more travel for festivals and enjoys being part of a kite team.