Bio

(24K)

My name is Patrick Mann. I am german, but now live in Seattle, WA where I work as a software engineer.

I took up kite-building and -flying in '96: up to now I have concentrated on sparred single-liners. I started building according to plans and then went on to create my own designs. I enjoy kiting for the creative opportunities it offers as well as for the sheer pleasure of flying.

Frankly, I consider myself more of a builder than a flyer. I like the process of transforming a graphical idea into a kite; I like the challenge of coming up with a feasible building plan; I like the nitty-gritty details of spars, connectors, seams and knots; I like working at my sewing machine (except for those moments when I feel like throwing it out the window); I like tuning a complex bridle. Sure, finally flying the kite is the ultimate reward, but it's not something I can do a whole day long ... while I have no trouble at all spending an entire day just cutting away at a new applique.

I always like to hear from other kiting enthusiasts: please send any comments or questions

Awards

Della Porta Contest, Munich Kite Festival 1999: 1st prize for my klingon war kite.
An article on the festival and contest was published in issue 8/99 of Drachen: Sport & Design, from which I copied this picture of the winners' kites (34K).

Exhibitions

I was able to exhibit some of my kites at the "Hobby- und Modellbaumesse Leipzig" 2.10 - 5.10.97. Hopefully there will be other opportunities to present my work to the public.

Publications

The plan for my Fantasy Kite was published in Drachen Magazin, issue 8/98.
The Gargoyle plan was published in issue 3/2000 of Drachen: Sport & Design
The Double Diamond plan was published in issue 3/2002 of Drachen: Sport & Design