Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1181966
68 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2019 Matties: How long have you been flying kites? Dylan Nguyen: My entire life, and going on my fifth year as a demonstration and competitive sport kiter. Matties: What was the appeal when you started flying kites? Dylan Nguyen: My brother and I grew up fly- ing family kites and watching kites dancing to music at kite festivals. One day in 2015, we decided to give it a try by flying our first dual- line demo. It took off for us since. I like doing acrobatic tricks, choreographed routines, fly- ing in teams, and hanging out with kiters of all ages. Being kids in an adult world is frustrating sometimes, but we're blessed to be surrounded with good friends who make it all fun. Matties: You're flying some high-end, diffi- cult kites—not just weekend kites. You're fly- ing quad-line kites, sometimes in team situ- ations, as well as solos, demonstrations, and with your family. What's the greatest joy you get out of kite flying? Dylan Nguyen: It's the places I go and the peo- ple I meet. Flying with people and talking to them is something I can't do with a lot of other sports. I get to make lasting friendships with people who continue to have a positive impact on my life. Matties: What advice would you give to a young kite flyer? Dylan Nguyen: Whatever you do—whether it's single-line, quad-line, dual-line, etc.—get out there, have fun, and talk to people. It looks a little scary at first, but people are willing to share tips and tricks, or simply enjoy your company for hours. Matties: What's one of your greatest experi- ences or memories from kite flying? Dylan Nguyen: It was a zero-wind day with only a few kites airborne at a kite festival. I flew all morning with a standard quad-line—the only one I had back then. Al Washington walked up to me, complimented me for my effort, and gifted me his one-of-a-kind pin he won 25 years prior. It's nice to know that sometimes things get tough, but there are people who see us through. My greatest joy isn't those on the demo field but the stories we share at the end of the day. It's all about having fun and spending time together. Matties: Who inspires you in kite flying? Dylan Nguyen: Many people I've met and learned from inspire me, especially the few who see me for who I am, including Rich Com- ras, Terry Wiggill, Wayne Griffith, Brett Morris, Spence Watson, and recently, you. Matties: It's an amazing community of people, and kites will carry you into amazing places in the world. I've been lucky to travel the world and fly kites in many of the places I visit. Dylan's project placed first in energy at the 2019 Intel Northwest Science Expo as well as a Ricoh Sustainable Development Award.