World Wind Kites

World Wind Kites

Written by Rachel Youens Saturday, 07 April 2007

From hobbyists to pros, kite shop serves all

There was lots of wind and little to do in Oklahoma where Tye Harrison grew up, so these elements combined with his love of things that fly led him naturally to kites. Today he owns World Wind Kites, one of the only kite shops within a 200-mile radius of Austin, and is capitalizing on the city’s active lifestyle and public parks.

“It’s just a great hobby because it’s outside, it doesn’t need gas or batteries,” Harrison said. “There’s also a certain personality that kite flyers tend to have. People who take their hobby too seriously don’t stick around with kite flying very long. I like that after a while you can tie the kite off and talk to the person next to you.”

Harrison chose the Northwest Austin location back in 1995 because it offered both a storefront and a warehouse at an affordable price. The store sponsors regular flying events and is involved in the annual Zilker Park Kite Festival.

Business went well, but after three years it hit a plateau and nothing seemed to help it grow. That’s when Tye decided to experiment with online sales and the business took on a whole new life. Today he ships kites to Asia, Europe and recently, even to Antarctica.

“It kind of started by accident just to keep in touch with our customers, but it took off more than I could have imagined,” Harrison said. “I joke that some of our best customers in Austin I’ve still never met. I know their voices over the phone and they order online.”

Harrison says people sometimes get scared off by the specialty kite shop, assuming he only sells high end kites, but World Wind also offers the standard cross-bar, four-point kites. He aims to sell to the hobbyist as much as the amateur.

“It’s so rewarding to go out to the flying field and see a kite flying that I know I sold, because I recognize the customer,” Harrison said. “I enjoy seeing them be successful with it especially when they weren’t a good kite flyer or didn’t think they could make it happen.”

Over the years, other kite businesses have popped up but they’ve never lasted very long. Harrison says this is a tough business, considering most kite stores are located near coastal regions, but it’s his passion that has helped the business thrive.

“Sometimes I’ll go to kite tradeshows and they’ll ask for a show of hands of how many store owners still fly kites, and less than half the room will raise their hands,” Harrison said. “I try very hard to remember that while it’s a business, I do this because I love kites.”

Tye’s favorite kites

“Quad kites, with four strings, are hard because there are so many ropes to control. But once you understand those four ropes you can do neat stuff.”

“Working the two rope kites is like riding a bicycle and controlling the handlebars.”

Longhorn Kite - “This kite is a new addition, but it’s been a big hit.”

World Wind Kites, 7208 McNeil Drive, Ste. 204, 250-9454 • www.worldwindkites.com

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