By Matt Spector

The Daily Northwestern

The founders of Northwestern’s Kite Club hope to bring kite flying to campus and connect kite enthusiasts, from novices to experts, who can twirl their kites with a flick of their wrist.

The Kite Club held its first event, “Afternoon De-Kite,” last week at the South Beach. According to Weinberg freshman Lyzanne Trevino, the club’s co-founder, 28 people attended the event – almost double the number of attendees they expected.

“It was really nice that we had people who came up to see what it’s about,” said Weinberg freshman Megan Gier. “It’s nice to know that there are others on campus who are interested.”

Trevino said planning the event was much more work than the group had bargained for.

“We had to make the posters and go to Kinko’s to get them printed and buy chalk,” Trevino said. “We spent a lot of time chalking for it and putting posters down for it.”

Trevino and her friends thought of the idea for a kite club after flying a pink Barbie kite in downtown Evanston.

“The kite flew really well so we were excited,” Trevino said. “People were walking by and making comments about it and it was a lot of fun.”

Trevino said she and her friends did not think NU students would be interested.

Trevino said the weather was a big factor in the success of the event.

“It was very windy – we had a lot of people and everyone who wanted to fly a kite was able to because of the wind,” Trevino said.

Trevino urged students who are enjoying the stretch of spring sunshine to give kite flying a try.

“Especially with the sunny weather, you already want to be outside,” Trevino said. “You might as well bring a kite and do something fun.”

Trevino said the Kite Club will try reaching out to students at other universities in the area.

“We’re looking for more enthusiasts to come up to our beach and fly kites with us here,” Trevino said.

The group is in the process of brainstorming events to expand what the club can offer, including a kite flying day for Evanston elementary school students and outings for Kite Club members, Gier said. Another idea was having kite-making lessons.

Gier said first-time flyers should try kite flying with a partner and that patience is essential. One person should hold the kite and one should hold the string and “just start running, hope that it catches a gust and goes up,” she said.

“Don’t get frustrated,” Gier said. “Some people are just naturally good at it. I’m really not.”

Despite her lack of kite flying experience, Gier said she hopes to “hone her kite-flying skills” on the Lakefill or at the beachfront.

“We still have a month of school left so I have time to get better,” Gier said. “Hopefully I can learn to eventually get the kite up all by myself – it’s a personal goal.”

Reach Matt Spector at [email protected].