Geometry, Experience, and Development of a Unique Kite Flying Discipline
Dogstake flying is a specialized form of sport kite flying in which the pilot operates from the downwind side of the wind window rather than the traditional upwind position.
This change is made possible through the use of a line redirection device, commonly referred to as a dogstake, which redirects the kite lines through a fixed point on the ground.
The result is a flying configuration in which the pilot stands physically at the bottom of the wind window, sharing the operational airspace with the kite rather than observing it from outside the window.
Although the concept is mechanically simple, the change in geometry produces a fundamentally different flying experience, one that alters perspective, physical proximity, and the relationship between pilot and kite.
Historically, dogstake flying has remained a niche discipline within sport kiting, practiced by relatively few pilots and often surrounded by a degree of mystique.
In reality, the underlying principles are straightforward once the geometry of the system is understood.
Origins of Dogstake Flying
Dogstake flying was first demonstrated in 1987 at the East Coast Stunt Kite Championships in Wildwood, New Jersey.
The technique was introduced by Lee Sedgwick of Erie, Pennsylvania.
Sedgwick is widely recognized within the kite community as an inventive and expressive flyer whose interests extended beyond kites into other forms of physical expression and play, including activities such as frisbee and rollerblading.
The device used in the original demonstration was literally a pet-store dog tether stake, which is where the term dogstake originates.
The function of the device was simple: it provided a point through which the kite lines could pass, redirecting them toward the kite while allowing the pilot to move to a different position relative to the wind window.
This simple mechanical redirection created an entirely new configuration for flying.
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Basic Geometry of Dogstake Flying
In conventional sport kite flying, the geometry of the system is:
Pilot → Lines → Kite
The pilot stands upwind of the kite, looking into the wind window.
The wind window exists entirely in front of the pilot.
Dogstake flying introduces a redirection point in the system:
Pilot → Dogstake → Kite
The dogstake acts as a fixed point through which the lines travel.
Because the lines are redirected at this point, the pilot can stand downwind with the kite.
In this configuration, the pilot is no longer outside the wind window.
Instead, the pilot is positioned physically at the bottom of the wind window itself.
This places the pilot inside the same operational airspace where the kite is flying.
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Perspective and Orientation
One of the first differences a pilot notices in dogstake flying is the change in visual perspective.
In traditional flying, the pilot typically views the kite from the front of the sail.
With dogstake flying, the pilot may instead see the kite from a variety of perspectives rarely sustained during normal flight:
- from the back of the sail
- from the side
- from underneath
Because of these unfamiliar viewing angles, many pilots initially believe that dogstake flying requires reversed controls.
This assumption is understandable but incorrect.
The controls themselves do not change.
Only the pilot’s point of view changes.
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The Origin of the “Reversed Controls” Idea
The belief that dogstake flying requires reversed controls comes from the way the technique was originally discovered.
When Lee Sedgwick began experimenting with dogstake flying, he did so from the traditional pilot position.
While flying normally from the upwind side of the wind window, he would attach his flying lines to the dogstake.
He would then walk downwind, drawing the lines through the dogstake until he reached a position near the kite.
Because he began in the traditional orientation, the line connections to the kite remained unchanged.
His right hand still controlled the true right wing of the kite.
However, once he moved downwind and began viewing the back of the sail, the orientation of the kite appeared mirrored.
From that perspective, pulling the right line caused the kite to move left relative to what the pilot saw.
This created the impression of reversed controls.
Despite this challenge, Lee Sedgwick continued flying in this configuration and became proficient with the mirrored relationship between visual orientation and control inputs.
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Modern Dogstake System Orientation
Later development of purpose-built dogstake systems approached the geometry differently.
Instead of beginning from the traditional upwind pilot position and walking downwind into the system, modern dogstake flying begins directly from the downwind pilot position.
The system is arranged so that when the pilot stands downwind and looks upwind toward the kite, the lines are routed through the dogstake in a way that corresponds to the pilot’s visual orientation.
For example:
The pilot’s right control line passes through the right side of the dogstake and continues directly to the wing that appears on the right side of the wind window from that perspective.
Although this wing is technically the left wing when viewed from the traditional upwind position, that orientation no longer matters.
From the dogstake pilot’s perspective:
Pull right → the kite moves right.
This eliminates the need for mental translation or reversed control logic.
The pilot simply interacts with the visible mass of the kite.
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Standing Inside the Wind Window
One of the defining characteristics of dogstake flying is that the pilot occupies the bottom of the wind window.
The pilot is not limited to a single position.
They can physically move anywhere along the bottom of the window:
- center
- left side
- right side
While doing so, they maintain control of the kite throughout the entire wind window.
This configuration also places the pilot’s body and the flying lines within the same airspace where the kite operates.
The tensioned lines traveling between the pilot and the dogstake typically run at approximately 1–3 feet above the ground.
These lines become physical elements within the wind window that the kite must move around.
As a result, the system includes multiple objects within the flight space:
- the pilot
- the lines between pilot and dogstake
- the dogstake itself
- the kite
All exist within the same operational environment.
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Physical Presence of the Kite
Sport kites used in dogstake flying typically have a wingspan of approximately seven to eight feet.
At the distances involved in dogstake flying, the kite has a strong physical presence.
Because the pilot is standing inside the wind window, the kite can pass extremely close to the pilot.
With sufficient skill and control, pilots can deliberately interact with the kite.
Examples include:
- catching the kite
- touching the sail
- landing the kite on the hand
- landing the kite on the shoulder
- launching the kite directly from the hands
- sliding the kite across the arm
At the same time, the kite is flying under real wind pressure.
If not controlled appropriately, it carries enough energy to strike the pilot.
This introduces an inherent element of risk, thrill, and respect within the discipline.
Mastery and the Experience of Flight
As with many forms of sport kite flying, dogstake flying changes as the pilot gains experience.
Initially, the unusual perspectives and geometry can create confusion.
Over time, however, control becomes increasingly instinctive.
When mastery develops, the pilot no longer consciously interprets orientation or control inputs.
The kite becomes a highly responsive extension of the pilot’s movement and intention.
Because the pilot and kite share the same operational airspace, moments can occur where the kite passes so smoothly and closely that the pilot can physically touch it.
In some cases the kite may even brush against the pilot’s face.
In that moment, the flyer is effectively interacting with the physical expression of their own control moving through the air.
Some pilots describe the sensation as similar to standing on a cliff watching an eagle fly nearby.
Rather than controlling something distant in the sky, the pilot experiences flight happening within the same space they occupy.
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Development of Modern Dogstake Equipment
For many years dogstake flying relied on improvised devices such as:
- pet tether stakes
- metal rings
- pulley systems
Various pilots experimented with different approaches to line redirection.
Later experimentation included collaborative development with pilot Mikey Devereaux, exploring refinements to the concept.
Advances in design and manufacturing — particularly the increasing availability of 3D printing — eventually made it possible to develop a purpose-built device optimized specifically for dogstake flying.
Through multiple design iterations and field testing, the concept was progressively streamlined into a refined device known as the KŪBE.
The final refinement of this design was carried out with Geoff Hutton.
The KŪBE is now produced by Kite Forge.
More than fifty units have been distributed worldwide, making the system accessible to pilots interested in exploring dogstake flying with both dual-line and quad-line kites.
Instructional tutorials are available to KŪBE users to help them understand the geometry and practical techniques involved.
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Dogstake Flying in Team Context
Dogstake flying has historically been most commonly performed by a single pilot.
However, the concept can be extended to multi-pilot configurations.
Early paired dogstake flying was performed by Lee Sedgwick and Sue Taft as Team High Fly.
Later, paired dogstake demonstrations were also performed by John Barresi and Meshelle Sharples as Windfall.
More recently, Team KiteLife successfully flew a four-pilot quad-line dogstake configuration.
In this demonstration:
- four pilots
- four Djinn kites
- four KŪBE devices
were arranged side-by-side in parallel.
This demonstrated that the dogstake system can scale beyond solo flying into coordinated multi-pilot flight.
Demystifying Dogstake Flying
Historically, dogstake flying has often been perceived as a mysterious or elite technique practiced only by a small number of expert pilots.
Much of this perception stems from unfamiliarity with the geometry and mechanics involved.
In reality, the system is conceptually simple once its physical configuration is understood.
Through modern equipment design, demonstrations, and instructional material, efforts have been made to make the technique more accessible to the broader kite flying community.
Dogstake flying ultimately represents a different way of interacting with the wind window.
Instead of standing outside the space of flight and observing it from a distance, the pilot stands directly within it.
In doing so, the flyer experiences the motion of the kite not only visually, but physically and spatially as part of the same environment.