About Us

Hello! Thank you for visiting The Kite Connection.

I started this company in 1983 at age 16. While in high school, a good friend of mine got me hooked on sport kites (thank you Dan Lair). I found a store in Seal Beach that sold sport kites (A bikini shop of course). How cool was that, a 16 year old kid with a totally legitimate reason for patronizing a bikini shop (ok, maybe a few more trips than necessary). To make a longer story long, the owner and I had an agreement: I sent her a lot of business, she gave me a discount. One day the discount stopped, our agreement ended (unfortunately so did the visits to the bikini shop, bummer), and "Dave's Kite Connection" was born. With the wonderful support of my family, and Cindy Edieken (former owner of Rainbow Kite Company, and widow of the late Steve Edieken, a legend in the kite industry), I started selling kites out of my parents' home here in Huntington Beach. Back then, it was Top of the Line, Rainbow's, Action Kites, and TRLBY'S!

Now, after 40 plus years, a Speech Pathology degree, a 9 month, 32 country back packing trip around the world, and a few interesting (to put it mildly) business ventures, "The Kite Connection" is now an industry leader.

I have always offered the highest quality products at extremely competitive prices, world class service, and honest, sound advice. I suggest you read product descriptions and reviews carefully. You may find a great product, but it may not be great for you. 

2024 brings some exciting changes at The Kite Connection.  We have an amazing staff, including an awesome store Manager (Kim!), a marketing and social media whizz (Allison!), and a game master (Hailey!). I usually spend 4 days at TOY FAIR in New York every year finding the very best and most fun, unique products available. I hope you like the changes we are making. Please let us know how you think we are doing. I know there is always a lot more to learn, and we can always improve.

With that said, I hope you enjoy your experience at the Kite Connection website. If you are not totally pleased with your experience here, neither am I. Thank you all for your support.

Warmest Regards,

Dave Shenkman, Founder & CEO