Farewell to Peter Lynn, The Godfather of Kite Making & The Kite Buggy

Peter Lynn, the pioneering New Zealand kite designer and innovator, has sadly passed away at the age of 79. Known as a legend in the kiting community, he revolutionised the sport with his development of kite buggies, large inflatable (sparless) kites, and significant contributions to kitesurfing.

The kite buggy world has lost one of its true pioneers. News has reached us of the passing of Peter Lynn, a man whose name is woven into the very fabric of power kiting and buggying. For many of us, he wasn’t just an innovator, he was the inspiration behind the journey we took into this incredible sport.

It came to my attention a day or so ago that the great Peter Lynn has sadly passed away.

I first became aware of Peter Lynn when I started looking into kite buggies after discovering power kites. Before I even knew kite buggies existed, I remember thinking, surely I can build something to be towed along by this kite? I was already having endless fun with it in my local park, and the idea just grew from there.

So I put together my first concept, a kind of rough trike that I could steer with my feet and let the wind do the rest. I think it was something like my “03 grass cutter buggy.” Truth be told, I never actually rode it anywhere, I just built it.

Then one day, I saw a proper kite buggy.

I remember thinking, bloody hell… they already exist!

Once I started digging into it, I realised these machines had been around for years, and right at the centre of it all was Peter Lynn. The more I researched, the more I saw his name, his designs, and his influence everywhere. His buggies looked incredible, far better than my first attempt, and it lit a fire in me.

As a metal fabricator and welder, I decided I’d build my own buggy, something that fit me perfectly, rather than going off the shelf. And that journey, without question, started because of Peter Lynn.

For that, I’ll always be grateful.

Even though he lived over in New Zealand, our paths never actually crossed. We never exchanged emails or spoke directly, but I was always aware of him. I spoke to people who knew him, saw photos, heard stories, and that connection to his world always meant something.

I followed closely as speed records began creeping up. For years, they hovered in the early 70 mph bracket, and then suddenly things started moving forward again, new kites, new buggy designs, pushing the limits. And, interestingly enough, the kites breaking those records carried the Peter Lynn name. Whether he was directly involved in those race kites or not, his influence was clearly still driving the sport forward.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Peter even designed his own speed buggy. I believe it was first introduced at NABX in 2010, although the wind didn’t play ball that year, something we all know too well in this sport.

https://www.popeyethewelder.com/types-of-kite-buggy/peter-lynn-speed-buggy

But in 2011, I was lucky enough to attend NABX myself, and the speed buggy was there.

I got to sit in it.

I never rode it, but just sitting in that machine was a moment I’ll never forget. A few days later, I even helped get it ready to head out onto the lake bed while others had their runs. Being part of that, even in a small way, was something special

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I even have a couple of dedicated pages on my website covering Peter Lynn building and testing that very speed buggy. I was incredibly proud just to be able to include that man and his work within my own little corner of the sport.

Peter Lynn has been an inspiration to thousands of kite flyers around the world, but also to countless kite buggy builders and riders like myself.

He didn’t just build kites and buggies, he helped build the sport.

Peter, thank you for the inspiration, the innovation, and the legacy you leave behind.

Fly high, look down on us with pride, and rest in peace.