Kites. Indoors. Why not?

Alan “Captain Chaos” Cunningham of Arlington is just a blur Sunday as he competes in the Camas Indoor Kite Festival. (Photos by N. SCOTT TRIMBLE/The Columbian)

Indoor kite-flying national champion Paul De Bakker, 31, of Wilmington, N.C., demonstrates his skill.

CAMAS — It’s an odd sight at first, kites soaring in a gymnaisum.

Bud Hayes of Camas understands those who are confused when hearing about indoor kite flying.

“You can’t quite picture what we’re talking about,” the kite flier said Sunday at the end of the third annual indoor kite festival he organizes.

A kite whisking by a basketball hoop and beneath a center court electric scoreboard certainly is out of the ordinanry.

But with each year, Hayes seems more charmed by his sport.

Some 300 people over the weekend attended the Camas Indoor Kite Festival in the Camas High School gymnasium.

And, no, electric fans did not provide the lift. The fliers did that with skill, grace and movement.

Made of ultra-light, high-tech materials, the kites soar indoors at the will of the kite runner, who does a sort of athletic dance to keep his colorful craft aloft.

“You’re in your own little world,” said Paul De Bakker, 31. He ought to know. He’s the national indoor kite-flying champion.

The Camas event was a regional contest, which leads to a national competition.

De Bakker came to the U.S. from the Netherlands in 2006. He lives in Wilmington, N.C.

He started flying kites after seeing folks having fun at the beach. That led to starting his own company, Focus Kite Designers. It’s not kid stuff. His indoor kites sell for $115 and more.

At competition, fliers are judged on choreography (60 percent), execution (25 percent), and entertainment (15 percent).

Choosing the right music to show off your skills can make the difference. Selections included songs by John Lennon and Sam Cooke.

Spence Watson, 16, of Spokane chose an instrumental version of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black” by the Finnish band Apocalyptica.

Watson was flying a quad, a kite with four lines, which are made of Spectra fiber. He matched the power of the song, with the kite’s lift choreographed to high points in the music score. With tugs and pulls and twirls, he and the kite put on a show.

“It’s tiring,” Watson said afterwards. But he loves it. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.” He’s been flying kites outdoors for three years and indoors for just a year.

Watson was one of several young competitors. Tristan Underwood, 12, from Langley, British Columbia, was back again.

“He used to be the only young person,” his mother, Shannon Underwood, said.

“Kites are for all times, all ages,” De Bakker said.

After his flight, De Bakker said he was “constantly focusing … it’s mental.” He said he thinks of his kite painting a huge canvas. The artist can fly kites with one, two or four lines controlling movement. Some models have handles. De Bakker’s lines were 12 feet. Shorter lines allow better control.

De Bakker has a tip for those who want to try the sport.

“Avoid supercheap kites because they don’t fly well,” he said. “Invest $25.”

The event raised $800 for the Camas High chapter of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America. Teacher Melanie Clark said the money will pay for 10 students to attend the state leadership conference in Wenatchee during spring break. The chapter, whose mission is to build leadership skills, hosted the event. “Our focus is on the family,” Clark said.

Hayes said the kite fliers are like a family. And he said the “level of talent was remarkable” at the competition.

Will the event be back in Camas next year?

“Absolutely,” Hayes said, smiling and preparing to give one of his kites a whirl around the gym.

Oh, yes, when they awarded prizes, they did not give ribbons. They gave “feathers,” tiny kite-like prizes made from kite material.