Caroline Hammat
The South East was treated to several impressive displays of large inflatable kites last week including during the Wattle Range Council’s (WRC) Giant Kite Festival held in Southend last Wednesday.
The free festival was the final event of the WRC Full Throttle in Wattle school holiday program and included a well attended kite making workshop for children.
Although the wind was down a little for the Southend event hundreds of spectators arrived to enjoy the colourful display on the beachfront.
Kites were marine themed and included brightly coloured octopus, giant sharks, a whale and even Spongebob Squarepants.
A diver proved popular and looked to be leading Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse on an ‘underwater’ adventure.
Member of the Adelaide Kite Flyers Association (AKFA), Neil Duke, has been flying kites for the best part of 40 years.
“We all start as kids with your little diamond kites, or the little delta kites, and then you just go on from there” he said.
“I was one of those that persisted.”
Mr Duke said there were around 20 or more members of the club at Southend’s festival with members coming from across South Australia and even interstate to join the fun.
In a festival situation, where space is limited, the kites are flown using a single pilot line with other kites attached to it.
At the very top of the line is the pilot kite used to guide the string of kites below.
“If they get tangled the first priority for us is to get the pilot untangled so that you can separate the lines, then you can sort the kites from there.
Mr Duke and his family also have inflatable ground displays which allow spectators to get up close and touch the displays with an inflatable car available to sit in.
The Kingston community were treated to several displays near the foreshore as members of the AKFA took to the sky during the week including Australia Day.
