DSLR Photography Forum

I am in a kite group, which has 'fly-ins every month.
X number of members from around (250) go to a field and fly kites together. We vary the fields from one side of the country to the other. (No obligation to go)
'Field' being maybe a large park or racecourse or beach.
Some of the meetings we are joined by other groups and maybe make it a 2 or 3 day meeting.
The drinking goes hand in hand with caravanning/camping/motorhomes, all parked in the same area. I have a gazebo with a table in and usually have visitors. (Bring your own booze.)
We also frequent larger meetings which are maybe 3 day events in different parts of the UK. And every November for the past 15 years we go to Fuerteventura (canaries) for a Festival of three days, but because most go for a week or two, the kite flying is every day on the beach. A bar/restaurant is selected for evenings.
It is also pleasantly warm, being near the african coast.
At the big festivals flyers from all over the world attend.
Such as Ray Bethell, a deaf Canadian who flies 3 kites at the same time,
Dodd Gross an American, Peter Lynn from New Zealand with the worlds largest kite.
Ton Vinken a Dutch miniature kite specialist. Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Swedish etc. After a while you get to see regular faces.

I make most(90%) of my kites and buy a few such as indian fighter kites and a helicopter.
We fly things from the lines (washing.. not literally) and drop little soft toys on parachutes. Sit in the sunshine and take a few photos.

I gave up regular flying because of deafness, likewise the bass guitar. (Fender precision 1973 model, made in USA) So you have to have a hobby.

Sounds like fun. I ocaisionally fly kites - but nothing formal like this. Great idea, actually.

i havent flown a kite in a very long time . But i remeber how relaxing it is . Sounds like a fun time ..

....... Shawn

I have seen people, here in Germany, flying kites in the beach mainly. Some are so big and colorful... I haven't tried anything like that. I just like to see them....

Sounds like heaps of fun! When I think of kites, it brings back childhood memories, of kites getting stuck in trees and flying them with my dad.

It's good that you have other outlets for fun... keeps one entertained, I suppose! Thanks for sharing!

You can hang your camera from a kite, if you dare. Good aerial shots. One guy had a rig with a camera and a little B/W video camera all held aloft by a kite, which he viewed through a tv monitor. When he got what he wanted from the monitor then he clicked the remote.
I tried it with a video camcorder and it fell off. The camera rocked the clip from the line, but it still works.
If you fly a two line kite(steerable) of around 2.5 metres wide at the bottom, then you can have some fun.
They really build your muscles.