Kite Day 2025 in Christchurch NZ
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- My 2,180th kite video. Kite day did not have the perfect conditions that it had last year, and was slow to get going. Eventually, however, we were able to put on a good show for the thousands of people who turned up, many of them bringing their own kites. Mark Blanchard and I flew north of the pier, while Peter Dennehy and Carl Gillard were just to the south, as was Rod (who'd been missing for a long time), with the other usual participants south of them. I never had a chance to get far beyond the pier, as the wind was not steady enough for me to leave my kites for more than a few minutes. My thanks to my sons Paul (especially for rescuing the Tadpole) and Mike for their help, which certainly made packing up much easier.
Anyone wanting to check out all my "How to..." videos on various aspects of kite-flying can now find them all easily on my Playlist at / jimskitesnz .
I know you put in a big effort to give the public a nice display. Not easy when the day is hot and young flyers just can't stand still to fly their kites, running around the lines. Then to have your line cut could have been a disaster. So pleased Paul was able to retrieve without any harm done.
It was an enjoyable day and the families seem to really appreciate the colourful spectacle.
As you saw, Carl, conditions were not ideal, especially early on, but it all turned out well. I've checked the Tadpole and can't see any ill effects from its trip to the supermarket. Maybe I'll send it to do my shopping next time.
Good to hear you were able to retrieve the tadpole, but AMAZING to find out spider man can fly on his own!
Looks like it was a tremendous turnout. Flying kites is always more fun when there are spectators to view them, BRAVO!!!
I was shocked when I saw Spiderman flying on his own, and it took a moment or two to register that the Tadpole had gone. He was flying quite steadily for at least ten minutes, and I didn't get a shot of him until I brought him down lower to attach to the UltraFoil, at which time he became less stable. I must try him solo again sometime. Yes, spectators are good to have, and it's the one day in the year that we have a crowd.
Jim you are a force of nature. Really pleased the day was a success. It's comes round so quickly. Glad to see you still have the tadpole. The snakes are awesome.
Thanks, David, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm just going to check out the Tadpole for possible damage when it was on the roof or being retrieved, but I think it's OK. Time certainly flies, and I thought that last year's Kite Day was going to be my last, but five minutes went by, and here was another one, so I thought I'd take part. Yes, Peter's snakes are great, and I'm pleased he finished the new one in time for the big day - and of course the Year of the Snake has just started. I hope all's well with you.
Not bad for an old chap.....nice display Jim
@astrokiteman1943 Glad you enjoyed it, Tony, and it's a pity you didn't come and join in - it's been a while since you were last flying here.
Wonderful video as always, Jim. What a lovely day, and seeing all the youngsters and adults alike flying their kites along with you was great to see. Makes for complicated flying at times, but gives me hope for the kite flying future. Keep it up, my friend. Donna
Thanks, Donna, and I'm happy to hear from you. I hope all's well with you. It's always good to see all the fliers on Kite Day, but sadly that is the only day that most of them make an appearance. Apparently a lot of kites were sold on the day, so maybe this year some of the new fliers will actually continue flying at other times. We old ones won't be here much longer, so the future of kite-flying depends on new blood.
Amazing display!!... you must have slept really well after that workout!!.. wow!
Thanks, Cynti. Yes, I found it easy to get to sleep after that, but I wouldn't want to do it every day!
Looks like a fun event! I hope you get your Tadpole back!
Thank you. The Tadpole was rescued, and I'm just going to check it for any damage, but I think it's probably OK.
Great video Jim. Looked like a great event. Young fliers can be hazardous, but great to see. You had a good looking display. WOW on the steps! Thanks Jim!
Thanks, Dewey. Some of the adult fliers were more of a problem than the young ones!
Very nice kite day shared...and a heck of a work out for you Jim...amazing for a 84 year old gentleman..be safe.
I survived, Craig, but I wouldn't want to do it too often! Walking on loose sand is a lot harder than on a firm surface, unfortunately.
Man Jim it looks like an awesome turn out. Great video, Thanks, Rom
There were a lot of people there, Ron - it's the one day a year when we get a big audience, and luckily the afternoon turned out sunny.
What a great day! Well done Jim. It looked like everyone had a good time.
Thanks, Peter. Yes, it went well, after a worrying lack of wind in the early part, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
Jim, Great Kite festival! Thanks for sharing. Cheers.
Glad you enjoyed the video, Chris, and thanks for watching.
Looked like it was a great event, pleased you had some spectators, congratulations to all.
Thanks, Colin, it went well, and is the only day in the year we get much of a crowd watching. I'm looking forward to seeing some videos from you as your days get longer and the weather (we hope) improves.
What a great Event. Thanks for sharing.
Greetings from Germany.
Happy flying.
Thanks, Olli, I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for watching.
Nice video with great impressions from your kite day and with so many spectators... I like it, thanks for showing
Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for watching.
Looks like it was a wonderful day. Wish I could have been there. Also, 84 is the new 70. Keep on keeping on! 🤙
It was a good day, Sheryl, but I would have found it a lot easier when I was 70 for sure!
Oh WOW! great day of flying and so many steps! Incredible!
It surprised me, too, Lucy - I wouldn't want to do that every day!
Great video Jim. I'm glad you managed to retrieve kite from roof. Peter managed to get his snake on tv news.
Thanks, Peter. Yes, I think Peter D would have been very happy about that. It was great that he'd managed to finish the new snake and fly both of them, but the wind was marginal so they weren't always at their best. It was the first time I've managed to send a kite across the road to the supermarket, and I hope it will be the last. I didn't get a chance to get near the PLK kites, but it didn't seem to be as big a selection as usual, although the wind was quite low when I did venture that side of the pier to say Hi to Peter and Carl.
@JimNicholls Both Craig and Simon from PLK had few kites up. Simon did post video on their kite site. Good to see Karl back in action. It's my turn next Sunday 9th up here in Auckland at Te Atatu annual kite day.
I wouldn't describe Carl as quite "back in action", but he did sit in his chair and fly one kite that I think Sarah launched. Good luck with your fly on the 9th.
It was great driving to the beach and seeing the sky full of activity and color.
I hope you found somewhere to park within a million miles of the beach - it was quite a problem as usual.
@@JimNicholls Had to walk quite a ways, but had a good view! Must be heaps of work to set all those up (and even more to pack them away)
@@TheLegendaryDad Luckily, I had help from my sons with the packing up, which is the worse part of the day. I used not to mind, but I'm getting too old now!
Great footage Jim 🪁
Thanks, Alfie. I guess you're looking forward to some warmer weather, but I see you've found an opportunity to fly at least one kite recently.
looks great, must be fun🎉
It was fun, but hard work, too!
Awww how good was that !!! Cheers Jim.
Pleased to say I have the 8sqm pink Tadpole ( with the bucket tail), the 'Super Teddy', the large octopus (mine purple and white), two 16m trilobites, a 55m snake like Peters, a pair of Natalies Legs, an X-Kites Parrot, about 10 of (now) Alex' Smiley Delta, and a large 16m Jellyfish.
Wonderful Day Jim ❤
You have enough there for a kite festival on your own, Chris. I wish I could come and help you fly them all. Maybe you can upload a video or two when you get them in the air?
I need to sort the way you film, edit and title your vids.
My amateur hour attempts are poor.
@@TheKRU251 Prime rule of filming is to keep the camera still - the kites do the moving. I edit with 12-year-old software that's simple but no longer available - use the simplest free one you can find. For the titles I just take an appropriate still image from the video and apply a title that I hope will catch people's eyes. Practice helps!
It is always interesting to decide on what to fly during a major event. Too, it is always a justifiable reason to use kevlar line on the occasion. Too, that is a lot of walking in sand, Jim. You will live to 120+
What to fly is decided by a whole lot of things, as you know, Glenn, the wind and public expectations being the main ones, with little thought for what the kiteflier would actually like to fly. There were a lot of strange kite lines around, including monofilament fishing line which may have been the culprit in the Tadpole incident. Yes, walking in sand is an extra effort, as you are well aware.
Well done Jim, I really enjoyed the video. Looked like a good day. Just a little bit more wind would have been nice.
I'm very happy to hear from you, Graham, and I hope all is well with you. It's a pity you couldn't have joined us again for Kite Day. Yes, the wind could have been better, particularly at the beginning when there was almost none. Your days are getting longer now in the Forest of Dean. Is there any chance you might fly a kite or two this coming spring and summer?
Amazing ❤❤❤❤ super ❤❤❤❤ fantastic ❤❤❤
Thanks for watching!
Awesome!
Thanks, it was a good day. Will you be back at Morro Bay with your kites soon?
@JimNicholls I sure hope so! My work schedule really interferes with my flying.
Work is a terrible imposition, particularly when it interferes with kite-flying, but sadly a necessary one.
Very nice enjoyed this thanks
See you soon have a great week
Big thumbs up cheers 👉👉👍👍👌
I'm glad you enjoyed Kite Day, and I hope we have good weather for some more flying soon!
Nice!
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Evan.
Hi Jim - Pretty high turnout, a pity about the wind, which was fine for most Kites, but some needed just a little more. I was there with my Wife and Grandson ( Camped out ) - just north of Peter at the start of the Sand Dunes. We all got burnt - That sun was hot.
You can see the three Kites i put up at: 3:56 in this video.
Hi Rod, I thought I saw your red and black Octopus, but sadly wasn't able to spare enough time to come and find you. I only had a quick word with Peter and Carl. If I'd been sure you were there I'd have mentioned you in the captions - I should have contacted you when I was editing the video. I have added you to the description under the video. We had been wondering when you would re-surface - it's been a while!
So Spidey has another superpower 😂‼️How long did he fly on his own?
At least ten minutes, and very steadily for most of that time. I was very surprised, and will try it again sometime.
Did you have a kite flute or whistle. Where to find it?
Sorry, I can't help at all with that. I have never had a kite flute, but I know that they are popular in some countries.
Vietnam Kites has them for sale. Though they are not cheap, $200 - $1000 US dollar.
Good to know they are available, but certainly rather expensive.