swiftnsilent

Shops in "Sydney", not NSW......! No one else said anything about all of NSW only you...? Di Delli is a top lady too..! Just real BS hey... No reflection of me, or just my beliefs, these are the cold hard facts... and the beliefs of a number now finding out... Absolutely Delusional.....!

Hehehehe Counti, No not the case at all. I just know how Euro's, are a bit like Texan's, and how they sometimes over state size, and the likes ...... Fanoe, is also segmented, and covers the beach length ways, not constant. Now if you want biggest, then go to Weifang, China in April. Over 1 million people in attendance, 2000 plus international and local kiters. No where to move, and a great experience. Oh by the way, well done on the Running with Kites pics too....

Mcphailtom, I am very relaxed, its called daily "kite chi"... I also believe in true karma... Nothing unresolved, just a truly bigger picture observer. Brisbane has a totally different economical kiting topography to anywhere else on the eastcoast. Expansion's have come and gone before, and kiting has always suffered.. Many kiters in SE Qld still remember another, also making big kiting claims previously... blah, blah, blah.... Oh by the way, there are not just 2 shops in Sydney anymore, there are actually 3...? It seems, some previously forgot about Westwind Kites... He's another good fellow too. No, like others who've been around a good while now, I believe in loyalty, mateship, and you can pack this slide in, same location opportunism crap too. It just goes to show where some would have kiting go... But now, where some of us will make sure with our loyalty and wallets, where kiting will stay.. The claim of "healthy competition" in such a narrow industry is just "profoundly bogus".. Some of you fellows, and some of the whiny hypothesis, are truly farcical.... If you had been there, and then seen it, then in the end you would know that kiting actually suffers.. I wonder also, what Kamikaze must be thinking down here with all of this as well...? We will see in time... that's for sure. You are also incorrect Mcphailtom, "I have laid my hands on kites and accessories", over many years by showing people loyalty and confidence. With me in return, showing know how, and also proven performance nothing less. I believe in kiting promotion, and have done so for many many years. But, I have no time for destruction of the sport by capitalism anywhere.. Interesting, how the "Sydneysiders are talking this up too about Qld kiting"..? Yeah right, blow in mentality

JKS, Whoever Counti is, if they wanted better than Euro events, then the place is the IGA Coolum Kite Festival 11th & 12th of October. The event held today up in Brisbane was part of the wider Brisbane Festival held at this time of year in July. Nothing I have been to in the major range of Euro kite festival's come anywhere close to the IGA Coolum KF... Dieppe Fr, Cervier It, are nowhere near it, and Fano the same... So i don't know what this Counti is going on about with the Euro rounds....... My understanding is that this Running with Kites event, was specific to the actual suburb it was conducted in. And how good was the turnout there..? Imagine if is was a full on International festival there...? It certainly had around the 8000 to 10,000, range of people, and I was impressed by the kite displays of all shapes and forms. The Taiwanese Kite Masters, are the best in the world with kite trains, and it was on show today just how good they really are too. I especially enjoyed watching the BrisKites guys flying today too. Some kick arse pilots amongst those guys. Congratulation's to the organiser's who put on such a great day. As you say JKS, "it was hypnotic".. I still can;t believe they had wind up there this time of year. But I am also glad that it did happen, as it was great to see all the kites. Swift

Steve, You imply, that in some bizarre way by using the word "mate", that I am supposed to be impressed with your feeble explanation..? Please save it for whatever lemming's, would you.. Sleazy, insane as well, Hmmm...? No, I think we have already seen this before, so you can spare us all the pseudo rhetoric. We already have great service, and also "realistic prices", with a great fellow at BrisKites. And now. we are supposed to believe that "passion and sustainable enterprise" is to be our saviour in Qld..? Absolutely delusional.... As for the "capitalism" jibe. Then allow me to retort.... "You can't make a silk purse, out of a sows ear........" "Goodwinds"..? You can recess them.. Swift

G'day Southerly, I haven't had the pleasure myself, but I have been in the company of newcomers to China this has happened to. Yes, it does have the makings of a "comedy skid"... Swift

A few years ago, some friends of mine in the Netherlands produced a sportkite training game/program with a free flying mode. I am not too sure if it still available online. But there are plans for a kiting game for young and old for PC. Maybe someone on EK can make a packet by putting something together, and putting the proposal to Nintendo for Wii...?

The toilets, or squats are really bad, and the smell is rancid. Though in saying this, it is a really funny party trick in winter for first timers to China. When they go into the squats, to do their business without checking the squat out first. Because usually the damn thing is frozen over, and " a return is always on the cards" LOL.... So the moral of the story is... Check your target for any back splash, "before releasing any ordinance"..

G'day Kozzie, Depending on the size of the dragon then determines the size of the box which it will be packed in. A traditional Chinese Dragon is always boxed, and also a certificate from the kite master who built the train and head will also be on the inside of the lid of the box. AUS Customs is pretty good, as long as you declare the item. I have brought them back many times, and some with 1 metre square heads, and 60 metres trains without any problems. Just be sure your friend checks out all the interior bamboo structure of the head for any bugs or small holes in the bamboo. Generally though, the good ones are constructed with good quality bug free steamed bamboo. Depending on the size of the Dragon and train plate design, will then determine the price. Generally, most people buy the good ones that are approximately 9 metres. Which is in a nice silk lined box, about the dimensional size 30cm x 70cm. Price in AUS $ can be negotiable, but generally for around $15.00. I have seen the same good ones selling here for $150.00... Yes, Weifang is the Kiting Capital of the World. The cities logo has the most unique butterfly design as the centre piece of its emblem. There is a very impressive commemoration park to world kiting there, and also a magnificent kite museum, and impressive statue of the first Chinese kiter Liu Ban from back in 200 BC in the forecourt. There is a nice pic of my Rev B Series wing tip balancing on the statues nose from this year, and last year elsewhere. The Chinese loved it as they don't see much of modern sportkite flying until recently. Weifang is a place all kiters should go to at least once, just to see the museum and the surrounds. Very impressive. But like other parts of China, the pollution and high level particulate constantly in the air, is very bad. There are some impressive kite factories in Weifang, who also have distribution shops in ShenZhen, Shanghai, Xiamen, Qingdao, and of course Beijing. Hong Kong, isn't really where you will get the really nice kites. But as mentioned, over in ShenZhen your friend will get some good quality bargains. You can also buy "forbidden kevlar line" on spools very cheap there too. Regarding the power kites from Weifang and other places. There are many dodgy copies, similar to the Evil Bay ones. But there are a few there making not bad gear too. It depends on what you actually wish to do with it..? As if you want performance then you buy a reputable quality power kite. In other words, you pay cheap, then you will get cheap in other areas too... Swift

Why in a previous kiteshop spot, I wonder...? Is there no such thing as a bit of respect for already established businesses still operating, with loyal custom in an area...? Tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk.. Like others, I will still be supporting BrisKites, as loyalty still counts for some of us... I still recall the skullduggery in Sydney in the early 90's between 6 kiteshops, I never thought I'd see such tripe again...pathetic....

Joel, Interesting you mention about the banner bans in China. Up until 3 months ago sportkiting was actually being considered as a demonstration sport in team competition at the Beijing Olympic Games. That is of course until, a very stupid act happened at the WSKC at Berck Sur Mer in early April. Whatever we all may think of what is happening in Tibet, the very silly antic at the World Sport Kite Championship's, cancelled out any chance sportkiting had of being apart of the Games. After all you would think sport would have come before politic's or protests...? It just goes to show our kiting disciplines chance of being seen on the true world stage, was screwed by these no brainers. It was a one shot deal to have competitive kiting involved in an Olympic Games, and what better place than the apparent "home of kites"... You could say, that chance is well and truly now, "gone with the wind".. Swift :o:o

Hello Peter, No kite flying zone on the park area of the Strand..? I can tell you, never heard of it... As there were kites flying there last year, and will be again this year at the kite festival that will be conducted in the same place on the Strand in the park area. It is more a matter of public awareness there, and making sure people visibly see what you are doing. If so, then all should be okay in that particular park. The hardest part with Townsville, is that some of the best buggying places years ago, are now residential areas these days. But you can try these places below. To orientate yourself, have a look at Google Earth, in the region to the South and South West of the CBD. Regarding land kiting up in Townsville. There is nothing good landwise up in Rowes Bay area. There is however the big footy ovals about 3 km's over the bridge out of the CBD heading SW. Also the beach area to the south of Ross Island, I have seen buggies there before. The sand flats just north of Alligator Creek are also pretty good too. Re the Strand, I know that buggies were operating in the grassed area on the Strand last year as well during the Townsville kite festival there. Regards, Swift

Kozzie, It is best for you to take the train over to ShenZhen (approx 40 mins). There are plenty of kite stores and such in ShenZhen. I have just come back from kiting over there last week. Also you can contact the guys up in Weifang at Albatross kites also. Swift

Southerly, No worries at all. Yes there is a big problem in and around the estuaries and beaches. I was asked to do a night flying demo with lights on the Strand last year, very interesting. Especially when a salty croc exited the water to crawl up and warm itself on the sand not far away at all while the kites were in motion. I am told it is a little worse up further where some of the kitesurfers seem to go as well. But once again, Castle Hill summit is definitely a no no for any kite, that's certain. There a number of good parks for buggies, and power kites. But later in the afternoon is pretty good, when there is either the sea breezes, or the westerlies. Just have to watch out for the footy posts in the winter months. Swift:yes3:

Hello Peter, You can fly in the grass field area on the Strand, and also on the "artifical sand beach" in front of this. There is a kite festival in Townsville, in October run by the Townsville Bulletin Newspaper and the Council too. Flying a kite on top of Castle Hill is a big no no..! You have a number of approach radar, and radio antennae used at Garbutt at the summit of Castle Hill, and you will be prosecuted. Not only by local authorities, but also CASA. As you will not only be flying above 300ft AGL, but to do so on Castle Hill is also within the 4 km approach to Garbutt. Sorry, but these are the rules, and people have been prosecuted before up there. There is also the very dangerous situation of severe updrafts off the eastern face. Which is fraught with peril, no matter what at the summit. There is a big oval just south of Townsville on the Ayr road, which gets some nice breezes. Just south of Ross Island is also good, but on the beach area you still have to be mindful of crocs too. I hope this assists you. Regards, Swift