We have several new members so this is a shout out to welcome everyone to ECKC! We're certainly glad to have you!
Our first official meet and greet will be at Citidel Hill, Sunday September 11th, at 1pm. We will meet at the steps overlooking the Metro Center. We hope to see everyone there! After the date was set, we realized that some of you may not be able to make it. We will set up another date at the end of September so if you can't make it, or if the winds aren't co-operating, we will all have another opertunity to come out and hopefully meet everybody and have a great day flying.
I'd also like to introduce ECKC's very first video done by the very talented Moe (Maurice). A VERY big thanks goes out to Moe!!
A place for East Coast Canadian kite enthusiasts.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Fun Kite Facts
Kite Fun Facts
1. It is believed that the first kites were flown over 3000 years ago and were actually made of leaves. People flew kites 1,000 years before paper was even invented!
2. Kite flying was actually banned in Japan in 1760 because too many people preferred to fly kites over work (who doesn't?). And in the 20th century, large kites were banned in East Germany because of the possibility of lifting people over the Berlin wall.
3. Kites have been used for centuries for fishing and have actually been used in many sea rescues.
4. Kites are used for things such as scaring birds, forcasting the weather, and frighteningn away evil spirits. In the Orient, kites are given to bring people happiness, good luck, prosperity, and cure illness.
5. In 1901 Marconi used a hexagon kite to transmit the first radio signals over the Atlantic. In World War 2, the Royal Air Force issued kites to pilots as part of a rescue kit that included a dingy and a folding box kite called the Gibson Girl, which enabled them to send SOS signals from a portable transmitter with the kite line acting as an aerial.
6. There are 78 rules pertaining to kite fighting in Thailand.
7. There is at least one kite festival every weekend in some part of the world. Some are even held indoors.
8. Some kite records include the smallest kite in the world which flies at 5mm high, the largest number of kites flown on a single line at 11,284, the longest kite in the world at 3394 feet, the largest kite in the world known as a megakite at 55 x 22 metres, the fastest kite in the world at 193 kph, the highest single line kite at 12,471 ft, and the longest kite fly at 180 hours. Some Japanese kites weigh over 2 tons!
9. There are over 50 millions kites sold in North America every year.
10. Kite flying is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. There are more adult kite flyers than children.
Tips & Tricks - How to Launch Your Kite
Single line kites are the simplest of all kites and can be launched solo or with a friend. When you bring your kite home, you may find your kite has a tail. Tails help keep the kite stable, although not all kites have them. To launch your single line kite, simply run against the wind while holding your kite with one hand and line in the other. Once the kite begins to rise, let your line out to allow your kite to fly. If your kite decides to drop, give the line a tug and stop letting your line up until your kite starts to fly again. Also, make sure the end of your line is tied to the reel. You don’t want your kite to fly away without you.
Dual line trick kites have a fixed length of line with which to fly. Simply set up your kite on it’s back, nose pointed away from you, so it will go up into the wind. Tie your lines to your kite and make sure all your lines are the same. Trick kites like symmetry. Unravel your lines entirely, making sure they are not twisted. Take your handles, pull your kite slightly onto it’s tips, and with a quick even tug by bringing your hands down to your sides, pull your kite up. Your kite should shoot straight up. You may have to take a step or two backwards. Trick kites don’t need a whole lot of over the top movement and tend to be very responsive.
Dual line trick kites have a fixed length of line with which to fly. Simply set up your kite on it’s back, nose pointed away from you, so it will go up into the wind. Tie your lines to your kite and make sure all your lines are the same. Trick kites like symmetry. Unravel your lines entirely, making sure they are not twisted. Take your handles, pull your kite slightly onto it’s tips, and with a quick even tug by bringing your hands down to your sides, pull your kite up. Your kite should shoot straight up. You may have to take a step or two backwards. Trick kites don’t need a whole lot of over the top movement and tend to be very responsive.
September Meetup
"Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it." - Winston Churchill.
Our first kite club meetup has been set.
Date: Sunday, September 11th.
Time: 1pm
Location: Citidel Hill, at the steps overlooking the Metro Center.
Our first kite club meetup has been set.
Date: Sunday, September 11th.
Time: 1pm
Location: Citidel Hill, at the steps overlooking the Metro Center.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Go Fly A Kite - Really!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Halifax News Net
Even though we had a small turnout at the hill today, the wind was great, and the Halifax News Net photographer got some great pictures.
A lot of new members are joining now that word is getting out. Hopefully when our story is published in Halifax News Net, we'll get even more.
We'd like to organize kiting get togethers, so we'll start deciding on a date for next month. Don't worry, we'll post in plenty of time, and we hope you all are able to get out for some great flying.
A lot of new members are joining now that word is getting out. Hopefully when our story is published in Halifax News Net, we'll get even more.
We'd like to organize kiting get togethers, so we'll start deciding on a date for next month. Don't worry, we'll post in plenty of time, and we hope you all are able to get out for some great flying.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Rainbow Haven Kite Day
Rainbow Haven is having a kite flying day this Sunday, August 14th. Pack up your kites and come on down for some great beach flying!
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