A bear in the air
12:00a.m. 9th October 2008
Hunter Smith and Lindsay Shaw enjoyed watching the kite masters in action at St Andrew’s Anglican College. Photo: Jason Dougherty/178731
Whoever said flying kites was solely for children clearly had it wrong.
One look at the talent lined up for this weekend’s IGA Coolum Kite Festival is enough to blow that idea out of the water.
Chinese kite masters Qian Jian Guo and Liu Zhiping will join a world class line-up of kite-flying talent at this weekend’s IGA Coolum Kite Festival at Stumers Creek.
With other experts, such as New Zealander Craig Hansen, the kite masters used St Andrew’s Anglican College at Peregian Springs to hone their skills earlier this week.
Mr Hansen (below) even customised his giant teddy bear kite with a Coolum T-shirt to mark his third appearance at the two-day festival.
As the man at the helm of Peter Lynn Kite Factory, he has defied the misconceptions often linked to kite flying.
Mr Hansen has created some of the world’s largest kites, including one that covered 1000sqm and took him four months to make.
“I’ve flown kites all my life, ever since I was a lad.
“My father wanted me to play rugby but he couldn’t get me away from kites, and they just got bigger as I got bigger.”
Mr Hansen said the Coolum festival was an international standout.
“The climate is good, the beaches are beautiful and people can get close to kites, which makes it very personal,” he said.
“I try to choose things people can identify with and instantly recognise, like the teddy bear or snake.”
Mr Hansen said kite flyers needed to be fit and strong to control the heavy kites on days when wind conditions were below ideal.
Californian kite flyer Ron Gibian will make his debut at Coolum after appearing at other Australian festivals at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Perth and Adelaide.
Mr Gibian, a graphic artist, has designed and flown his own kites internationally since 1985.
“I’ve made hundreds upon hundreds, but mine all have an instantly recognisable style,” Mr Gibian said.
“It’s a huge fraternity.
“In a good year, I’ll probably get to 13 or 14 festivals, but I never imagined that with kites I could travel around.”
More than 70 prep students had the chance to design and fly their own kites under the guidance of some of the world’s kite masters.
Festival chairman Noel Mooney said the interaction with Coast schools was an integral part of the kite festival.
Coolum Kite Festival
WHEN: October 11-12
WHERE: Stumers Creek
COST: Free
DETAILS: www.coolumkitefestival.com
