Kite festival to soar this Sunday

Organised by the Jan Juc Pre school, this sunday’s kite festival will allow youngsters to try their hand at a sport that has been practised for more than 2,500 years.

The day will showcase giant kites with professional kite flyers including World Champion flyer, Jo Baker.

The Melbourne-based kite educator says that while the art of kite flying is a simple and cheap form of entertainment, it has largely been lost by a younger generation.

A 30-year veteran of kite flying, Ms Baker and her husband travel around the world displaying their high tech giant kites, teaching people how to get their own creations off the ground.

“in recent years, with changes to technology, the size of the kite has certainly changed a lot, but the basics of a kite are still the same as it has been for 2,500 years,” Ms Baker said.

in addition to marvelling at Jo’s giant kites in action above the beach, young flyers will be able to purchase kite-making kits; constructing and decorating their own kites in workshops at the festival.

“it’s quite exciting to see kids enjoying something that they make themselves and they can take it out and it actually works,” Ms Baker said.

ready-made kites will also be available to buy on the day as well as professional face painting and henna tattoos.

Food trucks at the festival will offer a range of refreshments including paella, toasties, pizza, ice cream, coffee and lemonade. Jan Juc Pre school will also be hosting a sausage sizzle.

Festival organiser Sarah Bolus said that kite flying was an inexpensive way to enjoy the outdoors and get active, “so we’ve tried to offer a large range of free activities at the festival”.

The program of free activities will include kid’s yoga classes, interactive african drumming and dance sessions and a story-time tent.

The Sand Whisperers will be weaving their sand art magic on the beach and there will be live entertainment, music workshops and arts and crafts.

The free festival runs from 10am-2pm on sunday at Fishermans Beach on the Torquay Foreshore (corner darian road and the esplanade).

For more information, visit the website at surfcoastkitefestival.com.au.