Dunstable Downs International Kite Festival 2012

The 14th & 15th July saw the first ever two day kite festival at the National Trust’s Dunstable Downs site.  Saturday was wet with very light winds but Sunday was bright andsunny with lots of wind.  We flew lots of routines and made a lot of noise with 6 North Shore Radicals!

This year The Flying Squad were delighted to be able to host Belgian kite designer Jos Valcke and his wonderful kites at the festival.  Jos’s kites added a real splash of colour and an international flavour to our favourite flying site.  Joined on Sunday by Sebastian Jüttemeier the sky was filled to bursting.

See our pictures here.

Basingstoke International Kite Festival 2012

Basingstoke International Kite Festival What a great weekend we had at this years festival!   A very English affair, this event has been described by some of the international guests as a perfect English Garden Party with kites.

Saturday had the best of the weather with great displays by all the kite fliers.  Basingstoke Kite Festival manages to have a great family feel with all the invited guests working as one team to create a great show.

This year was no exception with all the fliers helping each other meaning the sky was never empty.  We were delighted to get the opportunity to fly the Sode kites by Janneke Groen; Kelvin Woods’ butterflies and Nick James’ beautiful angels.

Kites Up Banners

The weather on Sunday was a little more challenging with very light winds in the more and the odd rain shower in the after noon.  We managed to be the ones out flying when the rain came down in buckets.  Still, we managed to keep the commentary team entertained even if everyone else had run for cover!

Can’t wait until next years event.  Many thanks to the Loddon Valley Kite Fliers for their hard work in creating such a great event.

Oostende International Kite Festival 2012

Oostende International Kite FestivalWe have just got back from a fabulous weekend in Belgium at the Oostende International Kite Festival.

This beach festival is a great way to see some of the best kites and teams from across Europe. Boasting a guest list that most festivals would die for, there is always something to look at and this year was no exception.

Oostende International Kite FestivalWith the addition of Steff Ferme to our ranks and with Daniel (aged 9) flying as well we were able to fly 8 person routines as well as our fully choreographed ballets.

We had a great time and can’t wait to go back again next year.  Thanks to all those involved who made this possible.

Berck Sur Mer 2012

Berck sur Mer Kite Festival Banner

It’s finally here!  The first festival of the kite season is upon us and boy what a way to start.

The Flying Squad - Revolution stacks.

Berck is probably the largest kite festival in the world, whether you go by number of spectators, kite fliers or countries represented and is something of a kiting Mecca.  The Squad have been flying at this festival since our beginings back in 1999 and something that we really look forward to.

This year the event is also hosting the dual line sport kite World Championships. With 15 of the top teams from around the world it should be a great show.  Fingers crossed for another British win by the legendary Scratch Bunnies.

The Scratch Bunnies - World Champions 2010

Look out for photos of the event when we get back, but with ten days of solid kite flying, it might be a few days until we have recovered enough to upload the images!

(posted 05/04/2012)

The Flying Squad launch their new website

We have had a great off-season with some fun flying days, but the cold days and long nights have meant that we have had time to up date our website.

So, here is the new site.  We will update the site every now and then with updates on the year and maybe the odd report on some of the wonderful festivals we go to.

If you have any photos of us at an event and don’t mind sharing it then please email them in and we will add them to the gallery.

See you all soon.The Flying Squad Kite Display Team