Cleethorpes Kite Festival 2002

Cleethorpes Beach - 18th & 19th May 2002

This was my first ever real kite festival, and as my wife was away in Peru I decided to take the children (and the kites of course) over to Cleethorpes for the day.

I wasn't sure about the 'procedure' but I was fairly sure I would not be allowed to actually fly as part of the festival, but was looking forward to having a nice fly elsewhere and would look at all the nice kites. And the children would have a nice time with the sand of course. So I was rather surprised when I found that by simply signing a book and saying where I came from I could join in as an official kite flyer. My eldest daughter, Clarisse, who was six was very proud to be wearing an official badge and was allowed to go into the flyers only area.

As we had got there fairly early there was still space on the beach - it was, however, someway off from the marquee (and therefore all the facilities). I had also neglected to bring the shelter, so I was in for a hot afternoon.

I had brought with me the Revolution EXP, the (new) HQ Obsession, the (also new, but for my daughter) HQ Delta Dancer, and finally the Decathlon Triboard. I had debated about taking the Revolution 1.5 SUL, but decided against it as there looked to be a fair amount of wind. This was a mistake - there was so little wind I had great problems getting anything flying, and given the tide was in there wasn't much beach room. Not only this the wind was fitful. I think this is what lead to me almost crashing the Revolution onto the lady next to me who was flying Deltas - her son was not very happy about this (if you are reading Sorry - I didn't mean it!). As the day progressed the wind did improve and as the tide went out there was much more space.

I did find that it was difficult being in charge of 2 young children and flying kites, but I think we managed. The girls enjoyed messing on the sand & picking up shells from the sea, but kept getting in the way of other people - so we got a warning from one of stewards to move the children.

Anyway we saw a lot of nice display kites - I really liked the kite painting from (I think) Sunderland Kite Flyers, and a French guy flying a beautiful white kite (no idea what it was). Oh yes, we got in the way of the official photos for some Japanese or Chinese flyers - I was busy showing the girls 'what a beautiful kite' in one of the tents, when I was asked to move as an interview was taking place.... with the 'beautiful kite' as background. I even say a couple of guys flying Minergy Deca's - these are the little brother to the Synergy Deca series - I was well impressed by the shape.

I resisted the temptation to buy anything from the traders - except a proper bag for the Obsession - the one I got with it was less than useless.

We rounded off the day by driving over to the Thorpe Park Caravan Site (near Pleasure Island) to say hi to the Sheffield Kite Flyers group - one last play on the beach for the girls, this time with Shelley the dog, then off on the drive back to Sheffield.

All in all a good day was had by all - except I spent most of the night being very ill indeed - must be allergic to Cleethorpes or something................

Would I go again? Yes I would - now I know what to expect I will be more prepared next time. And next time I won't crash a kite on the person next to me. Honest.