Jim’s Kites

I am a kite buyer, not a kite maker, so if you want information on building your own kite, this is not the place to find it.  For that, try www.kitebuilder.com among others.  


If you have an interest in Kite Aerial Photography (KAP), which involves lifting a camera with a kite, all you need is at  http://arch.ced.berkeley.edu/kap/discuss/


And whatever your kiting interest, join the American Kitefliers Association to get four free glossy magazines each year, contact with other fliers, lots of information, and a 10% discount when buying from most American dealers, all for a low subscription.  Overseas members are welcome.


If you are in New Zealand, check out the New Zealand Kitefliers Association  for news about kiting and contact with other fliers, as well as other useful information and links.


And a young lady, Brittany, in America, just found a great source with links to lots of sites dealing with kites and kite history. http://www.cheapflights.com/promos/unique-flights-kite-flying is basically a site offering cheap airline deals, but this page of links is a great service to those with an interest in kiting.



Welcome to my web site, designed to inform and interest all those who find single-line kites fascinating. See my reviews pages if you want to know about many different kites (now 3 pages!)

New Brighton

Kite Day

Christchurch, New Zealand   

27 January 2013


The biggest crowd I have seen on New Brighton beach turned out to watch this year’s Kite Day, and there were hundreds of kites in the air.  With near-perfect weather conditions, a great time was had by participants and spectators.  I have uploaded a video to YouTube or you can watch it         .


I will upload some more photos of the event as soon as I have time.  I didn’t get the chance to take many, but my son took quite a few so I will use some of those.

This site developed by Jim Nicholls  with Serif WebPlus X5

Kite reviews, kite videos & advice on choosing, buying and flying single-line kites.

Kite Festival at New Brighton beach

Christchurch, New Zealand     20 October 2012


This event was part of Christchurch’s inaugural Spring River festival, designed to lift people’s spirits after the damaging earthquakes suffered during the last two years.  While only a small festival, it was favoured by good weather and a good show was put on for the many spectators.  See the video at  http://youtu.be/jj8aGtq7-vE  or you can  watch it


I was too busy flying to take photos as well as video this time, unfortunately, so have no record of it other than the video.

here here

A beautiful blue sky provided the perfect backdrop to New Brighton Kite Day 2013, and a steady on-shore breeze gave almost ideal flying conditions.  The sky was full of kites most of the day, and thousands of people turned up to watch them and sometimes to join in.

My Pterodactyl kite (bottom) flies on Kite Day with a Peter Lynn ray. The Pterodactyl is made by Premier Kites and has quickly become one of my favourite kites.  It is a combination of a sticked kite and an inflatable, since the head, body and tail inflate with the wind to give a very realistic shape.  

here