The picture above tells almost the whole story of the Toronto KiteFest this last month in Toronto. It was a gray day for kite flying. Cool and overcast with spits of rain. But even worse the winds were nowhere to be found as indicated by the wind sacks and kite flaps for most of the afternoon events. Even the rain spits coming in off Ashridge Bay at Woodbine Beach were deflationary – wet kites add weight to the various wind riders.
Wind Flag shows the tumult of the day
Kite fliers from Michigan, Northern Ontario, Quebec, New York and local kiters were treated to tantalizingly nice weather in the morning ; but by noon the doldrums set in. So kiters had their work cut out for them – only by running across the beaches could they get the lift that was required – as seen below.
Wind Jammers from Detroit put on a clinic on light air flying clinic.
Okay, some of the lite gliders were able to lift off and catch some of the higher air – to give kiters and viewers some wonderful views of gliding and doing acrobatics in the lightest of airs.
Flying off with the greatest of ease.
If you are a kiter, or just an admirer of flying fancy-free, check out this schedule 0f 2011 kiting events in Eastern Canada.