The Press Kite Day

Sunday 16 January, 11am to 3pm,
New Brighton Beach - by The Pier

Bring your togs! Bring your picnic! And bring your kite to fly with the many spectacular kites and tricks performed by some of the world's leading kite flyers, who are flying into Christchurch especially for this event!

The Press Kite Day is an exciting new addition to the Christchurch City Council's SummerTimes programme in association with The Kite Shop. Added to the general family delight of flying kites on the beach will be some spectacular demonstrations!

World record holder for the largest kites, Peter Lynn features in the "big kite" displays with a couple of surprises making their first flight. English kite fliers are expected to thrill with, fittingly, a "mermaid" and "seahorse".

The Dutch contingent will produce a scene stealer with 2-line freestyle trick kites of a calibre never seen in New Zealand before.

The event runs on New Brighton beach from 11am to 3pm, while the Surf champs run "next door" from 10am to 4pm. Seven local and one Otago team will be competing surf-side. For both organisers, good news from the Met Office Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt, is very welcome … "fine with a northerly of some sort." The kites have fingers crossed for a northeaster.