Think kites are just for kids? Think again. The Portsmouth Kite Festival attracts kite flyers from across the globe in a two-day extravaganza of inflatable fun. Soaring through the skies, these slinky nylon wisps have the power to mesmerise you for hours.
Where did kite flying begin?
Kite flying is reputed to have originated in China 2000 years ago where they were used to measure distances and test the wind. From there, their popularity quickly spread across Asia to India and Korea before landing in Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Is kite flying still popular today?
Kite flying has come a long way since the clunky creations of my youth. And such is its enduring popularity, there’s now even a National Kite Flying Day. With kites capable of everything from choreography to surfing and buggying, there has been an explosion of interest over the past few decades. Then there’s the creativity that goes into making the actual kites. From giant dogs with wagging tails through to hovering spirits, there’s no end to the ingenuity on display.
Where are the best places to fly a kite in the UK
There are many top spots in the UK ranging from Hampstead Heath in the heart of London through to Devil’s Dyke in Sussex and Poole Harbour in Dorset. The best places to fly kites are wide, open spaces – exposed to the wind but removed from obstacles such as trees, buildings and power lines. Parks, fields and beaches also all make excellent choices. You’ll need moderate wind conditions of between 5 and 15 miles per hour to get your kite up. But be aware kites are classified as aircraft and you can’t fly them higher than 30 metres or within three miles of an airport / airfield. You’re also not allowed to fly kites from pavements or along main thoroughfares.
What happens at the Portsmouth Kite Festival?
The festival is now in its 33rd year and is one of the biggest in the UK. It’s held on the 26/27 July on Southsea common – a 20-minute walk from Portsmouth Harbour and Southsea train station. It attracts kite flyers from across the world who perform to a full itinerary on both days. Entry to the festival is free and includes a fun fair, live music and plenty of food and drink stalls.
What is kite choreography?
Before the festival, I’m ashamed to admit that I’d never heard of kite choreography. But it did remind me of the amazing dancing poly bags at the London Mime Festival. Also known as synchronized kiting or team flying, kite choreography is the skill of flying one or sometimes multiple kites in time to carefully choreographed music to create appealing manoeuvres in the sky. At one extreme, this ranged from one kite flyer managing three kites through to a mega team finale – a mass synchronised flight of four-line kites featuring up to 20 kite flyers.
The music varies from thumping techno through to gentle classical strains with the kites soaring and swooping in perfect time to each musical genre. It’s best to position yourself at the far end of the ground, near the promenade to get the best view of the action. If luggage allows, bring a fold up chair to rest the pins and avoid neck strain from peering up at the skies. An umbrella is also great for sun protection.
Kite choreography at the Portsmouth Kite Festival
While I loved all the performances, my favourite display was the Decorators – a team of six kite flyers who create amazing, synchronised symmetry in the sky with their precision manoeuvres. You can see a video of one of their 2024 routines here. Although seemingly effortless, it takes months of practice to produce such captivating results. From teams of six to one-man bands – Karl Russell also wowed the audience by managing three different kites simultaneously. Who knew that this was even possible?
Other kite festivals to visit after the Portsmouth Kite Festival
If Portsmouth whets your appetite for more, you can also visit kite festivals in Lytham St-Anns, Filey, Maidenhead and Cornwall. And once you’ve satisfied your UK kite cravings, head overseas to the world’s largest kite festival on the Danish island of Fano. This international festival draws tens of thousands of kite flyers from across the globe. You can see the jaw-dropping extent of the festival on this link.
As a first timer at a kite festival, I’d no idea what to expect. And I was amazed by the variety of kites on display and all the things they are now capable of. My rainbow delta kite is now firmly on my wish list and who knows…maybe I’ll be back here again with kite in tow next year.