August Fun Fly - Where's the sun ????

The weatherman has not been too kind to our club fly days. Sunday Aug 30 was no exception. The threat of rain was looming with big, dark rain clouds overhead when I arrived in Port Colborne just after 12:00. The wind was 15 to 20 kph which was great for flying just about any type of kite. Ted Shaw was busy setting up his home made "Bulldog" foil.

Bob White arrived soon after and put up a delta, after a few minutes he decided it needed a tail, so I volunteered the colourful inflatable one I won at Canal Days.

After a few attempts,Ted needed to adjust the bridle of the Bulldog. He got help from Drew and Donna.

Tyrone flying a Dyna-kite.

Peggy and Stephanie enjoying flying and conversation.

Finally the Bulldog flies!

Fred helping launch a dual line.

Look at the colourful tails in the air.

Donna's newest "Line Laundry". A country wedding gone wrong with the bride and groom chasing the wedding ring stolen by the chicken.

As you can see with the clouds, the threat of rain was closing in.

At 2:15 the temperature dropped about 10 degrees and we started gathering in some of the higher flying kites.

Bob Luft flying a 4 line creation. We can always count on him to have some new home made kites out on the last Sunday of the month.

Well, at 2:30 the rain started and we had all the kites in. It wasn't raining hard, but with the look of the clouds, the threat of lightning was there. The fly was cut short, but 15-20 diehards tried their best to salvage the day. Maybe Sept 27th will be a better day. Till then keep your back to the wind and your kites in the air. Hope to see a great weather forecast and a good turn out on the 27th.

Canal Days 2009

Sunday Morning, 9:00 am....rain, lots of dark clouds and winds gusting to 30 km/hr. 20 minutes later, the rain stopped and kiters were arriving and unloading their kites. The sound system was ready to go, all we needed was sun.


After 10:00, the clouds broke and we were treated to some sun and an impromptu, unrehearsed Revolution display. I think there were 8 or 9 at one point. The Wind Jammers and some club members put on a short show that rivaled the works of I-Quad!

Clouds rolled back in, the ground displays were bouncing, and the wind picked up again.

Some of the shelters even tried to blow away.

The wind died down and switched directions. Here is a 70 kite train that was up for a short time.

The workshop chicken.

Around noon, the rain came back briefly, so we took down the speakers and waited for it to pass. 15 minutes later we were back to flying.


The Wind Jammers put on several shows throughout the day. With the 20 km winds, their arms must have been stretched by the end of the day.


Here's a short video.

Miss Ohio's understudy...Magda (I hope that's right) She was trying to fly the kite, but it was too windy for her.

Even with kites, love is in the air.

Vaino's HUGE Canada Flag Sutton.

A view from the other side of the boat launch.

Three cute dogs.

The Aquarium in the sky.

The grand ascension.

Paul and Fred cooking the food.

The hungry kiters.

Bob, handing out the prizes.

When the day came to a close, we had seen it all, rain, gusty winds, calm winds, no wind, sun and clouds. We all had a great time and put on a great show for the visitors to Canal Days.

Here are some links to some more pictures:
Doug Isherwood's photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougish1954/sets/72157621809435303/
Carlos Simoes' photos:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/573857145oDMwmy
Ted Shaw's photos:
http://community.webshots.com/user/dancer2e
Chris White's photos:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/573894597YtqZfP
All of my photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/JimAnes3/CanalDays2009#

Thanks to all the kiters who came out to fly. Thanks to the Wind Jammers for their wonderful show. Thanks to everyone who helped out with the food and the barbeque. Last but not least, thanks to Bob and Chris White and Vaino Raun for organizing and arranging the event.

Hope to see everyone again next year!