Flying in to 'strut the skies' at KiteFest

Published 6:00am 22 July 2022

Words by Nick Crockford

International flyers will be back at the Redcliffe KiteFest on September 17-18.

For the first time in three years, enthusiasts such as Chee Wan Leong, pictured above, will be jetting in from Malaysia with a host of new kites.

He will be joined at Pelican Park by Danny Lau Peng Siew, also from Malaysia and Simon Chisnell, of New Zealand.

“The pandemic literally cancelled all kite festivals around the world,” Mr Leong said, “the last time I was here was 2019.”

Chee Wan Leong, who is flying in from Malaysia, wishes KiteFest could be a day longer!

Mr Leong, who is taking an 18-hour flight to be at KiteFest, said he loves the “camaraderie, friendships and smiles from visitors” at Redcliffe.

“I always wish the festival could be longer by another day or so. Once hit by those smiles it’s so difficult to say goodbye!” he said.

With a host of new designs, Mr Leong is looking forward to “the winds … the smooth winds that will carry my creations” at Clontarf.

Mr Leong will bring two new creations – Albee the Bird and the Malaysian national butterfly, the Rajah Brooke.

Some of the magnificent kites 'strutting the skies' at Redcliffe KiteFest

Albee is in the form of a prehistoric flying reptile called a Terrorsoar, flies at a high angle and has a six-metre span.

The Rajah Brooke Butterfly has a 3.35m wingspan and follows a prototype developed from a regular butterfly.

“This will also (hopefully) make its debut at the festival,” Mr Leong said. “Currently it is in the studio and will be the next unit to be sewn up!”

The return of international flyers has been welcomed by Kites Queensland (KQ), which will have two members in action at the Sanur International Kite Festival in Bali next month.

Up she goes - a very Australian kite takes to the sky at Redcliffe last year.

"It's always great to welcome international flyers to see the different perspective others bringto new kite design and, more importantly, to let the public see these magnificent creations flying,” KQ member Chris Robson said.

“Our own club members are invited overseas to international kite events for the same reason...to show the world what we are designing and making here in Australia.

“The international flyers coming to KiteFest will bring similar knowledge and heaps of new stuff to strut the skies.”

Redcliffe KiteFest will feature a sky full of kites all shapes and sizes as well as special features for children including the Bluey & Bingo Show, PAW Patrol, the Hot Wheels Stunt Team and Kids Fun Zone.

Tickets are available now. Click here.