First kite-fly of NZ spring 2024

[@arachnidkonig]

That box kite is fantastic! Never seen anything like it before.

[@JimNicholls]

It's a great kite, at its best in very light wind, as you can see if you watch it (and my other one) here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2e2fIGebbZ3iLc

[@cyntil4362]

Interesting mix of kites...I have an Illusion Delta as well..but it's from SkyDog Kites..it's a great stable flier.

[@JimNicholls]

The Skydog kite is very well made, but I think the Chinese one is a more convincing illusion. Both are good to have!

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

The Illusion Delta looks 3D from the front and I was surprised to see that it's flat. A nice design. Enjoy your Spring, Jim.

[@JimNicholls]

Thank you, and I hope your trip is going well.

[@SMALLsails]

A great combination of kites, Jim. Your spring looks like the height of an English summer! Looks to have been a beautiful day. It’s quite heart warming to feel the seasons change to autumn here with the leaves starting to turn golden colours and being blown from the trees but daffodils springing to life with you. Thanks for the video, looking forward to your summer!

[@JimNicholls]

It sounds as if your autumn's arriving early, Tim. I'm hoping our weather will settle down soon - unfortunately with the change of seasons the wind has become much more unstable and despite some sunny days there has been very little flying going on.

[@deweygravesjr.122]

Nice video Jim. I like the dune shot of the Allusion. I'm sure your glad to see spring. Thanks Jin!

[@JimNicholls]

Spring is good, Dewey, except that the winds are often very unstable. I'll carry on doing the dune shots as long as my legs can still carry me up there!

[@dnny50]

Amazing! Thanks, Jim

[@JimNicholls]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kiteflyingdownunder....car6272]

May the signs of Spring bring even more great flying weather. Loved the collection of kites you flew with the big surprise seeing the "Emma" Box Kite again. It had long gone from my memory. I am sure you have some more surprises in your collection.

[@JimNicholls]

I certainly hope that we get some steadier conditions soon, Carl. The winds are far too unsteady for flying on most days now.

[@LameBalsam]

That shark bite is cool as hell, thanks Jim for the usual amazing show of kites.

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. That kite was a cheap purchase, but always looks good and flies well.

[@pfkites8967]

Good kites. Beautiful box kite. Good spring collection. 😊

[@JimNicholls]

Thank you! I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

[@quad4single]

Happy spring. Kite season is here. looking forward to it.

[@JimNicholls]

I hope that you will have a lot of good kite-flying weather in Japan. Have fun!

[@craigh3381]

Thank you Jim for sharing another fun day.

[@JimNicholls]

Glad you enjoyed it, Craig!

[@vikramsinghkite4358]

Good morning sir and good shering 🙏🏼

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks for watching, Vikram.

[@Henk4183]

Nice Jim. Thanks again

[@JimNicholls]

You are very welcome, Henk!

[@ronstewart9792]

Great one Jim. That box kite looks awesome. Ron

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks, Ron. Yes, it's a good kite, and was a bargain when I bought it years ago.

[@CirrusRC]

Happy spring Jim. Great kites, great sky, great video.

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks, David. Spring has started with some unseasonably warm weather and mostly very gusty winds. I was glad to get this chance to fly. I hope all's well with you.

[@marcellavandekerkhof1500]

The delta and the Eagle has my husband to , greetings from the Netherlands , Marcella .

[@JimNicholls]

Hello Marcella. Thank you for your comment, and I hope you and your husband have a lot of fun with your kites.

[@EvanPang-w4i]

Lovely!

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks, Evan. I hope we'll get more good flying days soon.

[@_plinse]

The box kite from Emma Kites is really great! It looks a little bit like a Lynn Box on a slightly modified shape

[@JimNicholls]

You're right, it is certainly based on the Lynn design.

[@NB_KITES]

Awesome 🎉 i like it.

[@JimNicholls]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@richardhayman4868]

Happy Spring, Jim, and thank you for another post! I'm curious: what do you use for anchors? It looks like you have some solid objects (e.g., fence, picnic table, etc.) that could be used. Or, do you carry anchors with you? I only had one flying day this past week. Among other things, I put in a new 11' delta...flying on a pigtail and lark's head. That was a big deal for me because I have flown for years with nothing but swivels.

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks, Richard - I hope spring will bring more good flying days, although the winds are mostly quite unsuitable at the moment. I use driftwood for most of my anchors, although it's a bit scarce just now and we need a good storm to wash up some more. I tie to the driftwood using the method I showed here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2bUcpqtjpJ1ZpIsi=FCzG4o_kc36J9Wbr . Good to know you've broken your addiction to swivels!

[@richardhayman4868]

@@JimNicholls Thanks, Jim, your tie-down video is an excellent reference. I fly mostly in open fields (currently in the Midwest, USA). Short of using a tree as an anchor (haha), I have to take my own claw anchor with me in order to have a reliable anchor to hold a big delta. I have an assortment of different length, 200# line pigtails I carry in my kit. And yes, it was a nice break from swivels! All the best.

[@JimNicholls]

I use trees occasionally if flying other than at the beach. One of the tie-downs looped around a suitably-sized low branch can be perfect.

[@richardhayman4868]

@@JimNicholls Ok, Jim, I'm still laughing! It's probably psychological damage with me, but asking the Tree Monster to hold my kite seems like asking the fox to guard the henhouse. You've emboldened me to fly on a pigtail rather than a swivel, so maybe I'll attempt to anchor to a tree branch one day!