Rod's new Octopus kite and more on a cold, grey day

My 1,554th kite video. Rod's new Octopus kite was the star today. It can be found here: www.aliexpress... . I hope next time we have better conditions to show it in.

[@thomaskopowski4950]

Nice new octopus, but if I would have to choose, I would still go for the black Paul (23m). It's still on my wishlist... 😏

[@JimNicholls]

One of each would be nice, Thomas! They're both good kites, anyway, so just personal choice. This one is great value, and I may have to buy one myself.

[@kiteflyingdownunder....car6272]

Thank you to Rod for letting us see his Octopus up close in flight. Don't think I have seen one flying before. It's going to look impressive on a sunny , blue sky day. May have to wait awhile.

[@JimNicholls]

No, flying octopuses are quite rare, I believe, Carl. If Rod can persuade it out of the ocean for another flight, I certainly hope it's in better weather, when it's sure to look fantastic.

[@halaasen3416]

An outstanding display Jim, in spite of the weather!

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks, Hal. We used to get a lot of blue-sky days in the winter, but the climate seems to have changed. Let's hope we get a chance to see the Octopus in better conditions soon.

[@308Karl]

Im thinking of getting this one at 10m. Green/black is also a nice color

[@JimNicholls]

It's an excellent kite, and very well made.

[@balonflexia4084]

These Octopus Kite is bigger or smaller, especially the part of the head and eyes, than the known other 23m long Octopus kite? Like the your other Octopus kite black-orange (23m)

[@JimNicholls]

They are quite different, really. This one is designed by Mr Ma, designer of the Trilobite kites and their cousins. It's much better quality, and has a lot more detail.

[@meiumi9456]

I see you found your cobra kite, I absolutely love mine, mine has the shorter 40ft tail on it (the bridle came apart on it and I would've lost the kite but thankfully it ended up getting it's tail wrapped around a wooden pavilion at the park and I was able to retrieve it, fix it back up, and still love it). Is that the Kaixuan kite octopus?

[@JimNicholls]

Yes, Rod bought the Octopus from Kaixuan. It's very good quality. Glad to hear you didn't lose your kite.

[@TheRevFlyer]

The weather may be dull,cold and miserable but you guys certainly brighten things up, impressed with the Octopus

[@JimNicholls]

Yes, the Octopus is great, and I'd like to get one for myself.

[@OhDannyBoy2k]

I just recently received an identical Octopus that I ordered shortly after watching this video. ;-) I noticed that, in addition to the main bridle, it has two attachment points on top of the head with a line connecting the two. I'm assuming that is if I wished to fly this as "line laundry" rather than solo? Did Ron's model have that as well? I'm curious what he did with the extra line while flying. I currently have it braided up and it would just flop around when I get a chance to get this in the air.

[@JimNicholls]

I didn't notice a line like that on Rod's kite, but I'll look next time I see it. Yes, that type of kite often is flown as "line laundry", but this one is so good on its own that I don't think many people would do that. I'd probably just take it off.

[@mrlionel1965]

The 2 tone red of this thing looks fantastic! Against a bright blue sky, this would rule the day.

[@JimNicholls]

Waiting for that at a time when Rod's available to fly it, Ken, and I agree it will look terrific.

[@pedromonteiro2941]

You must be #1 kite collector in the world .... ! Zillions of them ...... all shapes and sizes Need a large warehouse just for that purpose ! :-) :-) :-)

[@JimNicholls]

They have almost driven me out of my (small) house and taken over the garage as well. I have FAR TOO MANY kites!

[@pedromonteiro2941]

@@JimNicholls , time to start a kite mail shop ?? Cheers !

[@JimNicholls]

@@pedromonteiro2941 Sadly, postage is very expensive from New Zealand, where I live, so it's only worthwhile posting expensive items, otherwise the postage costs more than the kite.

[@ttullis1]

I have one and love it. My biggest complaint (very,very minor) is how long it takes to bag it back into the supplied stuff sack. Mere moments to lay it out and launch it and many, many, many,,,etc...many minutes to have it ready for it's next flight.

[@JimNicholls]

If I get one, Tim, it won't be going back into the bag it comes in. Rod has his in a PLK compression bag, which makes life easier, and he seemed to stow it away quite quickly.

[@ttullis1]

@@JimNicholls Mine did come with a good sized compression sack. It's just those bloody tentacles take forever to deflate as you return it to the bag (I start with them and finish with the head and have the bridle at the very top so I can attach it to the flying line and just "walk" the rest of the kite out).

[@albey1816]

@@ttullis1 - Hi Tim - that's how i do it. You have to start with the tentacles because there are no air release vents in them, and you have to deflate towards the head. It is a bit of a pain. My other Octopus has air vents in the tentacles, so it gets packed head first.

[@PanyingPilot]

The nexus of an ad hoc kite festival. I suggest you all coordinate with Carl and Tony and set a date later on that may coincide with a holiday. The group could easily fly a spectacular show, although the cheapskate ice cream vendor still won't oblige you, I'm sure.

[@JimNicholls]

You can add to that the cheapskate proprietor of the beach-side mobile coffee shop, who benefits greatly from the kite-flying when people stop to watch and get a sudden thirst for an expensive cup of something. Peter and I have only once (several years ago) been offered a free drink in return for all the free advertising. It's a tough and unappreciated life being a kite-flyer, Glenn, as I'm sure you know. I could add to that companies like Premier Kites, who admit that my videos have sold hundreds of kites for them, but who have offered precisely nothing in return, not a free kite nor even a discount. I hope we see another of your shows at the bay before long.

[@PanyingPilot]

@@JimNicholls One thing we can both appreciate at our flying venues we can always enjoy the sandwiches free, get it?

[@rugbymclean8095]

@@PanyingPilot Also, why you won't starve in the desert!

[@JimNicholls]

@@PanyingPilot Yes, I get it, Glenn - in my hair, in my eyes, in my camera, all over the kites - nasty stuff, especially when it blows around.

[@PanyingPilot]

@@rugbymclean8095 Got it!

[@fotonmom]

Very nice display..really cheered up that bleak looking sky. Yes ..that new octopus is really a stunning look in that red and black. Thank you Jim..always looking forward to your posts..:)

[@JimNicholls]

Yes, a great color scheme, but now that Rod has it, if I buy one I'll have to get another color!

[@fotonmom]

Jim Nicholls ...What a quandary !!

[@JimNicholls]

The choosing's not so bad, Priscilla, it's finding the money that's the problem. I'm hoping to sell a few kites soon to pay for a couple of new ones.

[@fotonmom]

@@JimNicholls I sure understand. That is why it is important to me to invest in top quality kites. Resale is so much easier..

[@rcasey]

When the sky is gray and it’s cold out, you make it even more beautiful with these amazing kites. Thanks for braving the cold weather. The new octopus looks fantastic.

[@JimNicholls]

That's a great kite for sure, Robert. I wish it were mine!

[@mustafatopcu4336]

I like your new octopus kite,very beautiful and flying is really well 🌺 Thanks for sharing,all the best

[@JimNicholls]

It's not my kite, Mustafa, but at least I get the chance to see it, and I'm sure Rod will be flying it often.

[@bile897]

Oh love the octopus 🐙

[@JimNicholls]

So do I. I wish it belonged to me.

[@bile897]

Jim Nicholls A goldfish kite I ordered from China was returned, because of the epidemic. I’m sad, I really wanted the kite.

[@JimNicholls]

I had the same thing happen to me during the virus lockdown, but things seem to be coming from China quite normally now to New Zealand.

[@MichaelKSherman]

Yep. Looks very nice Jim. Love the red color as well. Looks menising.

[@JimNicholls]

I wish it was mine, Michael - it's a great kite, and the larger size would be even better!

[@MichaelKSherman]

@@JimNicholls Agreed.

[@JakeTheKiteGuy]

Its great that you get your own mini festival when you go out lol

[@JimNicholls]

It didn't last long today because of the weather, but we hope to put on something better when our weather improves.

[@deweygravesjr.122]

Very nice Jim! The Octopus looks great. Who sells that one? Did you use a different lens? Thanks Jim!

[@JimNicholls]

Dewey, there is a link to the kite in the video description. Yes, well spotted - I used a super-wide-angle lens for the last two shots. The tide was in so far that I couldn't get back far enough to get everything in with my usual lens.

[@deweygravesjr.122]

Jim you forgot the link.

[@JimNicholls]

@@deweygravesjr.122 No, I didn't, it's there under the video and I don't know why you can't see it (unless maybe you're watching on a phone or something?) Anyway, here's the link: www.aliexpress.com/item/4000767878237.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.15a22e0ePTnxrO .

[@deweygravesjr.122]

I'm sorry. I went back and looked and there was link. I was enjoying the video so much. Thanks Jim!

[@AmberLeighD]

I love your videos! How much wind was there today for your octopus to fly?

[@JimNicholls]

We didn't measure it, but probably averaging around 20 km/h (12 mph) and quite gusty (and cold!)

[@ttullis1]

@@JimNicholls Been able to achieve a stable flight in a steady 5-7 mph wind.

[@JimNicholls]

@@ttullis1 That sounds pretty good, Tim!

[@albey1816]

@@ttullis1 - What size is your one Tim?

[@ttullis1]

@@albey1816 66'