World's largest kite coming to Bristol Festival this weekend

29/08/2011

Categories: Official press releases

The latest contender for the World’s Largest Kite – a colossal  flying  Manta Ray - larger than a full-size football pitch, is set to make its first public appearance in the UK at the Bristol International Kite Festival over the weekend of 3 and 4 September.

The Manta Ray was commissioned by the Al Farsi family of Kuwait from Peter Lynn Kites of New Zealand.The kite team will be travelling over especially from Kuwait to take part in the Festival. Subject to the right weather conditions on the day they will fly the Manta Ray and attempt to set a new official World Record.

When laid out flat on the ground the Manta Ray has a wingspan of over 55m wide, a body length of over 40m and a tail of some 80m. 

Setting a world record

To qualify for the World Record the kite will be officially measured in Bristol for the first time and is required to fly for a minimum of 20 minutes.

With a lifting area of 1,200 sq.m the Manta Ray is significantly larger the current World Record holder which is a giant 3D Kuwaiti Flag with a lifting area of 1,019 sq.m. The Kuwaiti Flag kite, which is also owned by the Al Farsis, has held the Guinness World Record since 2005 and was  successfully flown at Bristol in 2004. 

Once inflated and airborne the Manta Ray requires two substantial anchor vehicles to tether it to the ground. The vehicles and drivers are being kindly provided by TCRA, a joint venture company between Tarmac and Churngold Recycling, which operates the adjacent Durnford Quarry near Ashton Court.

Avril Baker, festival organiser said: “We are very excited at the prospect of seeing the Manta Ray kite fly at Bristol. I saw it in action in France, in April, and the sheer size of the kite and skill of the flying team really takes your breath away. It would be an amazing 25^th anniversary present if we can go for a new World Record at the Festival. My special thanks to the Al Farsi family for sponsoring the costs of bringing the kite and flying the team over to Bristol from Kuwait and to TCRA for their help and support in providing the essential vehicles and drivers.” 

About the Bristol International Kite Festival

The Bristol International Kite Festival flying programme runs from to 11am to 5.00pm both days and features an action-packed two days of colourful flying displays, spectacular kite-fighting battles, synchronized routines flown to music, the thrills and spills of kite powered buggy racing and land boarding and specially themed arena fly-ins. 

Other Festival highlights over the weekend of the 3 and 4 September include :

Festival of the Sea - including giant swirling octopi, manta rays and squids, flying fish, a larger than life scuba diver, giant mermaids and Roly the mega killer whale

Special shapes including flying dragons, bears, tigers, dogs and cats

Team sport kite routines  choreographed and flown to music including World Champions Scratch Bunnies and The Decorators quad-line display team

Vast spinning wheels - from Italy in support of nominated charity the Great Western Air Ambulance

Display of traditional Thai kites in the skilled hands of the Thai Kite Heritage Group

Awesome power kites – with kite surf wings and kite-propelled buggies and land boards

Paint the Sky – with hand painted and appliquéd flying works of art featuring kite artists from Italy and Holland

Birds & the Bees – a kaleidoscope of butterflies, insects and bird-shaped kites

Aerial combat with traditional Japanese fighting kites vying to be the last one in the sky

Serenade of serpents – a sky full of giant delta serpent kites with long flowing tails

To add to the festive atmosphere there will also be free children’s kite-making workshops,  artistic banners and flags, fantastic play structures and selected specialist kite traders, a licensed bar and an array of appetising food and drink concessions.

The event is held in Ashton Court, near Bristol. Free entry for pedestrians/cyclists. Parking on site £7 per car. Vehicular access via Beggarbush Lane/Longwood Lane entrance only - follow AA Event Signs. For online mapping or Sat. Nav. use the postcode BS8 3TQ. Clifton Suspension Bridge will remain fully open for vehicles and pedestrians.

 

More information about the Bristol International Kite Festival

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