A horse-shaped kite flies over Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 8, 2019. Thousands of kite lovers flocked to Sydney's world famous Bondi Beach on Sunday for Australia's largest kite festival, the 41st Festival of the Winds. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
SYDNEY, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of kite lovers flocked to Sydney's famous Bondi Beach on Sunday for Australia's largest kite festival, the 41st Festival of the Winds.
An array of brightly coloured kites filled the sky above Bondi with professionals and amateurs alike making the most of a breezy day.
While young and old were able to enjoy launching their own smaller versions, representatives from the Australian Kiteflyers Society were on hand to show off some more elaborate designs.
Sea creatures, stylised unicorns and birds of prey lifted off, as well as many more esoteric and colourful designs.
One of the highlights of the festival was a life size whale kite, piloted by Craig Hansen from New Zealand based kite manufacturer, Peter Lynn Kites.
"The kites we fly are soft kites or inflatable kites and they have no rigid structure so the wind inflates them, the fabric is sewn together to be recognisable as something but also to provide lift," Hansen told Xinhua.
Hansen said that many countries have their own unique approach to kite flying such as the masterly crafted, traditional silk and bamboo kites of China and the fighting kites of India and Pakistan.
Although Australia's kite culture is less clearly defined, Hansen said the benefits are plain to see.
"It's just fabulous, and free power, it's there to use and take hold of," Hansen said.
"It takes you out of yourself you get to look up, instead of looking down all the time."
The Festival of the Winds is a favourite among kite lovers, not just for the idyllic setting, but also its family friendly entertainment and atmosphere.
