GROUPS & FLYING SITES
If you’ve caught the kite bug and want to know more check out the following kite groups or organisations. They can provide information, help and support plus tips on good flying sites in your area.
National groups
British Power Kitesports Association
P.O. Box 4015
Smethwick
Warley
West Midlands B67 6HJ
Web: www.bpka.co.uk Forum: www.forum.bpka.co.uk
The Kite Society of Great Britain
P.O. Box 2274
Gt Horkesley
Colchester
Essex CO6 4AY
England
tel: + 44 (0)1206 271489
Web: www.thekitesociety.org.uk Email: info@thekitesociety.org.uk
The Kite Society of Great Britain was founded in 1979 and has grown to be recognised as the leading organisation for kitefliers in Great Britain with over 3500 members worldwide. "The Kiteflier" which is published in January, April, July and October contains news of forthcoming kite festivals, kite retailer news, kite plans, kite group news and a comprehensive events list. The Society’s website has large number of links e.g to traders, retailers own web sites, clubs and many other kite-related locations on the web.
STACK UK
Keith Griffiths (National Director)
9 St Peters Street
Roath
Cardiff CF24 3BA
tel: 029 2025 8522
web: www.stackuk.org email: keith.griffiths@physics.org
STACK is a pan-european organisation that seeks to promote Sport Kite competition. In the UK it is responsible for coordination of Sport Kite events with local groups and clubs nationwide. It also organises the UK National Championship series in the summer season and the Winter League Championship series in the winter.
Parakart Association
Troy Vinson
11 Theresa Avenue
Bishopston
Bristol BS7 9ER
tel: 0117 3770366 mobile: 07939 021205
web: www.pka-online.org.uk email: troy@buggymania.co.uk
British Kite Surfing Association
P.O. Box 101
Keynsham
Bristol BS31 1TZ
web: www.kitesurfing.org email: info@kitesurfing.org
Local clubs/groups
Avon Kite Fliers
Stuart Lafferty (Secretary)
46 The Deans
Portishead
Somerset BS20 6EQ
tel: 01275 843813
web: www.avonkiteflyers.org.uk email: AKF@subzero.plus.com
AKF are a large and friendly club open to people of all ages and abilities. Monthly fly-ins at Ashton Court (Bristol Festival site) on the first Sunday of each month. Club social evenings every month all year round and evening fly-ins during the summer. Involved in the Bristol Kite Festival including the children's kite workshop. Membership £10.00 (individual or family group) includes quarterly newsletter, public liability insurance and discounts at nominated Kite Stores. Club clothing and goodies available.
Golden Valley Kite Fliers
Peter Whitaker
12 Littlefield
Quedgeley
Gloucester GL2 6GZ
tel: 01452 728521 (after 6pm)
web: www.gvkf.org.uk email: peter.whitaker@arjo.co.uk
South West Association of Traction Kiting (SWATK)
Membership Secretary
c/o 137 St Georges Rd
Hotwells
Bristol BS1 5UW
tel: 0117 908 7153
web: www.swatk.co.uk email: swatkcrew@gmail.com
White Horse Kite Flyers
Arthur Dibble
P O Box 585
Swindon
Wiltshire SN3 4YR
tel: 01635 865976
web: www.whkf.org.uk email: info@whkf.org.uk
Local flying sites
It’s best to check out with the landowner and/or your local club or kite shop as some public places have restrictions on when and where you can fly particularly if it involves power kites, buggies and landboards.
Our suggestions include:
Ashton Court (regular flying site for Avon Kite Flyers and SWATK)
Bristol Durdham Downs - no buggies or land boards
Minchinhampton Common
Hengrove Park ( SWATK)
Weston Beach – strict regulations apply re buggies or boards – flyers must contact Wind & Wheels c/o UFU Kiteshop , Weston Super Mare or SWATK to arrange insurance and passes from the council to fly in designated windzone
Marshals Field, Clevedon
Westerleigh Common, Yate
Portishead Lake Grounds or adjacent to the Windmill Pub, Nore Road
Lansdown playing fields, Bath
Barbury Castle, near Swindon ( contact White Horse Kite Flyers)
