Jim Nicholls kites & kite-flying
Jim Nicholls kites & kite-flying
How to fly kites! How to have fun with kites! Where to buy kites! What kites are best! If kites and kite-flying interest you, this is the source for over 2,100 videos of single-line kites in high definition. The best kite video channel on KZread!
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This is a wonderful compilation of special kites. First time I am seeing most of them. I like all of them especially the African Woman, for the uniqueness. It's sad that you had to let these go as it's not possible to keep every kite that you love.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Some of those kites were sold quite a long time ago. They are all items I would love to still have, but I couldn't justify the amount of money tied up in them. It was great to have them even for a limited time.
Thanks for your continued posts!
Glad you like them, Richard! I hope to continue a little longer, old age (and the weather) permitting. We have had no suitable flying weather for two weeks.
@@JimNicholls I understand. I hope you're not putting so much work into making the videos that you're not having all the fun you should be having! I wanted to thank you because it was someone like you who rekindled my interest in kiting many decades ago. Turns out, kiting is flying/sailing and NOT running! 🙂 We have had bad weather, followed by days of the dreaded "light and variable" winds in my neck of the woods. I recently thought again about getting something really light for flying in 3mph winds, but those birds tend to be fragile. I'm eager to put in with a new delta conyne. May the wind be at your back...
The Alpine DC from Into The Wind is a great kite, and extra good in low wind, rated down to 3 mph.
Jim there are very great kites. I am speechless.
I wish that I still had them all, but those days are gone, unfortunately. Thanks for watching!
I owned the Meyer 81 but sold it but still have Blias Guitar and as you stated an excellent flyer with a steady wind and always gets comments when flown. I've lusted after an Ebbinghaus. "mega" fish for years and alas I think that will be unfulfilled dream. Thanks Jim.
All great kites, Tim. The Mega Fish was an expensive item, and had it not been such a big investment I would have kept it - a very good flier, with definitely no need for a lifter, so pretty unique amongst big fishes.
Jim, you look like Santa at the end with that red bag of fish... Did you know what happened to the guitar? We have one that flies in Garry Point Park Richmond BC Canada at times, I'm guessing but it might even belong to the Vancouver Kite Fliers Association? I think I like that Lemur best!
I can't remember where the Guitar went, Darren - it was a few years ago. They were produced by New Tech Kites, but not in great numbers.
I just did some digging and found that my Guitar went to Germany, so it's not the one that you see occasionally.
Puts a smile on my face Jim - seeing your head inside that mega fish.
I was lucky to get it out again, David!
I’m sorry the weather stops play at the moment. But good to see you put this great display together. Nice one Jim. The weather here is a mix of heatwaves and floods!
Our winter weather is still not giving any opportunity to fly, but your summer weather doesn't sound any better!
A great encouragement video to show the enjoyment of lifting and displaying your "laundry items".
If only we had the weather to fly in, Carl, with or without line laundry!
A walk or fly, down memory lane. Most of those kites I did not get to see, but thankful you have them recorded them on video. Only kite flyers can appreciate how much we enjoy these special kites. I know you miss them.
When I win the lottery I'll buy them all back, Carl!
What a shame they aren't all still in your ownership ! Fantastic video Jim. Love the African Lady and that Mega Fish !!!!
I certainly miss them, but the financial investment was just too great to justify, unfortunately.
What an inteesting assorment of kites. Too bad your weather is not co-operating.
Well, Jim, it's winter here so I guess we can't complain too much, but I remember flying a lot more often at this season in past years.
Nice kites,do you still have the dark seraph kite?i haven't seen you fly it for a long time.
No, that went too, along with quite a few more that I didn't show in this video. Very sad, but I couldn't afford to keep them all.
Oh jim! Thanks for revisiting these..my kite envy grows😂 that african one is so unusual and beautiful! I do have a giant fish but so far, havent been able to get it to fly..need to work on that...thanks again!
Glad you liked it, Faith. The Giant Fish needs a fairly steady wind to fly well, but in the right conditions is great. The Mega Fish is by far the best flier in the family, with the Large being the least effective, and mostly used as line laundry.
One of my first kites was a shark that would fly all day. Unfortunately, he tried to eat a tree and was lost to indigestion. The fish kites make me want to get another shark. Thanks for posting.
I hope you have better luck with the next kite, Richard. Trees are the enemy of kit-fliers!
Where can I find the mega 45ft fish
I don't think it is made anymore, but you might find a kite-dealer with one if you search around. It's VERY expensive.
Bandr full kites Flying sir 🙏🏼
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Vikram.
I still fly the Giant Fish Jim. He makes me smile whenever he is in the sky!
I'm glad to know that, Nigel. Kite Dude still flies here, and has been ready for his next flight for ages, just awaiting some suitable weather.
Those were some awesome kites to have let go Jim. Ron
It was very sad, Ron, but I just had too much money tied up in them. It was OK when I was working, but not when I retired.
Some beautiful kites you once owned..I particularly like the colorful fish kites..thank you for sharing..do you sell them on line when selling?
Most of them were sold a few years ago, Craig, and went to new homes around the world. Any that I sell now I try to dispose of locally, as postage has become hugely more expensive and makes it very uneconomic to send things out of New Zealand.
Those look very cool! Also loving the music
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Evan. Music is always hard to choose, but I thought this Mozart piece was very suitable.
Those are very interesting kites. Thanks for sharing.
You are very welcome, Sheryl!
Gorgeous!!
Yes. I saw them when I am working at that day.Very big nice picture.
That was the last time that I flew, Jiang. The weather has been no good since then. I'm glad you saw them.
A wonderful compilation showing lifter kites, big and small. Learnt that any kite that can lift other kites or objects is a lifter kite 👍👍 You updated channel name is more descriptive. Easier for new viewers to find your channel.
Thank you. I wasn't sure if I should change the channel name, but your comment reassures me.
@@JimNicholls Your name is still there. This is a good update. Not a change.
Brilliant Jim! Truly a great show!
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I haven't been able to fly since then, as the weather has been bad.
Spot on video Jim. Folks ask me about buying s lifter kite and when I look at what they own I point out what could be used. Adjust your expectations to the gear you have and just fky and experiment.
Well put, Tim! I think a lot of people swallow the idea that there's only one "true" lifter, put out by those who stand to profit from that, whereas many kites can effectively lift all that most people would ever need.
Hi Jim, I am a new subscriber to your channel who loves to fly kites! I grew up flying them with my dad when I was a kid. He used to make and sell kites to people at festivals and shows. I own 4 dual line stunt kites and a bunch of smaller single line kites but after watching some of your videos I bought my first parafoil lifter kite. I'd say it is a medium lifter but now I have a whole new world of possibilities at my fingertips. I watched this video to figure out how to attach spinners and line laundry to my kite and it was super helpful. I have also been playing around with a "popper" that travels us the line and then collapses and returns to earth. I watched your sand anchor one as well and purchased one of those to use at the beach this week. Thanks for your great videos and helping to make kite flying easy and fun. I recently started my own youtube channel about fly fishing several months ago and have been enjoying making and editing those videos. Here is the link to my channel if you are ever bored and want to see my greatest passion. www.youtube.com/@brooktoriverflyfishing Best wishes and thanks again.
Hi Eric, Good to hear from you, and I'm glad the videos have proved useful. I checked out your channel, and you seem to have developed a lot of skill in creating your videos already. I must admit that fishing has never appealed to me, and at my age (83), I don't think I'll be taking it up, but it's good to see you sharing your knowledge with others, which I think is a big part of KZread. All the best!
I'm really glad you made this video! Thank you. How do you go about choosing the line for each kite? I just ordered a 7sqm trilobite and am not sure what line to use.
The line strength really depends on the wind speed, as that affects the pull of the kite considerably. But for the Trilobite I use 300lb braided dacron line always, as that covers all conditions.
Thanks!@@JimNicholls
You're welcome!
I see you changed your channel name. No matter when the video was shot. I love the wide variety of kites and laundry. I cannot chose one that I like better than an another one.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Jim. Unfortunately, our winter weather is not cooperating much at the moment, so I don't know when I shall fly next.
Love the videos and your kite collection
Thank you, David, and thanks for watching!
I ❤ those flow tails! Looks likr organza ?
The tails on the flowtails are of taffeta nylon, Amy. Robert Brasington uses organza for most of the tails on his kites, but the effect is rather different.
Awesome spread Jim! And in just the right conditions, a Delta can be a great lifter❤
True, Amy - a delta can be a good lifter, and so can many other kites. Experimenting with them adds to the fun of flying.
Nice video Jim. Amazed the ultrafoil is out of production.
David, the UltraFoil and all of the other kites from Into The Wind went out of production several years ago when the company lost the factory in China that it had always used. They've struggled to find other facilities to build their kites at an acceptable price, and although a few items have trickled back, most will probably never return. Copies (of very doubtful quality) of the UltraFoil have appeared from a Chinese factory recently (and I see Metropolis Drachen in Germany is offering one), but I doubt if the "real thing" will return anytime soon.
@@JimNicholls thanks Jim. I hadn't realised that had happened. Glad to have my ultrafoils.
It's a sad fact, David, as you know, that a lot of great kites are no longer made. I'm glad that I didn't start flying now, when the selection is so diminished and "line laundry" seems to have almost taken over from real kites.
Great video. You have many work for this collection.
Thank you for watching!
That was an awesome video Jim. Ron
Thanks, Ron - I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Nice 2125th video jim. It's that time of year for bad weather. Maybe tomorrow. Thanks Jim!
Thanks, Dewey. The forecast's not good, but I'll keep hoping and will take advantage of any opportunity.
Nice to know!
Thanks for watching, Evan!
Thank you for sharing Jim....good info .
You are very welcome, Craig.
Great Kites Flying sir 🙏🏼 Thanks you Video Shering 👍🏼
Thanks for watching, Vikram.
Awesome 🎉
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Great advice Jim, thanks
I'm glad it was of interest, Sheryl.
The cheap manta kite looks like the other elephant kite (is the same kite designer?) Also the movement is similar.
I also think it's very much like the elephant. I don't know who designed them, but maybe it's the same designer for both.
Ok…. My wife thinks I am crazy…. I will show her your display and then she will know I’m not the only one! Well done! I hope you got them stowed before sundown!
Sundown is very early here, Steve, as it's midwinter, but yes, I managed. I hope the video helps to convince your wife that your insanity is not unique.
Jim, I saw all the stacked kites and just knew you were going to fly the Into The Wind stack with the Alpine, Rocky Mountain, and Mesa DC. Well maybe next go around ;). Thanks for the video!
Sorry to disappoint you, Ray! I don't think I have the Mesa anymore, but I have three Rocky Mountain, so will hope to be flying them sometime in the not-too-distant future.
@@JimNicholls Jim it is interesting you mentioned the Mesa kite because I do not think it is being sold anymore by Into the Wind.
@@rayr1426 Most of their kites have not been produced for several years now since they lost the factory in China that they had always used. Some have come back recently, including the Alpine and Rocky Mountain DCs, but not the Mesa. A lot of the more expensive kites will probably never come back.
A beautiful Flowtail session with 19 kites. An impressive 'kite festival'. I recall the previous time you flew this many kites was in honour of a friend who passed away. You decorated the sky during his funeral service. A good send-off.
I don't often fly so many kites these days, but that particular day the conditions were excellent and I had a little more energy than I sometimes do. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Absolutely stunning Jim!
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Hal. I hope the summer is not too hot in Montana, although I've seen some stories about high temperatures in the USA recently.
Wonderful display Jim. All looks great but I think the green cubes were my favourite.
That's an attractive design, Steven - printed rather than sewn like the others, but very effective.
Fantastic display, thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks for watching!
Very impressive. I enjoyed watching all the 19 kites. On your 84th birthday you need to fly 84 kites with the help of your friends.
I certainly have enough kites to do that, David, but I'm not sure it will happen! Thanks for the thought, though.
I like your video. Do you have tips on how to adjust lines attachment, tails in order to change fly characteristics?
Kites differ greatly from each other, and each has its own characteristics, so I have no advice to offer on adjustments that can be generally useful. I always just experiment if a kite is flying badly and try to come up with a solution. Often adding a tail (or replacing the tail with a better one) is the best way to get a kite to behave well. See my video here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/qGSZqMySn5fLcto.htmlsi=VkMxlajx3Jm4j2sg .