Community
11 April, 2025
Eyes to the sky
PARTICIPANTS will be hoping for some windy Warrnambool weather this weekend when two world champion kite flyers arrive in town.
Champions Ricky and Jo Baker will be in Warrnambool tomorrow (Saturday) to lead what looks set to be an exciting kite flying session for the young and young at heart.
Jetty Flat Reserve will be filled with excitement and colour from 10am-2pm when Kites 4 Kids hold a free session.
“We have one of the largest kite collections in Australia and are looking forward to seeing some of them take to the skies in Warrnambool this weekend,” Jo said.
“People are welcome to take along their own kites or for just $10 they can design and decorate their very own kite and watch it soar.”
DJ Josh Brown will have the tunes flowing all day, while the Warrnambool BMX Club serve up a tasty barbecue.
Local vendors will also be on-site offering coffee, donuts and icecream.
In conjunction with the ‘Up and Away’ kite day, the BMX club is also offering a come and try event (register on their club website).
Kites 4 Kids has been running workshops and flying kites for 30 years.
Jo and Ricky have both won Australian championship titles – with Jo winning the World Championships in 2005.
“Although we have flown many different types of kites over the years, these days we fly the giant inflatable kites,” Jo said.
“Our largest kites are giant mantra rays that are 20 metres and are made from a super light weight fabric so they can fly in a light breeze.
“There is such a thing as too much wind and the kites get smaller as the winds get stronger.”
Ricky and Jo’s son Trent, who has also flown kites for many years, will bring ‘Blue’ and ‘Bingo’ to Warrnambool.
“To our knowledge, Trent’s two kites are the only ones in the world and I’m sure the people of Warrnambool will love them,” Jo said.
“They are a bit smaller than our other kites and measure three metres.”
In what will also be a “first” for Warrnambool, a giant 10 metre inflatable train will also appear (and will sit on the ground).
“We are all looking forward to coming to Warrnambool this weekend and hope to see lots of people at Jetty Flat Reserve.”
