About once a month members of the BCKA (BC Kite Association) meet up at various parks throughout the lower mainland for some flying. I happened upon them in action today at Kits Point and was curious about the club. Art Ross (pictured below) is an original member and was kind enough to chat for a bit and tell me about the amazing kites he builds. Today he was flying 2 huge kites; My Fair Lady, and an Olympic Kite. Each of these kites he personally sewed - these are not painted, but all graphics are sewn together like a quilt. These two kites are about 500 square feet each, and took Art about 4 months to build. He estimated that since 1978 (when he started making kites) he has made about 20, and sold them to people all over the world. In fact, his personal fave is a kite called the Red Barron and is 2000 square feet in size. It is so big that he has rigged a harness chair so people can actually ride the kite!?!? 2000 square feet! Thats way bigger than most Vancouver apartments. So awesome.
