International Guests for 2009

Craig Hansen ( New Zealand )

A kite flyer since 10 years old is addicted to kite flying and any wind powered adventure.

Hi latest one being a Trip through the Sahara desert from Agider in Morocco to Dakar in Senegal, a distance as the crow flies of 2500 Km. the web site for the adventure is hear www.madwaydown.com

Craig is one of the members of the Peter Lynn kite team and travels to international Kite festivals all over the world to entertain the crowds.

Click here to see Craig preparing for the Sahara Desert
http://vmail.fotomedia.com.au/fotomadnz/

David Hoggan ( United States )

I've been married for 24 years and have 5 children. For the past 21 years I've owned my own business as a Landscape Contractor. I live in United States and reside in the state of California.

I've enjoyed flying kites since I was a young boy. My enthusiasm for flying the large kites started when I purchased my first computer and learned how to use the internet. From that I found other people with the same hobby and manufactures like, Peter Lynn Kites, who were willing to support my hobby.

Flying kites is fun, it doesn't hurt the environment and makes me feel like a kid again

One of my favorite kite flying experiences is flying my giant kites for elementary schools. I've had the opportunity to fly in many parts of the world. It has been an education to learn of different cultures and customs.

I have formed lasting friendships with the people I've come in contact with.

I own several different types of giant inflatable creature kites made by Peter Lynn Kites. My favorite is the octopus. I have five octopuses and flying them together in a pod is thrilling. It's my goal to fly all five in the Coolum Kite Festival this year.

See you at the Festival.

Robert Van Weers ( New Zealand ) has been making and flying kites for over 20 years now and still loves the thrill of seeing a new kite airborne for the first time.
Over the past few years he has been designing his own kites, the latest designs are a series of fish he calls "Fish in Line".
Another recent kite, a large "Monkey" with a banana to match, is also a great crowd pleaser.
Not only kites are evolving from his sewing machine, he also designs ground and line art and won a prize for best banner at a kite festival with his "Kite-Man Banner". His work has won him competitions not just in New Zealand where he is from but in other countries as well. Teaching other kite enthusiast at schools and symposiums is something he does as well.