Honest, There Really Was a Flying Seahorse

WILDWOOD — American Kitefliers Association members filled the skies over the city’s south-end beach with their colorful shapes and various sized flying objects during their national convention here, Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. Theme on the organization’s Website: “More Than Just a Day at the Beach.
On Fri., Sept. 30, during various competitions, music filled the air, too, as fliers enjoyed summer like breezes from the southwest, pushing their kites toward the azure sky.
Many on the Boardwalk could not help but gaze skyward admiring the soaring and dipping art forms that danced, some lazily other frantically, as fliers worked feverishly to keep lines tight. One kite appeared to be an alien hovering above the wooden walk, another was a multicolored circle that spun briskly, while over it waltzed a huge seahorse. Of course, there were other diamond and square-shaped kites, while still others circled in dizzying paths.
According to the association’s Website, “We are men, women, adults and children, from all walks of life. Our interests run from kitebuilding to multi-line kite competition, from miniature kites, to aerial photography and more. Some of us are in the kite trade, but we are not a trade organization.
“The AKA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing kiting with the world.
“The American Kitefliers Association was founded in 1964 by the late Robert M. Ingraham of New Mexico. Now, with over 3,000 members, in 25 countries, we are the largest association of kiters in the world. Our purpose is to educate the public in the art, history, technology, and practice of building and flying kites – to advance the joys and values of kiting in all nations.
AKA Goals
“We strive to promote public awareness of the pleasures and educational opportunities that kites provide. They can remind us about how we interact with our environment and each other. Kites can be a source of community building, breaking down barriers that typically prevent us from interacting. No words are needed to fly a kite.”