Karl Longbottom, Kite Workshops

Kite Workshop kite: Jelly Fish

 

Karl is available to run kite workshops for adults and children alike, ranging from simple sleds to complex ripstop kites.

He has been running kite workshops for all ages for over twenty years. He introduces his audience to the history of kites from all around the world, including both kites and pictures.

He carefully guides his students through making their first kite from basic materials and gives them an opportunity to fly it.

 

When time and ability allows, he moves onto a more complex structure using paper and bamboo where decoration becomes part of the task.

More advanced groups use rip-stop nylon and carbon fibre; again flying their creation becomes an integral part of the experience for all concerned.

Projects include making simple kites to the more complex Indian fighters, Thai snakes or Japanese edos. They are cross curricular and cover the subjects of:

  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Citizenship
  • Design Technology
  • Geography
  • Art

Kite Workshop kite: Thai Snake

 

Swan Kite Workshop

 

The cost of the workshop depends on the length of time booked (minimum two hours), the distance and time he has to travel and the materials to be used. Contact Karl to discuss what you are looking for.

Karl runs advanced kite workshops for the various kite clubs around the UK.

This occasion, with the Northern Kite Group was the first of the many Swan workshops that Karl has run both in the UK and abroad.

 

This picture is from when Karl undertook a kite workshop in Cefn Forest working with a group which included some partially sighted adults.

The numbers were small and a lot of assistance with making the kites was required but they were all able to make a simple Eddy kite and were very proud of them.

Cefn Forest  Kite Workshop

 

 

Raymond de Graaf at the kite workshop in Mangalore, India

 

One of the most rewarding kite workshops was in Mangalore, India.

Karl, his wife Sara, Raymond de Graaf and Team Mangalore all worked together helping over fifty students of St Agnes Special School to each make their own sled kite.

Later that same day they went to make more kites with pupils of the Saanidhya School, also in Mangalore.