Let’s Go Fly a Kite

Let’s Go Fly a Kite

Rakesh Bahadur Readies for His
37th Santa Barbara Kite Festival

By Tyler Hayden | April 13, 2023

Never run with a kite. Instead, for a smooth takeoff, have someone stand several yards downwind, hold your kite above their head, and release. Then slowly step back, letting out more line as you go.

And for God’s sake, if it doesn’t already have one, don’t ever add a tail. It’ll just weigh the kite down. Think Charlie Brown.

Those are the two pieces of advice you’ll get from Santa Barbara’s resident kite master, Rakesh Bahadur, when you pick his brain about the best way to fly. He admits it’s hard to put into words the thing he’s been doing since he was little.