MUSCAT — As you approach the Seeb Beach, bustling with activities on weekends, you will be greeted by colourful creations fluttering in the sky.

It’s a wonderful sight to see several kites of various sizes and shapes, including the inflatable ones, adorn the sky. Kites resembling animals, fish and other innovative models dancing in the air bring the festival spirit alive.

As part of the Muscat Festival, every year kite show creates thrill and excitement in the air. This year kite surfers from Oman, Britain, Germany and Holland are all there to demonstrate their kite-flying and kite-surfing skills.

“Kite flying and kite surfing sport is new to Oman. By participating in the festival, we are creating awareness so that more Omanis and other AGCC nationals learn this art,” says Yousef Al Davor, windmaster, in-charge of organising kite shows.

The team of kite flyers led by Yousef has been displaying kites and demonstrating the art since the start of this grand fiesta. Associated with Ozone International, these kite surfers have been having good fun painting the sky in varied colours.

Kite surfing uses the wind as propelling force. Kite surfers stand on a board and steer the airborne kite.

Mountain board specialist Yannick Schwickert and Marc Gribener from Germany were thrilled to be in Oman exhibiting their skills. Similarly, Alum Appleton from Britain, who powers the kite buggy, was full of praise for Oman’s beauty and coastline. “The Sultanate has all that it necessary for kite surfing,” Alum said. Lex Dekker from Holland was also positive about the growth of the sport in Oman.

“Kite flying and kite surfing can become quite popular in Oman on account of its excellent beaches and the right kind of wind conditions,” they add.

As far as kite designs are concerned, bow kites are quite popular. There has been a progression of kite designs each year. The diamond kite shape is most well known and easy to make.

The kite show does not end on the Seeb Beach. If you move to the Malaysian pavilion at the Qurum Natural Park, you will spot a man making and selling kites.

“We participate every year in the Muscat Festival. I have come to Muscat for the first time,” says Kasim bin Mirun, who is ready to teach the art of kite making to anyone who is interested.

With kite-making materials, Mirun sits in the stall with various kites displayed on the wall. The cost of the kites Kasim sells is between RO2 and RO45. “While the smaller kites serve as show pieces, the bigger ones are used for flying,” he adds.

Similarly, at the Muscat Festival last year, Haji Kasim, a pioneer in Malaysian kite-making and a member of jury at many of the international kite festivals, was in Oman to offer tips on kite-making at the Malaysian pavilion.

Kite-flying is said to have originated in China at least 3,000 years ago during the Hun Dynasty. The Chinese armies made kites attached with bamboo pipes to fly over the enemy. When the wind passed through the pipes, it made an eerie whistling sound causing the enemy to panic and run for their lives.

Later it was experimented as a scientific instrument for various researches. From China, the art of kite flying spread to Asia, then later to Europe, and now, in the modern age, to America, Australia and other countries.

So, if you are a kite enthusiast, Oman is one of the best places in the world to fly and surf kites. Just do it.