Watch out! Giant octopus kite in Singapore goes viral

Hold your fright, it's only a kite.

A video of a 20-storey tall octopus kite being flown at Marina Barrage went viral on Facebook.

The video, taken on Sunday, has almost 7 million views and has been shared by more than 6,800 users worldwide, at the time of writing.

It was uploaded by Mr Erich Chew, a friend of the kite's owner.

 

 

The New Paper (TNP) spoke to Madam Maggie Mok, 42, whose husband was part of the team that got the kite airborne.

It took six people to get it in the air and 10 to keep it up there.

She said: "Teamwork plays a huge part in how the kite flies, especially a big one."

The kite before it was launched into the sky. PHOTO: FACEBOOK / JOHNNY YAP

Madam Mok, a housewife, and her husband, Mr Johnny Yap, have been avid kite flyers for more than seven years.

Every weekend, they get together with a group of friends who share their interest in kite flying.

While the owner of the octopus kite wishes to remain anonymous, Madam Mok told TNP the kite has been flown in Singapore at least twice before.

She was surprised when Mr Chew's video went viral, and received so many views online.

It was never intended to reach so many people.

The video has even been shared by Facebook users from the US.

Madam Mok and her husband aim to use the newfound attention to promote kite flying.

They already own a registered non-profit organisation, Show Kites Singapore, through which they aim to promote kite flying to Singaporeans.

But their efforts do not just stop there. They want Singapore to be established as a kite flying community as well.

Last year, Mr Yap designed a 20-storey kite shaped like the Merlion and had it custom-made in China.

According to Madam Mok, just this year, that particular kite has been flown in China, Korea, Bali and Malaysia.

Mr Yap's custom-made Merlion kite. PHOTO: FACEBOOK / JOHNNY YAP

"There isn't a big kite flying culture in Singapore, but we want people from other countries to know about the little red dot," Madam Mok said.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, as Madam Mok and Mr Yap's interest in kite flying has been passed down to the youngest of their three children.

At the age of 11, Yarden Yap is one of the youngest competitive sport kite flyers in Singapore.

His interest began when he was only four.

Madam Mok and Mr Yap's 11-year-old son, who has been flying for almost seven years. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAGGIE MOK

Last month, the family attended the Uiseong Kite Festival in Korea to support Yarden, who represented Singapore at the festival.

However, Madam Mok highlight that whether one is a first-time flyer or a veteran, it is hard to hide the feeling of getting a kite in the air.

"You can see when someone enjoys it. Especially for children, you can see in their expression if they like flying. They're not being forced to do it."