Getting started in power kiting

Power kites are perhaps the most popular type of kite at present. Likened to a parachute, the bigger kites produce massive pull, however the smaller kites of around 2 meters can be used to get to grips with controlling them.

Power kites come with either 2 or 4 lines to control them. The most popular option being the 4 line power kites; the extra two lines act as brakes to slow the kite down.

For the customers looking for the ultimate thrill, you can also purchase buggies and boards to use with your power kite. To use these you really need to have the maximum pull and therefore should have a bigger power kite. Below is a comprehensive guide of everything you need to know to get started in the world of power kiting.

Choosing your kite

When first starting out in the world of power kiting it can be quite daunting trying to decide which kite is right for you. There is a huge array of really great kites on the market so you won’t be lacking in choice. The kite you choose really depends on a couple of factors: your experience level and your size. Below are some categories that will help you decide which kite might be right for you.

Dual or quad line

These are the two main categories that a kite will fall into. Dual line power kites are operated by just two lines from the foil, they are very basic and easy to fly, you simply pull the right handle to make the kite dive right and vice versa for the left handle. They are perfect for beginners and will allow you to get to grips with the basic mechanics of flying a kite.

Quad line power kites are a little more complex. These have four lines coming from the foil, two on either side. The top lines control the direction of flight for the kite (just like on a dual line) however the additional two lines are called brakes and they control the speed of the kite. The extra two lines give you a huge amount more control over the kite and allow you to perform some really impressive tricks. The brake lines also make launching a power kite much easier as you can simply apply them until you are ready to start flying. Quad line power kites are aimed more at people who have already flown a dual line and are comfortable with the sport. Below is a great selection of quad line power kites that we stock:

• HQ beamer V
• flexifoil Sting
• Peter Lynn Hornet
• Flexifoil Rage
• Peter Lynn Twister
• Flexifoil Blade

Beginner

As mentioned above, beginners should really go for a dual line power kite. This will allow you to familiarise yourself with the sport and will also not limit you to just flying on low wind days, as a big power kite would be too overwhelming in high wind conditions. Here is a great selection of beginner power kites that we stock:

• Flexifoil Buzz
• Peter Lynn Vibe 2
• HQ Symphony Beach.
• Flexifoil Big Buzz
• Radsail Radbasic

Choosing your size

The size of kite that you buy should really depend on your size and weight, also you should take into consideration the conditions and locations that you will be flying the kite in. Always remember that if you are flying in a crowded pace such as a beach, you should choose your kite size sensibly as going too big could have serious consequences.

Choosing your equipment

There is a really great selection of power kiting accessories in our online store. Some we would label as essential, some are optional and some are just down to personal preference.

Kite killers

Kite killers are something that we would strongly recommend that every quad line power kite flyer should use. They are very cheap and simple to install yet they can literally save your life. You attach one end to the brake lines of your kite and the other end to your wrist. If you lose control of your kite for whatever reason, you can simply let go of the control bar/handles and the kite killers will apply the brakes and bring the kite down safely, this way you stay safe and your kite stays in one piece.

Bar or handle

This is really a personal preference choice. Both are great choices but give very different flying characteristics to the kite. Handles are very precise and offer maximum manoeuvrability and control, applying the brakes is much simpler and they allow you to easily reverse launch the kite. Bars are ideal for trainer kites, they restrict the manoeuvrability of the kite and how much angle you can apply but this does make flying smoother and more restrained.

Protective gear

Protective gear such as helmets, knee pads and harnesses are entirely up to you when static flying. However we would strongly recommend using as much protection as possible when boarding or buggying as the speeds you reach can get quite high and a fall can seriously harm you if you are not fully protected.

The wind window

The wind window is the available area that your kite will fly in. The power that your kite generates will change in accordance with where it is positioned within the wind window. The edges of the window are where the wind is lightest and therefore the kite will generate less pull, this is always the safest place to launch your kite, you can then move your kite further into the window and build up the power of the kite as and when you feel you can handle it.

Flying safely

It is always incredibly important to remain safe at all times, read through these guidelines before flying to get an idea of what to do to stay safe.

1. Wear gloves to protect your hands from cuts and burns from the flying line.
2. Never fly a kite in wet or stormy weather.
3. Never fly a kite where it may fall on a power line.
4. If a kite should become entangled with a power line, do not attempt to free it. Report the situation to the local power company and ask for their help.
5. Do not use a metallic part more than one inch long in constructing a kite.
6. Never use wire or metallic line to fly a kite. Always keep your line dry.
7. Do not fly from or over a street or highway.
8. Avoid trees – they eat kites. If you should lose a kite to a tree, loosen the line and let the wind blow it out. Do not climb the tree.
9. Do not fly near airports.
10. Avoid holes in the ground, gullies, and slopes as well as broken glass and any other debris on the field.
11. Do not allow your flying lines, particularly manoeuvrable kite lines, to touch any bystander.
12. Use extreme caution when launching and flying large kites.
13. Do not fasten yourself to your flying line unless you have an efficient quick release system.