The Top 4 Tips to Fly Power Kites

Written by Andy Simmons

Wednesday, 09 December 2009 09:05

by AndySimmons

If you haven't had the opportunity to fly power kites before, you're missing out on a terrific sport. However, before you get started it's important to understand the concept behind them and how they work for different individuals. The first thing to realize is that there are 3 prime power kites today; the supported leading edge, leading edge inflatables, and foils. You can utilize various vehicles, boards, or even water to enjoy power kites today. When it's time to choose yours there will be anywhere from 2 to 5 lines present, as well as a bar or grip to hold.

Variety is a word that is definitely used when talking about power kites. They come in all different shapes and sizes that can be anywhere from 1.5 square meters to 50. The thing you have to remember is that they are various ones because of the different ways to fly them. For instance; one trainer kite tip would be that using a boat will mean you purchase certain power kites that are geared for that type of speed and velocity. Take a boat called Jacob's Ladder back in 1982 that used a power kite to hit 25 knots in sailing speed. Twenty-six years later a kiteboard exceeded 50 knots.

This lets you know how much the technology has changed with power kites over the years. So today we want to share 4 tips to help you get started on the right foot.

1. Start with a small, two-line trainer kite. For kids, small adults, and strong winds, start with a 1.2 meter kite or a 1.4 meter kite. A 1.8 meter kite will offer more power, but will still be relatively easy to control. Larger power kites, such as 2.2 meter ones, are made for more experienced fliers who want a strong pull. Most kites need very little wind to fly. It is important to understand that different kites that are the same size may lift and handle differently. That's another great reason to start out with a more predictable steady kite. Two-line kites let beginners master the basics of power kiting and usually only fly in a forward direction.

2. Familiarize yourself with the "wind window." This is the region above ground in which power kites can fly. If you fly your power kite in different parts of the wind window, you will get different levels of pull and different directions. At the edges of the wind window, power goes down drastically. If you're not sure how much power you'll be getting, you should launch from the edge of the wind window and test the kite by dipping it to the power zone. If the conditions in the power part of the wind window are beyond your skill level, use your safety system to abort the ride safely.

3. At minimum, wear a helmet when power kiting. There are helmets specifically for land uses and helmets specifically for water use. Knee pads and wrist guards are also a good idea for land use. For using power kites over water, impact vests, gloves, and goggles are recommended to maximize safety. But whether you're power kiting on land or water, a helmet is a necessity.

4) Beginners should focus on trying power kites on land first. The biggest reason for this is because the water resistance requires more power, which means it will be more difficult to control. Even when it is time to work on your water power kiting we recommend taking water lessons before you start.

Once you start enjoying power kiting you will realize how addicting it can be. It's all about progressing through the sport, and once you get a handle on the two-line trainer kite, you will want to jump to kite sailing, kiteboarding and all the other options available. Just keep in mind it can be a dangerous sport, so safety gear is a requirement.

The more you try, the more fun you will have with power kites. Plus, you may end up liking one style more than another. Whether its with buggies, boards, skates or skis, there are plenty of options available. Heck, you might even check out snowboarding power kiting and experience the crazy adrenaline rush levels there. What it comes down to though is everyone has to start out at the beginning. The more knowledge you have around the sport, the easier it will be to fly power kites.

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Want to find out more about power kites, then visit this resource site on how to choose the best kitesurfing kites for your needs.