The Top 4 Tips to Fly Power Kites
Power kites are designed to pull the person flying it – almost as if the kite is flying the user. They may be rigid-framed or soft, and there are three main types of power kites: supported leading edge, leading edge inflatables, and foils. They are used recreationally along with a ground board or vehicle. Vehicles used with power kites include kiteboards, kite buggies, kite landboards, all-terrain skates, skis, snowboards, or boats. Power kites come equipped with a control system that will have from two to five lines, and a handle or bar as well.
It’s also important to understand that the sizes will drastically vary. You can find power kites that are as small as 1.5 square meters to as large as 50 square meters. It all depends on the vehicle you’re using and whether or not you’ll be taking advantage of this sport on land or water. A good example of this is back in 82′, a boat called Jacob’s Ladder used a power kite to hit 25 knots in sailing speed. In 2008, someone exceeded 50 knots on a kiteboard.
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) Always start out with a two-line trainer kite. Remember these pull you around, so if this is for a child or even a small adult, the kite should be somewhere around 1.2 to 1.4 meters. These are easier to control, but it you do want a little more power then you might reach as high as 1.8 meters. These need minuscule amounts of wind to fly, but it’s important to understand that even the same power kites in size will lift and handle differently. So stick with a predictable steady kite in the beginning. This way you can master the basics and start out flying in a forward direction.
2) One of the most important parts to the learning process is the “wind window.” This is the area in the air where power kites fly. If you hit different areas of the wind window you will notice different pulls and directional issues. You’ll know when you hit the edge of a wind window though, because the power vanishes quickly. The best avenue to figure out what kind of power you’ll get is starting at the edge of the window and dropping your trainer kite into the power zone. If you struggle in this area then it’s safer to cut back.
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.
It isn’t easy to pick out a favorite form of traction. Buggies, boards, skates, skis, and snowboards all have their own “awesomeness” factors. You’ll probably want to try them all at some point. But if you’re just starting out, do some research, and be sure to choose a trainer kite that you can maneuver easily over land. Then work up to larger, more complex power kites, and master handling your kite over land before attempting to use power kites over water.
Looking to find the best deal on trainer kite, then visit www.powerkitesdirect.com to find the best advice on power kites.
