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Sport Kites Info

There are some basic this you need to know to get your sport kite going. Once you are comfortable with launching, landing and a few simple moves, the adventure begins and the only limit is your imagination!

Remember that Sport Kites are built for flying - not for crashing. When a kite hits the ground the laws of physics are operating: when a fast moving object hits a stationery object, something will break - this is usually the kite.

The kites we sell are built to high standards with good quality materials and are strong enough to withstand minor crashes. They are made to perform in the air, not on the ground. Most of the mistakes happen when flyers first fly their kites and are getting used to the way it works.

So, some things to remember are:

  • Let out all the line before you begin to fly - ensure both lines the same length.
  • Keep the kite high in the sky when trying new moves - there is more time for correcting before it hits the ground.
  • If it looks as though the kite is going to hit the ground, lunge towards it - this will release the wind pressure and lessen the force of the impact (physics again).
  • Think about turning in clockwise and anticlockwise directions, rather than left and right, as sometimes the kite will be upside down and this can cause unexpected results.
  • Don't drag the kite once it has crashed. It can catch on sticks, seaweed and other things on the ground and the sail can score or even tear.

Be aware of the wind you are flying in:

  • If there is not enough wind, you will have trouble keeping the kite airborne.
  • If there is too much wind, the kite will go faster than usual - you will have trouble controlling it and may get dragged along by it.
  • If the wind is really gusty, you will have patches of increased wind, which will speed up manoeuvres, and when the wind drops, the kite will drop in the air. This is typical of a Canterbury nor'wester - which is not a recommended flying wind.

If you are having trouble with assembly or knot-tying processes on your kite, I can often talk (by phone or email) through these to ensure that your kite flying experience is successful.

I am keen to ensure that my customers are happy and would always prefer to have the opportunity to help you overcome any problems with your product. You can phone or email me if you have any queries.