Those who have had the opportunity to fly power kites already know they are designed a specific way. These are geared to actually pull the person flying it. There are 3 prime power kites you will see today; the supported leading edge, leading edge inflatables and foils. Individuals who enjoy these are usually just having a good time and adding doing so on ground boards or from vehicles. If you want to try this with a vehicle there should be everything from a kiteboard, buggy and landboard to all-terrain skates, skis, and various other options. They also come with anywhere from 2-5 line and some sort of bar to grip on to while enjoying them.
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) In the beginning you should always start off with a two-line trainer kite. This will allow you to easily control your power kite and stay within the safety measures. These are also highly recommended for children and small adults due to the pulling issues. They should be somewhere in between 1.2 to 1.4 meters. However, if you find that a little more power is okay you can go as high as 1.8 meters before it becomes a real issue. Just remember, the same sized power kites can still lift and handle differently. It's in your best interests to stay with a predictable power kite and just fly in a forward direction.
2) When you start getting the hang of everything you will hear more about the "wind window." This is the area above the ground that will offer air for your power kites to fly. You don't need much, but you could experience different pulls and directional issues. Once you hit the edge though your power will greatly decrease. If you want to figure out if you can handle the power zone, start out at the edge and then drop into the power zone with your trainer kite. If it's too difficult then you should abort the ride.
3) We also recommend wearing a helmet when using power kites. There are some for land and some for water so make sure you're getting the right one for your scenario. If you're on land it's a good idea to utilize knee pads and wrist guards as well. Water versions will require impact vests, gloves, goggles, and of course the helmet for maximum safety. Either way though the 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.
Power kiting can be an addicting sport. First you start out with a small two-line trainer kite and next thing you're wanting to learn kite sailing, kiteboarding, and every other type of traction you can pair with your kite. It can be enormously fun and rewarding, but you have to keep in mind the dangers involved too. Always wear a helmet and if you're over water, wear an impact vest too.
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.
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) In the beginning you should always start off with a two-line trainer kite. This will allow you to easily control your power kite and stay within the safety measures. These are also highly recommended for children and small adults due to the pulling issues. They should be somewhere in between 1.2 to 1.4 meters. However, if you find that a little more power is okay you can go as high as 1.8 meters before it becomes a real issue. Just remember, the same sized power kites can still lift and handle differently. It's in your best interests to stay with a predictable power kite and just fly in a forward direction.
2) When you start getting the hang of everything you will hear more about the "wind window." This is the area above the ground that will offer air for your power kites to fly. You don't need much, but you could experience different pulls and directional issues. Once you hit the edge though your power will greatly decrease. If you want to figure out if you can handle the power zone, start out at the edge and then drop into the power zone with your trainer kite. If it's too difficult then you should abort the ride.
3) We also recommend wearing a helmet when using power kites. There are some for land and some for water so make sure you're getting the right one for your scenario. If you're on land it's a good idea to utilize knee pads and wrist guards as well. Water versions will require impact vests, gloves, goggles, and of course the helmet for maximum safety. Either way though the 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.
Power kiting can be an addicting sport. First you start out with a small two-line trainer kite and next thing you're wanting to learn kite sailing, kiteboarding, and every other type of traction you can pair with your kite. It can be enormously fun and rewarding, but you have to keep in mind the dangers involved too. Always wear a helmet and if you're over water, wear an impact vest too.
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.
About the Author:
Learn more about power kites. Stop by Andy Simmons's site where you can find out all about kite surfing kites and what it can do for you.
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