Kites
Kites have been flown for thousands of years, having first been developed in China about 3,000 years ago. Kites were originally used for scientific and military purposes. Almost everyone is familiar with Benjamin Franklin's electricity experiment using a kite flying in a storm. In the early 1900s Guglielmo Marconi used kites to help support antennas in early radio experiments. Before the advent of airplane, a Samuel Franklin Cody designed a kite that was capable of lifting a man in the air, which was used by the military for battlefield reconnaissance. During World War II kites where used as target practice by anti-aircraft crews. Downed pilots and shipwrecked seaman used kites to lift an antenna for the famous Gibson Girl radio which would transmit an S.O.S. signal.
Today kites are used mainly for recreation use. With constant improvements in technology and materials, kites are now used for many different recreational activities including kite buggying, kite aerial photography, kite kayaking, kitesurfing, kite mountainboarding, trick flying and of course for just having fun at the park or a beach.
Sport and Stunt Kites
Stunt kites are flown using two lines, the direction of the kite is controlled by pushing or pulling on the right or left handle or a combination of both. With enough practice and experience these kites can perform a variety of amazing acrobatic tricks. Parafoil sport kites are similar to standard stunt kites in that they are flown using two lines. However, they are built for speed and pull not to perform tricks. Unlike standard stunt kites, parafoils have no spars (sticks) so they make a great first choice for those who want to learn sport or power kite flying as they will not break due to a hard crash landing.
See all stunt kites.
Stunt Kite Categories
- Beginner Stunt Kites - Tough kites designed to take a beating from new fliers.
- Freestyle Stunt Kites - Designed to perform all the radical tricks.
- Ballet Stunt Kites - These are kites that are often used in competition. Very sharp and precise turns can be made, yet they are also good as trick kites.
- Low Wind and Indoor Stunt Kites - Great for when there is little of no wind. Some can be flow just by the act of walking backward.
- Parafoil Sport Kites - No spars to break, fast and strong pulling kites great to learn to fly with.
Traction and Power Kites
Power kites, sometimes called traction kites, are the engines used to pull a kite buggy at speeds up to 50 mph, help a kite surfer race across the surface of the ocean, and propel a mountainboard across open terrain and skiers through snowy fields. Most power kites today don't have any spars and controlled by four lines on handles or a control bar, the top to lines control the direction of the kite and the bottom two lines are the brake lines to slow the kite down. Because of the great amount of power and lift these kites can generate, we don't recommend you purchase a power kite if you have no experience flying sports kite, it is better to star with a dual line parafoil to learn the basics before purchasing on of these.
See all power kites.
Single Line Kites
These are the kites that most people are familiar with and flew as children. Most of today's single line kites are made with ripstop nylon sails instead of plastic or paper. Single line kites are made in all sorts of different shapes, styles and sizes. From the tradition diamond and delta to animal and geometric shapes. Of course, single line kites are what you see most kids flying at the park, but they are also popular when used for kite aerial photography or kite kayaking.
See all single line kites.
Single Line Kite Categories
- Box Kites
- Delta Kites
- Delta Conyne Kites
- Diamond Kites
- Parafoil Kites
- Kayak Kites
- Sled Kites
- Kite Kits
- Rokkaku Kites
- Art and Animal Kites
Revolution Kites
Revolution kites are four line sport kites with an unorthodox shape. They are known for their very precise maneuvers because of the four control lines. They can fly forward and backward, go from a 60 mph dive and stop and reverse on a dime, and larger ones have the pull to power a kite buggy.
See all Revolution kites.