Power Kites and Trainer Kite Tips to Get Started

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.

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.

If this sounds like something you would like to try, here are four tips for successfully flying a power kite.

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. 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) No matter what you do, it's a necessity to wear a helmet. There is no loophole here, and we want to make sure you understand this thoroughly. Also, land riders will want knee pads and wrist guards as well (maybe even elbow pads). If you're focusing on the water then impact vests, gloves and goggles should be worn for maximum safety (and the helmet of course).

4. Learn on land first. The power kites needed for power kiting on water have to be more powerful to overcome the water's resistance. They have to be very powerful and efficient. Depowering systems are usually built into the kites used over water. Learn to use your power kite on land first, and then take lessons on using your power kite over water before trying it.

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.

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.

About the Author

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