Kites
Created | Updated Apr 12, 2002
Not long ago, mention kite flying and people would think of 'sticks, paper and string'.
Well nowadays a modern kite is made of high tech materials like carbon fibre, mylar, ripstop nylon and uses dynema lines (no we don't fly on 'bits of string' no matter what Mary Poppins sings).
Kite flying can be a wonderful; stress relieving; pastime - out in the fresh air, hopefully in nice weather, ignoring the rest of the world.
It's a sport that can be enjoyed by young and old alike; with various kite festivals throughout the year where you can see, and even try, some of the many different types of kite flying:
Static kites - which can either be bought or made - these can be as simple as a sparless sled through to intricate designs of ships, dragons or even 'legs'. They always form the basis of kite festival, where permission is normally granted for flying at high altitudes upto 10,000ft (normally kites are not allowed above 200ft for aircraft safety reasons).
Stunt kites - the basis of many peoples kite flying, a two line delta kite that can be controlled any where in the winds 'window'. Stunt kites are flown both for recreation and competition, with the display teams (of any number over two - commonly six or eight) being the pinnacle of aerial ballet.
Fighting kites - a traditional and popular type of kite flying, using hand 'crafted' (I wont say made, that would be an insult to the beauty of some of these kites) paper and bamboo kites flying on a single line. The line has a section impregnated with glass to cut the opponents lines - before he cuts yours.
Power or traction kites - ever has a kite lift you off the ground? No, well you've not played with one of these then. Often parafoil based, with or without spars and using two or four lines; these kites can be used for jumping, buggying, sailing, surfing or just plain old fun!
Trick kites - the fun starts here… some of the most fascinating kites around. Would you believe a two line delta kite that can flip, spin, roll, invert, fly backwards or hover? These will! Some of the latest trick kites use bridles that have take years to develop so that you can get the kite to do what you want, when you want - without it being called a fluke.
Well nowadays a modern kite is made of high tech materials like carbon fibre, mylar, ripstop nylon and uses dynema lines (no we don't fly on 'bits of string' no matter what Mary Poppins sings).
Kite flying can be a wonderful; stress relieving; pastime - out in the fresh air, hopefully in nice weather, ignoring the rest of the world.
It's a sport that can be enjoyed by young and old alike; with various kite festivals throughout the year where you can see, and even try, some of the many different types of kite flying:
Static kites - which can either be bought or made - these can be as simple as a sparless sled through to intricate designs of ships, dragons or even 'legs'. They always form the basis of kite festival, where permission is normally granted for flying at high altitudes upto 10,000ft (normally kites are not allowed above 200ft for aircraft safety reasons).
Stunt kites - the basis of many peoples kite flying, a two line delta kite that can be controlled any where in the winds 'window'. Stunt kites are flown both for recreation and competition, with the display teams (of any number over two - commonly six or eight) being the pinnacle of aerial ballet.
Fighting kites - a traditional and popular type of kite flying, using hand 'crafted' (I wont say made, that would be an insult to the beauty of some of these kites) paper and bamboo kites flying on a single line. The line has a section impregnated with glass to cut the opponents lines - before he cuts yours.
Power or traction kites - ever has a kite lift you off the ground? No, well you've not played with one of these then. Often parafoil based, with or without spars and using two or four lines; these kites can be used for jumping, buggying, sailing, surfing or just plain old fun!
Trick kites - the fun starts here… some of the most fascinating kites around. Would you believe a two line delta kite that can flip, spin, roll, invert, fly backwards or hover? These will! Some of the latest trick kites use bridles that have take years to develop so that you can get the kite to do what you want, when you want - without it being called a fluke.
