How to Manage Kite Turns

Flying a two-line stunt kite is as challenging as it is fun. You will want to learn the basic motions of controlling the lines to make your kite turn, dive and twist. You can guide your kite with precision as it loops and soars across the sky.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A kite

1. Choose an open field with a wide clearance of open sky. Give yourself plenty of room to maneuver. Watch out for power lines, trees, other kites and the people who fly them.

2. Prepare your lines. You need at least 75 feet for good flying. More than 150 feet of line makes your kite slow to respond. Make sure your lines are of equal length. Tie them securely to the handles.

3. Launch your kite, bringing it well up into the sky. Once you have it flying nicely, begin playing with the two lines. Pull gently to left and watch the kite move in that direction. Pull it back to the right. Feel how the kite moves under your control.

4. Make your first turn by pulling on the left line and easing off on the right. Go as far as the wind will allow, then turn it back to the right. Lean forward and back and then step around a bit. Loosen up and get your whole body into it. If your kite begins to lose altitude, turn the kite upright and take a step back, pulling down on both lines. The kite will rise.

5. Pull harder on one line and watch the kite go into a dive. Bring it into a tight dive to make a loop. You can send it through several loops, letting the lines twist around each other; you'll still have control. Spin the kite the other direction to unwind the lines.

6. Add a long, colorful tail for a tracer effect as you go through turns. Take three or four tight loops and watch how the tail finishes its spiral after you come out of the spin.