How to Power Kite

Like sailing or windsurfing, power kiting uses a large sail to catch the wind and propel you on a variety of surfaces at speeds greater than the wind is blowing. But unlike sailing and windsurfing, in which sails are attached to the vessel, a power kite sails in the sky above you, attached to long lines with a control bar at the end that pulls you along. Once you have the basic kite-flying techniques mastered, you can use a power kite to pull you along land or water while riding on or in a variety of low-traction vehicles.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Trainer kite
• Power kite appropriate to wind speed
• Mountainboard, skateboard, snowboard, buggy or kitesurfing board
• Smooth surface
• Wind

Work Your Way Up

1. Know what you're doing. Any kite that can pull you can also hurt you if you don't know what you're doing. This is why it's important to learn the basics of power kite flight with a trainer kite, which is simply a smaller version of the larger kites. Trainer kites come in a variety of sizes, from about 1 to 3 1/2 meters wide. While the 1-meter kites give you an idea of how to fly, the larger trainer kites will give you a better respect for the wind while still being a safe kite to fly.

2. Understand the wind window. The wind window is the area of the sky in which you control the kite. The edge of the wind window, where there is the least amount of power in the kite, is directly above your head--12 o'clock--and extends to the ground in an arch shape directly to your left and right. As you begin flying the kite horizontally, bringing it closer to eye level out in front of you, you will notice that the kite flies much faster and pulls a lot harder. This is where you position the kite when you are ready for it to pull you on your vehicle. It is known as the power zone, and it increases in intensity as you bring the kite from the edge of the wind window down and directly in front of you with the wind at your back.

3. Fly your kite through the power zone in a figure-eight motion that resembles an infinity sign once you are able to comfortably control the kite along the edges of the wind window. As you figure-eight the kite, try to do it as smoothly as possible so that you feel a consistent amount of pull from the kite throughout the motion. This is the motion that will help generate additional speed as you are pulled.

4. Launch a big kite for the first time without a board, on land and with a partner. With the wind at your back and the kite to your left or right side--the edge of the wind window--have your partner launch the kite into the air. Once in the air, fly the kite along the edge of the wind window to the "parked" position directly above your head. Once you feel confident, ease the kite into the power zone to get a feel for the pull and continue to do so as you feel comfortable.

5. Start with the kite in the parked position, put on your board and then ease the kite into the power position when you're ready to hop on a board. Ride back and forth perpendicular to the direction of the wind to obtain the most power from the kite. If you need a bit more power, fly the kite in figure-eight motions to generate more pull.

Tips & Warnings

• What surface you ride on will determine what kite you get. The leading edge of a water kite is inflatable and will float if it falls. These are called LEI kites--Leading Edge Inflatable. A foil kite is designed with multiple open cells that are inflated as wind passes through them. They can only be used on land, but they are cheaper, more durable and produce more power than an LEI kite of the same size. Most kiteboarders have at least two kites of different size that can be flown in different wind speeds. Be sure to fly the appropriate kite for the given wind.
• If you feel the kite is out of control, just let go. Power kites have a safety system that automatically deflates the kite if you let go. Most of the larger trainer kites will have this feature as well.

Resources

• Learn About and Purchase Kiteboarding Gear

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