So you want to buy a kite but don't know where to start. Well, you have come to the right place. We are going to make this pretty simple. First, we have single line kites. Most people are familiar with these from when they were kids or have seen others flying them. They are great for both kids and people that just want to display them overhead while on a beech for example. They come in all shapes and sizes and can even be vary elaborate works of art. If there is enough enough wind then launching them is pretty simple and once in the air they should stay put with little effort. Generally they are simplest to set up and fly. Again great for kids an people that just want to relax and enjoy the flying colors. 

     Next, we have stunt kites. These are typically 2 lined kites although there are 4 line versions that are very acrobatic. These kites are typically sold with a wind rating in MPH. Usually the higher the wind rating the heavier the construction and vise versa. They can also be made from a wide variety of materials that will greatly effect there cost. Unlike single line kites these are steerable and depending on the design can very acrobatic in nature and a blast to fly. With a quick YouTube search for stunt kites, you will see how people can seemingly give life to these pieces of carbon and cloth. Although there is a learning curve to getting them to fly like that. So, if you want a kite that you can zoom around sky and do acrobatics with then stunt kites my be for you. Be warned, there are addicting, and before you know it you will have a quiver full. Ask me how know...

     Power kites come in a variety of sizes from small 1 meter up to 17 meters or more in size. The larger kites are typically used for kite surfing. While very cool they are out of the scope of this conversation. If that sport interest you I would recommend seeking out a kite surfing shop. With that out of the way, power kites can consist 2, 3, or 4 lines. The 2 line versions are usually smaller, faster, and more controllable than the larger versions. In stronger winds they will give you a workout and can even pull you across the ground. This is called 'scudding' and it's pretty fun. The smaller 3 line versions are designed as trainer kites for things such as kite surfing and kite boarding. The 4 liners are what comes to my mind as true general use power kites. What do I mean by this? Well, when I started flying I wanted a kite that would pull me around and allow me get air in the form of kite jumping. While it true that all the kites mentioned are power kites, I sort of section these out in my mind right or wrong. The most popular sizes are roughly 3m, 4m, and 5m with sizes in between. Once you get to the 4m and 5m kites and start  flying in winds over 10mph you will need a harness. These things pull like freight trains and holding onto them becomes a real challenge. They can also inflict serious injury by either dragging you or lifting you up into the air and letting you down hard. Ok, with that said, these kites are really fun and will provide you with plenty of exercise. But, if you are new to kiting and like the idea of a power kite I would recommend starting with a 2 line version that's 2m in size. Why? Because they are affordable, they pack up small enough to fit into a glovebox, and are super fun to fly. These are my go to kites right now. Sometime the 3.5m comes out and only once it a great while do I get the 5m kites anymore. 

     Of coarse this just scratches the surface and everything can be broken down much further. My hope was to provide a little insight when choosing a kite. If you have any questions please reach out to me and I'll assist you in any way I can. 

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Clear Skies,

Greg 

Windy Day Kites