Stunt Kite Tutorial

Simple Stunt Kite Tricks To Get You Started

Published: August 2, 2019

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Categories: Stunt Kiting

If you’re just starting out with kite tricks, you should know that there are different types of kites. For example, four-line quad kites and two-line stunt kites can do lots of tricks and can even be flown in teams. If you opt for a multi-line kite, you can maneuver them around easily, which is lots of fun for a novice or a pro.

Types of Kites

Big, strong-pulling kites are used for wind-surfing, kite-surfing, and other activities in strong wind. You can fly some one-line, light kites and quad kites indoors or if there’s no wind at all. Whatever you choose, we recommend getting started with a beginner’s model. Have a helper hold the kite from behind and grip it by the center strut and base. The lines need to be off the ground so there should be a bit of tension between the two of you. In relatively strong wind, your assistant can just let go, and the kite will fly. In lighter wind, you can give the kite a slight “boost” by taking a step backward as you release it. With some practice, soon you won’t need a helper.

Do a Figure-8

Don’t get really excited even though it may be very tempting. Sudden moves will bring the kite down. Don’t lift your hands up above your head. To move the kite in a giant, smooth figure-eight across the sky, turn to the right, bring your hands even to straighten out, and turn a little more to loop under. After that, straighten out once more. Repeat the process when you have gone all the way over to the left, turning in the other direction.

Experts liken this to riding your bike with the only difference of not having to pedal. If you pulled too hard because you got excited, the kite moved around swiftly and probably crashed. If you do it slowly and gently, the kite will gracefully curve to the right. It will straighten out when you bring your hands back even and swivel all the way around into a circle.

Go Full Circle

If you want to make the kite go full circle or got it to do that unintentionally, the flying lines are now twisted around one another. Don’t worry about this. It’s easy to pull lots of twists in a long set of lines before you lose control of the kite. Turn back the opposite way to that you just did (if you can remember which way you turned) and wait until the lines have gotten untangled again.

Make Twists Disappear

To make twists disappear, just wind the handles around each other if your kite crashed. This is a much more convenient option than having your helper try to untwist the kite.

More Advanced Maneuvers

Once you’ve gotten a good grasp of the basics and are able to do a good figure eight and full circle, you can try several advanced maneuvers. Push with your left hand instead of pulling with your right in an attempt to make a right turn. The result will be comparable, even though the turn’s going to be a bit sharper. Focus as you alternate between pull turns and push turns. There are subtle differences you need to become aware of. Pro flyers use these differences to make various types of maneuvers better and more exciting.

Fly all the way to the right and left and test your kite to see how far “out” it will go. Be attentive as it slows down. When it reaches its limit, it will stop.

Landing

To land your kite, fly out to the limit and steer it down to earth. Try flying squares and circles in the process. 

If you struggle with low winds then this article will help you to maintain flight.

Read more about stunt kites here, or contribute your own stories!