Dave’s Kites

Kiting has long been a popular Indian pastime, and now Indian kite fans can take to the skies with a range of power kites. Yaka plans to import a range of Peter Lynn power kites. Greg Bourne, director of Yaka, comments: “Yaka will be selling kites suitable for the whole family to learn the basics of powerkiting in the park or at the beach, as well as advanced kites for people who want more speed and lift for jumping, buggying and kiteboarding.” Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve never seen one of these before, but while looking at some sites came across them. Marco Casadio makes them, probably more popular this year due to the inflatable cherub kite seen at a number of festivals. These kites bring inflatable and framed kites together in an excellent way. Its quite rare to see rods in inflatable kites, with only a few people giving it a try, such as Martin Lester. This seems to work really well. Take a look at the side view below: Read the rest of this entry »

Following the success of kitesurfing the new thing is kites on snow! All the major manufacturers are churning the designs out this year. Some of the most impressive are coming from the minds at Ozone. Ozone have taken their paraglider knowledge and put it to good use. It is exactly this that gives them the edge over their competitors with power foils. For 2008 three new kites have been released: The Access XC, the Frenzy FX and the Manta II. Read the rest of this entry »

Flying Empress Kites are relatively new to the kiting scene. But in a relatively short space of time they have begun to pop out a number of interesting designs. The first few kites were based on a novel version of the sled kite, which allowed a number of character kites to be produced relatively easily. Lately they have developed the inflatable Chinese dragon kite which has proved to be a popular design. There are now producing two new ’stunt’ foils. These are not built for performance, but rather as show stoppers at festivals! Read the rest of this entry »

It seems that the leading edge inflatable (LEI) design hasn’t moved on for a long time. I remember seeing the original kites produced following Bruno Legainoux patent in the late 80s. Since then there does not seem to have been much innovation. More and more manufacturers have come along and made slight variations on the general theme - until now. Read the rest of this entry »

Following a huge number of deaths during large kite flying festivals across Pakistan the use of nylon, metallic and Manjha (glass coated kite line) was banned. Kites are traditionally flown from the roofs of houses across cities and fighter kite battles are held between neighbours. This Tuesday it was announced by the Local Government and Community Development Association that amendments in the Punjab Prohibition of Dangerous Kite-Flying Activities would be made. The proposed amendments include lifting the ban on the use of Manjha. Read the rest of this entry »

2007 marks Brookite’s 100th year in business! Since 1907 the company has been manufacturing kites for Marconi, the Government and children and adults all over the world. It was over 90 years ago when a Brookite Kite literally hit the heights when headlines the world over announced that Marconi had made the world’s first transatlantic wireless message, which was made possible by an aerial carried aloft using a Brookite kite. Read the rest of this entry »

Following years of frustration there could finally be some movement towards lifting the ban on kite traction at Lytham St. Annes on the Fylde coast, UK. This is a massive beach in the north west of england.

Fylde Council is now in talks with the British Federation of Sand and Land Yacht Clubs to bring tournaments back to the coast. This could pave the way for the reintroduction of all kite sports to the area. Paul Norris, executive manager of community and cultural service said: “The council has written to the remaining trustees of the sand yacht club offering them a variety of options”. Read the rest of this entry »

Here is a Linefoil made by Karen of the Kite Collective, UK. She is using two large tube tails to successfully provide enough drag to stabilise the kite. It flies well in a range of winds, and can be used as a pilot kite itself to lift up your line junk.

Here is a Pacman kite made by Martijn Vermeulen of the Netherlands. You can see that he has used large tube for stability (by his head!) I have used a series of balls, that look like the Pacman pills. The tube tail that I use with my Linefoil also produces good flying characteristics, especially in the skipping rope arrangement. The kite flies well in lighter winds, even without a pilot kite.