%% INCLUDE html/header title = "Andy's Kite Addiction Pages" keywords = "Kite,Wind,Axel,Flat Spin,Wheee!" description = "Andy Wardley's Kite Addiction Pages" bodytags = "vlink=\"#437bba\"" %% %% INCLUDE header heat = 150 secname = kite secdesc = "Kite Addict" back = "#kite" %%
Speaking seriously, kite flying is a lot of fun, something that can be both relaxing and invigorating and it gets me out of the office into the fresh air. For me it has something of a spiritual significance and I know I'm not alone in thinking that.
So what's it all about?...
...being dragged at 40mph across a beach in a buggy only inches from the ground, powered only by the wind and carving great swarthes of sand and spray as you slide into the turn. This is modern kite flying.
...chilling out with an extreme trick kite on short lines. Double, triple, quad Axels, Flat Spins, Groundwork, Fountain, Slide. Total control of the kite. Total expression. Fast furious, slow and easy. There's no cooler way to pass the day. This is modern kite flying.
...Individuals, Pairs, Teams...Dual-line, Quad Line. Decorators, Airkraft Pilots and Skydancers all have Good Vibrations. Synchronised flying is choreography, interpretation, practice and precision. This is modern kite flying.
...and yes, single line kites painting the sky and riding on the wind:- pegged down while the owners pop off for a swift pint. This too is modern kite flying.
If this is anorak, I'll pull up my hood.
The best bridle design I've come across by far is the Dynamic Bridle, also known as the Turbo Bridle or Infinity Bridle (on the MEFM). Check out the Dynamic Bridle page for an introduction to the dynamic bridle and a discussion on how it can improve the handling of a kite.
If you have an existing kite with a static bridle, there's a good chance you can convert it to a dynamic bridle with the minimum of fuss. The Benson Kites Dynamic Bridles page shows you how to convert a static bridle to a dynamic bridle with a single knot, looking specifically at Tim Benson's trick kites: the Box of Tricks, Reflex and Fusion.
More to follow RSN... Extreme Freestyle... Line/Ground Junk... etc. |
%% INCLUDE footer %%