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Choose the Right Kite For You
We stock a wide range of kites, from leading manufacturers such as Eolo, Invento HQ, Peter Lynn, Rhombus Spirit of Air and Go fly a Kite.
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Single Line Kites
Typically single line kites are designed to be stable in medium winds and are also the easiest for younger children to fly.
Single Line kites are still the most traditional of all kites. They come in an assortment of shapes and designs and in various sizes and colours. From the straightforward diamond shaped kite that we are all familiar with to more obscure designs such as the 5m long Nessie and the Bat Kite which is also popular as a windsock.
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Sports Stunt Kites
These dual line kites are designed so that you can control the movement of the kite in the air. Most models can withstand minor crashes and are forgiving enough for people of any age to enjoy flying for the first time.
We have a full range of stunt kites from basic kites for people checking out kites for the first time right up to more complex designs suitable for the expert pilot.
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Quad line stunt kites
It's neither a stunt kite nor a power kite but somewhere in the middle and is capable of amazing tricks.
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Parafoils - Soft Stunts
Parafoils are based on inflatable foil shapes. Manufactured with high-performance tough fabric, power kites create `pull`. The larger the kite, the more power it produces.
These small foils are great fun to fly as they combine the speed and manoeuvrability of the stunt kite, with some of the pull experienced with larger kites.
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Power - Traction Kites
With their larger sails, traction kites generate even more pulling power, they come in various sizes and sails of around 2-7 square metres are ideal for buggying or use with landboards depending on the pilots weight and experience.
Choosing your first power kite is difficult, but it is important that you make the right decision.
If you buy a kite that is too large, you may not improve very fast and it is highly probable that you will cause serious to injury to yourself. Alternatively, if you buy a kite that's too small, you will not be able to get as much enjoyment from your kiting.
Here is a general guide to calculate a suitable size kite for someone:
Beginners: Divide their weight by 20
Intermediate: Divide their weight by 15
Intermediate: Divide their weight by 10
As an example a 70kg pilot would be safe with:
A 3.5m kite for a beginner
A 4.5m to 5m kite for intermediate
A 7.0m kite for the expert.
It can be a fine balance - and it depends very much upon the wind conditions you're going to be flying in, but assume that you are flying in moderate winds between 8-15 mph in an open location and having read all of the relevant assembly and safety instructions.
A good beginner's kite should be a fairly slow, low lift, relatively small and cheap quad line power kite to give you some practice at flying and controlling your kite in low winds, when there is not pull too much. When you are experience you can use it in stronger winds, or upgrade.
These are only guidelines, if you need any help or advice just ring us and we will be pleased to assist.
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Kite Killers
There may come a time when you have to let go of your kite - perhaps the wind suddenly picks up and you're unable to control it or perhaps you simply miss a move and fall, letting go by accident. Kite Killers are absolutely essential to the beginner make sure you have some fitted.
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Safety Equipment
In this extreme sport it's important to guard your self from injury.
Helmets pads and body armour will give you the protection that you need.
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How To Throw Your Boomerang
Boomerangs travel greater or lesser distances according to their shape, their material and the thrower. To use them, you need an open space with a soft surface (grass, sand), no one nearby and little or no wind.
1 Hold the boomerang at one end with the convex face facing downwards.
2 Hold it almost vertical, slightly tilted, never horizontal.
3 Check the wind direction and turn at least 45° to the right of the wind direction if you are right-handed or 45° to the left if you are left-handed.
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4 Aim at a point slightly above the horizon (the top of a tree) and throw the boomerang with an energetic flick of the wrist straight towards the point you are aiming at as if you didn't want it to come back.
5 If the boomerang has been thrown correctly (almost vertical), it will come back horizontally, losing speed and rotation. Always keep your eye on it… Position yourself to catch it with your hands together horizontally. If it does not come back properly, you have thrown it wrongly … read the instructions again carefully.
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Care and Use of Telescopic Windsock Poles
Extending Your Pole
Remove the rubber bung from the top of the pole, gently tilt the pole until the sections inside begin to appear. Locate the smallest section with the metal ring on top and start pulling this section out. As the pole is telescopic each section will be pulled out by the one above it. When you get to a join pull it tight and give it a little twist to secure it.
Groundspikes
Take care when handling your spike. Each spike is cleaned before leaving us, but occasionally people with sensitive skin are susceptible to the odd loose fibre. You need to get the spike about 30cm into the ground, if you are using more than one spike group them together. If you put a little block of wood over the top you can very often just push them in using your body weight, if not use a rubber mallet.
Then extend your pole, unscrew the cap on the bottom and put the pole over the spike(s). This allows your pole to be freemoving which helps stop flags/windsocks tangling.
Tying your pole to a fixed structure.
If you choose to tie your pole to a fixed structure or object take care not to tie it so tight that the hollow fibreglass tube collapses under the pressure excerted on it, also try to use a little padding to protect against rough or abrasive surfaces . It is better to use shock cord or large button bungees rather than electrical tie wraps which will cut into the pole, also the elasticated cord spreads the load more evenly around the pole.
Button Bungees for Flags
Put the loop of the bungee through the eyelet on your flag, if you want your flag on a thin part of your pole you may need to go around and through the eyelet again. Take the flag to your pole, put the remaining loop one side of the pole, the ball the other and loop the loop over the ball. Repeat with the second bungee.
Care of Poles and Windsocks
Wind
Obviously your poles and windsocks are predominately for summer use and are not designed to stand up to harsh conditions. All poles should be collapsed during any extreme wind or storm conditions. If you are camping and suspect the weather might change overnight it is better to collapse the pole before going to bed than spend the next morning searching the campsite for your windsock!
Swivels
The swivels and ball bearings on the windsocks do a lot of work spinning hard through a summer. Small metal parts need some maintenance to prolong life and avoid seizing up, apply a small amount of light oil to swivels, ball bearings and moving parts at regular intervals.
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Care for your flags and windsock displays
Windsocks are a fun way to mark your territory on the campsite, at a festival, on the beach, or just to watch and relax while sitting in the garden. For caravans, campavans, and motorhomes. For beach shops, outdoor restaurants, or even garage forecourts, your windsock will create attention wherever fly it. A fun way to mark your territory on the campsite, on the beach, or just to watch and relax while sitting in the garden!
Your flags and windsock will add a splash of colour wherever they live, and can be changed with the seasons or the holidays.
Proper care will help to extend their life, and provide more enjoyment for you and your family.
** Sunlight
Remember that both direct and reflected sun can fade your display over an extended period of time.
Be prepared to invest in new flags and windsocks every year if left in an intensely sunny location or extreme wind conditions.
** Rain
Unless acidic, rain should not harm your flags and windsocks.
If you live near salt water, or in a dusty location, you may occasionally rinse your flags and windsocks out in cool clear water, or use a very gentle soap.
** Wind
Extreme wind conditions can also affect the lifespan of your wind ornament
All wind displays & poles should be moved to a safe location during any extreme wind or storm conditions.
**Swivels
Small metal parts need some maintenance to prolong life and avoid seizing up.
Apply a small amount of light oil to swivels, ball bearings and moving parts at regular intervals.
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