Basic Tricks

Basic Launch

Attach flying lines to the kite and unwind your lines ensuring there are no tangles. With the kite down wind from you, gently pull back on both lines equally until kite rests on both wingtips. Lines taut, arms extended, ensure left line is in your left hand and attached to the left bridle, simultaneously pull back and down in a smooth motion with both hands while stepping backwards. The kite will rise in the air. Launching in light winds will require more effort on the part of the flier.

Pull Turns

The direction of the kite is determined by pulling the right or left line. Once the kite is launched, fly to the top o f the window. Pulling on the right line will cause the kite to turn clockwise. Whenever you initiated a pull turn with one hand, DO NOT move the other. As the kite makes the turn and the nose points up, release your right hand, making both hands side by side again. The kite will fly straight up. To make left turns do the opposite hand movements.

Push (Punch Turns)

By releasing the opposite wing in a turn and then pulling it back into position, the kite will make the turn faster and the kite will lock in for an angular turn and straight tracking. Simply fly the kite "to" the top of the window and push forward with the right hand and release to the neutral position. The kite will turn left. The push doesn't have to be fast, but the emphasis of this move is on the release to a neutral position. The release to neutral action is what brings the pushed wing back into position to give the angular turn. Try push turns with both hands and practice large squares in both directions. Combinations turns are the basis for all advanced manoeuvres. It combines the push and the pull turn which cause the kite to react quickly.

Basic Landing

Now that you can turn, fly straight lines to achieve boxes, practice flying straight lines horizontally. As you get better, try horizontal passes closer and closer to the ground. Now it's time to land. Fly your kite horizontally across the wind window close to the ground. As the kite nears the edge of the wind window it will slow down. When it stops (reaches the end of the window), simply pull on the inside line and release to neutral while simultaneously walking forward. This will release pressure on the sail. When the wingtips become parallel with the ground, extend both arms forward and the kite will land. In high winds you must release more pressure in the sail by both a faster hand movement and walking or even running forward towards the kite.