Intermediate Tricks

Snap Stall

This is a very important move to learn. It is the basis for many other "tricks". To make this easier, I've divided the Snap Stall into two simple steps.

Step I - Fly kite horizontally across the wind window until it stops. Pull only the inside hand and release or push to neutral quickly. This will cause the kite to stall wings parallel. Do not move your outside hand, keep it neutral.

Step II - Now that you have the Stall, let's make it more dramatic. To do this you need to have more pressure on the sail. Repeat step one but try your Snap Stall a little further into the wind window using a more exaggerated action. Almost at the same time you're pulling and releasing with your inside hand, punch and release to neutral aggressively with your outside hand. This will help stop the stall and hold it, making the move dramatic. If you do this close to the ground and move forward after the stall, you can land the kite.

Spin Stall Landing

Fly kite horizontally across the window about 15 feet above the ground until the kite slows from reaching the edge. Pull back slow the inside hand causing the kite to rotate. Just before the wings become parallel during the spin, release or punch back to neutral causing the kite to stall. To land, simply do the same move close to the ground and walk or run forward. Do not move the outside hand.

Leading Edge Launch

Kite is launched from its side (leading edge). Fly to the edge of the wind window, close to the ground, left to right. Pull right and land the kite on its right leading edge. Be careful that the kite doesn't tip over onto its left leading edge. Pull left (up wing) slowly until it begins to fall towards you. Tug the left line and almost at the same time tug with the right. The kite should lift off. Stepping backwards during this manoeuvre will help.

Side Slide / Skating

Kite stalls across the wind window sideways. Fly to the right edge of the window until the kite slows down Pull with the outside hand opposite of the spin landing but release early. When the wing tips are parallel to the ground, this will cause the kite to slide. Steer with the outside hand. It is important to only move the outside hand and keeping the inside hand at neutral. Some kites slide better than others but a heavier bridle adjustment can help.

Wingtip Stand

With the kite landed on the edge of the wind window, be sure that the inside wing is about one foot closer to you than the outside wingtip. While keeping some tension on the inside wing, pull slightly on the outside wing until it starts to lift. Practice balancing the kite on one wing tip.

Cartwheel / Flip Over

With the kite down wind on its nose just inside centre, belly pointing towards you. Practice rotation from one wing to the other to get the feel of it. Pull inside hand a little while pushing the outside. Now, remember to always rotate toward the centre for the Cartwheel. With both hands, push to allow the kite to lay back a little. On the outside edge of the kite, nose on the ground pointing in, pull the outside hand while pushing the inside hand. As the kite rotates its edge should start to go up onto the outside wingtip. As the inside wing starts to rotate around, finish the move by pulling slightly on the inside wing until the kite ends up on both wing tips.

Vertical Snap Stall Landing

Fly kite nose down towards the ground about 5 feet above the ground, initiate the snap stall only this time you must pull a little more with the inside hand to allow the kite to rotate until the wings are parallel to the ground. If it is done fast and correct, little forward movement is necessary.

Spike / Stab

This is basically a Snap Stall variation whereby the kite goes from a fast forward speed into a wingtip stand very quickly. As a result the wingtip is forced into the ground for a dramatic affect. Although some kites spike better than others, try the following. Fly you kite horizontally close to the ground. As it passes centre, pull the inside hand while simultaneously pushing outside hand. This causes the down wing to come towards you causing the kite to "spike" into the ground. Try this a few times above the ground until you see what I mean, then fly nearer to the ground and Spike It! Then try spiking from different angles.

Fly Away

Used to gain ground in light wind or indoor flying. Fly the kite to the top of the window. Turn the nose down and push both hands forward while walking forward. The kite will glide down on its belly. Watch the pitch of the nose. If you over control the angle of the nose relative to the wind, the kite will stall out and fall.