Archive for July, 2009

PostHeaderIcon Stunt Kite Videos

Stunt Kites

The stunt kite is a delta shape controlled with two lines. They are built a number of different ways, but mostly you will see them in a lightweight rip-stop nylon or rip-stop polyester. The spars will be made of light weight carbon fiber tubing.

In the first video you will see the 180 Fade Wrap. In the second video you get a Stunt Kite Tutorial "The Comete". In the third the Stunt kite master is flying 3 stunt kites at once. One in each hand and then another navigated by his thigh!

PostHeaderIcon Rokkaku Kite Videos

Rokkaku Kite Competition

Here you see a short video describing the Rokkaku Kite competition where the main object is to be longest in the sky. The name Rokkaku is Japanese and means the kite has 6 corners. The kites are 4 to 7 feet in diameter giving a nice foot print in the sky for some interesting art work.

The Rokkaku competitions are more like a demolition derby in the sky and sometimes called The Rakkaku Challenge. The first video is a Rakkaku kite fighting battle it out on Capitol Mall during the Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival. Video two is a Rokkaku Challenge between three Rokkaku competitors. In video three is an example of a Rokkaku Challenge with a nice big group of challengers.

PostHeaderIcon Fighter Kite Videos

Here you will see the record for the number of Fighter Kites on a single line. Afghanistan and their Toughest Battle – Fighter Kites in action with control lines coated with glass chips to enable them to cut the control line of the opponents kite. These diamond shaped fighter kites can have a two or three point bridle and are controlled by a single line. It is believed that the Fighter Kite is the most difficult of kites to master.

In flight the control line is pulled to add tension and released. The release of tension will make the fighter kite flat and make it spin. The make for some interesting battles in the sky.

PostHeaderIcon Sport Kite Competition Skill Levels

Sport Kite Competition

Understanding event types and skill levels for competition consist of pair or individual. They will fall into classes or groups that are Novice, Experienced or Masters. In the good old USA your only requirement to compete is to be a member of the American Kitefliers Assocition.

The event types you will hear referred to as a discipline like “individual ballet” or “precision”. There are 20 different disciplines recognized by the American Kitefliers Association. When you get your program for a competition you will need to understand the three letter designation for the disciplines so here is a little chart to help in your understanding.

Discipline Abbreviations

First Letter            Second Letter              Third Letter
E = Experienced   I = Individual               B = Ballet
M = Master          M = Multi-line             F = Freestyle
N = Novice          Q = Quad-line             P = Precision
O = Open              P = Pair                      T = Train
T = Team

In a program you would see examples like the following:

MTB = Master Individual Ballet
OPP = Open Pair Precision
NMP = Novice Multi-line Precision

Note: When you see “Open” as a discipline it means that competitors can be Experienced, Master or Novice.

Where is the Best Place to Watch a Sport Kite Competition?

Always check to see where the judges are sitting. They will be positioned somewhere behind the competitors for the best view. Somewhere around this area will give you the best field of view. The competition field will always be roped off for two reasons. One for the safety of the spectator’s and two for the competitor’s because if they fly outside the ropes they are disqualified.

Why Music Sometimes and Sometimes Not?

The two main types of competition include the Ballet and Precision. The Sport Kite Ballet is always choreographed to music and a routine will run from about 2 to 5 minutes. Watch The Mystery Ballet and Light Wind and don't forget to turn up the sound!


Precision Competition

With Precision competition there is no music used. The requirement here is for the competitor to fly three different figures and a technical routine of their own design. It is broken down into 4 classes of competition which are as follows multi-line individual, dual-line individual, dual-line pair and dual-line team. Each class has 12 possible compulsory figures that can be flown in Precision Sport Kite Competition. In this video see Stack Sport Kites Eurocup 2008.