How To Kite Jump With A Power Kite

Step 1: Location

Decide where you're going to fly your power kite. Be careful to stay away from any impediments; power cables, buildings, cliffs, roads, trees, people, dogs, etc.

Step 2: Helmets and Padding

Wear a helmet when kite jumping, elbow and knee pads too. A cycling helmet will do, but you might want to get a helmet professionally fitted. Either way, make sure it's comfortable and fits well.

Step 3: Harness

These are primarily used in kite surfing but can be used for kite jumping too. It's a good way to take the strain off your arms and support your back. You use a bar handle to control the power kite. Make sure you have a quick release system on your harness so if you have a problem you can quickly separate yourself from the power kite.

Step 4: Kite Killers

These are great! If the wind is too strong, you can let go of the kite handles and your power kite will drop out of the air while still connected to you. Don't forget to test the kite killers, and the break lines first when you start kiting. You want your power kite to be secure.

Step 5: Clothing

Wear comfy cloths and dress for the weather. Being outside in the wind for a long time can make you cold. Layer up, and you can pull off or add clothes as needed. Ankle supporting boots are also a good idea.

Step 1: Safety

Make sure the place you choose to kite jump is safe. Again, be careful to stay away from any impediments; power cables, buildings, cliffs, roads, trees, people, dogs, etc. The area has to be flat and open so the wind can easily blow through, and it needs to be free of obstructions for at least 200 meters (220 yards) downwind. The wind must also be free of turbulence. Turbulence is extremely dangerous and will make the power kite act erratically. It's better to have the wind coming off the sea or a big body of water. 400 meters (440 yards) wide is generally enough to smooth out the wind.

Step 2: Wind

The direction of the wind is very important, but don't forget about wind speed when you kite jump. The wind needs to be strong enough to pull and lift you but not above your ability level. If you feel out of your depth, stop and put away your power kite. Come back another day to kite.

Step 3: Non-kiters

Non-kiters don't understand that they may get hurt if they are hit by a power kite or become tangled in the lines. Don't fly by people, and make sure your kite drop zone (area where you land or crash) is clear. You also have to constantly watch for dogs or children who roam into your path.

Step 4: Don't Break The Law

Be aware that some beaches aren't meant to be used for kiting activities. Watch for signs warning you against kiting or you may get fined.

Step 1: Unpack The Lines

Take the handles and lines out of the kite bag and leave your power kite in place. Place your power kite and the kite bag on top of the lines.

Step 2: Unravel The Lines

Unwind the lines downwind from your kite bag. The lines should be color coded. Every power kite is a little different. Read the instructions with the power kite. Generally it's red for left and blue for right. The red power line should be attached to the red handle or to the left end of the kite bar and the blue power line to the blue handle or to the right end of the kite bar. The gray break lines are attached to the bottom of each handle or to the depower set in the middle of the kite bar.

Step 3: De-tangle The Lines

Lay your kite handles flat on the ground. Make sure you have your blue and red center lines in the middle, and the gray break lines on the outside. Pick up all the lines and run them through your fingers to keep the lines separate. This will help you find any knots or tangles. When you get to the end, separate all the lines and lay them on the ground with the gray break lines on the outside.

Step 4: Unpack The Power Kite

Pull out your power kite and lay it flat so you can attach the lines. Use a weight bag (bag filled with sand or rocks) to stop your power kite from blowing away.

Step 5: Attach The Lines

The blue and red power lines attach to the bottom of the power kite and the break lines attach to the top. You attach the power and break lines to the bridle lines using a larks head knot (see video below), which stops them from coming undone.

Step 6: Attach The Kite Killers

No matter what the wind conditions, kite killers allows the power kite to stay attached to you even if you drop of the handles. They consist of a wrist strap and one short line. The line from the kite killers is attached to the brake line. It's slack enough not to stop the power kite when flying. But if you have a problem and let go of the handles, the line pulls taunt on the break line bringing the power kite down.

Make sure the kite killer lines are not too long. They could get tangled together or tangled in your clothes. The attachment point should be pushed hard up against the knot where your kite lines are connected to the handles. If done correctly, the handles will fall forward when you let go of them. And remember to make sure the straps are secure around your wrists but not too tight. You want to be able to feel your hands.

Terms:

Leading Edge - This is the edge of the power kite with the air holes in.
Downwind - This is the position you need to be in to initially launch your power kite.

Step 1: Handle Grip

Make sure you are holding the handles correctly. Place the line between your forefinger and middle finger when gripping the handle.

Step 2: Launching With A Friend

It might be easier and safer to take a friend along when you first start power kiting. They can help you launch by holding the power kite by both tips at a sideways angle. Make sure you always give them a 'you're ready' sign before they let go of the power kite. Don't let them throw the power kite into the air. And have them step backwards after launching so they don't get caught up in the lines. Once they let go of the power kite, pull your handles back slightly to make your power kite rise into the air.

Step 3: Launching On Your Own

Set out your power kite. Make sure that the leading edge is facing up. Bring the top of the handles up and back to launch. Just a small movement is needed to launch your power kite. If you have high winds, leave your weights on one end of the power kite and then bring the other end up to launch. The weights will fall off as the power kite rises. Now bring your arms back down in front of your body into the flying position.

Step 4: Launching In High Winds

Make sure you have enough skill to go fly a power kite in high winds. Always be aware of what is downwind from you. If you get pulled along by the launch, you don't want to smack into anything or anyone. Don't forget to lean backwards and keep your feet flat so you can slide or 'scud' across the ground if you are pulled.

Step 5: Reverse Launching

If your power kite twisted and landed upside down, you can launch again without stopping to untangle it. Bring the handles forward and down. This makes the power kite jump into the air. Now pull one handle back to turn the power kite over and launch in the normal way.

Step 6: Landing Your Power Kite

Bring the handles forward. This makes the power kite break. It should drop out of the wind. Be sure to break with both hands at the same time or your power kite will spin. In high winds bring your hands down by your side if you need extra strength to land.

Step 1: Safety

Don't try it until you're confident in your power kiting abilities and have learned how to break and land your power kite.

Step 2: Launch

The larger the power kite the higher you'll go. Launch your power kite in the regular way and get used to the wind conditions first.

Step 3: Run Upwind

Bring your power kite to the edge of the wind window (see video below). Start running upwind keeping your power kite at the edge of the wind window.

Step 4: Jump

Pull back on your handle and bring your power kite right across the wind window. This launches you backwards into the air. Be ready to jump (push off the ground) at the right time. It takes practice.

Step 5: Land

To land, pull the power kite back down to the edge of the wind window and out of any strong wind gusts. The idea is to land softly on your feet. This takes a lot of practice. Remember to always bend your knees on landing, or you can hurt yourself. Good luck.

Step 1: Land Your Power Kite

Land your power kite so that the leading edge is facing skywards. Make sure there are no twists in the lines.

Step 2: Secure The Power Kite

After the power kite is on the ground, hold your handles in the break position and remove the kite killer wrist straps. Keep the power kite breaked and put the stake through the loops on your handles or anchor the kite bar to the ground.

Step 3: Fold The Material

Pull your power kite out of the wind. Stick your weight bag on one end of the power kite to hold it down. On each side, remove the power and break line from the bridles and larks head the break line to the power line. Place the bridle lines in the middle of the power kite and start folding the sides of the power kite into the middle. When you have a thin strip of power kite, roll it up from the end and place it in the kite bag.

Step 4: Handles

Grab all four lines together in one hand and wrap them around the card winder or the kite bar (see videos below). Secure the last piece of line so it doesn't unwrap. Wind your kite killers around the handles, and loop the wrist straps over the end. Place everything in the kite bag. When you go kite jumping again, the card winder and handles or the kite bar should unwind without any tangles.

Use the information on this lens at your own risk. I am not responsible for any loss or accident to you or to third-parties including equipment or property damage, injury or death resulting from or to you or other third-parties using the information contained herein.