| Traction kites first made an appearance way back in | | | | square feet) or bigger in area, they pull quite a bit. |
| the 1970s, when the Flexifoil stunter became available | | | | Naturally, people then think about using them to pull |
| for anyone to buy. This kite had a single flexible spar | | | | along small land buggies, for example. |
| running the full length of its leading edge. This was a | | | | Traction kites are bigger and more expensive, and are |
| fast kite with plenty of power, and people still fly this | | | | used mainly for pulling things along. For example, |
| design today. | | | | surfboards, snowboards, land kite buggies and so on. |
| Since the history of traction kites extends back to the | | | | However, depending on wind conditions, there's nothing |
| 70s, using them to pull you along isn't a new idea. A | | | | to stop you flying one of these as a rather expensive |
| small number of people soon started experimenting | | | | and impressive stunter. The extra brake lines let you |
| with the Flexifoil for traction. They found several ways | | | | turn the kite with less arm movement than the 2-line |
| to drag themselves along, for example over sand in a | | | | variety. Also, the brake lines are handy for bringing it |
| small wheeled buggy. Someone might have got the | | | | down onto the ground with a bit more control. With 4 |
| idea when the wind got a bit strong one day, and they | | | | or more lines dragging through the air, and other |
| found themselves slipping across the wet sand. Just a | | | | aerodynamic reasons, traction kites are a bit slower |
| short step from there to actually sitting in or on | | | | than the smaller power kites. |
| something and covering some ground. | | | | Some traction designs are built purely for speed, |
| Most traction designs are parafoils, that is, flexible ram | | | | compared to other kites of the same size. These are |
| air inflated 'wings'. Some designs meant for use in | | | | 'racing kites', and are not as easy to fly as other |
| water have inflatable spars built into them. Others are | | | | traction designs. |
| single-surface kites, for example some of Peter Lynn's | | | | Traction Kites in Action |
| designs. | | | | How do people fly power kites these days? This type |
| Types Of Traction Kites | | | | being so popular, the manufacturers have managed to |
| Over the years, designers have made kites for | | | | cater for just about everyone. Young children can fly |
| specific sports, so there's a lot of different types. | | | | the smallest 2-line power kites under supervision while |
| Broadly though, there are just 2 categories - power | | | | down at the beach. At the other end, top-notch |
| and traction. | | | | athletes push the limits doing freestyle tricks over |
| Some people lump all 2, 3, 4 or 5 line flexible kites into | | | | snow or in the surf with other kite boarders, using very |
| one category. Many other people divide these into 2 or | | | | expensive traction kites. |
| 3 line for power and 4 or 5 line for traction. There is a | | | | At the top end, these kites are more like aircraft than |
| big range of sizes available, and cost depends a lot on | | | | toys. That's not at all surprising when you consider that |
| size. | | | | some are made by paraglider manufacturers! In 2007, |
| Here follows a summary of both types, to help explain | | | | the cost of some of these flying wonders exceeded |
| the real difference. | | | | 1000 US dollars. |
| Power kites are at the smaller and cheaper end, and | | | | 'Freestyle' kite skiing and boarding have both seen big |
| are used mainly for stunt flying or just having fun. They | | | | increases in popularity, as well as kite surfing. |
| are really just another kind of stunter. A small one is | | | | In Conclusion, Safety... |
| pretty fast through the air, which is part of the thrill of | | | | The following list of advice summarizes the safety |
| flying it. | | | | issues that are relevant to flying modern traction kites. |
| However, if they are 3 square meters (about 30 | | | | |