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Many people consider a kite a kite, and that's it. Yes there are different materials but not much to choose between them. But this attitude is a long, long way from the truth. In reality though there are actually a huge range of different types of kite – all suited to different purposes.

Whilst in some cases the difference between the kites is only subtle in other cases there is a considerable difference in how the kite performs, so it is important that you choose the right kite for what you want.

Types of Kite

The Diamond Kite

As with a lot of the names for the types of kite this should be pretty self explanatory. This is the classic type of kite that has been used throughout a lot of history, and is often the style that you picture when you think of a kite.

A diamond is created from solid materials and fabric stretched across the structure, creating the classic kite shape. Often there is a tail or streamers used to create stability. It is also usual that this style will be a single line kite, that splits part way up linking to the top and base of the diamond.

The Box Kite

A favorite in some parts of the world the box kite looks as the name suggests – like 2 boxes stacked together to create a kite.

The frame is created by putting together 4 corner poles and then stretching the fabric across the top and bottom of them to make it look as if two boxes had been stuck together leaving a slight gap between them.

The Delta Kite

Very similar in design to the diamond kite only rather than a diamond shape it is a triangle. This is the type of shape that is most common in the skies of America and Western Europe – and in many cases it is these that become stunt kites as well.

The triangle isn't always exact – there can be different style with lumps (often the 'ears' of some novelty character face) and other style concessions. But it is always roughly a triangle.

Power Kites

These kites are a whole different proposition to the other styles of kite – rather than be designed to be pulled around in the air they are actually designed to pull the user around. They are the types of kite that you see people using to help with kite surfing, or pulling a boat for fishing.

They are designed to allow air to rush over them them to create a considerable amount of lift force. Usually rectangular in design they are very similar to parachutes, more so than they are related to most kites.

As you can see there is considerable variation in style. Even within these styles there is a lot of difference. The amount of lines can greatly change performance, as can the design for speed – and then of course there are the materials – which can be vital in generating speed and manoeuvrability.

Types of Kites is a post from: Extreme Kite Shop

Kites have long had a history of being used to entertain, from religions displays in Ancient China through to children having fun with kites on a windy day in their local park. But people are generally competitive and so look for bigger, better and more exciting.

This is true in almost all walks of life and it certainly rings true for kites. Whilst many are happy to simply fly their kite on a windy day many more people like to push themselves, and their kites, to the limit – which is why the practice of flying stunt kites 'took off' (sorry, couldn't resist) and is now a very big hobby, and sport.

What are Stunt Kites?

Stunt kites are, as their name suggests, kites that are designed for 'stunt' flying. The definition of stunt flying can vary but in the main what they are is designed for quicker, more maneuverable flying, allowing all sorts of tricks and stunts to be performed by the person in control.

To enable this sort of flying to be best achieved a stunt kite is created to certain specifications, using designs and materials that the user thinks is best to achieve their goals.

One major difference in most stunt kites to normal kites is that they are multi lined, to allow greater control over the direction and speed of the stunt kites. Indeed the speeds created are far in advance of your average kite – able to speed along in the air at over 100 miles per hour.

The lines need to be very secure, as they take massive forces on them and you need to be sure they don't snap – so special materials designed to be both lightweight and strong are used. For this reason the person controlling the kites also needs a high level of strength and dexterity.

As with the lines the materials of stunt kites are carefully selected to ensure strength and being a light weight. This is essential in allowing the complex stunts and maneuvers that stunt kites are known for.

Flying Stunt Kites

Flying stunt kites is far from a simple matter, it takes practice and a lot of hard work to be able to properly control a stunt kite, never mind to pull off some of the more complex swoops and loops. For a lot of people the stunt kite is something they 'graduate' on to after mastering the basic kite.

It certainly takes a lot of strength (given the pull that the kites can create) as well as dexterity to be able to properly control the stunt kites. It also needs a certain type of imagination to be able to done well – creating the best looking displays needs vision as well as aptitude.

It is important that anyone flying a stunt kite knows what they are doing before hand. Not only are stunt kites expensive pieces of equipment they are dangerous too – remember that these are basically projectiles flying at over 100 miles an hour, that can do serious damage if they were to crash land on someone.

Flying Stunt Kites is a post from: Extreme Kite Shop

It is all too easy to think of kites as a modern invention – after all they are pretty high tech these days, with complex materials used to keep them both light and strong. But kites are actually rich in history, and have had all sorts of uses throughout time.

A lot of the history of kites is hidden in the depths of time, records lost and so our understanding is incomplete. But even just taking into account what we know about kites there is a tremendous wealth of history to be considered.

Early Kites

Where kites first originated is not known. Some consider the birthplace to be China, after all it did have all the required materials easy to hand (silk and bamboo), and a history of innovation. But others suggest that the origins of the kite lay in Polynesia where they were used as tools to help fishing – literally dangling a bait just above the water to look like a small flying fish, attracting needle fish to the lure and capturing them.

Whatever the origins we are unlikely to be able to tell which came first, but we do know that in both regions the kite was widely used by the populace and provided useful and decorative purposes. We also know that kites are roughly 3000 years old – like we said, a long history!

Decoration

In China the use of kites was developed further. They used them as decoration in all sorts of festivals and celebrations, often adorned with religious and mythical paintings and designs to help create a sense of visual wonder. They were often fitted with air controlled musical instruments to add further to the spectacle.

To this day kites are used for decorative purposes as well as for function or enjoyment – some truly beautiful designs can be found all over the world.

Science

There is an especially strong history of kites being used in science. One of the most famous examples was Benjamin Franklin devising an experiment to fly a kite to demonstrate electricity in the atmosphere when storms were forming.

But that is far from a limited example, kites have been used in the 19th and 20th centuries to help with anything from meteorology (Alexander Wilson used them to measure temperatures at different heights, for example) to allowing photo's to be taken (later used in wars to help get aerial photo's of the enemies position).

Further back, in the 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci used kites in a number of experiments, from designing flying craft to researching air currents and weather systems.

Children's Toys
Of course it is not just decoration and works of import that have had the pleasure of the kite through history – they have also been used as children's toys throughout time. 19th century especially saw them used by a wide range of people throughout Europe give their children kites for enjoyment purposes.

Kites really have been one used by a huge range of people for a massive range of purposes throughout their 3000 years – and there is no reason to think that they will be fading away any time soon, considering there is now a competitive sport involving kite flying.

History of Kites is a post from: Extreme Kite Shop

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Our selection of single line kites is listed below:

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Our selection of stunt kites is listed below:

Stunt Kites is a post from: Extreme Kite Shop

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