This kites site has all the info you need. Particularly when you go the DIY route, there is a lot of fun and personal satisfaction to be had! At least one of my MBK series of designs should appeal. :-)
Flying a kite can be great fun for all the family, from ages 2 to 102. There are small ones for small kids, even toddlers. Large or even huge flying creations are for, well, the more mature among us who enjoy a building challenge.
Besides, bigger usually flies better! It's so much easier to be accurate when all the measurements are on a larger scale.
Nothing quite compares to seeing your own work floating way up there. The bigger the better. Bask in that "I made it myself" feeling.
But don't get me wrong—the world of modern retail or designer kites is fascinating, and you will find plenty of images and commentary here.
It's almost never too calm—or too windy—to fly, as long as you make the right choice regarding the type of kite. The information on this site makes that easy!
And what do you do when it's just impossible to get outside to fly? For
example, when there is extreme weather. Apart from my Indoor Kites Series,
there's something else—my downloadable kiting board game. If you
browse around, you'll soon bump into links for more information on that.
See that social sharing bar over there, with icons for Facebook and X?
If the bar ever gets in the way, just tap on the little triangular arrow at the bottom. The bar will then neatly hide itself while you finish reading the page.
Plus there is some info here that is just plain different and intriguing:
Read about the radio-controlled variety being deftly flown indoors in Singapore or a flexible flying monster the size of a football field! But we'll get to that later.
TESTMONIALS!
Here are some things people have said about this site and associated activities (of the past):
"...thanks for all of your fantastic work, (kites, books, website, and emails), very inspirational. You were found by querying google with "box kites," or some such and I have been enjoying your kiting enthusiasm and expertise ever since then. Please keep them coming my friend!"
- Dana Y. (WY, USA)
"Thank You for amassing a Brilliant website. I absolutely adore it. Man’s need to fly brought me here."
- Jonny D. (MA, USA)
"I have now built three kites and want to express my thanks for your website. I built two diamond kites and have completed my delta as number three. ... Really enjoying the experience and the information on your site has been fantastic. Thanks, ..."
- John B. (WA, USA)
So please—have a good look around. :-) You can use the menus and links of course, but I would particularly recommend the search box. You'll find it at the top right of nearly every page on this site. That way, you can get straight to whatever kite-related topic interests you most.
We live in the city of Adelaide, South Australia, home to one of the biggest annual kiting festivals in Australia and possibly the whole southern hemisphere.
The picture over there was taken at one such event, from near the jetty at Semaphore Beach. A moderate-strength southerly was blowing along the sand, and music boomed from loudspeakers arranged along one side of the wooden planks.
At other times, live commentary kept everyone informed about interesting aspects of the aerial display.
Although not strenuous most of the time, flying these tethered craft is quite a healthy activity!
In my opinion, every new kite is an adventure—whether scratch-built or fresh from the delivery tube!