My shipping address is different from my billing address. Why can't I place an order?

Every year, online retailers lose billions because of online fraud. At this time, because of the risks associated with chargebacks and credit card theft, we cannot accept any orders with separate billing and shipping addresses. If you entered the same billing and shipping address, but your order is still unable to be placed, make sure that the billing address is also the billing address that appears on your card. we also have a system that checks the verification of your billing address. If your billing address is not updated on your card, then your order will not be approved.

How can I place an international order?

We accept international orders only from Canada at this time, but do not use Authorize.net. We only accept international orders through Google Checkout. The shipping and billing address must match because of the risk of credit card fraud. Also, your address must be a confirmed address.

Do you have a retail location in the Virginia Beach area?

At this time, we do not have a retail location in the Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads area. However, if you have special needs, we will be willing to meet you in the Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads area on the weekends. All of the gear that we sell online is brand new and comes with free shipping (with the exception of clearance items and demo kites). If you have questions about a particular product, please contact us at customersupport@virginiapowerkites.com.

Do you have a minimum order amount? Do you have a maximum order amount?

Yes, the minimum order amount is $20. We have no maximum order amount, but we do double check to verify the legitimacy of larger orders with a fraud filter. Shipping and billing addresses must match.

Free shipping is for domestic orders. What about international orders? Also, is shipping refundable? When is gear refundable?

We do not offer free shipping for international orders. We will calculate the price of shipping through UPS or USPS and let you know the cost. You will be responsible for paying the costs of shipping through Paypal. You must let us know how much we should declare for the item we are shipping. Also, we are not responsible for customs fees. We can send you a tracking #, so you can follow the order. Sometimes, orders take an extra amount of time when going through customs. Some countries have restrictions on which items can be shipped, so please be aware of restrictions. At this time, we cannot refund the costs of shipping. We can only refund equipment that is returned in the original condition that it was purchased in.

What is demo gear? What about refunds of demo gear/kite?

Yes, our demo kites/gear have been used. Our demo kites/gear have been used only in our kiteboarding school. They are in excellent condition, and they are usually the latest model. They do have minor wear and tear associated with occasional use. You will not receive a kite with a leaky bladder, or a board with a missing fin (we would issue you a new fin in this case as long as you notified us immediately after receiving the order; if you first pumped up your kite, and it had a leak, we would immediately send a new bladder to you--this is valid only up to two days after delivery of your order). We will not replace a board with a small scratch or a kite that has normal signs of use. if you have questions about any of the items we sell under clearance items, we can answer specific questions at customersupport@virginiapowerkites.com. The majority of the demo items we sell are from 2011 and beyond. We mostly sell our demo kites/gear to students, but you can purchase them online at this store. A demo kite/gear is a used kite/gear, so do not expect a brand new kite or brand new gear for the price of demo gear.  Demo kite/gear is available under the category Clearance Items. If you are not satisfied with the demo gear, you may return it in its original packaging only immediately after you receive the item. You will be refunded the full amount for the product minus the costs of shipping provided the item is returned in the original condition. We cannot refund the costs of shipping.

If I order an item, and have it sent to an incorrect address, can I receive a new item?

We send you a tracking #. If the item is delivered, then you need to contact the person to whom it was delivered. Please be responsible and check the address you are having your product sent to. You are responsible for the address you enter in your order. We usually double check with customers when we notice that a shipping address differs from a billing address, but you are responsible.

If I order a certain color of kite/gear, and it is not in stock, what is Virginia Power Kites' policy?

We can offer you a refund if you are not satisfied with the colors that are available. We try to have every color in stock, but sometimes, we do not have a certain color available. Some sizes of kites might sell out earlier than others. Most products are available. We have a direct connection with the distributors that distribute products for each brand, so if a certain color or size is sold out, other dealers will not have that color or size as well. We always contact the customer first to determine if she/he would accept receiving a different color kite.

If a price is not listed at the MSRP because the new MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) is not yet entered, can I receive the product for that price?

It can happen that a price listed on this site may have to be occasionally updated. Every day, we update the prices on this site. Distributors determine the prices at which their products can be sold. Dealers cannot sell below those prices without violating their contract with distributors. Distributors seasonally change the suggested retail prices. We do our best to enter new prices or price changes whenever they occur. However, for short periods of time, a discrepancy might occur. Also, sometimes servers can malfunction, resulting in an undesired price being posted for a product. We do our best to minimize any chance of this occurring. If there is a discrepancy between the price on this website and the manufacturer's suggested retail price, then we will notify you as soon as possible about this discrepancy, so you can take action. If you are not satisfied with the price, then we can immediately issue you a refund.

How do I make a reservation for a kiteboarding lesson?

We have a chart that shows the times we are available to give lessons. You can contact us by email. In order to reserve a spot, you should pay for a lesson. If you are just beginning, we recommend the two day camp. You can get more out of your lesson if you have two days. We also recommend that you purchase a kite, bar, lines, harness, and board if you don't already have them. You can contact us at customersupport@virginiapowerkites.com to let us know about the time that you schedule for a lesson.

If I reserve a lesson, and there is no wind, what is your policy?

You can reschedule the lesson. It does sometimes happen that there is no wind even though the forecast states otherwise. In that case, we will gladly reschedule for another day.

I can't make a decision about which kite to buy. Different people always claim their kite is the best kite on the market. How can I decide?

Every kite we sell is different. You've probably heard from a friend who rides kites that her kite is the best, and that all other kites are not as good. That's because most kiteboarders are accustomed to the particular brand they ride. The truth is that all contemporary kites are a vast improvement over older models. All of the kites that we sell are high quality kites with superior construction. Kites have different performance characteristics, and there is no miracle kite that suits every type of rider. If you are looking for a general first kite, a bow kite that is very stable or a freeride kite would be the best choice. As you get more advanced, you will probably look for a freestyle kite that turns faster, so you can perform unhooked tricks and freestyle tricks (if that is your goal). Foil kites are great for the land and snow, and foil kites as well as slower inflatable kites work well with a kite landboard (not fast kites). Foil kites require a different style of sheeting, and while all of them have reverse relaunch capability, they are slower moving and more powerful than inflatable kites (be careful in strong, gusty winds).  Hybrid closed cell foil kites are great all around kites on the land, snow, and water, but the majority of riders on the water use an inflatable kite (because they do not use kites on the land or snow). For freestyle, C kites and hybrid kites are great choices, whereas for racing and hangtime, higher aspect ratio kites and bow kites are more suitable. For wave riding, fast turning C kites like the RRD Religion or slower turning, predictable kites like the Cabrinha Switchblade can be used depending one's riding style. It is important that when you choose your kite, think about your riding style: freeriding (not much jumping, just riding), freestyle (more advanced maneuvers, requires faster turning kite, high jumps, loops, etc.), wakestyle (unhooked, pop generated without moving the kite), race (a kite that might be slower moving and higher aspect, but that generates SPEED),  wave riding with a surfboard (C kites and kites that are either very stable or fast turning, lower hangtime usually better), or all around kites. If you are thinking of kitesurfing only occasionally, then you probably should choose a crossover foil kite like the Neo II or the Matrix or a dedicated foil kite and an inflatable kite. Most riders need at least a 7 meter and 12 meter kite to deal with strong winds and light winds (at least two kites).

High aspect foil kites: Ozone Manta (high aspect, great low end, speed, hangtime, freeride, open cell); HQ Matrixx (high aspect, great low end, speed, hangtime, freeride, closed cell, used for water as well); HQ Montana VI (high aspect, freestyle snow/land open cell kite)

Moderate aspect foil kites: HQ Neo II (water relaunchable; crossover kite); HQ Apex III (open cell foil); Ozone Frenzy (open cell intermediate/advanced kiters); Ozone Access XT (open cell/beginner)

Choose a freestyle kite if you are looking for a faster turning kite that will let you try the latest unhooked tricks (or hooked in tricks). 

Freestyle Kites: Ozone C4, Ozone Edge, Epic Renegade, Epic Screamer, Epic Screamer LTD, CrazyFly Slash, RRD Obsession, CrazyFly Sculp, CrazyFly Trix

Choose a C Kite if you want direct bar pressure and a faster turning kite. You want have extremely high hangtime, but you will have the speed to direct the kite where you want the kite to go.

C Kites: CrazyFly Slash, RRD Religion, Ozone C4

Choose an all around kite for well rounded performance.

All around kites: CrazyFly Sculp, Ozone Edge, HQ Neo II (crossover kite), Ozone Frenzy (snow/land only), Cabrinha Switchblade (less aggressive), CrazyFly Trix, RRD Vision III

Choose a Freeride kite if you want to enjoy riding and would like an all around kite. Freeride kites work for riders who are looking for a laidback riding style that is less aggressive.

Freeride Kites: Ozone Zephyr, Renegade Infinity, CrazyFly MooWii, Cabrinha Switchblade, Cabrinha Crossbow, RRD Vision III, RRD Passion, CrazyFly Sculp, Ozone Edge, Ozone Catalyst, Cabrinha Convert, HQ Neo II, HQ Apex III (land/snow  only), Ozone Access XT (land/snow only)

Choose a wakestyle kite if unhooked tricks and pop fit your style.

Wakestyle kites: RRD Obsession, Cabrinha Switchblade, Ozone Edge, HQ Matrixx, CrazyFly Slash, Ozone C4,  CrazyFly Sculp

Choose a race kite if you want a kite that is higher aspect and that produces speed and high hangtime.

Race Kites: Ozone Zephyr, RRD Addiction, Cabrinha Crossbow, HQ Matrixx, Ozone Manta (land/snow only)

Choose a beginner kite if you want a kite that will be stable, predictable. Most beginner kites can also be used by intermediate and advanced riders for freeriding and even for more advanced tricks, but they will not be as aggressive and are generally more stable than intermediate/advanced kites.

Beginner Kites: Ozone Catalyst, Cabrinha Convert, CrazyFly MooWii, HQ Neo II, RRD Passion, Ozone Access XT (land/snow only)

Wave kites are designed to be used with a kitesurfboard or with a kiteboard in the waves. The RRD Religion is the fastest of these kites, while freestyle kites and C kites are in the intermediate range (along with the HQ Matrixx), and the slower kites are the HQ Neo II and the Cabrinha Switchblade.

Wave Kites: RRD Religion, Cabrinha Nomad, Ozone C4, Ozone Edge, CrazyFly Slash, CrazyFly Sculp, HQ Matrixx, HQ Neo II, Cabrinha Switchblade

Lightwind kites are good for heavier riders and for riders who want to have more riding time on the water. These are a good choice if your main goal is to freeride in light summer winds.

Lightwind: Ozone Manta M3 (only on land/snow); HQ Matrixx (closed cell foil crossover kite); Ozone Zephyr; Renegade Infinity; HQ Montana VI (land/snow); RRD Addiction

Trainer Kites are used to accelerate your learning curve when learning kiteboarding. You can choose between a closed cell foil kite like the HQ Hydra and a LEI trainer kite like the RRD Passion (smallest size), the Ozone UNO or the Epic Tutor. The Hydra will have the best relaunch capability, while the UNO and Tutor provide realistic training as four line kites. The Sensei is not water relaunchable, but it is a very fast moving trainer kite.

Trainer Kites: HQ Hydra, Ozone UNO, CrazyFly Rookie Sensei, RRD Passion (smaller 3m size)

In general, closed cell and open cell foil kites have the best relaunching capabilities with reverse relaunch in the lightest of winds. Most LEI inflatables have improved in the relaunch category and have great relaunching ability in winds over 10 knots. Closed cell foil kites have the best low end, but kites like the Ozone Zephyr has the best low end of all inflatable kites. All foil kites require different sheeting skills, and generally produce more power and are slower turning than inflatable kites (but more stable). Inflatable kites can be used for kite buggying and snowkiting, and for kite landboarding, only slow turning inflatable kites are recommended, but foil kites are the best (you don't want fast turning kites with kite landboarding).

What size kite is better, a large, slow turning kite, or a smaller fast kite?

Generally, it is better to ride with a large, slow turning kite when learning. If you are learning freestyle moves, the large kite will allow you to generate more pop than the smaller kite, and it won't turn as fast if you end up crashing while learning the latest trick.

What size kiteboard should I buy?

If you are a beginner, you need the widest, longest board possible. You should probably get a board that is at least 40 cm wide and 140 cm long. If you are taller or heavier, go with a wider board and longer board. Long and narrow boards are not good for beginners. As you progress, you'll gradually use smaller boards. In lighter winds, however, everyone usually uses wider, longer board because it is easier to develop speed with a board that has more surface in the water. Boards with more rocker are better desiged for the waves. Narrower boards are faster. Smaller boards require a larger kite or stronger wind to get moving. Smaller boards are better for freestyle tricks. Boards with a great deal of flex are better for jumping and cutting through big waves without harming your knees. Surfboards are not designed for jumping, but they can also be used with a smaller kite in lighter winds as long as the kite is fast moving. If you plan to kiteboard more often in the summer, then you should select a larger, wider board because winds are lighter during the summer months. It usually takes a year or two of consistent kiteboarding to move from a larger board to a smaller board, and you'll always use a larger board as a lightwind board on summer days.

  A reason to take lessons with Virginia Power Kites is that we offer personalized instruction. Other schools offer instruction with very large groups, and that means that you do not get the one on one instruction that you could get at a smaller school. Also, larger schools become more commercialized and are often more motivated by profit. At Virginia Power Kites, we emphasize quality instruction emphasizing safety. We only have PASA certified instructors in our school. We are interested in teaching students how to kiteboard effectively on their own so they can feel confident as riders at the end of their training. Another point is that we also use many skills for cross-training, such as kite buggies, kite landboards, and other equipment. We keep our prices lower than many other schools on the market because we do not have as much overhead expenses as other kite schools that have to maintain a large retail area. We are very concerned that our customers get the best quality instruction possible. Since every student has a different learning curve, we do not state that you are going to immediately learn the sport of kiteboarding. We realize that students learn at a different pace and adjust our teaching style to reflect the needs of each particular student.We also have written tests that you should pass when you study under us, and we get you to know basic meteorology. We follow the general curriculum instituted by PASA concerning how to learn kiteboarding.

LEVEL 1 KITEBOARDER

1. Is able to determine wind direction, speed, and quality to assess safety.

2. Understands the requirements of a good launch area.

3.  Undersands the rules of the road with other kiters.

4. Understands how to set-up equipment independently and safely and perform a pre-flight check.

5. Use and reset all safety features on the equipment.

6. Use of kite kite harness.

7. Perform self-rescue techniques to disarm the kite and get to shore with gear.

8. Perform a safe launching and landing of the kite.

9. Execute kite water relaunches.

10. Body dragging in control of direction.

LEVEL 2 KITEBOARDER

1. All skill listed in level 1.

2. Meteorological knowledge.

3. Perform water start on the board and maintain control of kite and board solo.

4. Control speed with advanced kite and board handling.

5. Work the board and kite in harmony for extended rides.

6. Can perform basic turns and transitions.

LEVEL 3 KITEBOARDER

1. Using Trim Strap and Loop to adjust 4-line kite power intake.

2. Consistently going upwind.

3. Perform advanced turns and transitions under power.

4. Maintain control in most wind conditions.

5 Perform simple jumps.

PASA or Professional Air Sports Association is a recognized and reputable organization that trains kiteboarding instructors. By becoming a member of PASA after receiving training through Virginia Power Kites, you receive liability coverage up to $1,000,000, a 20% discount to iKitesurf wind site, a free subscription to kiteboarding magazine, and your skill level as a student is evaluated according to PASA standards. It is important to take lessons from a credible school with trained instructors who are certified to teach kiteboarding.

At Virginia Power Kites, we assess all kiteboarders we instruct according to PASA rules, but also we provide further instruction by giving you a written test, the Virginia Power Kites test. You can see this test on this website. When you get a lesson, our instructors will go over the test with you. We want you to have a complete knowledge of the sport of kiteboarding, and we believe that written tests are important because they ensure that you have absorbed all of the knowledge you have gained from the lesson.

For more information about PASA, please go to www.pasakiboarding.org.

Can I learn to kitesurf without purchasing my own equipment? Also, can I buy equipment and just watch videos online to learn how to kitesurf?

You can learn to kitesurf without your own equipment, but you will spend a great deal more money on lessons than you would if you purchase your own equipment. Also, there is so much equipment on the market that you can get confused if you don't stick with your own equipment. We recommend that you purchase your own equipment as soon as you get a lesson or even before you get a lesson. That will ensure that you can practice what you have learned from your lesson. You should only use your equipment after you have basic power kiting skills and are at least a level one PASA kiteboarder who understands self-launching and self-rescue as well as all safety mechanisms with kiting. Always have a person who understands how to help you launch the kite and land the kite once you are confidently able to fly the kite and perform body dragging. You should have very good power kite skills before you take your equipment out. You should NEVER try to learn from videos online on your own because videos do not replace qualified instruction. They are an excellent training tool.

Should I purchase used equipment on Ebay to learn on if I am a beginner?

Unless you have experience, I highly recommend getting a newer kite because they have better safety features than before. If you are an intermediate rider with some experience, you should feel free to buy older equipment as long as you feel competent riding it and understand its limitations. Older C-kites can be very difficult to relaunch from the water. Many used kites have popped bladders. Furthermore, newer kites have improved turning speed and enhanced depower. Older kites are fine to have once you have gained experience, but by then, you'll probably be envious of the people you see flying newer kites while you are having to work so much harder because you have an older kite that turns slower. I don't believe that you have to purchase new kites every year, and you should value whatever kites you have (some people even throw out decent older kites that could be repaired easily with some basic knowledge of kite repair). However, the improvements made on newer kites trumps any of the benefits of investing in an older kite. To make an analogy, how many people would go out of their way to buy a computer from five years ago when they could purchase the latest computer? There are so many benefits from purchasing a newer model than an older model of kites.

I would like to get one size kite that I could use for kiteboarding in all conditions. Does that kite exist?

No, there is no such kite available. First of all, the standard kite size is between 9-12 meters depending on your weight in moderate wind conditions of 15-20 knots. Most kitesurfers purchase one large kite, say 12 to 14 meters, one medium size kite of 9 to 10 meters, and one smaller kite of 5-7 meters. The larger kite is for lighter wind (10-15 knots), the medium kite for moderate wind (15-25 knots), and the smaller kite for strong wind (25-35 knots). The ideal conditions for kitesurfing are 15-20 knots side onshore. If your weight is different than the average rider, you may need one size smaller or large kite than the average rider. As for boards, you should start out with a large, wide board and then progress to a smaller board once you get accustomed to riding. Smaller boards are more maneuverable, but they require more wind than larger boards.

What brand of kite do you recommend that I buy? You have a lot of kites available, and I don't know what to choose.

Each of the kites that we offer is a quality kite that you will enjoy for years. Cabrinha is one of the most well known kite brand on the market. Ozone kites has dedicated foil kites for snow and land, and smooth, top of the line kites such as the Edge, the Zephyr, the Catalyst, and the C4. HQ Kites has been producing foils for years, and the HQ Neo II is an ideal crossover kite if you snowkite and are interested in kitesurfing as well. RRD produces excellent kites that have a great deal of depower and a lot of power that you can use instantly. They have been in the market for years, even since the first days of kitesurfing. Epic Kites is a new brand of kites designed by Dimitri Maramenides, a local kitesurfer from Cape Hatteras who produces some of the highest quality kites on the market. The Screamer is designed for more advanced riders who like jumping, while the Renegade is for riders who are more interested in cruising around (although you can jump with the Renegade). CrazyFly has a great all around kite, the Trix, plus three new exciting kites ranging from bow to C kits. The more experience you gain as a rider, the more open minded you will become about kites and their design. Take your time making your decision about which kite you purchase and keep your riding style in mind. Do not go by price alone. HQ, RRD, Epic, Cabrinha, Ozone, and Crazyfly are all excellent brands, and of them that you purchase will grow on you. Whatever you buy from us, you should go riding with it as much as possible.

There are a lot of kite dealers and online stores in the market. Why should I purchase from Virginia Power Kites?

We offer outstanding customer service. We have been working in the market for a long time, and we offer free shipping. Plus, we can give you the advice you need to make a decision about which kite to buy if you contact us at customersupport@virginiapowerkites.com. 

  What is the difference between a fixed bridle foil and a depowerable kite?

Fixed bridle kites have no depower, so they have less of a wind range than depowerable kites.

When do you use a harness?

Harnesses are used for depower kites and for larger kites that hook into the harness. We sell seat harnesses because we find that they are better on your back. Also, because they pull on your lower body, you will get launched higher in the air with a seat harness because the attachment points are lower than with a waist harness. You should usually fly hooked in. You should only unhook in certain instances, like when you need to unhook from the kit and are being pulled towards an obstacle. Once you are hooked in, your kite is no longer pulling on your arms, but on your waist. You can ride unhooked, but you will have less control of the kite, and your arms will get tired. You don't use a harness typically with handles. If you are a beginning or intermediate kiter, I suggest using a harness most of the time. You will develop safer kiting skills. However, you should avoid flying in overpowered conditions regardless of being hooked in. If you fly a 10 meter kite like the Apex II in 35 knots winds, you will be thrown around like a piece of paper.

I just started kiteboarding. What should I get?

That depends on your weight. For closed cell foil kites, the 11 meter Neo II is the best for most conditions. If you weigh 175 pounds, then I wouldn't fly in above 25 knots. I would use an 8 meter or 6 meter Neo II in 25-30 knots at the same weight. In any case, when you first learn, use smaller kites first. I would buy a trainer kite like the Hydra because you can use it in all conditions. Start small and then progress to larger kites. A five meter fixed bridle foil kite like the TOxic will give you great skills. The five meter Toxic is difficult at first, but once you learn how to fly it, it will be just as strong as a 12 meter bow kite. The Beamer V is a great kite. I recommend getting a medium sized kite 3-5 meters until you get your kite skills dialed in. Then, I would get an 8 meter kite like the Neo II. Lastly, I would get a larger kite later after learning how to landboard and kite buggy.

Please contact us if you are interested in finding out more about the kites that we sell: customersupport@virginiapowerkites.com. We would be glad to help you make a decision. We need to know about your weight and your interests to help steer you to the right kite.

Why purchase the Peter Lynn folding plus kite buggy w/extra large wheels when a standard buggy is available?

Most of the time, if you plan to kite buggy, you will definitely travel. For example, even though I am able to kite buggy here in the small town where I live, I much prefer to kite buggy out west. I recently made a trip to Nevada to kite buggy at a dry lake (Ivanpah). It is the place where a kite buggy went the fastest speed ever recorded. The folding buggy collapses into a very small shape, whereas a standard buggy has a long rear axle. It is constructed out of stainless steel and can withstand the same beating as any other kite buggy. Kite buggying is the most relaxing of all activities because you don't have to concentrate on balance, etc. It takes a couple of hours to learn to kite buggy, and it can be tremendous fun. If you plan on kite buggying in a park, choose a large field with regularly mown grass. Learn how to fly your kite solo before getting into the buggy. Get a big stable kite like the Apex at first, and then progress to more ideal buggy kites like the Crossfire II. If you prefer handles (you have more control with handles), then you should get a beamer. Here's a video of Virginia Power Kites in the desert with the original Apex 10 meter: www.youtube.com/watch

 What is aspect ratio? I've heard people talk about it, but I don't understand it.

Aspect ratio is the length divided by the width of the kite. The narrower a kite, the faster it moves, but it is also more difficult to handle. Can you tell which kite has a higher aspect ratio in the pictures below?

The kite on the left, the Crossfire II, has a higher aspect ratio than the Beamer IV on the right. You can see that the Beamer IV has a lower aspect ratio because it is not as long and narrow as the Crossfire II. Because of its higher aspect ratio, the Crossfire II develops more power in the wind window and moves much faster, but it is less easy to control than the more stable, beginner friendly Beamer IV. High aspect ratio kites need to be constantly flown and demand attention while lower aspect ratio kites do not demand as much attention. The HQ Montana VI, the Ozone Manta M3, and the HQ Matrixx are higher aspect ratio kites, while the Ozone Frenzy, the HQ Neo 2, and the HQ Apex III are medium aspect ratio kites.

Higher aspect ratio kites such as the Ozone Yakuza need to be flown constantly and can produce super fast reactions that can startle a beginner kiter. The lower the aspect ratio of a kite, the less it goes upwind. Higher aspect ratio kites easily go upwind. It is a blast to go upwind with the Crossfire II in a kite buggy. The Crossfire II almost flies upwind better than downwind because of its higher aspect ratio. The Prodigy will be a very high aspect ratio kite that is very high performance and demanding. The problem with high aspect ratio kites is that they require tremendous skill to fly and produce a great deal more power than medium aspect ratio kites. Most kitesurfing kites have a medium aspect ratio and have depower, while kite buggying is most exciting with a high aspect ratio kite (although beginners will only get frustrated using a high aspect ratio kite). It is better to have medium aspect ratio kite for kite landboarding and snowkiting, although some people have used high aspect ratio kites to cross Greenland on a kiting expedition. I wouldn't recommend a high aspect ratio kite if you are a beginner. Typically, high aspect ratio kites are flown with handles. Now, if you are interested in flying a kite without a buggy or a board, then I recommend kiting with a Beamer IV and then getting a Crossfire II.  You'll have a great deal of fun flying a high aspect ratio kite because it really gets your kiting skills together.

What is the wind window?

The edges of the wind window are where the kite is least powerful (9 o'clock and 6 o'clock). Directly downwind is where the kite has the most power, but if you head towards the kite downwind with a kite buggy, kiteboard, or landboard, you will eventually lose power as your lines go slack. Therefore, you should never stay heading downwind unless you know how to criss cross the kite from side to side to maintain tension on the lines. Good power kiters know how to maintain tension on the lines to kite most effectively.

The zenith is 12 o'clock. This is where your kite will be at neutral (parked). With the kite directly above you, you can get into your board or kite buggy. You need to learn how to hold the kite at neutral while not looking at it. That is why it is important to practice flying the kite without a board or buggy when you first learn how to kitesurf, snowkite, landboard, etc. With snowkiting, you actually have to get into your bindings first before launching the kite, then bring the kite to neutral, and do your power dive. Typically, you bring the kite to 11 o'clock (to the left) and then dive the kite downwards towards three o'clock (to the right). This is your power stroke. You turn the kiteboard downwind a little at the beginning, and then you gradually bring it upwind. Basically, you want to move your board towards the kite as you bring it downwards, but you have to regulate how much you bring it towards the kite. If you head towards the kite too much, your lines will go slack and the kite will fall from the wind window. So, as you bring the kite upwards from 3 o'clock back to 12' o'clock, you actually head upwind a little with your board so you can maintain the tension on the lines while you are flying. Eventually, you will be able to hold the kite at about 2 o'clock and adjust the bar so you can just cruise. You only need to do your power strokes to get your speed going. To jump, you usually have to ride upwind. Then, you bring the kite back to 11 or 12 o'clock overhead, and you should be jumping high (remember that you must be in overpowered conditions to jump). With kite buggying, you usually ride perpendicular to the wind except that you might start out with your buggy heading downwind a little. Landboarding, snowkiting, and kiteboarding require heading downwind a little more--the kite buggy is faster than any of these other kite traction sports. In the picture above, you see a person using handles. Handles are typically used with fixed bridle kites. Fixed bridle kites cannot change the angle of attack of a kite. When a kite's angle of attack changes, you can decrease the power on the kite. The Apex II, the Montana V, and the HQ Neo II are all depowerable kites w/the possibility of changing the angle of attack. You typically use a depower bar with depower kites. The Beamer IV and the Crossfire II are fixed bridle foil kites. Fixed bridle foil kites are better for kite buggying because they have the constant power you need for buggying. The Crossfire II is an excellent race kite and requires a lot more skills than the Beamer IV.

How do you use handles? How do you use a depower kite with a bar? Do all of your kites come with a bar and handles?

All of our foil kites come with handles  (Beamer IV, Crossfire II) or depower bars (Apex II, Montana V, Neo II, Ozone Frenzy, Ozone Manta M3, Ozone Access XT). Depower control bars allow you to adjust the power, so a typical depower kite has a typical wind range of three fixed bridle foil kites. A 9.5 meter Montana V has the power of  a  10 meter Beamer IV, an 8 meter Beamer IV, and a 6 meter Beamer IV because of its wide depower range.

When you use handles, you need to make sure that you don't have your lines tangled. If the kite flips over, you may have to check the lines again. You can depower the kite with handles by putting your wrists down. The top lines attached to the handle lead to the leading edge of the four line kite. These lines create the power for the kite. To raise the kite up, you need to bring your wrists up, so the lines at the leading edge of the kite inflate the kite. You then step backwards a few steps while the kite heads to the zenith. While the kite is going up, it is good to make it turn to the side. Pull one handle closer to your chest and punch with the other, holding it outwards. The kite should turn. If this doesn't work, whenever you pull the bottom part of one of your handles closer to your chest, the kite will turn because you will be pulling on one of the brake lines. The brake lines of a fixed bridle foil kite are attached to the trailing edge of the kite. Brake lines are attached to the bottom of your handles. Pulling back the power lines attached to the leading edge of the kite powers up the kite and launches. Pulling the bottom of the handles towards you depowers the kite, putting on the brakes by pulling the brake lines. Pulling one brake line (the bottom part of the handle) towards you causes the kite to turn in the direction of whatever handle you pull (if you pull the bottom of the left handle towards you, the kite will turn left). Handles are more efficient than a bar, but the kite is less stable. Handles are more efficient especially in lighter winds because you can control the power more with your hands. I recommend using handles when kite buggying except with the Apex II, the Montana V, and the HQ Neo II. In moderate to strong winds, you can use a depower bar, but in light winds, handles are recommended.

Typical depower bar with a chicken loop to hook into your harness.

  Kite handles w/

power lines attached to the top

or the leading edge of

the kite and brake lines

attached to the trailing edge.

Pulling back on the power lines

launches the kite. Pulling one of the

brake lines towards you at the bottom of a

handle turns the kite.

 With both handles and depower bars, you must maintain tension on the lines for the kite to fly. The more you can control the tension intuitively, the better you can produce power with your kites. By pulling the depower bar in, you typically gain power. However, after a certain point, pulling the bar in slows the kite down. For example, if you are launching your Neo II directly downwind, you should pull the bar in so you won't get pulled too hard by the kite. In some situations, if you pull the bar in, you will gain a lot of power. The depower bar can also be adjusted by lengthening the lines reaching to the leading edge. The longer your inside lines or power lines on the depower bar are, the less reactive your kite will be, but it will be more powerful. The shorter your lines, the more reactive your kite will be. However, you will lose power as the inside power lines are shortened. There is also another way to decrease/increase the power. You can increase power by pulling the depower strap and lengthening the inside lines. You decrease power by shortening the inside lines with the depower strap.