HOW TO GO FLY A KITE AND SEND IT SOARING
Follow these easy tips for a fun, high-flying Fest of Tails
Cade Bradshaw has a name for that look on your face when you tease the heavens with a tethered piece of flying art.
“They call it the kite flyer’s smile,” said Bradshaw, an artist and kite maker who co-owns the online shop GoodKites.com in San Antonio with fellow artist and kite enthusiast Stuart Allen. “You can’t help but grin while you do that.”
Kite fans’ spirits are bound to soar at Fest of Tails, the big outdoor festival for kite flyers and dog lovers. The free event takes over McAllister Dog Park, 8418 Buckhorn Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Now in its 13th year, Fest of Tails offers an uplifting experience for the entire family, fourlegged or otherwise. Dogthemed activities include a canine costume contest and pooch parade, along with pet adoptions and other animal welfare information. Fest of Tails also features kid-friendly games and rides, as well as food and live entertainment.
But the real fun unfolds well above the dog-park grounds.
Fest of Tails again will fill the sky with colorful kites large and small, handmade and storebought. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own, though there will be kite-making workshops. Plus the perfectly named group Go Big Or Go Home will showcase giant kites.
Want to take your Fest of Tails experience to new heights? Here are some kite-flying tips from Bradshaw and the American Kitefliers Association.
When making your own kite, think light.
Bradshaw notes plain paper or even newspaper and trash-bag plastic work great for small DIY kites, while lightweight or ripstop nylon works better for larger kites. A kite’s frame should match its material in weight and strength, too. For smaller paper kites, try bamboo, plastic or even sticks from your yard. For larger nylon kites, opt for fiberglass or carbon fiber.
When buying a kite, don’t break the bank.
The American Kitefliers Association said the most affordable kites that fly well often are made just of plastic with wood or plastic framework. These are lightweight materials, the association noted, though not as tough as nylon and fiberglass. Bradshaw said you can spend as little as $10 to $15 for a quality kite.
When in doubt, start with a delta kite.
It’s easy to fall for exotic kites that look like a giant octopus (a Fest of Tails fixture) and other dynamic shapes. But often these larger and more ornate kites call for deep pockets and more experience to keep them airborne.
For beginners, Bradshaw recommends a single-line delta kite, which is shaped like a triangle. The American Kitefliers Association also suggests a delta kite for beginners since it easily flexes and adjusts to changes in the wind.
Use the right string.
A braided cotton or synthetic Dacron line works best, Bradshaw said, and has weight strengths just like fishing lines. A spool, reel or winder makes it easier to let out that line and take it in, the American Kitefliers Association said. If you must hold the string, protect your hands with gloves.
Know which way the wind is blowing.
You always want your back to the wind so it will lift your kite once you let out the line. To gauge wind direction, look at nearby flags, banners or other kites, the American Kite
fliers Association said. Or just watch the leaves of a tree or the swaying grass. Weather forecasts help, too.
Don’t run to fly a kite.
The American Kitefliers Association warns that those who run with a kite to launch it often ignore the wind direction. Worse, they could trip or run into an obstacle, such as another kite flyer. Besides, the kite likely will fall once you stop running unless it rises high enough to find stronger wind.
Just release your kite into the wind.
Bradshaw said it’s easy to launch a kite without taking a step. You just need to adjust for wind strength.
For light wind, the American Kitefliers Association recommends letting out around 100 to 200 feet of line and having someone hold the kite at the other end while facing you and the wind. Signal your helper to let the kite go so it rises naturally from their hands. Don’t throw the kite into the wind.
For moderate or heavy wind, the American Kitefliers Association says to just hold your kite up so it faces you and catches the full force of the wind. Release the kite and steadily pay out the line until the kite reaches a stable altitude. Bradshaw noted the wind is more powerful starting around 15 to 20 feet above the ground.
The sky’s the limit.
Small paper kites can soar as high as 250 feet, Bradshaw said, while bigger kites can go well over 1,000 feet.
Hold the line accordingly.
As your kite rises, pay out your line to gain altitude and take in the line if it slackens, the American Kitefliers Association said. You also can gain altitude with a combination of line releases and pulls, each time letting out more line than you pull in.
Bring a folding chair or blanket.
Kite flying also is a great spectator sport, so pack a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the view. Just watch where you step or perch. Fest of Tails is at a dog park, after all.
Stake your turf.
Need a break but still want your kite airborne? Bring a stake and mallet, and tie it down while it’s up in the air.
Pack a first-aid kite kit.
For kite triage, Bradshaw said bring a bag with tape, scissors, extra rods and sticks, extra string, extra tail materials and paper patches. You should be able to repair most damage, he said, provided your kite doesn’t snap in half or get stuck in a tree.
Expect a little frustration.
The Wright brothers didn’t get flight right the first time either, but we all know how well their persistence paid off. Kite flying is another game of adjustments, so account for shifting winds and be patient if at first you don’t succeed.
Stay safe.
The American Kitefliers Association warns never to fly a kite in stormy weather or near power lines, cars and trees. Keep a safe distance from others and protect yourself from sunburn with a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Have fun.
Everyone’s entitled to at least one kite flyer’s smile.