Great Canadian Kite Company - Tied to the Sky

Our Story :: Great Canadian Kite Company

2024-06-04T19:19:02-06:00

The Great Canadian Kite Company is a family owned and operated business based in Taber, Alberta Canada. We enjoy the sport of Kite flying and we fly everything from single line kites to stunt kites. It's about having fun flying kites!

We have established ourselves as a premiere source of quality kites to kite flyers of all levels and interests throughout North America. As kite flyers, our vision is to expand the sport, [provide quality information, products and service and to become the ‘first choice’ supplier of quality kites and accessories in Canada.

WHY KITES??

We are often asked how we found ourselves flying kites. It started over 20+ years ago. I was married, two kids and chasing the "American / Canadian dream" trading Agricultural Commodities up and down the western side of the continent. This always demanded more time. At the same time I pursuing a passion for ministry which took tons of time too. As you may appreciate there were never enough hours in the day for other important things like my family and some sanity breaks for myself!

Well, my dream came true, and I started ministry full-time and building a ministry that would care for people with no strings attached. We did a youth drop-in centre with an indoor skateboard park, we had a clothing bank, furniture exchange, give away food to anyone in need with no expectation of return. While it was a dream come true, there are more issues, more people experiencing challenges than one

guy or even a small team could handle. I found that I was working 16 plus hours a day, seven days a week. As you have probably guessed, I was getting pretty ‘toasty’. I knew I needed to cool things down a bit as I didn’t want to burn out. In conversation with a friend, he encouraged me to slow down a bit and suggested that I spend more time with my family and spend more time with a hobby. A hobby? What’s that?

I took the guys advice and as a family took our first real vacation and headed to the West Coast of the United States. We found ourselves camping on the beach in Ocean Shores, Washington. Here’s a plug – If you ever have a chance to spend time on the West Coast of Washington State – DO IT! It is gorgeous, people are awesome, and we had a blast!

All through this time, I am praying for a hobby. Something that will keep me challenged, relaxing when I wanted it to be and crazy wild when I wanted that aspect. Something that our entire family would love and could share together.

Near the end of the week, doing the tourist thing in Ocean Shores, we stumbled into a store that sold kites. It was like the lights went on. You know like this holy light shines down, and the Hallelujah chorus starts playing – your right, no one else heard it, but I sure did! I started talking to the salesmen, and I discovered these were a lot of different kites than the $2.95 plastic Bat kites with the yellow eyes I had as a kid. He explained to me what they could do, how to set them up and basic flight techniques. I was sold…. I bought my first stunt kite.

As you can guess, we all fell in love with kites and have expanded our kite collection into various kinds of kites, and we spend many afternoons, evenings and
even sneak away from the office for here and there to fly kites. Kite flying was an answered prayer for me as it is something my entire family enjoys, it is economical way to spend real time with your family! You can do it almost anywhere at any time, and it has proven to be a great way for me to relax and unwind from the pressure of my work.

WHY BUSINESS?

A couple of reasons – We are ordinary people, who enjoy kites, know what we like and want to share this passion with others. We want to promotes the sport, shares the fun, and provide and accessories at fair prices, provide good service and hopefully make some new friends along the way.

After two decades of hard work and fun, we are pleased with what the Great Canadian Kite Company has become, where it is going, and this is in no small part from you, our customers! Thanks for your business and friendship!

So check us out! If you don’t see it, ask! Looking forward to meeting you all on the flying field!

We Fly Kites! Kites are what we do!

2022-04-13T19:30:00-06:00

Great Canadian Kite Company is truly a well rounded Kite Pro Shop. In addition to fun single line kites for all ages, and beginner trick kites, along with quality Sky Shark framing, parts, and the knowledge and expertise to provide solid advice and troubleshooting.

We are proud to provide our customers with quality Spectra and Dyneema line in dual line and quad line sets. We also offer bulk line, kite line sleeving kits, Kite bridle line and much more!

We can also customize your Kite package.

change line, add line or if you have lots of line - sell you a kite only
add ground stakes, tails or any replacement parts you may require

With Revolutions Kites we can:

Customize your Kite line
Customize you Rev Kite handles
Help you design and order your custom-made Revolution Kite sail

Don't see it in our shop?
We do special orders all the time! We pride ourselves in satisfying our customers with fast, knowledgeable service. We are here to help you make an informed kite purchase, and are committed to helping you even after you have made your purchase.

Kite Resources / Information

Information on Kite History? Our website features an expanding array of kite resources to help make sure your kite flying experience is all that it can be. These free resources cover everything from Kite flying safety, to how to tie a Larkshead knot. You can find links to kite-flying tutorials, how to fly stunt kites and stunt kite anatomy. You will also find helpful links to weather sites and much more!

We are 100% Canadian Family owned online Kite Company. We are kite flyers. We are passionate about kites, and we love sharing kites with others!

Why do we Sleeve Spectra Kite Lines?

2022-04-06T19:00:01-06:00

Kite line Sleeving

(You can find this article in our Kite Resources section too!)

Line sets are an important and costly necessity of flying your multiline sport kite, so it is important to make sure that you take steps to protect your line sets to maintain performance, increase longevity of the line and save you money.

Sleeving is like a tube sock that we put on the ends of spectra kite lines or any place where we tie a knot. Sleeving is made of hollow braided Dacron and is usually positioned at either end of each line where the line connects via a Larkshead Knot to the flying straps or to the kite tow point.

Spectra kite line, while stronger than steel, has a relatively low melting point. Wherever there is a knot in the line this is a place of friction which creates heat and will significantly reduce the strength of your spectra line and will be the point of a line break.

This sleeving material acts like a heat diffuser by reducing and diffusing the heat generated by friction at the knot.

Sleeving Your lines.

At Great Canadian Kite Company, all of the sport kite spectra line sets we sell comes pre-sleeved. We are pleased to offer a variety of quality kite line that provides good braid braid, performance and kite line life. That being said it is possible to purchase line sets that are not sleeved, or perhaps you wish to buy bulk kite line and make your own line sets and then a kite line sleeving kit is a valuable tool.

To make your own line sets you will first want to stretch your lines and make them equal length. With cheaper line (even cheaper spectra labeled line) you can expect lines to stretch as much as 12-15% where quality line sets may stretch 4-6%. The point is line will stretch with use and it may be necessary to equalize your lines from time to time.

Once your lines are stretched and measured you are ready to sleeve each end. Our Sleeving kits come with simple instruction, two different colours of sleeving and a sleeving tool. Here are the basic steps to sleeving your spectra kite line:

Sleeve one end of the line at a time making sure that you use the same colour of sleeving for both ends of the same line. This is really helpful to help you keep straight which line goes to each side of the kite and which its corresponding flying strap.
Insert the sleeving tool through the sleeving. Pull the tool a few centimetres through the sleeving.
After the tool is inserted through the sleeve carefully take a lighter and melt the ends of the dacron for a clean looking sleeving job. This will keep the sleeving from fraying.
Thread your Spectra line through the end of the sleeving tool and pull the tool back through the dacron sleeving bringing the kite line with it.
With the sleeving now on your line, you can remove the sleeving tool.
Slide the sleeving towards the end of the line being careful not to go too far or you will have to reinstall the sleeve using the sleeving tool.
Tie a knot in the very end of the line (including the sleeve).
Stretch the sleeving back up the line so it won't bunched up.
Tie another knot at the end farthest from the end.
Bring these two knots together and make a loop as shown below. Make sure this loop is big enough that you can easily tie a Larkshead knot to attach to the kite or flying straps. Ensure these loops are the same size on each end of each line.

The end of the line is now sleeved and you can repeat the process for each of the other lines. Remember: make sure you have the same colour sleeving on the ends of the same line.

It's a Spring Thing - Revolution Reflex Kites

2022-03-27T16:00:00-06:00

As many of you are probably aware, Revolution Kites introduced the Reflex models a little over 2 years ago. This innovation brought some great new framing, sail designs and models. They key to much of this kites incredible performance is a result of a small, seemingly simple addition of the Reflex Spring.

The Reflex Spring is attached to the vertical spreaders, and the effectively changing the way the sail loads and air moves over the sail.

I think this was an amazing step forward for the Beginner Rev flyer who doesn't have the benefit of seasoned quad-line flyers to help them get started.

Never quite content to settle for "good enough" the folks at Revolution Kites are constantly trying to make improvements to an already great product. To this end, they have made a small tweak to the Reflex Spring design that will provide significant improvements. The Reflex Spring is:

Replaceable - In the odd situation where a spring might get damaged, now you can simply replace it without the need to purchase the vertical shaft along with it! The new springs fits the stand 1/4" and Reflex 5/16"

Removable - In the case of of a broken shaft, the Reflex Spring can be removed and affixed to a new shaft even if that shaft was set up for an outer LE shaft. No longer are you grounded because you have to re-order a new shaft! This will keep you flying in 99% of situations.

Another benefit is you can fly your Revolution "Old School" with no spring in place, which will provide a different flying experience.

Adjustable - you can also adjust the spring for various tensions - providing different sail loading characteristics and performance.

Buy Your Revolution Kites Here

Great Canadian Kite Company stocks a variety of original Revolution replacement parts. This means we can get the parts you need to you quickly and economically. remember, those who purchase their Revolution Kite from Great Canadian Kite Company are eligible for discounts on replacement parts! Email us for more information

5 Reasons Why we Think Kites are Freakin' Awesome

2021-03-02T10:17:08-07:00

We think kites are freakin' awesome! They are fun to fly, great exercise and a chance to get out in the outdoors and away from our screens! Here is a list of why we think Kite Flying is a great hobby and a wonderful family activity.

1) Fresh air is underrated! How good it is to get outside enjoy the blue sky, the sun and the great outdoors. We fly kites all year round - including winter!

1b) Kites are a great social distance activity. Flying kites, you are out doors and at least 10ft apart from the next person flying a kite (unless you are team flying)

2) Physically active - Getting out and moving does a body good! There is a kite for just about every kind of physical ability from the gentle to the full on extreme - glide kites, single line kites to carving up the sky with a trick kite or getting your adrenaline fix with foil kites.

3) Reduces Stress - Getting away from the day to day grind is a first great step for stress reduction. Add the gentle flight of kites on the breeze or flying your stress through your stunt kite through the sky, flying kites have demonstrated to be an effective way of reducing stress.

4) Promotes creativity - Many quality kites are flying pieces of art and many with tails make for a lovely display in the air. But stunt kites can be a great way to express yourself as well! I love to listen to music while I fly and in a very real sense fly my kite to the music. Some folks like to soul fly and toss and flip and maneuver their kites as an expression of what's going on inside them.

5) Great way to spend time as a family - Let's face it, there are a lot of things competing for your time, and we want to make time for quality activities to do as a family. With quality kites, a good wind and a place to fly, you and your family can make some great memories! One thing my wife and I enjoy doing together is flying our four line Revolution kites together, side by side. We play follow the leader, hover side by side and fly forms together. Lots of fun and good for a few laughs if you don't take it too seriously!

Looking for a great kite? Great Canadian Kite Company sells a variety of kite for many different interests, ages, and abilities. Browse our online Canadian kite shop to buy your kites online. Don't see what you are looking for? Email Us

Ray Bethel - Tribute

2019-07-03T00:00:00-06:00

Matt Nie directed this Tribeca Film Festival Best Documentary on Vancouver kite flier, Ray Bethell (March 1, 1928 - December 18, 2018).

Wikipedia - "Ray Bethell was a professional kite flyer who resided in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He holds multiple endurance world records related to simultaneously flying three stunt kites, one from each hand and one from his hips. Using the same technique he can fly multiple stacks of kites."

Ray was a real treasure to many - especially in the Kite world. Check out Ray's website: http://www.raybethell.com/html/n_01.htm

Kites: Not Just Another SKu

2018-04-22T13:42:00-06:00

There is an old joke in the kite retail biz that goes: How do you make a million dollars selling kites? Answer: Start with two million dollars!
It usually produces a chuckle, if not through a few tears!

The kite business has been good to us as we reflect over our past 20 years providing great kites and service to kite flyers throughout Canada and beyond. It has been a joy to help people discover kites, and help them develop a fun family and personal hobby.

We are excited because right from the beginning the mission of the Great Canadian Kite Company was to promote the sport of Kites and share the fun. We have endeavoured to do so by providing top-shelf knowledgeable service along with quality products at fair and competitive prices.

In addition, we have supported Kite Festivals, hosted numerous fun-flies, sponsored and supplied kites and information for kite exhibits in local libraries and schools, teaching people to fly, as well as being friendly on the kite field with onlookers, and the interested. Its one thing for folks to look on, its quite another when you put the lines in their hands!

If you haven't guessed, we like kites - a lot. We are proud of our kite shop. We are a kite shop owned by everyday people who enjoy kites. As such, kites are not just another Sku., not just another do-dad that we sell. Kites are our thing!

While we work really hard to compete with larger online retailers, we offer something they simply can't - a professional, personalized kite purchase experience. We know kites. We work hard to resource our customers with solid information to help in making a good purchase but also to be able to help trouble shoot when there may be a performance concern or you need parts to get your kite back in the air.

We pride ourselves on providing solid service both before and after the sale. And as our many repeat customers, referrals, and many 'Thank you' emails demonstrate, we are definitely doing some things right!

We can't be all things to all people, all the time, but for Great Canadian Kite Company, kites are not just another Sku. Kites are our main thing. Our commitment is to do our very best to do that one thing really well.

Wind Ranges for Kites - What to think!

2018-03-17T13:32:00-06:00

I remember as a kid trying to fly kites that you had to run like mad just to keep them aloft. It made for a very frustrating experience. One exception from my childhood was a delta shaped black plastic kite - the one that you affixed adhesive eyes too. These fiery eyes made it look pretty cool, and you know, it flew pretty well! As fun as that kite was, being made of plastic it didn't last very long!

When we started the Great Canadian Kite Company (read our story here) we wanted to make sure that we sold a quality product that flew well and was built to be durable by quality kite standards. As such, the kites we have chosen are from reputable manufacturers with proven designs that fly in the stated conditions.

But even then... what does a wind range really mean? A wind range is provided to communicate the range of wind speed that the kite will fly in. So a range of 10 - 40 kph means that the kite is capable of flying in winds as low as 10 Kph to an upper limit of 40 kph.

The upper range can be a little more flexible if just flying the kite is the priority. When kites fly in winds above the range, they will often become much faster, harder to control, pull too hard and become difficult to trick. Too much wind will rip stitches and fabric, or break framing and line. It also can increase the potential for damage with hard crashes.

In higher winds you can add wind brakes or add tails, and this will often raise the upper limit.

Sometimes, especially with stunt kites (low wind or Indoor) you see a lower wind range of zero or 5 or 8 or 10 kph. Low wind kite flying is an art as much as it is a science, and many manufacturers when establishing the lower end of the wind range have folks testing it who are really good pilots!

So can the kites fly at those low ranges? You bet! Can anybody fly them in the low range - with some practice you can learn to keep your kite aloft at the lowest wind ranges.

As kite professionals, we are here to offer you experienced recommendation on the kinds of kites and kite accessories that will get you in the air with the goal of providing the best kite flying experience we can!

Great Canadian Kite Company also have some Resources for the Kite Flyer:

Top 5 Consideration when Buying your Kite

2017-11-07T14:15:00-07:00

There are many businesses that you can purchase kites nowadays, but discerning shoppers are looking for more than just a low price. In addition to a competitive price, they are looking for quality and support to enrich their kite flying experience whether it be a family affair or for a single person hobby.

Quality kite retailers are such that they provide added value for their customers - its good for business and its good for the sport of kite flying. Not all retailers that sell kites know kites, and this difference can make or break your kite flying experience.  

Here are 5 Things to Consider when Buying your kite:

1) Does the retailer sell quality kites from manufacturers who stand behind their products? - Not all kites are created equal, and there are a variety of materials that can be part of a kite. Some materials are great for durability and fly-ability, and some aren’t.
Look for a ripstop nylon sail cloth and fiberglass or carbon fibre framing. Also, consider whether they come with line and a storage sleeve or case.
Quality also is a measure of kite performance. Do they fly well and are they fairly robust to endure the learning curve?

2) Can you get replacement parts? Do they have your back after the sale? There are lots of people who will line up to take your money, but the quality kite dealer is there both before and after the sale.

Why? Because serious kite retailers want their customers to enjoy kite flying and experience success.

Why? Simple, because we enjoy kites too! And people who enjoy kites will buy more kites and happy kite flyers are really the best ambassadors for the sport!

All that aside, we deal with many, many people who have purchased their kites from retailers who don’t stock parts or provide after sale service. Lets face it, a quality kite that you spend money on, you want to fly for a good long time. Your kite retailer should be able to help get you back in the sky, FAST!

Also, quality kite retailers have good relationships with the manufacturers and can be a liaison for any warranty/defects or new and exciting products. In addition, this relationship helps with special orders, and troubleshooting, if need be.

3) Are you buying your kite in Canadian or US funds? This will save you serious money, and in most cases get your kite to you fast. Before you buy from a big box e-commerce site, make sure you know what funds you paying with.

We have had several people tell us horror stories after purchasing from large .com retailers. They tell us that by the time the smoke clears on their credit card; after the exchange rate and credit card fees, import related costs and tax, they have paid considerably more for that kite compared to what they could have purchased it from us at the Great Canadian Kite Company.

Homegrown Canadian Kite shops are generally on top of their business and understand that in today's market place we compete globally, and we must be competitive with the US retailers. However, it is up to the consumer to be sure they are comparing prices correctly.

4) Are they knowledgeable about kites and kite line? It is always a good idea to purchase your kites from a company that is knowledgable about kites. A retailer who knows kites, whose focus is kites and not just another sku.

Knowledgable kite companies can help you make informed decisions and answer any questions you may have. Quality online kite retailers like Great Canadian Kite Company not only have free online resources but also have a Toll Free number that you can call and talk to a real person. They also have email addresses that are constantly monitored and will provide a timely response to your inquiry.

5) Are they kite flyers? The bottom line when choosing where to buy your kites is are they kite flyers themselves? Are they passionate about kites and do they have genuine, on the kite field experience with the kites they sell?|

Having someone with experience and passion can go a long way to enriching your kite flying experience, and dealing with any kite issues you may have. Someone who knows what it’s like to get to the flying field and there’s no wind or be able to give you practical tips to having a successful kite flying experience with your children. A kite flyer can also keep you abreast of new products, modifications, kite events and so much more!

Great Canadian Kite Company has distinguished itself for all these things - Quality products, Top-Shelf Service and kite expertise to support you before, during and after your purchase. In short, We know kites and our commitment to knowledgable service is second to none! We are your Kite experts.

Flying Kites for the Health of it!

2017-08-10T16:12:00-06:00

Health Fitness Revolution shared Top Ten Benefits of Kite-Flying on their site in April of 2015. There are other articles along the same line but Health Fitness Revolution put together a pretty impressive list. Here are their Top 10 Health Benefits of Kite-Flying:

Exercise: Kite flying puts you in an environment that’s conducive to outdoor play. If you like to get your kite in the air with a running start (even though the wind usually does the work for you), the sprints could help get your heart rate up. If you want to raise your heart rate while the kite is still up in the air, try kiteboarding. And once you’ve packed away the kite, you might be tempted take a walk, run, or otherwise enjoy the outdoor setting.

GCKC - dual line foils and trick kites also are good for working out your upper body - hands, arms, shoulders and back!
Socializing: While most kites can be flown by one person, kite flying is often done in a group, whether it’s simply a fun family outing or an organized festival or competition. As outdoor activities go, it’s unusually inclusive, open to individuals of every age, size, and physical ability. A beautiful kite is also a natural conversation starter – an excuse to create happy memories with loved ones or make an acquaintance with a fellow kite flyer at the park.

Spending time in nature: Flying a kite in an open field or on the beach puts you closer to nature, an environment that offers plenty of mind/body benefits. We wrote about the health benefits of being in nature here. Being outside and experiencing nature, whether it is a small patch of grass or a tree in an urban setting, or a park, or the countryside, helps to reduce anxiety and depression, and benefits your mental health.

GCKC - we find this to be true. Getting outside can be a way to ground youurself and a great way to shed stress!

Mindfulness: Being mindful of your current surroundings fosters acute awareness of the here and now. That awareness, in turn, has a number of proven health benefits, including improved pain management and decreased anxiety and depression. Research has also shown that it’s associated with anatomic changes in areas of the brain involved in memory, learning, and emotion.

Good for the eyes: Kite-flying is also good for eye health. Gazing at the blue sky above can help better regulate eye muscles and nerves, which helps alleviate eye fatigue and can prevent myopia.

Good for the neck: As we look upward, our necks open, an important counterbalance to looking down or at eye level. Those who sit at a desk all day are at high risk of cervical disease, and while flying a kite, one can maintain the cervical spine and spinal muscle tension. This promotes the flexibility of ligaments and vertebral joints and prevents degenerative changes, and increases bone metabolism, which can help prevent cervical disease.

Boosts creativity: Kite flying develops creative thinking, both in the making of the kite as well as flying and adapting it to changes in the wind.

GCKC - we love to listen to our favourite music and fly our kites to it! Especially with multi line kites it is a marvelous way to express yourself!

Reduces stress: Kite flying will regenerate energy and has a way of reducing stress and tension of everyday life. Watching a kite drift across the sky, it’s easy to become relaxed, temporarily letting go of today’s headaches and tomorrow’s deadlines.

GCKC - Can I get an Amen! Fantastic was to deal with stress!

Promotes self-expression: Kites are a form of personal expression and beauty whether purchased or handmade. Making or building kites engages the creative process on the right side of the brain. Visualization, planning, concentration, coordination, problem solving and other skills can be developed and fine tuned.
Beauty: A colorful kite soaring gracefully overhead is a lovely sight. Making your own kite can be an act of artistry and creativity. But even the selection of a store-bought kite is a mode of personal expression and a celebration of what’s beautiful to you. Think of it as having happiness on a string.

__________________________________________

At Great Canadian Kite Company, not only do we pride ourselves in providing a variety of quality kites for many different interests, ages and abilities, we also want to do our best to make sure your kite flying experience is great, and that means we do our best to provide a selection of kite flying tips and advice in our Kite Blog section. Browse our online Canadian kite shop to buy your kites online. We ship throughout Canada.

Don't see what you are looking for? Have a kite related question? Drop us an email!

Why I like flying kites

2017-06-04T11:54:00-06:00

I am often asked why in a world of drones would I still fly kites. I smile and often hand the lines to them to fly my kite and watch them discover their own answer!

I mean no disrespect to drone flyers because I think they are pretty cool. I like technology, but after careful reflection, I find that for me kites are ideal, and here are just a few reasons why:

1) Kites are low tech - what I mean is they are flown by mechanical means (i.e., lines) and not via screens or joysticks. Truth be told I have way more screen time than I need! For fear of turning into a bigger vidiot, and exacerbating the stress injury to my gaming thumbs I prefer kites! Some of the best kites are the simple ones you can make yourself with newspaper and masking tape.

2) Kites are High Tech - in their own way - there is a lot of science and engineering in good quality kites. From high tech sail cloth to high-tech carbon frames along with geometry there is a lot that goes into a performance kite. Consider many sport kites allow you to change and interchange framing which changes the flight characteristics. Learning the tweaks for your kite can be a lot of fun and produce some pretty amazing results.

3) Crashes are not nearly as catastrophic - Parts to repair your kite are easily accessible from quality kite shops, and you can be back in the air pretty quick. Most repairs can be a successful do-it-yourself project saving time, money and adding some new crafty skills to your bag of tricks!

4) Speaking of tricks! - Have you seen the latest in slack line tricks and expressive quad line kite videos? Wow! Modern stunt kites are capable of some pretty cool maneuvres which require practice and precision. Even someone with few hours can tear up the sky with colour and motion that will attract an audience.

5) Strings attached? You bet! This is one of my favorites because it has strings attached - it provides multi-sensory feedback and interaction with your kite. Not only to see your kite you interact with it directly as you provide the input, and you receive feedback through the lines from the kite. In a counterintuitive way, this is a really grounded experience or maybe a better way to describe it is like a dance where you and your partner respond to each other with each step!

6) Colour your World - I LOVE the colour and the creativity of kites in the sky! If you have visited our Kite shop, you will have noticed the multiplicity of colours, sizes, and shapes and this makes for a dynamic hobby experience. A kite bag with a variety of kites provides a wonderful way to decorate the sky!

7) Quiet, please! - Kites, in general, are very quiet. No whining of engines, they simply ride the wind. In a world that is so darn noisy, it can be a reset to the mind to go quiet. The sound the wind in the trees, a slight whistle on the line makes for a great, stress reducing afternoon. Like a little growl? Some stunt kites make a deep rumble as the wind departs the trailing edge as they tear through the sky .

8) No Batteries required - Kites don't require batteries and as such aren't limited to 20-minute flights, and there is no need for a recharge. The Wind and the lines are all you need to fly - and wind and weather permitting... all day long!

9) There's a kite for that! - No wind? Too much wind? There's a kite for that. Remember I was talking about high-tech materials and engineering? You can get kites that you can learn to fly with no wind! Yep - zip, zero, zilch! We also have kites that are designed for higher winds too - we have a new model coming from Revolution that appears to have way less sail material than frame - like me in a bathing suit (don't picture it!) I have seen video's of this kite performing in very high winds and handling it very well!

Want a kite for water? To pull a kayak? Take pictures from? Pull you on the snow? There's a kite for that!

10) Stress buster! I'm an introvert, and as such, I spend a lot of time in my head. This can sometimes not be a good place to be! So I find going and flying a kite a great way to "get out of my head," get into the present moment and connect in a multi-tactile way with the world. The colours of the kite, actively flying my kite, giving it input to do what I want it to do and getting the feed back from the kite itself demands I stay present. I find this incredibly effective at reducing stress, and often getting a fresh perspective.

There are times where I will put mu earbuds in and listen to whatever kind of music I'm feeling at the moment and flying my kite to that music. It's kind of like dancing, but it allows me to express my inner state of mind through the kite. I can fly my stress out through the lines and the kite. In short order, that stress energy is replaced with a greater sense of peace and the way I fly changes. However you like to fly, I just encourage you to fly your soul, express yourself, and have fun!!

These have been just a few reasons we LOVE flying kites and why we LOVE to share kites with others!

Flag Pole as a Wind Meter for Kite Flying

2017-05-12T14:40:00-06:00

When I was a young stunt kite flyer I would regularly pull out my wind metre (I have owned and lost many) and check the wind.

In the early days, I'd tweak my kite often trying to get it locked in for the wind conditions. Anyone who has flown on the prairies knows the wind is fickle and if you don't like it - no worries it will change 27 times per half hour!

While it's good to have a sense of what the wind is doing speed wise if you're gonna tweak it continually you won't get much air time. For me, I work to be aware of the wind (I'll tell ya my secret here in a minute) but I learn to adjust my flying rather than over tweaking my bridle and or frames. I will fly in the parts of the wind window that feels right and where the kite flies well.

Yes, we need to be aware of wind changes, and the dramatic changes you'll feel pretty fast but this simple trick helps me stay aware of wind direction, and changes in speed by watching flags. Whether I am flying or not I have the habit of watching flags on flag poles. I have learned by the behavior; angles and even the sound of a flag and this helps me evaluate wind conditions.

Watch a flag on a flag pole:

If the flag is limp with a little flutter the wind is typically less than 5 kph
As wind increase, the angle of the flag relative to the flag pole changes. So we can learn to estimate that angle.
If the flag is at a 45-degree angle then the wind speed is about 20 kph. If it is straight out, at 90 degrees you can estimate the wind at about 35-40 kph.
With this in mind, we can estimate the wind speed at other angles. At 22 or 75 degrees relative to the flag pole.
Is the flag is straight out (90 degrees relative to the flag pole) and is making a soft fluttering sound you know you are 40 - 50 kph and if the flag is making a hard, snapping sound you are upwards of 50 kph.

I'm aware that these are guess-timates at best and some may disagree with my estimations. The point is to develop your own wind sense relative to a nearby flag and flag pole and what your kite is telling you.

No flag or flag pole? I have wind feathers with streamer tails that work well too. There have been times where I have used a 1.4 inch, 4-foot piece of dowel with an eight-foot piece of surveyors tape tied to the end. I shoved it in the ground in a place where I could see it and it wasn't in the way. It worked well.

Typically, most consumer kites top out at 40 kph. When you fly them in higher than recommended wind they tend to be faster, harder to control and you risk damaging the sail, the frame or breaking the line. Good news though! There are kites that are built, designed and rated for higher winds - so not to worry. There's a kite for that!

Wind Window and other Kite Flying Tips

2017-02-03T09:17:00-07:00

The wind window is an important thing to understand if you want to make your kite flying experience a blast! Its a good idea to have an understanding of how the wind "works" and those things that affect it. Being able to determine where it is strongest and where it is lighter are key to kite performance Obviously, as you fly your kite through the window the flight speed and characteristics can change. With the wind at your back (yep, I really have to say it!) you will find the power zone directly in front of you. You will find your kite is fast and pulls the hardest in this area.

As the kite approaches the zenith or the top of the window the kite will slow down and generate less power.

As you fly to the outer edges of the window, left and right sides, the speed and power will diminish also.

In higher wind days, I will often launch and land towards the outer edge of the window. This allows for a slower, more controlled launch or landing. I also tend to trick there on the higher wind days - I try and find the sweet spot where I can get enough wind at the right speed to play.

Be aware of what is up wind from you. Trees and buildings can have a dramatic impact on the wind quality. This is called a wind shadow. The air moving through trees or around building can make for some trashy wind as opposed to smooth and steady. Trashy wind buffets the sail and doesn't fill or stay filled properly and this affects flight. Hills and valleys can also produce some interesting wind that rolls. Personally, my favorite wind is ocean wind - smooooooth - but as a land-locked prairie boy you learn to take what you can get!

While we are talking about being aware, check for overhead power lines - flying into power lines is a recipe for a really bad day! It can kill ya and vaporize your kite in short order. Ben Franklin flying his kite with a key makes for a cute story but flying kites in a lightning storm is a special kind of stupid! Seriously though, please fly safe, we want kites to be a fun healthy activity for you!

Two last things. Watch out for people. Stunt kites and foils can get going pretty fast and sometimes people don't see or think about the lines. Kite lines under load with speed can really hurt someone. Be aware other others using the space.

Last thing... DOGS. I have had several flyers share stories of how a dog playfully attacked their kite and caused significant damage. I know... dogs are supposed to be on a leash and the owners are responsible for them but I have yet to see a dog owner compensate a flyer for a DDK (Dog Destroyed Kite).

Fly safe, have fun and smooth winds!

At Great Canadian Kite Company, not only do we we pride ourselves in providing a variety of quality kites for many different interests, ages and abilities, we also want to do our best to make sure your kite flying experience is great, and that means we do our best to provide a selection of kite flying tips and advice in our Kite Blog section. Browse our online Canadian kite shop to buy your kites online. We ship throughout Canada.

Don't see what you are looking for? Have a kite related question? Drop us an email!

Weather Resources for Kite Flying

2017-01-07T11:52:00-07:00

I have found since I have started flying kites that I have a greater interest in the weather. Aside from taking a long hard gaze at every flag pole I pass, I have come to find a couple of online weather sources really helpful.

Environment Canada's weather site. Find weather, wind speed and direction by city and town in Canada. A great tool for kite flyers!

Wind Energy Atlas - a Good source of wind information! aims at developing new meteorological tools to be used by Canada's wind energy industry. Consultants and the general public will find here valuable data about this promising renewable energy." Good source of wind information!

Launch Code "is the premiere weather forecast source for sport aviation pilots. The forecast data is read 'real-time' from the National Weather Service Aviation web site. This data is adjusted to the local time zone and converted into a graphical format. With over 1000 locations across the country to choose from including Hawaii and Alaska, you can probably find a Launch Code station near you."

Truth be told, despite the best weather intelligence- you just never know for sure! Living in Southern Alberta Canada, the wind for kite flying is often feast or famine. I compensate for this by:

a) keeping a few kites in the car. You never know when you may have some time to fly and the weather is right!

b) I like to have some low wind, some standard and high wind kites - a kite for every wind!

So good luck! And we sincerely wish you Smooth Winds!

At Great Canadian Kite Company, not only do we we pride ourselves in providing a variety of quality kites for many different interests, ages and abilities, we also want to do our best to make sure your kite flying experience is great, and that means we do our best to provide a selection of kite flying tips and advice in our Kite Blog section. Browse our online Canadian kite shop to buy your kites online. We ship throughout Canada.

Don't see what you are looking for? Have a kite related question? Drop us an email!

What is a Wind Shadow and how it impacts Kites

2016-11-18T06:48:00-07:00

Choosing an appropriate flying location for your kites is often given little thought. For many, they look at the trees or a flag flapping in the breeze and decide to head to their local green space to fly kites. But did you know that the landscape (topography) of the flying locations has a huge impact on your kite performance?

Trees, hills, and buildings affect the quality of the wind you have in the typical flying zone and can thwart the successful launch of even some of the best kites. On the prairies, I often describe the wind as "trashy" and by this mean it is not smooth, rather it is gusty or rolling and choppy.

There is another term to describe this phenomenon - Wind Shadow. Wind Shadow is the term used to describe the disturbed airflow downwind of obstructions like trees, hills, and buildings.

Think of it this way; have you ever stood behind a tree or a building to escape a cold wind? The obstacle blocks the wind forcing the airflow to go around, under or over the obstacle. It is this air movement that creates disturbed (flakey, choppy, trashy) air flow. This wind is often swirling and rotating which can sometimes create downdrafts that can keep your kite from taking flight.

Learn more: Understanding the Wind Window

Flying field selection is key and this means being aware of what's around you. The rule of thumb is a wind shadow is approximately 7 times the height of the obstacle. So, if a building is 20ft tall, it is a good idea to launch your kite 140ft downwind of the building.

Careful flying field selection and paying attention to recommended kite wind ranges becomes even more important when we fly performance stunt kites - where we are looking for smooth steady airflow. It becomes a significant safety consideration when flying large traction kites. Being aware of the impact of the Wind Shadow can go a long way to making your kite flying successful!

At Great Canadian Kite Company, not only do we we pride ourselves in providing a variety of quality kites for many different interests, ages and abilities, we also want to do our best to make sure your kite flying experience is great, and that means we do our best to provide a selection of kite flying tips and advice in our Kite Resources section. Browse our online Canadian kite shop to buy your kites online. We ship throughout Canada.

Don't see what you are looking for? Have a kite related question? Drop us an email!

Join the American Kitefliers Association (AKA)

2016-11-16T00:00:00-07:00

THE AKA IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO SHARING KITE FLYING WITH THE WORLD.

Founded in 1964 by the late Robert M. Ingraham of New Mexico, the American Kitefliers Association (AKA) has thousands of members in 25 countries, making it the largest association of kite fliers and kite clubs in the world. Our purpose is to educate the public in the art, history, technology, and practice of building and flying kites - to advance the joys and values of kiting in all nations.

We strive to promote public awareness of the pleasures and educational opportunities that kites provide. They can remind us about how we interact with our environment and each other. Kites can be a source of community building, breaking down barriers that typically prevent us from interacting. No words are needed to fly a kite!

Learn More about the AKA

Assembling Your HQ Butterfly Kite

2016-11-14T00:00:00-07:00

My boys set to work to produce this informative video on how to set up the HQ Butterfly kite. These beauties are pretty simple to assemble and these few tips will help you avoid a few common assemble mistakes!

Anatomy of a Stunt Kite

2016-11-08T14:24:00-07:00

This is a basic diagram of the parts of a dual line stunt kite. This is helpful when trying to figure out what replacement part you require!

What is a Parafoil kite?

2016-11-03T16:00:20-06:00

Parafoil kites are typically crafted from ripstop nylon without a stiff frame or skeleton. Imagine it as resembling a parachute. The clever design of the parafoil kite is credited to Domina Jalbert (1904-1991).

The parafoil kite has an upper and lower skin (hence para) with vertical fabric cells sewn in between the two skins. These cells fill with air and give shape and form to the kite so that it can take flight. Through the opening of the cells in leading edge (top) of the kite wind is tunnelled into the cells. The resulting air pressure is what give the parafoil kite its aerodynamic shape allowing it to take flight.

The parafoil kite uses an intricate bridling system that is designed to add further shape and aerodynamics to the foil helping it to have an efficient angle of attack for the wind in relation to the tow point where the flying line(s) connect. Efficient and effective bridling of the kite also adds stability and in some applications like kite surfing makes for stable efficient maneuverability.

Usually the bridling is ideal out of the bag but sometimes experienced kite flyers will adjust the bridle for various wind conditions.

Parafoils come in a number of shapes and sizes. These include single line kites to large lifting parasols, to multi-line traction kites designed to generate pull and power for snow kiting and kite surfing. The same theory is used with many large inflatable show kites that you may have seen.

The benefits of the Parafoil kite includes no framing to break or lose, they are pretty easy to fly, can generate strong pull. In addition, they pack up into a relatively small package which makes transport and storage pretty easy!

Great Canadian Kite Company sells a variety of parafoil kite designs from the simple single line kite to the big lifters to the parafoil kites used for snow kiting and KiteSurfing. Browse our online Canadian kite shop to buy your kites online. Don't see what you are looking for? Drop us an email!

Glossary of Kite Terms

2016-11-02T14:31:00-06:00

There are a variety of terms that are used in the sport of Kite flying. Here is a short list to give you some common lingo and their meaning!

Bridle: the lines which connect to the kite sail and frame to help support the kite and/or to orient the kite at a proper angle to the wind.

Carbon / Graphite: Stunt kite frames are made of carbon fiber which is relatively are rigid material and light weight. Can be in a rod or tube form. Popular graphite products include: Sky Shark, Icone and Revolution. Wrapped or extruded.

Centre T: Where the spar for the spine and lower spreaders are joined.

Dark Side (The): An affectionate term for those Kite enthusiast who have embraced flying the quad-line stunt kite by Revolution Kites.

Dual Line: Refers to two line trick or stunt kites. The two lines allow for the control of the kite. (There are Quad line stunt kites as well)

Dyneema kite line: A brand of synthetic fiber used in making performance kite line. It's best advantage is it's very strong and yet very thing and doesn’t stretch much. Not all spectra lines are created equal! Spectra fibre is used to make popular premium flying line. These brands may incorporate unique braiding of the fibre, coating with agents to reduce friction and sometime to make them resistant to UV and salt water. All of which enhance performance and line life significantly.

Fiberglass: This is a kite material which combines strength and flexibility with relative light weight. It comes in several forms from solid fiberglass rods and hollow tubes.

Flying Straps: A loop made of webbing that attaches to your kite line. You then slide you hands into the loops to hold the kite while you fly. These are ideal for performing the modern slack line kite tricks. See them here

Frame: The skeleton of the kite.

Freestyle: "Freestyle" kite is typically a good performer, capable of a wide range of tricks while still very stable and predictable. Freestyle is performing a variety tricks of one after another in succession.

Kite Party: Informal gatherings of kite flyers, who meet to fly kites, socialize with other kite flyers and get their Kite on!

Leading edge: The name for the part of the kite which runs from the nose to the wing tip.

Line Set: The lines which are used to control the kite. They come in a variety of test weight and lengths. Stronger weight lines being used for stronger winds and bigger kites. Line sets are made of a variety of fibres.

Quad Handles: Handles made specifically to fly quad line kites like those made by Revolution. Lines from the top and bottom of the kite are attached correspondingly to the top and bottom of the flying handles which changes the shape of the wing and creates flight. See Them here

Quad line: Kites with four lines for control. Not only can you maneuver left and right, but you can fly sideways, spin like an airplane propeller, and forward or backward in the wind window.

Ready to Fly / RTF: Many kites are sold with everything you need to get started. Ready to fly means all you have to do is assemble the kite, attach the included line and add wind! Many high end kites are sold as Kite only.

Rip-stop: Typically used to make kite sails. It can be made of nylon or polyester. Hence ripstop nylon or ripstop polyester. Rip-stop is the process that weaves smaller fibers with larger fibers creating squares of reinforcing fibers in the cloth which make it resistant to tearing. The idea being that a tear will stop at one of the reinforcing fibers.

Sail: The cloth material of the kite. The material is usually made from rip-stop nylon, polyester, Icarex.

SkyShark: Is a brand of high quality performance carbon fibre tubing used to frame performance kites. Made in the USA.

Sleeving: A cover which encloses the ends of flying lines and helps to preserve strength and prevent wear. Typically where the line sets are tied.

Soul Flying: This is term referring to a style of stunt kite flying where you express yourself freely with your kite - Whether to music or to silence, precision or full on tricks you are in effect flying your Heart via your kite!

Spar: A generic term referring to the framing material used as the frame of a kite.

Spectra®: A brand of synthetic fiber used in making performance kite line. It's best advantage is it's very strong and yet very thing and doesn’t stretch much. Not all spectra lines are created equal! Spectra fibre is used to make popular premium flying line. These brands may incorporate unique braiding of the fibre, coating with agents to reduce friction and sometime to make them resistant to UV and salt water. All of which enhance performance and line life significantly.

Spine: The center rod that runs lengthwise down a kite.

Spreader: The spars which run horizontally across the span of the kite holding the wings open.

Stand-offs: Are typically carbon or fibreglass rod which holds the trailing edge of the sail back from the lower spreader. You may be able to fine-tune the performance of your kite in different wind conditions as their position affects the amount of lift the kite generates and thereby it's speed, turning, and precision.

Tail: Attached to the kite for visual effect or to cause drag on a single line kite. Made of Ripstop or plastic. Also a term to describe the lower end of the spine.

Tow point: The part of the bridle where the flying lines are attached using a Larkshead knot.

Winders: For ease of use, lines are stored on winders. With line(s) together, wrap the lines around the winder fairly snuggly. Some flyer prefer wrapping the lines in a figure eight motion, others prefer a simple wrap. With care, either will work just as well.

Wind range: The range of wind speed that a kite will fly well in. Can be given in Kph, mph, or beaufort .

Wind window: A 180 degrees in which the kite flies. It’s size is determined by the length of the flying lines. At the edges of the window the kite will slow and has a tendency to stall and makes for a great place to land.

Stunt Kite Flying Basics

2016-10-13T10:19:00-06:00

Have you seen our stunt Kite flying manual?

Flying stunt kites is an exciting way to enjoy the fresh air, get some exercise and relax. Many people like to learn the latest tricks, while others like to fly their kite listening to music on their iPod. Stunt kites are a wonderful way to spend your leisure time with friends and family. The following is our illustrated start up guide for flying two line stunt kites. This material was collected from a variety of sources and presented here for your information and interest.

These basic tips will help you get in the air faster and enjoy more success as you take to the skies with your new kite. Also have a look in our resource section for some great online kite fly tutorials to help take you to the next levels!

Click on images to enlarge

Revolution Kites :: The Story

2016-09-08T10:54:00-06:00

This post is all about the history of Revolution Kites. More than kites, this dynamic and innovative company has developed, hands-down, the best quad-line stunt kite on the market. Sadly, often copied, the counterfeits are nowhere near the quality or performance standard of the authentic Rev kites. Not unlike the introduction of dual line stunt kite back in the day, Revolution kites have breathed new vibrancy into a traditional and historic hobby for a new generation of kite enthusiasts.

I have heard it said by some that the quad line kites are difficult to fly but my experience has been the opposite. Teaching many folks to get started with these awesome flying kites is usually done within 20 minutes and the basics are well in hand. Like dual line flying, proficiency and the "cool-ness factor" increase exponentially as you hone your skills. I think the transition is often most difficult for those who have flown dual-line kites for a while because fly quad-line Rev kites is really a different kind of flying - more wrist action and smaller inputs which as you begin to master them unlock the "Holy Sh&$" of how these kites perform!

The following history of Revolution Kites was found on their website written by Joe Hadzicki. Enjoy!

A true family business, Revolution Enterprises was founded by three Hadzicki brothers in in 1988… Specializing in carbon fabrication, Revolution produces quality kite products, skateboards, golf shafts and a wide variety of other carbon and related products at their factory in Poway, CA.

The Revolution sport kite was released at the 1989 KTA Kite trade show in San Diego, California. The kite was in development for about two years prior to that.

The development of the Revolution design began in 1987. I had recently moved back to San Diego from Santa Barbara, California after completing a degree in mechanical engineering and working with an engineering firm there. While driving by the San Diego Bay one afternoon, I noticed a big husky guy flying a kite and being dragged across the park! I was so fascinated that I looked into this new sport. I soon found out that the best kites cost up in the range of $200 to $300. I quickly enlisted the fun loving company of my two brothers Jim and David. Within two weeks we had designed and built our own set of power dragging kites! For the next several weeks, we spent our afternoons experimenting with this new hobby of ours! After getting the basic controls of two line flying down, we flew team maneuvers, then we flew our delta kites with long flowing tails, then we stacked the kites, then we got kind of bored.

I’m always looking for ways to improve things, and it seemed to me this kite could use some improving! Primarily, better landing abilities!

My idea was to modify the kite so that it could back down and land. Over the next several months we tested multiple approaches to effect a “backing down” or reversing action including four line control, three line control, appropriate handle design, and mechanical flap designs among other design concepts. Although the initial attempts quickly affected the general performance of the kite, the ability to reverse down and land was not much closer. As we worked harder and harder to fine tune the design, the effects were becoming less and less noticeable. After about six months of design modifications to the basic delta design, we gave up in frustration.

Several months later I woke up one morning with a completely new approach to the design problem. I decided to approach the kite from an airplane control perspective as opposed to a kite approach. By controlling each wing independently from a flap or aileron design we could redirect the air flow to cause forward or reverse flight. Within two weeks we had a working model that far surpassed our wildest dreams! Far beyond our main goal of being able to back down and land, this new revolutionary kite was capable of instantaneous stopping, reverse flight in any direction, full speed control in both forward and reverse flight, and propeller like spins! The most impressive fact was that these characteristics are inherent to the basic design and therefore do not take hours and hours to learn complicated techniques.

Although precise accurate control takes practice, backing down to land takes nothing more than a simple rotation of both wrists!

Since the initial design of the Revolution I had a nine-foot wingspan, structural integrity quickly became an issue. Fiberglass was too flexible and heavy. The high stiffness aluminum used in the arrow shaft industry works well but begins to bend to shape within an hour or so of flying. My younger brother David just happens to be a pro rated golfer with a lot of connections in the golf industry including access to the graphite shaft design team at Aldila, who at the time was the worlds’ leading graphite golf shaft manufacturer. Within six weeks or so we had designed the ideal shaft for our Rev I (Neos Omega) kite.

With eighty kites built and two days to go until the international kite trade show in San Diego, Aldila gave us the bad news that they wouldn’t be able to manufacture the shafts for us due to other production obligations.

The Revolution design was an instant show stopper at the convention, selling out in the first hour followed with orders for 400 more! We had a wall of people, three deep for three days placing orders.

On Saturday, the kite demonstration day, we had store retailers crowded around with three to six kites under their arms waiting for a lesson. With this information, they would be able to go back to their stores and amaze all their customers, therefore selling thousands of kites! ….. Wrong! We gave people the basic lesson, telling them, thumbs back flies the kite up, left thumb forward turns left, right thumb turns right. Both thumbs forward, backs the kite down. The fact that this method of flying was completely alien to them (no pulling motions), along with the highly sensitive controllability, made the Revolution overwhelming. Add the fact that we had virtually no experience teaching people to fly added to the confusion. It seemed so easy to us! Thumbs back. Left thumb, right thumb, thumbs forward!! The stores had demonstration videos showing performance, but no technique. Only hard-core enthusiasts would dare accept the Revolution challenge!

Although selling the kites complete with a training video was the original plan, it had been dropped due to advice from store retailers that the cost would be prohibitive. After a couple months of frustration from new Revolution fliers and retailers, we began including the training videos with each Revolution sold. We instantly noticed the difference! New fliers that used to take two weeks to get the basics would now buy the Revolution, watch the training video that night, and learn the basic flying skills by the next day! My brother Jim, over the next couple years was successful in incorporating quad line flying into the international competitions including precision, ballet and team events. From the beginning and through the present virtually all quad line events are dominated by the Revolution design.

The original Revolution I design is extremely stable and is the choice for large stacks but is considered slow by today’s standards. The Rev II is fast and somewhat “twitchy”. I enjoy it most in high winds (12 mph and above) on a 100-foot line set, which makes the flying fast and furious! Forget precision! The Rev 1.5 debuted in 1995 and is by far the favorite of both competition fliers and competitors alike. At a wingspan of 7.5 feet, it has great stability similar to the 9-foot Rev I with a lot of the instant quickness of the 6-foot Rev II. The Speed Series, which debuted in 1998, introduced a new aspect to the Revolution design. With the 4-strut support of the tighter sail, the Revolution Shockwave and Supersonic reach speeds to 70 mph! That’s twice the speed of a standard Rev 1.5! In fact, the Speed Series can fly faster backward than a 1.5 can fly forward!

In 2001 we introduced the Revolution Blast. With a wingspan of 9.5 feet and a longer chord, this design resulted in significant power and improved stability over the standard Speed Series design. Introduced in 2003 is the Super Blast. With approximately 30% more sail area than the Blast this is a true buggy kite in winds above 12 mph. The up wind performance is unbelievable! One of the greatest advantages of all the Speed Series kites is the ability to instantly dump 90% of the power by simply rolling the thumbs back! This is extremely useful in all power kiting conditions.

In 2007, we worked with John Barresi to develop the incredibly popular B-Series. Built in the same 1.5 size class as our SLE and EXP, the B-Series incorporated John’s extensive experience as an international competition and performance pilot to provide some of the same advantages to recreational fliers such as the ability to adjust tuning for personal taste, and mulitiple frames to both expand the kite’s wind range and provide the right amount of competition quality precision.

In 2009, award-winning kitemaker Bazzer Poulter joined in our design efforts with the B-Series PRO – utilizing premium PC31 Icarex fabric, added reinforcements and custom colors for every sail panel. The PRO series went on to become the#1 choice for competitive and hard core recreational pilots all over the world.

Continuing to innovate in 2010, Bazzer Poulter worked closely with John Barresi and their iQuad teammates to develop the B-Series Zen. This design utilized a larger sail area, special bridle and framing for extreme ultralight conditions.

In 2011, we introduced a Rev II sized version of the B-Series called the B2 (faster and more responsive), as well as a full sized version of the B-Series PRO called the Xtra Vent for extreme high wind conditions.

Thank you again for all your interest and support over the years. We couldn’t do it without you. I hope kites has brought you as much fun and enjoyment over the years as it has us.

In 2010, all three Hadzicki brothers were inducted into the World Kite Museum Hall of Fame.

New York Minute (NYM) - 2014 saw the introduction of the New York Minute kite. An exciting new look with a 25 panel sail, new logo, and a folded ‘No Fray’ leading edge, this is one of our smoothest flying sails yet. Built with the best American made, new generation carbon fiber- our highest performing “Green Race Frame” comes standard in this exceptional sail. Innovative venting provides a selection of vent sail designs for almost every wind condition.

Reflex - New for 2016 the Reflex is a unique Rev design that is super stable and boasts a larger sail area. With impressive light wind flying and in winds over 12 kph deliver more power, more fun. Almost like getting 2 kites in One Reflex. Learn More

For the history of the specific models and framing, check out John Mitchell's website Revolution Kite History. This Rev enthusiast has put together a really impressive site in homage to an amazing kite.

Glossary of Kite Terms

2016-08-31T21:03:59-06:00

There are a variety of terms that are used in the sport of Kite flying. Here is a short

list to give you some common lingo and their meaning!

Foil Kite: Foil kites look like a parachute and use the wind itself to give structure to the kite. These kites can be two, three and four line kites in a wide variety of sizes. These kites can genrate a great deal of power. Obvoiusly the larger the kite the more power / pull with the same wind speed. You will see smaller recreation ones to the very large which pull the pilot in a buggy, a snowboard or kite surf board.

Ground Stake: A handy tool which allows you to stake your kite handles or flying straps to the ground while you walk to reset or adjust your kite for launch. This tool helps to ensure your kite doesn’t blow away.

Icarex: A brand name of a type of ripstop fabric made from polyester fibers. It is lighter and more fade resistant than nylon ripstop fabric.

Leading edge: The name for the part of the kite which runs from the nose to the wing tip.

Line Set: The lines which are used to control the kite. They come in a variety of test weight and lengths. Stronger weight lines being used for stronger winds and bigger kites. Line sets are made of a variety of fibres.

Quad line: Kites with four lines for control. Not only can you maneuver left and right, but you can fly sideways, spin like an airplane propeller, and forward or backward in the wind window.

Ready to Fly / RTF: Many kites are sold with everything you need to get started. Ready to fly means all you have to do is assemble the kite, attach the included line and add wind! Many high end kites are sold as Kite only.

Rip-stop: Typically used to make kite sails. It can be made of nylon or polyester. Hence ripstop nylon or ripstop polyester. Rip-stop is the process that weaves smaller fibers with larger fibers creating squares of reinforcing fibers in the cloth which make it resistant to tearing. The idea being that a tear will stop at one of the reinforcing fibers.

Sail: The cloth material of the kite. The material is usually made from rip-stop nylon, polyester.

Diagram of a Stunt Kite

Kites for Father's Day - June 19

2016-06-08T08:41:00-06:00

Father's Day is just around the corner, but it's not too late to get the special dad in your life a gift that will thrill!. Kites are a fantastic way to get some fresh air, fly stress away and have fun! Whether he is tearing up the sky with a Stunt Kite or chillin' with a Single Line Kite dancing on the wind, are great fun for the whole family!

We have a wide selection of quality made, great flying single line kites for almost any taste!. Easy to fly kites in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs make single line kites a great choice for family fun and relaxation!

Our Stunt kites will Thrill!! Stunt kites allow the flyer to become a pilot as they take control of the kite lines; fly loops and spins, and with practice, you can learn some jaw-dropping kite tricks. Stunt kites are a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Great Canadian Kite Company is your full service Kite Shop serving Canada and beyond from Alberta. Check out our selection of quality kites in our online kite shop. Quality Kites, selection and top notch service and support before AND after your kite purchase!

Prism Isotope & Mantis Kite : Tech Tips

2016-05-24T08:38:00-06:00

Prism Kites has had reports from Isotope and Mantis owners that they were having trouble getting them to fly stable without wandering back and forth. It took a while to diagnose the problem because whenever we'd get a kite back to check it would fly perfectly- frustrating! After much detective work we finally figured it out, and kites in production from summer 2015 onward were tweaked to address the problem. Here's what you need to know- please pass the word if you hear from someone having trouble:

Mantis: The Mantis flies nice and stable as long as the Velcro at the end of the spine is tightened enough to put a downward bow in the spine when it's assembled. If the Velcro is loose and the spine has no bow it will reduce stability, especially in stronger winds. That info is in the instructions for the Mantis, but there is now a printed tag sewn right onto the Velcro to remind customers as they assemble the kite.

Isotope: The early Isotopes had a similar issue with spine tension, but with the opposite result- of all the rotten luck! For the Isotope, the kite can be unstable if the spines are tensioned very tightly with the tail Velcros during assembly. This flattens the sail too much for stable flight and the kite can wander back and forth in stronger winds. To fix it in production last summer we shortened the Isotope spines slightly so it would be impossible for a customer to pull the Velcro too tight.

______________________________

Thanks to Prism Kites for this information. These issues are related to kites in the first run of production, early last Spring. Great Canadian Kite Company didn't receive kites from this manufacturing lot but we have received customer service calls from those who purchased this lot from other kite retailers. We have provided this info and sure it will help you really enjoy your kites!

Spectra Kite Flying Line - Stunt Kites

2016-05-10T09:26:00-06:00

Kite line is an important asset for every kite, especially performance stunt kites. Not all line is created equal! The old adage "You get what you pay for" is true with kite line.

For example, there is a big difference between generic spectra line and Shanti. Shanti is a premium quality because of the fibre quality, braiding and fibre treatment which reduces drag and friction! This means longer kite line life and better kite performance.

Since 1974, Shanti has led the world in the development of kite lines, spools and Winders. In 1985, Shanti invented Speed-line, the worlds first spectra kite line. Speed line has been copied by nearly every kite company in the world and it has been widely used in the sport fishing industry.

To make Spectra suitable for fishing line, companies began coating the line to make it easier to handle, but ironically for the kite flyer coating the line actually increased friction! In past 10 years kiteflyers have grown accustom to coated flying lines and some prefer the feel. During this time the quality of coating has improved significantly and in 2009, Shanti began working with engineers to produce a coating that was specifically designed for kite flying not fishing. This new neon yellow coating uses a polymer-alloy which bonds to the fibres and protects them from damage while remaining slippery.

The new coating allows Shanti to work with some new high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) fibres. “High modulus” is a comparative term which simply refers to the fibres strength to weight ratio. High modulus fibre is stronger and lighter than low modulus fibre.
The new line from Shanti - Skybond - has the highest modulus rating of any kite line they have tested. They explain a 100lb/test Skybond line is thinner than 90 lb/test Spectra, but is 10% stronger, costs almost the same! Bonus!

Is Skybond better than Shanti’s Speedline? Nope. This is the classic oranges versus apples question. Speedline has a soft finish. It is more slippery, has less stretch and wears 3 to 5 times longer than other high performance lines. But for flyers who like coated lines, the new Skybond is as revolutionary as the original was 32 years ago. Skybond is also made in the USA.

Info: courtesy of Shanti Kite Company

How to tie a Larks Head Knot

2016-05-05T10:30:24-06:00

A great how- to tie kite flyer's favourite knot - the Larks Head Knot! A very easy know to learn and makes connecting your lines to your kite a breeze!

The Larks Head knot is the single most useful knot in kiting. You will use this knot to attach your flying line to your kites tow points (akaPig tails). The Larks Head is a slip knot, therefore the more you pull the tighter it becomes, so there is no chance of it coming loose in while the kite is in the air. As soon as the tension is released (after landing the kite) the knot is easy to pull loose and undo.

Check out this great video by Kitelife.com:

Be sure to check out our kite resource section on our Canadian online kite shop where you will find a host of kite related resources: trick tutorials, kite terms, kite diagrams, weather links, kite festivals and more! Another reason why Great Canadian kite Company is a great place to buy kites in Canada!

National Kite Day - Just what I needed!

2016-02-08T16:02:00-07:00

February 8 and I discover it is National Kite Day. February? Kites? Maybe for the the adrenaline junkies racing across the snow pulled by large traction kites, or perhaps for the lucky folks in southern climates where cold and snow are not a reality - but February 8th in Southern Alberta?

Well, God was smiling upon this prairie boy today with a gorgeous sunny day at a balmy +16 degrees Celsius and a lovely west wind about 20 kph. The flying field was clear and dry - so I couldn't have asked for a better day in February!

I started off with a new favourite - the Toxic by R-Sky. Such a sexy dual-line kite, tuned right in and she snapped to attention. Had times where I would toss it around the sky to the delight of the children in the school yard across the way as they pressed up against the chain link to watch the Toxic strut her stuff. Lots of cheers from the pint-sized audience! Made this kite flying hack feel like a pro!

The recess bell rang and the children returned to class and the I started practicing forms, and a few more graceful patterns. It has been a long while since I had opportunity to enjoy an extended period of time to fly.

As you probable know - a kite day is not complete without some time with Revolution quad line kite. The winds had diminished to about 12-15kph so I chose one of my favourites - a full sail1.5 with a 3 wrap frame in our shop colours O'Canada. Talk about therapeutic! OMG - sail loaded so nicely, the wind wasn't too trashy at all. I was a bit concerned that my injured right arm would struggle with control but even my body chose to be gracious on this lovely day. I like Revs for so many reasons, I like the precision, the outa box unidirectional control, introverted flying , stop at a dime, and the way they hover, like they are nailed to the sky.

(The only bummer was couldn't find the power cord to my video camera to get the battery charge and shoot some video. I'd like to blame my kid... but truth be told... I think I'm the guilty party.)

FYI - used Shanti Warp Speed line on both kites today. Love Shanti line - performs greats, lasts forever!

A fantastic day - and the good news... the rest of the week is looking even better! I hope that wherever you are that you have time to get out and fly whatever puts a smile on your face!

Smooth Winds.

P.S. - April is National Kite Month!

Gift Cards!

2015-12-15T11:40:00-07:00

Shopping for someone else but not sure what to give them? Give them the gift of choice with a Great Canadian Kite Company Gift Card.

Gift cards provide a flexible way for you to purchase a gift for someone from Great Canadian Kite Company, while maintaining full freedom of choice! You simply purchase gift cards the same, secure way that you purchase any other of our product. And unlike a gift certificate, the recipient can spread the gift card balance over multiple visits!

Gift cards are delivered by email and contain instructions to redeem them at checkout. Our gift cards have no additional processing fees.

See our New Gift Cards

Sky Shark Performance Kite Framing

2015-09-16T13:03:00-06:00

We take great pride in providing a reliable Canadian source for quality perforce kites and accessories. We stock a good supply of SkyShark air frames that are ideal for kite repairs and kite customization / upgrades and projects. We found this great information on the SkyShark website and thought you might be interested.

Sky Shark™ Competition Air Frames are world renowned as the very best competition tubes. It is no wonder, the best flyers in the world use Sky Shark™ Air Frames. The facts speak for themselves, there is no equal to the weight to stiffness of Sky Shark™. The consistent quality of the fibers and tubes offer un-matched reliability and performance. Sky Shark™ is committed to bringing the the very best to kite flyers of all abilities. Whatever level of kite you fly or manufacture, use the very best products, Sky Shark Kite™ Products.

The "P-Series"

The Sky Shark™ P Series Straight Competition Air Frames. These tubes can be cut and ferruled anywhere using a solid carbon rod. They can also be ferruled with any of the New Tapered tubes except the 2PT. These tubes work great for building sport kites as well as single line kites. All of our P series tubes are non-tapered, with the same inside diameter as tapered tubes. You can join any P series tubes with the tapered tubes. These tubes are made in much the same way as our wrapped tapered tube with the exception of materials used . The P-series also use a different layering of materials which makes it possible to cut the tubes anywhere and ferrule them without breaking out the wall, unlike the tapered tubes. A common question is "what is the difference between P-series tubes and the tapered tubes?" Weight verses stiffness. Example 3pt, at 12.5 grams, has the stiffness of the P-200 at 14.5 grams.Which is more durable? The P200. The 3pt is an ultra light performance tube wind range 2mph to 12 mph or more depending on design. The P-200 could take winds up to over 20 mph and not break. It would lack the performance of a stiffer tube, but can take it, unlike the 3pt. The P series tubes also have a smooth finish and this year come in either a black or the original gray carbon finish except for the p90 and p400 which only come in the grey.

(Ferrules-- You should always use solid .2400 rod in all tubes with the exception of 2pts, P90s and 2ps which you could use lighter 2400 tube ferrules.)

The "PX Series"
We have a new series of tubes the P1X, P2X and P3X. The new tubes have a new woven look, they are very much the same as the old P series tubes, same ID and OD. The big difference is the tubes are made with a higher modules of carbon which makes them 15 to 20 % stiffer that the old P series tubes.

The "PT Series"

These tapered air frames are exceptional. We have increased stiffness up to 50%. What's the secret? New material combinations! All of the Sky Shark PT series tapered tubes are made on the same mandrels. This means that all of the inside diameters are the same, at .244 I.D. You can use a .2400 or 6mm ferrule across the range.

(source: http://www.skyburner.com/skyshark/ss-products.html )