Trainer Kite Instructions

Wait, I don't have a Trainer Kite!

First, make sure that the area and conditions you have chosen are safe.  If you don't know how to, refer to other sections of the site.


Trainer kite picture with labels

Trainer Kite Setup

Start with your trainer kite by laying it down on the ground with the leading edge pointing downwind and the trailing edge pointing upwind.  Put sand all along the trailing edge in a line to prevent the wind from blowing the kite into a different position.
(If it is very windy, it may be easier to lay the kite out with one wingtip pointing upwind and the other pointing downwind, then putting the sand on, then rotating the kite into the described position)
Once in position, with sand on the trailing edge securing the kite, start unwinding the lines while walking in to the wind (upwind).  Walk directly away from the kite at the same rate, or at a slower rate that you are unwinding the lines, so as not to pull on the kite during setup.
After unwinding the lines, set the bar down with the red side of the bar and the red kite lines on the left, oriented with the left side of the kite.
To separate the lines, and make sure they aren't twisted, stand in between the lines and grab both lines in one hand.  While in this position, walk toward the kite keeping a small amount of tension on the lines.  If you put too much tension on the lines while you are walking, you will start dragging the bar.  If you put too little tension on the lines, the twists in the lines wont come out as easily.  You can use your free hand to help untwist the lines by pulling on either of the lines as they pass your body.
Once you get to the kite, connect the left line to the left side of the kite, and the right line respectively using "larks head knots."
If the lines are tangled and already connected, disconnect one of the lines, take the tangles out, then reconnect.
Walk back to the bar.  Pick up the bar with your left hand on the side of the bar that is attached to the left side of the kite.  Yank the bar evenly with both hands, keeping the bar straight, and balance the kite straight up to the 12 o'clock position.

Steering the Trainer Kite

Pulling the right side of the bar has the same effect as pushing the right side.  Practice both the techniques below. 

Bicycle Method 

The kite steers like a horse or like a bicycle.  If your arms cross, you are not steering correctly.  When steering properly, your arms will come closer together, but they won't cross.  If ever you find one one fist or arm on top of the other, or your arms are crossed, you are not steering properly.  When steering the kite to the left, your left arm should be closer to you and your right arm should be closer to the kite.
If you are having trouble steering the kite, try orienting yourself toward the location of the kite.

Boxing Method

Think of a boxer.  If the boxer's opponent moves to the left, the boxer will rotate his body to the left.  The opponent didn't move to the left because the boxer turned left nor should the kite.  Simply the boxer oriented himself with his opponent.  If the kite is far on your left side, it might be a good idea to orient yourself so your shoulders are square to the kite's location.  Once you are oriented with the kite, steering the kite is very much like a boxing motion directed at the kite.  To steer the kite to the right, gently punch the kite with your left hand.  To steer to the left, punch with your right hand.  As you get used to the steering you will want slow down and smooth out your movements, so that you can get the kite to do what you want, but in a consistent manner.