Learn me kites

For over twenty years I have lived in areas with nearly perfect kite-flying weather. When I moved to the Dominican Republic 21 years ago, my Dad asked me what I would like as a going away gift, and I told him a kite.

I meant one of those higher tech stunt kites that take some effort to learn to fly with an ability to steer, etc.

He bought me one of those cheap beach type throwaway ones. OK, I still love him.

But I am still interested in those other ones.

What price point do they start at? Are they tough to learn? Where can you buy them? What other stuff should a newbie know?

When I was in the hobby business stunt kites started at $20 and went up into the thousands. A basic one isn't hard to learn and they are a blast to fly. Find a local hobby or kite shop and make sure they have parts because you will need them. Busted poles are common. Get a good set of handles. Cheap ones get painful after a while. It's surprising how much pull a kite has on a windy day. Kites are also rated for wind speeds. The fatter they are the slower they are and the less wind needed. The skinny delta shapes need a lot of wind, are stupid fast, and a lot harder to fly. The ones we used to carry were made by Go Fly A Kite. Cheap prices and fairly durable. We also used to carry a US built brand, but I don't remember the name.

I haven't flown one in 15 years and thanks to you I've got to go see if any of mine have survived storage.

Unless they are sold in farm supplies, local hobby shop will definitely not be an option for me. I doubt there is any hobby shop within 3 hours of where I live.

I will need to buy online.

OK, Datsun1500. You talked me into it.

I'll let you know how it goes when it gets here.

Let me know how you like it. None of mine survived long term storage. The nylon has gone to pot. Thank to you I've got the itch to fly one again.

I had a catalog from these guys: http://www.intothewind.com/.

Pages upon pages of traditional and stunt kites plus a lot of other cool distracting stuff. Definitely a source worth consideration.

I've had a tyvek stunt kite for 20+ years. I bought it back when tyvek was a fancy new wonder material and true enough despite lots if abuse it never tore. I need to find and restring it - my kids are finally old enough not to get picked up by it.

The Wright Bros. chose my homeland for the wind..this store (well, chain now-dang near 40yrs later) has an online selection.

http://store.kittyhawk.com/Dual-Line-Stunt-Kites-C16.aspx

I've never played with a stunt kite, but every time I have a chance to get back to the beach I bring one of these (not me & mine, but a really cool pic):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris-topher/5066438880/

I have about 3-4 delta stunk kites these days, good fun. I have some of the wrist straps, they really can save you on windy days. Eventually I want to move up to a stunt Parafoil (the big flying wing) for more fun. Into the Wind is a good company to buy from, good customer service,

I would also recommend upgrading the flying line, the cheaper stuff stretches easily, and you will get more control and responsiveness out of better line (spectra), think of it like getting a thicker swaybar :)

Here would be a good way to get that hooked up- http://intothewind.com/shop/Line_and_Accessories/Stunt_Kite_Line_Handles/80_50-lb._Dyneema_Line_Set