How to Fly a Kite at the Beach – Beach Kite Flying Tips
Flying a kite at the beach is an idyllic, wholesome pastime that should not be skipped during your next getaway! However, this simple pleasure does require a bit of preparation. The wind can be both your friend and foe when flying kites. Here are some essential tips for flying kites on the beach that will help you get started.
Is It Okay to Fly a Kite at the Beach?
There’s no blanket answer! While most beaches do permit kite flying, it’s important to look at the list of rules for the specific beach you’re visiting before “setting sail” in the sky!
Most beaches allow for oceanfront kite flying. Others may require you to stick to open spaces a distance from the shore.
Here are some quick etiquette rules when flying kites on the beach:
- Use your kite in open areas away from the crowds. You shouldn’t be bumping into people, stepping over people, or weaving through crowded patches of sand when using a kite on the beach.
- If other people are flying kites, keep a distance to avoid getting your kite tangled in theirs.
- Never leave your kite unattended! Tying a kite to a chair, cooler, or stake in the ground while going off to do other things isn’t advised. Your lost kite is also likely to be crushed by waves if it drifts into the ocean.
- Make sure that your kite is secured at all times. A loose kite could end up in the ocean or surrounding wildlife areas. Kite strings can be deadly for animals!
- Supervise children closely when using kites. It’s easy for a little one to get their legs, arms, or neck wrapped up in kite strings when twirling around.
Finally, the last rule is to always make sure the kite leaves the beach with you! A discarded kite can be dangerous for a beach’s ecosystem. Check the area for fallen strings before leaving.
Why Do People Fly Kites at the Beach?
The beach is an ideal place for kite flying due to consistent wind and long stretches of open space. The shoreline can be an even better spot than an ordinary inland park or field due to the fact that air that’s over the sea moves more rapidly to create amazing wind power!
The open skies above a beach also make your kite more visible. In addition, the beauty of the beach simply makes flying a kite more fun.
Flying a kite is an ideal summer beach activity and a great way to enjoy the beach in winter!
How Do You Fly a Beach Kite?
First, make sure your kite is appropriate for the beach. You generally need at least 500 feet (150 m) of flying line when flying kites on the beach.
When you’re ready to launch, make sure you have your back against the wind. You should also be feeling enough airflow around you to get your kite into the air. We’ll cover the wind speed needed to fly your kite in the next section!
When you’re ready to get started, simply hold your kite by its middle section while letting some string out from the reel. It’s now time to release your kite to see if it will be picked up by the wind.
How do you know if the kite is working? You’ll instantly notice that the wind is catching your kite as it begins its ascent. As the wind takes over, give the kite some more slack. It should slowly move further away from you by this point. The kite will reach a “steadying point” once it gains the altitude needed to stay in the air.
When navigating your kite, the key is to maintain enough tension in the line to keep the kite going. You’ll need to adjust the tension to account for changing wind levels while your kite is flying.
The rule for using the “brakes” and “gas” while kite flying is that air speed gets faster as you go higher. When you want to go higher because your kite seems to be struggling, simply let out more of the line. A properly watched kite can stay in the sky for hours!
How Much Wind Do You Need to Fly a Kite?
According to experts, most kites are designed to fly in winds of 4 miles per hour to 10 miles per hour. If you can feel wind on your face, you probably have enough wind to successfully get a kite up.
Rustling leaves and subtle flag movement both indicate that winds have reached 4 miles per hour to 7 miles per hour. If you’re noticing bushes shaking, flags flying, and leaves moving, the wind is closer to 8 to 12 miles per hour. If you hear flags or tree branches flapping in the wind, there may be too much wind to fly a kite.
However, some of the expert-level kites are designed to work beautifully at speeds of 20 miles per hour.
How to fly a kite in low wind?
If the wind is feeling weak, give yourself some artificial altitude by standing on higher ground using a table, bench, boulder, or some other stable structure. This may help the wind to pick up your kite.
You can also enlist the help of friends to hold the kite out in front of you to help create a good distance while you pull the string to elevate the kite.
Best Weather to Fly a Kite at the Beach
Dry weather is important for flying a kite. A mild, slightly breezy day is often the best time to fly a kite.
When flying on wet days, rain weighing down on your kite can ruin it. What’s more, cloudy and grey conditions can make it difficult to see your kite in the air.
How to get your kite down?
Landing a kite simply requires you to begin moving the kite along in a horizontal motion. Slowly, the kite will begin to drop altitude due to the fact that it’s losing the consistent air stream that was keeping it afloat. Allow your kite to fall to the ground before picking it up.
Best Kites for the Beach
HONBO Large Shark Kite – Best Beginner Kite for the Beach
Spanning 74 inches by 45 inches, the HONBO beach-inspired ripstop polyester kite is easy for beginners to keep an eye on in the sky. The bright color and animated look make this beginner beach kite a great choice for boys and girls, moreover it will also create quite a treat for anyone watching from down below! This design offers fast assembly.
PROS
- Works in winds from 5 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour
- String is very long
- Fun, vibrant look
- Easy enough for a child to assemble
CONS
- Does require some extra strength and dexterity
- Performance declines rapidly once winds get closer to 20 miles per hour
SINGARE Large Octopus Kite – Great for kids
This gorgeous long-tailed kite keeps a kid’s attention! Due to the fact that its fun shape is easy to keep in the air with minimal effort, this is the most efficient kite at the beach for kids.
In fact, it does a great job of bobbing along in the wind with very little need for intervention due to a design that allows air to pass through an opening. While this kite is perfect for kids because it’s so easy to maneuver, it is surprisingly large and attractive.
PROS
- Comes with two kites
- So easy to navigate
- The big size gets attention
- Very long and strong
- Easy to fold and pack
- No assembly required
CONS
- The design of the spool causes a little bit of tangling
- More sensitive to changing winds
- Not as great for developing flying skills as a traditional kite
Super Easy Flyer 3D Rainbow Box Kite – Recommended for Adults
This 98-inch design offers a sophisticated way to fly kites on the beach for adults. It’s the best kite to fly on the beach when you want to get your kite in the air quickly with minimal fuss.
Made of ripstop nylon with double-crossing sewing, this design has a leading string woven by eight lines. It also has strong resin rods.
While you’ll need to follow some directions to get things up and running, this kite comes partially assembled with easy-to-follow instructions. The twin 92-foot tails dance beautifully while this kite is flying!
PROS
- Quality construction
- Impressive 300-foot kite string
- Resin rods are lighter than the fiberglass used in inferior designs
- While colorful, this kite is small enough to be manageable
- Hand grips are comfortable
CONS
- A few weak points in the design (sharp edges on the plastic handle)
WindNSun Super Size 3D Blue Dragon Ripstop Nylon Glass Eye Dragon Kite – Good for High Winds
This 76-inch stunner features a fiberglass frame with ripstop nylon for durability. Its beautiful detailing really gets attention and is suitable for high winds too.
While it’s not an overwhelming kite to fly, the design of this classic dragon kite does have a 6-foot wingspan jutting from a 6-foot body. A few taps make this dragon’s wings flap quite convincingly!
PROS
- Beautiful design
- Rugged frame
- Pre-tied bridle point loop attached by six strings for added durability
CONS
- Too complex for children
HENGDA KITE-Strong Eagles – Large Beach Kite
If you love the idea of getting attention with large kites for the beach, this 74-foot kite is a fun choice that’s suitable for both children and adults. The kite’s claim to fame is its sturdy frame made of carbon fiber that’s designed not to break when it hits the ground. A durable polyester sheath that has been stitched over the frame gives this kite the appearance of a soaring eagle.
PROS
- Large, bold design
- Easy to launch
CONS
- The shape of the kite can cause it to turn sideways when winds pick up
- Difficult to store after use
Kite Flying Tricks for Beginners
If you are beginner beach kite flyer, these practical tips will come useful:
- wear gloves when flying kites on the beach to avoid welts
- wear sunglasses to avoid looking directly at the sun while keeping tabs on your kite as it skims the heavens
- choose a single line kite; such models are recommended for new kite fans because they are easy to navigate without much thought
- avoid the temptation to let out too much line at once. Letting out more than 100 to 200 feet is unnecessary. While you may be eager to see how high you can get your kite to go, the truth is that it’s difficult to see a kite once it gets higher than 200 feet.
- when you notice your line becoming a bit “slack” while you’re navigating your kite is to simply bring it in a little. If your kite is pulling or feeling unstable, let out a little bit of line instead.
Some Questions Before Flying Kite At The Beach
Is it easy to fly a kite at a beach?
Flying a kite at the beach is easy as long as you’re choosing an open area. A light wind is often all that’s needed to get started!
What is the trick to flying a kite?
In order to get your kite flying, you need to maintain enough tension using your reel while allowing your kite to ascend.
What is too windy to fly a kite?
This will depend on the type of kite being used. Generally, winds over 20 miles per hour are often too violent to keep your kite afloat without it being damaged.
Can you fly a kite in the rain?
Flying a kite in the rain isn’t advised because it can damage the kite. What’s more, bad weather could put you in danger.
How high can a kite go?
While it’s possible to get a kite anywhere from 100 to 600 feet (30-180 m) in the air, flying your kite above 200 feet (60 m) isn’t enjoyable because your kite won’t be visible.
Do you have to run to launch a kite?
No, you don’t need to run to launch a kite! In fact, this can be a dangerous way to attempt to launch a kite because you can bump into people or things. Simply allowing your kite to be picked up by the wind is the best option.
What is a better place to fly a kite; a beach or a park?
The heavier winds created by the air above the ocean make a beach a better spot than a park for steady flying.
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