Meet the Frustration-less Flyer! These simple, easy to build and fly kite kits are ideal for the classroom, team building, Camp craft or as a creative family activity. These popular kite making kits allow each person to add their own creative touch to the blank sail using common school and household craft supplies like: paint, markers, glitter, ribbon, stickers, pencil crayons and wax crayons - almost anything goes!
For this reason the Frustration-less Flyer's are appealing to all ages! We have sold these kite packages to:
Schools
Scouts, Beavers, Brownies and Guides
Summer camps
Resorts for their children's programs
Corporations for Team Building Activities & Advertising
Advertising has been very popular using the Frustration-less Flyer. We have a special process where your logo can be screened prominently on each blank sail allowing people to interact positively with your Brand both in building and flying their kite! Available on orders of 100 or more!
Each kit comes complete with everything you need to build and fly your kite with easy to follow instructions!
Decorate using felt markers or acrylic paints and MORE!
Made of Tyvek which is tear proof and water proof
Great Quality and will last for years!
Pre-Cut Pieces
Easy to build and fly!
Includes line on plastic winder!
Want your logo printed on these kites? We can do it for orders of 100 or more! Contact us for pricing.
Looking for a successful classroom kite kite project or Team building event - look no furtherThe Frustrationless Flyer Kite kits have been making teachers, group leaders and facilitators smile!
I think what makes the difference between a good hobby and a GREAT one is the people you meet and get to share time with. I have had the pleasure of meeting a few fine individuals on kite fields, and one such is John Barresi.
I have had the privilege of getting to know John personally over the past ten years, and my respect and admiration seems to increase with each meeting. Not only is he an amazing kite flier, but I have also found him to be a thoughtful, relationally generous, kind soul.
I joke that John could fly the hood of a car - he's just that good with a kite. In his forties, John has been flying kites since he was fifteen. His list of accomplishments are legion - National Championships (7x American Kite Magazine Circuit (cumulative season) 19x AKA Grand Nationals (single event face off))
Also, John has been active and innovating in the kite industry, kite associations, and kite events. He has participated in kite events in over a dozen countries. Not just a very skilled, creative flyer he is a true ambassador of the sport.
John is also highly regarded for his work with IQuad. In 2006, John co-founded iQuad and together they prolifically promoted the world of Rev team flying which ultimately led to the creation of his Signature Series with Revolution Kites in 2007 (the B-Series)… This later spawned the B-Pro (2008) and larger Zen kites (2010) which are handmade exclusively by teammate and kite maker extraordinaire Bazzer Poulter. Barresi, not being content with "good enough" saw another innovation in 2011 with the B-Series Xtra Vent and smaller, nimble B-2.
After performing at over 125 events worldwide in just seven years, Team iQuad disbanded peacefully in September of 2013.
If the great outdoors and west coast breeze didn't provide enough opportunity for quality airtime, Barresi also flies indoors. Flying indoors since 1992, John is a master with the Indoor Rev, dual line or various gliders. Together with his charming wife TK and teammate Spence Watson, he co-founded the indoor show team FlyForm in January of 2012 with an explosive debut routine set to “Pump It” by the Black Eyed Peas.
Personally, in addition to all the above (and much more - American Kitefliers Association, Kite Trade Industry Association)) what impresses me most about John Barresi is his generosity of spirit. I have had several opportunities to share a kite field at festivals with JB, and one can't help but notice how even in the midst a demanding demonstration schedule, John is often found out on the public flying fields giving folks the opportunity to fly his kite, provide one-on-one instruction, and advice to young and old alike. Barresi is an effective communicator with infectious joy of kites, which in my books makes him a top notch spokesmen for the kite industry and a great guy to share a flying field with.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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 rangesbecomes 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!
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!
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!
Parafoil kites are often made of ripstop nylon and they have no rigid frame or skeletal system . Sometimes it is helpful to think of something that looks like a parachute. It is thought that the parafoil kite design was the work of 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!
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.
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.
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.
Meet the Frustration-less Flyer! These simple, easy to build and fly kite kits are ideal for the classroom, team building, Camp craft or as a creative family activity. These popular kite making kits allow each person to add their own creative touch to the blank sail using common school and household craft supplies like: paint, markers, glitter, ribbon, stickers, pencil crayons and wax crayons - almost anything goes! 
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.
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!