| When I was a kid my school P.E. lessons revolved | | | | rewarding as the freestyle is more achievable. |
| around football, rugby or cricket and I hated | | | | Stunt kites, trick kites, or sports kites are 2 line |
| them, notes to be excused were forged many | | | | kites that can be controlled left or right by pulling |
| times. When my parents divorced I joined a new | | | | the control lines. Since the Peter Powell kite of the |
| school and the sports teacher was a bit more | | | | 70's they have come a long way in design and |
| unconventional in his approach. He introduced us to | | | | technology. Experienced flyers are doing tricks |
| Tug of war and P.E. became interesting It got a | | | | that amaze me. They can manipulate the control |
| lot of us hooked so we even came back after | | | | lines to cause the kite to wrap itself up in its own |
| school and weekends and we formed a team | | | | lines and then unwrap like a yoyo and still fly out |
| that took on local pub teams in fetes and | | | | afterwards; flat spins or stalls are common. They |
| carnivals. | | | | can make up teams where 2 or more flyers are |
| That was a long time ago and work etc took | | | | doing tricks in unison and getting their lines tangled, |
| over life and sports took a back seat. Several | | | | only to do another trick and untangle themselves |
| years ago I was on holiday in Devon and saw | | | | again. |
| people flying kites on the beach. The kites they | | | | Mountain boards are similar to snow boards but |
| were flying had enough power to pull the flyer | | | | they have wheels so they can be ridden on a far |
| along leaving furrows in the sand. I knew I had to | | | | more varied terrain. They can be ridden downhill |
| have a go on that. I bought myself a Flexifoil Pro | | | | for fun or in competition with others. They are |
| Team 8 which was an 8 foot kite and started | | | | also used for freestyle like snowboards and great |
| having fun. The 8 footer was changed to a 10 | | | | height and style can be achieved. |
| footer and then stacked with 2 more as I craved | | | | Then I found the Frisbee, yes the humble Frisbee |
| for more power and fun. I then discovered the | | | | is a whole list of sports. The main one is probably |
| power kite. These 4 line kites which are styled on | | | | "Ultimate" which is a cross between American |
| para gliders or parachutes, these really opened up | | | | Football and Basket Ball. It is played on a pitch |
| the sport side and before long I was kite | | | | similar in size to a football pitch with 2 end zones. |
| buggying and kite land boarding. I was fitter and I | | | | The teams throw the Frisbee to their team |
| lost over a stone in a couple of months without | | | | mates and attempt to catch the Frisbee while |
| even trying to. | | | | standing in the opposition's end zone. It is very |
| I enjoyed this alternative sport so much I opened | | | | fast moving and direction of play changes rapidly |
| up a shop selling kites and mountain boards. In | | | | as if the disc is dropped it goes to the opposition. |
| doing this I found myself looking for other | | | | Ultimate is very exciting to watch and exhilarating |
| alternative or secondary sports to try. | | | | to play. Disc golf is like normal golf but you throw |
| Kite buggying is my favourite sport, it involves | | | | a disc and not hit a little ball It can be played by |
| flying a 4 line power kite whilst sitting in a 3 | | | | anyone either on a proper course using baskets |
| wheeled kart which you steer with your feet. If | | | | or a std golf course where hitting the flag is the |
| you go for speed you can reach 70mph+ but you | | | | aim. A course can be made on your local park by |
| will need a lot of space. There are organised races | | | | using trees, lamp posts or litter bins as targets. |
| all over the world including endurance races for | | | | The Frisbee is great just to throw and catch and |
| teams of pilots. There is also a freestyle series | | | | with LED technology can even be played at night. |
| now which involves strapping yourself into the | | | | Contained here is just a small sample of the |
| buggy and attaching the kite via a harness, this | | | | alternative or secondary sports activities available |
| enables you to fly much larger kites and the kite | | | | through the right shop. When someone says "are |
| can then pick you and the buggy up to do 360 | | | | you a sporty person" please don't immediately |
| spins and many more tricks. | | | | say no, there is probably a sport available that |
| Kite land boarding is similar but you stand on a | | | | you will thoroughly enjoy. Take a look around the |
| mountain board while flying the kite, this is more | | | | internet or your local alternative sports shop and |
| difficult in the initial stages but can be more | | | | try something new. |