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1. What and who is “Kitesports in the Community”?
Kitesports in the Community (KITC) are a government funded project in the Southern area to promote kite sports in Schools, its part of the get people active campaign.
2. Our Aim
With the government funding we have raised we want to introduce Kite sports into schools and other areas of the community for young and old in the local areas.
This is a proven project that has been introduced and running successfully for a number of years in Leicestershire and surrounding areas.
3. Who is the Sponsor?
Traction Kites UK Limited (TKUK) is the sponsor for Kitesports in the Community. TKUK is a local kite retailer who has been established for 5 years and is based in Southsea Skatepark. The staff are established kite flyers with over 10 years experience and IKO qualifications.
4. What is the ‘Kite sports In the communities’ initiative?
The Kite Sports In The Community initiative has come about as the result of the success of a number of school kite and community clubs that have been running over the past few years. This has led to the initiative being rolled out kite clubs to date have found the following very powerful benefits:
- Accessible to all – you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy it
- Environmentally friendly outdoor sport
- Appeals to all – even those who are not interested in conventional sports
- Proven source of cardiovascular and muscular exercise
- Improves social behaviour of participants
- Elements of kiting can be used in the classroom and are very relevant to subjects such as P.E., Design and Technology, Physics, Art and Textiles
More recently, kite flyers Steve Sutton and Helen Hancock in association with Partnership Development Manager Suzanne Woods of the Oadby and Wigston School Sport Partnership in Leicestershire have been doing an excellent job in introducing kites into schools in their local area. They also managed to raise £4,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to help launch their programme.
For the future, kite clubs, manufacturers, retailers, flyers and anyone associated with kite flying are committed to bringing the benefits of the Kite sports in Schools everywhere.
5. What are Kite sports?
Kite sports is a term that encompasses all the possible kiting activities – from single line ‘drone’ kites, through to four-line power kiting and even kite buggying, kite land boarding and kitesurfing.
6. Why do kids and adults like kite sports (and why are they cool)?
For younger children, kite sports are simply the enjoyment of running around, pulling a large kite into the air and watching it climb. As people understand how to fly more, they will be able to control 2 and 4 line kites performing tricks and moves with ease. Older participants get the buzz of using larger kites that have enough power to pull them along. This gives them a good workout (often without them realising) as they experience the power of the wind.
7. Our school already offers a wide range of sports (such as rugby and football) why do we need kite sports?
Children are not getting enough exercise. In this ‘Playstation Generation’ many kids are simply sitting down and staring at a TV or computer screen. Some kids are not interested or excited with ‘conventional’ sports such as football and athletics. We need something new and different to capture their imaginations. Kiting is fun, exciting, and can be done by any child. It is suitable for young children who simply enjoy running around with single line ‘drone’ kites: through to children who have become skilled pilots and learning to use the full power of the wind. The adrenalin rush that power kiting delivers makes the sport very addictive.
You only have to read the case studies to fully understand how successful the project has been. If we want children to do more sport and more exercise we need to offer them something new.
8. Where does the money come from to buy the kites?
There are a number of ways that funds can be located to purchase kite sports equipment, if the school believes in the project and understands why kites would be a good activity for them, they may be able to release money they already have available. Another way which money can be found is by approaching the School PTA. There have now been a couple of cases where funding has been found for projects to introduce kite sports in schools/ and other community projects through ‘The Big Lottery Fund’, distributed through ‘Sport England’ Money may also be available from your local Council.
9. How much does it cost?
This does all depend on how many students want to fly at any one time! If you had, say 30 students with 3 students sharing one kite, 10 kites would be needed. Depending on what kites are selected to suit the abilables of the Participants and the prevailing winds in your area, a group would need to raise between £500 and £1500 (this value is exclusive of any training costs).
10. Who will teach us to fly?
KITC will provide the training; they are qualified to the Level 1 ‘Basic Powerkite Instructor’ certificate issued by the Power Kite Sports Federation (PKSF) and have over 10 years of experience. KITC have their own valid insurance suitable for teaching.
In order for the ‘kite club’ to be sustainable it is important that the KITC instructor helps set up the club in the early stage and helps a nominated teacher understand the basic kite skills.
We would recommend that the KITC instructor delivers at least 10 weeks of kite flying ‘lessons’ to the students (and a teacher). At the end of that period the teacher (or coaches) should be at a level where they are confident to take over. Obviously some schools have chosen to continue using the service of an external instructor.
11. I’ve heard kite sports can be dangerous is that true?
Kite sports are perfectly safe as long as participants read and act upon kite flying safety guidelines. KITC sponsor the Safe Flying certificate which is given to participants who take the necessary care when flying and looking after their equipment. Most kites within the packages come fitted with a ‘safety system’, this means that if a student gets overpowered they can simply let go of the handles and the kite is ‘depowered’ and the kite is safely brought to the ground. However, like any sport such as football, tennis, etc. there are risks of injury so you need to be careful and considerations need to be made before starting. The instructor will be able to assess the conditions and deliver kite sports in a safe and controlled manner. (Great Cornard Upper School, Sudbury, have been running a kite club for 2 years now with zero accident record!).
12. Is our school field big enough? What do we do if we are a group with out access to a field?
Most school fields will be big enough to fly on! A bigger consideration is actually what surrounds the field. If you have very high trees or very high buildings all around the school then it might be difficult. If the field is very small you may be limited with regards to the number of kites that can be flown at any one time. I you would like to discuss this more, or are unsure please contact KITC for further information.
KITC & TKUK can still provide Kite sports to your school and the training will be provided on Southsea Common.
14. What kites are used?
KITC recommend the Flexifoil 2- line Buzz, 4-line Flexifoil Sting and the 4-line Rage are used in schools. These kites are very strong and durable and have a proven track record for school use. KITC will also supply these kites at a discounted price for school use. Please check out the Kite Information section for more details on kites available and what is suitable.
15. Kite Information
These are the kites KITC recommend for use for teaching. All kites are supplied complete and ready to fly. Larger kites are supplied with safety systems.
Flexifoil Buzz
The Buzz is a perfect entry level kite for anyone and everyone who wants to try kiting. It is a two-line soft foil kite that is very easy to set up and a huge amount of fun to fly. The Buzz is ideal for kids of 6 years+ comes complete with flying lines and wrist straps and is ready to fly.
Flexifoil Sting
The Sting is a four line kite that requires a little more skill to fly than the Buzz kites and is great for flyers to move up to as their skill level increases. There are five sizes in the range which are suitable for different wind speeds and skill levels. The Sting is a great introduction into kite sports such as kite land boarding and buggying as it has stable and controllable power.
Flexifoil Rage
The Rage has been designed to be a high performance traction kite suitable for intermediate to advanced kite flyers. This kite is the next step up from the Sting. This is an extremely versatile kite providing more controllable, smooth and predicable power with reduced lift. The Rage can be used to land board or buggy and so is suitable for more skilled or older Participants. The Rage is available in 6 sizes to take into account skill levels and wind speeds.
16. School Kite Packs
The kite ‘PACKS’ listed below are designed to make it really easy for you to work out kites you should order. They are just a recommendation – if you have specific requirements please do not hesitate to contact KITC who would be happy to advise you further if you have specific requirements. All kites are supplied with everything you need to fly.
All kites include full comprehensive instructions. Safety systems are supplied with kites that require them.
KITC are offering equipment at discounted rates in order to help schools get kites. Please note: to enable a school to purchase these kites at these discounted prices, they must complete an official purchase order and agree that the equipment purchased is for school use only, and must not be sold for commercial gain.
PACK ONE
Kite Taster Pack
The taster pack is ideal for a school to get a taste of kite sports. (Supplied with everything you need to fly and suitable students of all ages).
1 x Big Buzz
1 x Sting 2.4m
2 KITES @ SPECIAL SCHOOL PRICE £170.00 inc VAT
Plus free 2 hours instruction
PACK TWO
Age 6 – 11 School Pack
This pack is suitable for approximately one class of 24 students. 1 kite to 3 students.
2 x Buzz
2 x Big Buzz
2 x Sting 1.7m
2 x Sting 2.4m
8 KITES @ SPECIAL SCHOOL PRICE £613.00 inc VAT
Plus free 2 Hours instructions.
PACK THREE
Age 11 – Upwards
This pack is ideal for a Secondary School or adult groups. This pack is suitable for approximately one class of 30 students. 1 kite to 3 students.
2 x Big Buzz
2 x Sting 1.7m
2 x Sting 2.4m
2 x Rage 2.5m
2 x Rage 3.5m
10 KITES @ SPECIAL SCHOOL PRICE £1349.55 Inc VAT.
Plus 2 hours free instruction
17. Does our school / Club have to purchase the kites?
No your school does not have to purchase the kites; there is another option you can take.
Option One – 2 Hour Session
KITC will come to your school or your group can come to us on Southsea common with all the necessary equipment to provide a 2 hour session to a maximum of 18 students at a discounted school price of £75.00 per supplied instructor each instructor can take 4 students.
Option Two – Teaching you to teach
KITC will teach your nominated persons to learn the basic kite flying skills. If they can already fly then this part won’t need to be completed. The amount of time needed depends on how quick the person learns to fly kites competently. Once they have mastered the flying they will then do a two day course to become qualified as an IKO INSTRUCTOR. After they have qualified they can then teach kiting. If you then want to set up your own school you can take advantage of the discounted packages above.
Costing - £10.00 per hour per student to learn the basic kite flying skills. Once the student has gained the basic skills they can get qualified as an IKO INSTRUCTOR.
Costing - £150.00 if the person is a qualified teacher - One Day course £220.00 if the person is not a qualified teacher – Two Day course If they pass they will be a fully qualified instructor and be able to teach others.
How we can help?
KITC & TKUK are helping the Kite sports in the community projects in a number of ways. Not only in supplying the equipment at reduced prices but we are also pushing the initiative forward. The primary objective of KITC & TKUK is to give kids and adults the chance to try out kite sports for themselves and get them active and even take it up as a hobby. KITC & TKUK have made it very simple to purchase kites at these discounted kites. They are being sold in packs designed for the age groups involved. These packs of kites are ONLY available for school use, and not available for resale.
The packs have been designed around the age of the student making it really easy for you or the school to work out what packs are needed and how many.
If you are a school that would like to purchase kite equipment please contact KITC to discuss your requirements.
Completed Sessions 2008:
Childrens University - Southsea
St Lukes School - Portsmouth
Harbour School - Portsmouth
