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Tied to the Sky

5 Reasons Why we Think Kites are Freakin' Awesome

5 Reasons Why we Think Kites are Freakin' Awesome

We think kites are amazing!  They are fun to fly, great exercise and a chance to get out in the outdoors and away from our screens!  Here is a list of why we think Kite Flying is a great hobby and a wonderful family activity.

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Kite Flying is for Lovers!

flying Kites at Writing on Stone Provincial ParkThis year Andrea and Mike (owners of the Great Canadian Kite Company) are celebrating 30 years of marriage!   They are often asked what the secret to staying married so long is - to which Andrea usually responds -WINE! Lots of wine! LOL!

They will also tell you that developing hobbies and things to do together (aside from work and racing the children) allow you to make time to have fun together!  Kite flying is one of those activities that have provided many hours of fun for them.

Mike enjoys launching the larger single line kites and making a bit of a display.  HeGreat Canadian Kite Company flying kites
enjoys his dual line and quad line sports kites as well.  Andrea tends to reach for her quad-line Revolution kite.  It’s not unusual to find them flying in a local soccer field, or a provincial park somewhere.

The two like flying together and are working away at some semblance of a quad line kite team - which usually ends with laughs and one or two oops!   It has been good for communication, even if that communication involved a few colourful metaphors!

One lesson Mike had to learn was to relax more with his kites when flying with his family.  It took him a while to realize that kite flying needs to be fun for all involved and getting too uptight about the kite getting damaged, or how involved the family was tended to suck a lot of joy out of the family time.

Mike came to realize that kites can be fixed, and with the right attitude even untangling kite line can be a Zen experience too.  It is so great to help your children and friends learn to fly kites.  The big smiles as they complete their first loop is worth the effort!

Mike and Andrea snuck away last evening to a local park with their Rev kites - and even being eaten alive by mosquitos - they had a great time.

It was especially good for Andrea.  She has a stressful job in healthcare with long hours.  She has found flying kites is a great way to unwind, deal with stress and have some fun!  “Even setting up the kite, attaching lines is relaxing.” She said.

Great Canadian Kite Company is owned and operated by a Canadian family of kite flyers - people who enjoy kites - together.  Running one of Canada’s best online kite stores is just an extension of that passion.

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Buying Kites is Easy at Great Canadian Kite Company

Buying Kites is Easy at Great Canadian Kite Company

We sure enjoy flying kites, and our mission is to help share the joy of Kite flying with everyone!  This is why we do our best to provide great kites at fair prices.

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Kites: Not Just Another SKu

Kites: Not Just Another SKu

Great Canadian Kite CompanyThere is an old joke in the kite retail biz that goes:  How do you make a million dollars selling kites?  Answer:  Start with two million dollars!
It usually produces a chuckle, if not through a few tears!

The kite business has been good to us as we reflect over our past 12/13 years providing great kites and service to kite flyers throughout Canada and beyond.  It has been a joy to help people discover kites, and help them develop a fun family and personal hobby.

We are excited because right from the beginning the mission of the Great Canadian Kite Company was to promote the sport of Kites and share the fun.  We have endeavoured to do so by providing top-shelf knowledgeable service along with quality products at fair and competitive prices.

In addition, we have supported Kite Festivals, hosted numerous fun-flies, sponsored and supplied kites and information for kite exhibits in local libraries and schools, teaching people to fly, as well as being friendly on the kite field with onlookers, and the interested.  Its one thing for folks to look on, its quite another when you put the lines in their hands!

If you haven't guessed, we like kites - a lot.  We are proud of our kite shop.  We are a kite shop owned by everyday people who enjoy kites.   As such, kites are not just another Sku., not just another do-dad that we sell.   Kites are our thing!

While we work really hard to compete with larger online retailers, we offer something they simply can't - a professional, personalized kite purchase experience.   We know kites. We work hard to resource our customers with solid information to help in making a good purchase but also to be able to help trouble shoot when there may be a performance concern or you need parts to get your kite back in the air.

We pride ourselves on providing solid service both before and after the sale. And as our many repeat customers, referrals, and many 'Thank you' emails demonstrate, we are definitely doing some things right!


We can't be all things to all people, all the time, but for Great Canadian Kite Company, kites are not just another Sku. Kites are our main thing.  Our commitment is to do our very best to do that one thing really well.

 

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What is a Parafoil kite?

What is a Parafoil kite?

Bora kite parafoilParafoil 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 HQ Fluxx trainer kiteadjust 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!

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Stunt Kite Flying Basics

Stunt Kite Flying Basics

Have you seen our stunt Kite flying manual?

 Flying stunt kites is an exciting way to enjoy the fresh air, get some exercise and relax.  Many people like to learn the latest tricks, while others like to fly their kite listening to music on their iPod.  Stunt kites are a wonderful way to spend your leisure time with friends and family. The following is our illustrated start up guide for flying two line stunt kites.  This material was collected from a variety of sources and presented here for your information and interest.

These basic tips will help you get in the air faster and enjoy more success as you take to the skies with your new kite.  Also have a look in our resource section for some great online kite fly tutorials to help take you to the next levels!

 Click on images to enlarge

Kite flying instructions.  How to fly a stunt kite

 

How to Fly a trick kite - two line kite

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Kites for Father's Day - June 19

Father's day, kites, gift

Father's Day is just around the corner, but it's not too late to get the special dad in your life a gift that will thrill!. Kites are a fantastic way to get some fresh air, fly stress away and have fun! Whether he is tearing up the sky with a Stunt Kite or chillin' with a Single Line Kite dancing on the wind, are great fun for the whole family!

We have a wide selection  of quality made, great flying single line kites for almost any taste!.  Easy to fly kites in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs make single line kites a great choice for family fun and relaxation!

Our Stunt kites will Thrill!!  Stunt kites allow the flyer to become a pilot as they take control of the kite lines; fly loops and spins, and with practice, you can learn some jaw-dropping kite tricks.  Stunt kites are a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Great Canadian Kite Company is your full service Kite Shop serving Canada and Great Canadian Kite Companybeyond from Alberta.  Check out our selection of quality kites in our online kite shop.  Quality Kites, selection and top notch service and support before AND after your kite purchase!

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Gift Cards!

Shopping for someone else but not sure what to give them? Give them the gift of choice with a Great Canadian Kite Company Gift Card.

Gift cards provide a flexible way for you to purchase a gift for someone from Great Canadian Kite Company, while maintaining full freedom of choice! You simply purchase gift cards the same, secure way that you purchase any other of our product. And unlike a gift certificate, the recipient can spread the gift card balance over multiple visits!

Gift cards are delivered by email and contain instructions to redeem them at checkout. Our gift cards have no additional processing fees.

See our New Gift Cards

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Flyin' with the Devil? Hold Tight!

Big two line kite!Looking for that epic kite?  Over 10ft of wingspan this Kite will curdle the blood of any pilot. Tremendous pull accompanied by tight loops and precise moves.Looking for shear power with speed? You want to try and restrain this Devil Wing? Then be warned that your fingers could get burned. This completely revised design means fireworks for the unwary with its speed and power!  This kite is not for the faint of heart!

The Devil Wing 3.2 will help even experienced pilots to discover and stretch their limits in no time.
 

Specs:

Wingspan:  320cm
Height: 125 cm
Sail: Nylon
Frame: Carbon 10 & 12 mm
Line: 300lb x 75ft included
Wind: 4- 49 Kph
Age: +16

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Setting up your New Dual-Line Stunt Kite

With summer coming to an end and fading into autumn, we managed to get some breathing time to get out to the kite field today, a lovely day in Taber, Alberta, Canada.  

Jake and I took the opportunity to do a home-spun video on setting up your new dual-line stunt kite.   The kite used in this video was a trick machine by Into the Wind - The Trickster - a super cool kite loaded with features for the intermediate pilot.

We have also included a short bit on the anatomy of a stunt kite but we will be doing video's specific to this subject and many others in the weeks to come!

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