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Location, Location, Location
This is probably one of the most important things you should know about before even unpacking your kite. Make sure the location you are about to fly your kite is safe. Try to avoid flying near high objects such as buildings and trees. These objects tend to produce gusty and unpredictable winds.
Are you allowed to fly at the location? In Scotland we are lucky that we have very few bans on locations and we also have dedicated kite zones on some of our beaches. We are constantly updating our location map with new kiting spots so check it out.
If you are unsure whether you are allowed to use a park / field, we advice you to always seek permission.
Parks and Fields
If you are unlucky enough not to live near a beach or within travelling distance, you can fly your kite in a local park or possibly a field that you have access to too. Here are some things to look out for if you choose to fly in either of these locations.
Pedestrians: Do not launch a traction kite in a busy location, not everyone is aware of how much power a kite can generate and if you lose control you could cause an accident. Do not dive your kite close to pedestrians, it doesn't take much to miss time a turn and hit someone!
Uneven ground: If flying in fields, be aware of possible rabbit holes and/or mole mounds, these can result in twisted ankles or worse.
Trees / fences and buildings: Launching a kite near trees or buildings can cause unpredictable winds, this makes kiting even more dangerous because the kite becomes unpredictable, one minute it is flying perfectly, the next its falling out the sky and then suddenly powers up again as a gust catches it. Always try and get to an area where wind is as smooth as possible.
Trees and fences are also great things got catching kites on! If you get too close to either of them you do run the risk of ripping or catching your kite on them, give yourself plenty of space when flying a traction kite, in a strong enough wind you can be pulled forwards so make sure there is nothing dangerous directly in front of you.
Beaches
Possibly the best place to traction kite is on the beach, there is usually plenty of space to fly your kite and you might even meet some other kiters while you are there.
Although there is usually plenty room, keep the following things in mind when you arrive at a beach.
Pedestrians: As above, always look out for pedestrians, on busy beaches such as Troon and St Andrews, the beaches tend to get very busy during the summer months and not everyone knows about traction kites.
Some beaches have dedicated kite zones, however, this does not mean the kiters own this area of beach, pedestrians are still allowed to walk their dogs, run, play Frisbee or anything else within this area.
Obstacles: Beaches are great places to have fun and this can result in people digging large holes to bury their Dads in, building sand castles, or setting up wind breaks. When kiting on a beach always look out for obstacles. As is the nature of a beach, the tide can also wash in new obstacles such as wood, glass, or anything else which is floating around at sea.
Dunes: Although it is unlikely there will be any high buildings or trees near the beach, the chances are there may well be high dunes. The same rule applies to dunes as it does other high objects, gusty winds can be produced if the wind is coming over the top of the dunes on to the beach. Try and setup your kite two or more times the length of your kite lines. e.g. if you kite has 25m lines, setup your kite 50m or more away from the dunes which means your kite will be 75m away with you, the pilot standing 50m away from the dunes. This should allow you to fly in cleaner winds.