Early in 2006 we approached our local secondary schools to entice kids that wouldn't normally be very sporty to have a go at the hugely increasing sport, Powerkiting. The PDM contacted us following our initial letter to show an interest and we discussed the Grants they had been given from the Local Council through the Lottery Fund, we formulated a plan to introduce the kiting into an after school club. To get the ball rolling we held a free taster session at each school to gain their interest and get their names down on the list to join in.

Why Choose Kite Sports for an After School Club or within your Curriculum?

Not only is Kite Sports something different, but it is very versatile, for example, you can be as extreme as you want to be, which in effect means that you don't have to be the ultimate adventurer. You can fly the kite in different wind strengths for more or less pull, and use the wind to pull you with a landboard or buggy, having said that, you can get just as much fun flying a powerkite for recreation and having your muscles toned by the ultimate in green power, the wind!

Kite sports will attract kids from ages of 6-18 and the older kids like us. The kites are not all as powerful as each other; the different kite sizes means that you can take them out in different wind strengths and young and older kids can use different sizes to match their skill and weight.

There are so many positive benefits to this sport, we can take kites on a beach, in a field, up a mountain and plain on the water. There's the fresh air, the exercise and the social aspect. The sport is not a team sport and therefore it's not intimidating, they won't feel pressured that they could be the weak link in a team. Kite Sports is relatively unstructured, meaning it has endless possibilities and keep the mind open to limitless options. I think it is also important to mention at this point that all Powerkites these days have safety systems, so that there is very little risk involved which is ideal for kids to feel confident and push forward.

Kiting Performance

The kids we worked with were 14-16 years old, which we found ideal as at this age they are at a pivotal point in their sports life, where it seems that some kids get into a sporting lifestyle or follow a different track.

The Flexifoil kites were ordered through Airboss, delivered and set up by the instructors ready for the start of the course.

We held the 6 week course over September / October; the kids learnt everything from safety aspects, powerkite control to using the kites to get movement with the landboards and buggies. Their last week was a review of what they learnt with a presentation and as an incentive a prize for the top student from each school winning a Scholarship to Airbossworld Kite Sports Centre.

The amount they gained from this activity was immense, they learnt a sport that exercises your mind as well as a different set of muscles not found in most of the normal school activities, they learnt hand eye co-ordination, helping each other, safety aspects such as surrounding dangers and so much more. Tuition by experienced instructors is absolutely paramount to the kids improvement as they can draw on their past experiences and help the kids envisage what they are explaining.

Some of the parents asked us what our secret was, why the kids were so full of beans when they came home and how well they slept after their sessions, it was even mentioned to us that since the course their attention in lessons at school had increased and that it had given a positive effect on their work, which for us was a real reward and were glad to see them back for the Saturday Clubs.

Case Study Summary

The course was so successful with the schools that they wanted us to hold Saturday Clubs for the kids to carry on their skills and be coached again to a higher level.

We hold sessions every Saturday morning to move their skills forward and coach them in safe kiting with a sport that they can grow and at their age can go forward and even grow the sport with limitless possibilities.

The take up has been phenomenal and kite sports have really grabbed their imagination. More and more schools are taking an interest and using Powerkiting as another option in their sporting curriculum.