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The Wind Window
The wind window is a simple way to understand wind direction and how to interpret the wind's power. Stand with the wind directly behind you, so that you can feel it blowing on to your back. Directly in front of you is what's known as "downwind". Stretch your arms out to the sides, and you're pointing at the crosswind, or what's also known as "the edge of the wind window".
As you can see from the diagram, the cross wind is the least powerful area of the wind window, and is the safest place for your kite to be on a windy day. When launching your kite in strong wind, it's recommended that you place the kite near the edge of the wind window to ensure the kite launches slowly and safely.
If you fly kite outside of the wind window, you'll find that you lose all power and the kite will fall from the sky. Alternatively, fly the kite directly downwind and you'll immediately feel the power of the kite, pulling your forward.
Your kite will naturally want to fly/hover comfortably above your head. Directly above you is what's called "the zenith". The zenith is usually a very safe place for your kite to rest. Some kites generate a lot of upward lift when they sit up in the zenith but generally it's a safe place to keep your kite while you rest your arms.
The right kite for the right wind
You should be aware of the wind conditions suitable for your kite (also known as the "wind range"). Your kite's specification will indicate how little wind is required to get your kite into the air, as well as the maximum wind you should fly it in. This is your kite's wind range.
Most kites will require only a little wind to get going (as little as 3mph) but the larger your kite is, the heavier it is, and you'll start to need a bit more than a breeze to be able to fly.
It should go without saying that typically, the larger the kite, the more power you'll generate. For this reason, it's ideal to own 2 or 3 kites of different sizes, so that you're all set to fly in any wind condition.
Good, clean wind
The best wind to fly your kite in is a constant, clean wind. A constant wind basically means that the wind blows at a continuous and consistent speed, rather than being gusty or choppy. A clean wind means that you have nothing around you that will obstruct the wind (such as trees and buildings).
The best place to find clean wind is at the beach, or in a large open field. If your only option is to kite in a field surrounded by trees or houses, try to stand as far away from these as possible to get the best quality wind. Please see the diagram below to see why.
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