Arc kite facts for kids
The arckite or twinskin kite is a special type of power kite. It was invented by Peter Lynn. Arckites are known for being very stable, safe, and easy to control. You can use them for many exciting sports that use wind power. These include kiteboarding (riding on water), landboarding (riding on land with a board), kite buggying (riding in a buggy), and snowkiting (riding on snow).
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What Makes Arckites Special?
Arckites look a bit like a "C" shape, similar to some inflatable kites. But they are built more like a foil kite. These kites are also called "closed-cell inflatables." This means they have special openings at the front that let air in. These openings have flaps that act like one-way valves. They let air in but stop it from rushing out. This helps the kite stay full of air and keep its shape.
Why Closed-Cell is Great for Water Sports
The closed-cell design is very useful for kitesurfing. If an arckite falls into the water, it stays inflated. It floats for a long time, giving the rider enough time to get back to it. Then, they can relaunch the kite and keep riding. This is a big advantage over other kites that might deflate quickly in the water.
Different Kinds of Arckites
Arckites come in different styles. Each style might be a bit better for certain activities. However, you can usually use any arckite for most kite-powered sports.
Arckites for Land Sports
These kites are often designed to be very powerful and easy to control in strong winds. They might not be as easy to relaunch from water.
- Phantom
- Scorpion
- Phantom II
Arckites for Water Sports (Lower Aspect Ratio)
These kites are generally designed to be stable and easy to handle on the water.
- S-Arc
- Bomba
- Vortex
Arckites for Water Sports (Higher Aspect Ratio)
These kites are often better for catching wind in lighter conditions. This means you can use them when there isn't a lot of wind.
- F-Arc
- Guerila I & Guerilla II
- Venom I & Venom II
- Synergy
- Charg
