Powerkiting is:

• A 100% natural wind-powered sport
• Great fun
• Suitable for all ages and levels of fitness
• Great exercise
• The easiest way to develop an understanding of the wind window and the power the kites can produce
• The best way to prepare yourself and practise the skills needed for any other kite powered sport
• Perfect for days at the beach when there's just too much wind for a frisbee!
• A great excuse to get out and enjoy the awesome beaches up here in the NE of Scotland
• A very portable sport, you or the family need never be bored on a beach holiday again

Courses offered:

Synergy Kitesports offer a range of powerkite lessons and training courses including IKO Powerkite level1, IKO Powerkite level 2 and De-powerkite Training. All of which offer a structured learning path for entry into and progression through the world of powerkiting.   

Types of kites:

For powerkiting there are fixed power kites and de-power kites.  Follow the links to other pages on our website that outline the differences between these.

Different control systems:

Straps - These are how many people start flying foil kites, with just two lines and the pilot holding a loop at the end of each line to control the kite.  Straps may be the easiest system to get the basics of kite control, but are limited as the pilot doesn't have any brakes to land or reverse launch the kite, unlike with both handles and a bar.  Ideal for kids and easy fun with kites, but not used so often beyond that stage.

Handle Control - Handles look similar to straps in that the pilot holds one handle in each hand, but instead of just one line on each side there are two lines going to each handle.  Handles allow for the best performance and maximum control of the kite as the pilot has independant control of each line at all times.  They are great for kite buggying and can be used for all land and snow kitesports, but are generally not used for kitesurfing.

Bar Control - Flying on a bar contorl system can be easier to get the hang of than handles.  Flying using a bar control system is perfect practise for anyone looking to progress onto either using de-power foils for land or snow based kitesports, or onto kitesurfing as these both use bar control systems.

De-power Control - A de-power bar system allows the rider to change the kite's angle of attack while flying and therefore alter the amount of power in the kite.  De-power foils can be used for powerkiting, landboarding, snowkiting and buggying.  Of all the bar systems available for foil kites the de-power bar is the most closely related to the kitesurfing bar system, so for anyone looking to get into kitesurfing these are ideal kites for cross-training on land