Professional Kite Flyers’ Guide to the OBX

This past weekend, Kitty Hawk Kites celebrated the 41st Annual Rogallo Kite Festival. Dozens of professional kite flyers traveled to the OBX for friendship, food, fun, and of course, flying! It was an amazing community event, attracting locals and vacationers alike to witness stunt kites, display kites, and the natural beauty of the Outer Banks in Jockey’s Ridge State Park. In the spirit of the Rogallo Festival, here is an inside scoop into the best kite flying spots in the Outer Banks.

The Outer Banks has a rich history when it comes to flying. In 1903, the Wright brothers successfully flew a powered aircraft in Kitty Hawk, NC. The record-breaking flight was accredited to the OBX having some of the best flying conditions in the country. These winds draw visitors in every year for a kite flying experience like no other.

Ideal flying conditions are around 6 mph to 17 mph. Below are the best spots to take flight on the Outer Banks.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park, located in Nags Head, is the number one destination in the OBX to take your kite for a spin. This scenic area is home to the largest natural sand dunes on the east coast, making the wind conditions almost always perfect for kite flying. To make things even more convenient, our largest Kitty Hawk Kites location is directly across the street. It is fully stocked with kites and accessories for flying.  

The park is over 400 acres, free from trees and buildings— and therefore shade—requiring sunscreen, water and shoes for a pleasant experience on the dunes. The warm summer months are no joke. So make sure you prepare and pack for a full-fledged day on the dunes.  

Take to the sky in the very spot where Wilbur and Orville took their first historic flight over 120 years ago. Check out the 60-foot-tall Wright Brothers Monument while you’re at it, And come by in July for the Annual Wright Kite Festival to see a unique display of 30-100 foot kites flying high. The Wright Brothers National Memorial grounds are open daily from 9:00AM – 5:00PM. Admission to the park is free for children 15 and younger and $10 for adults.  

The Whalehead Club, located in Corolla, has a large open grassy field that is great for kite flying. Located on 39 acres along the Currituck Sound, the wind conditions are often perfect during the summer months since the open field mostly faces southwest. Don’t miss the breathtaking views of the sun setting over the sound. And be sure to check out the beautifully restored 1920s-era Art Nouveau style mansion. Then stop by our two Kitty Hawk Kites locations just a short distance away in Corolla for all your kiting needs. 

With no shortage of beaches, the shoreline is a great place to fly your kite. The best time to fly is when the winds are blowing from the East. A nice ocean breeze takes a kite flying day from good to great. A single line kite is a better option for beach flying than a stunt kite, due to the sometimes-turbulent air and low altitude.   

Kitty Hawk Kites is dedicated to teaching the world to fly! Help us help you find your perfect kite in our stores or online at http://store.kittyhawk.com