A Success Story With A Roller Kite

by Craig Ensey
(Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA)

Taken on my birthday over in Newport, Oregon

Taken on my birthday over in Newport, Oregon

So, got inspired to build a Roller by this site. It took about 6 hours, but I used taffeta nylon instead of a bag. It was OK for a first try...

When I got to the beach over in Newport, Oregon I let it out in about 8 mph winds hoping for the best. I flew from altitudes varying from 100-300 feet and it flew great the whole time. I'm thinking about switching to bigger cross spars like 1/4" 'cause they bend a lot. I'm thinking bigger is better, yes?!

It's a great design... If you're thinking of building one - DO IT!

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starstarstarstar 		Stiff breeze
by: Tim Parish

8mph winds are a little stiff for this design if made exactly according to instructions, yes. Give 1/4" dowel a try if you are likely to fly in this kind of breeze most of the time.

I fly my Roller in the lightest of breezes, and usually in thermal conditions inland.

Thanks for encouraging other would-be kite builders out there!

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  1. Beach Kites

    Sep 19, 18 06:00 AM

    This page was published back when smaller images were the norm on the Web. Take a look anyway, since some great photography was found, to illustrate the page...

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Wind Speeds


Light air
1-5 km/h
1-3 mph
1-3 knots
Beaufort 1

Light breeze
6–11 km/h
4–7 mph
4–6 knots
Beaufort 2    

Gentle breeze
12–19 km/h
8–12 mph
7–10 knots
Beaufort 3    

Moderate breeze
20–28 km/h
13–18 mph
11–16 knots
Beaufort 4    

Fresh breeze
29–38 km/h
19–24 mph
17–21 knots
Beaufort 5    

Strong breeze
39–49 km/h
25–31 mph
22–27 knots
Beaufort 6

High Wind
50-61 km/h
32-38 mph
28-33 knots
Beaufort 7