Power Kite Forum

Why are you satisfied with static flying ?

Bladerunner - 29-9-2009 at 05:15 PM

Snobdr hit on a point I have wondered about for a while. A great many of the poeple on here promote static and jumping flying like it is a sport in and of itself. Sorry but I don't exactly get that?

I suppose I always looked at kites as a potential engine / wing. I find it is not much fun at all just static flying.

Too answer Furb's question . YES for me riding and jumping is the prize. It is what drew me to the sport. All the scudding ,static jumping and such is just practice for my thing.

I don't doubt that there are tons of people who fly awsome kite and have never ridden. I'm not trying to say that people who only static fly are any less a kiter. I'm just curious why you DON'T ride ? :puzzled:

[ I would prefer to fly Rev's if I'm not moving ]

cheezycheese - 29-9-2009 at 05:50 PM

when i got my first kite i thought i would only fly static, but as i got a larger kite i quickly realized this is just too much energy to waste and at times it seemed just plain silly to me to be dragged around on solid ground (sand or even wet grass o.k.) but again it just seemed silly that i could think i was gonna hold this kite down while standing in one place. so the desire for a board or a buggy quickly began to manifest. gotta put that enegy in motion. i still enjoy flying static, but i have a few 2-lines that i like to use for that (p.3,symphony2.1, and that big ole' peel). and now that i have flown a rev i would like to add one of those to my quiver for static flying. being able to do all those tricks without getting yanked certainly has some appeal....;)

Tonka - 29-9-2009 at 06:07 PM

I fly static mainly because it's just a way to relax [appart from the travel aspect as you know]. My main goal is to fly quad line traction kites like pattern flying a plane...so very fast, exact patterns all while fighting the elements and having my arms ripped off....lol!!!

Buggying is cool but it requires space, transport and $$$$. At the moment i reserve my speed thrill for my race bike...nothing like driving around a track at 160mph to feel the wind blowing.....:wee:

Now don't get me wrong here...if someone said theres my buggy go for a rip....lets just say you wouldn't have to ask twice!!!

Taper123 - 29-9-2009 at 06:25 PM

Flying static is a great way to unwind when you can't get to a space to add wheels. A windy day and a small fast foil is a blast... but my personal favorite for stationary flying is the Revolution.

heliboy50 - 29-9-2009 at 06:26 PM

I would venture to say that really no 2 of us got into this the same way for the same reasons. I didn't get a tiny 1m profoil to pull 300lbs of buggy and rider around, I got it because I knew it fly like a retarded squirrell with substance abuse issues. A boring, light wind day at the beach with nothing big enough to pull the bug is still better than a good day at work. If a kite with some lift to help you jump with your board or blades is your deal then why not get a glider and slip the bounds of earth all together? 3000' up is one big, floaty jump. Buggies can take you faster then coyotes or an ATB, so why bother? Different strokes for different folks.

Sandman - 29-9-2009 at 06:47 PM

I have a buggy but only fly static except for the few times this year that I actually pulled the buggy out to play. Now for the reasons why I only fly static.

#1 - I suck at buggying. (due to the lack of practice)
#2 - Not enough space for a buggy or board.
#3 - Like Chevy, I swim like a rock. So the water gig is out.

But flying static for me is a wicked trip. I get to fly these really cool kites, get dragged all around on my feet and butt, and get a great workout all at the same time.

The only thing that sucks about static flying for me is the grass stains that seam to find their way onto my jeans that refuse to leave.

f0rgiv3n - 29-9-2009 at 06:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Taper123
Flying static is a great way to unwind when you can't get to a space to add wheels.


That's one reason Why i do it as well.... But I enjoy kite jumping as well because it's just... fun and simple? I enjoy the getting air part more than the moving around part... if that makes any sense? But as I'm getting better on the board i'm enjoying getting air WHILE moving around :D

Houston AirHead - 29-9-2009 at 07:14 PM

one reason, i flew static for 6 months before i got my depower. its how i got back into being healthy and it motivated me to start lifting weights and running. I got such a high from it not to mention super forearm and bicep workout that i didnt even realize i was exersizing. i lost about 10 pounds in 4 weeks, which led to me finally getting into great shape.
kiting changed my life. haha sounds lame but its true.

airin - 29-9-2009 at 07:17 PM

A good question Bladerunner and one I have wondered about myself.

As you know, I fly a Rev and what drew me to a quad line stunt kite was the complexity of moves it offered. However I play with the precision rather than the power of the wind when I fly the Rev to the point that when the wind is strong I move to a vented Rev so as to keep the pull down and the smooth flow of the kite up.

I also sometimes fly a wee, 1.4 metre, two line foil, to change things up from the Rev every now and then. The power of the wind is obvious as the speed picks up and the foil responds with a stronger and stronger pull. But why fight it, I think to myself.... really why fight the wind, why not put it to work?

I see the guys with their foils, slipping and being dragged about (at least that's what I thought it was at first until I came to this forum and realized it could be intentional and that it is sometimes called 'scudding'). They seem to barely hang on and it looks like a struggle. I had no idea they might actually be enjoying themselves but rather thought that they just had choosen too big a kite for the day's wind, or that perhaps they only owned the one kite.

What drew me to wanting to learn to buggy was the idea of flowing with the wind. I think the foils are very well suited to that kind of flying, perfect for transferring the wind power to a moving object. Of course there's no doubt that I need to learn to fly the quad line foil in a static way first before combining the kite with the buggy, so there's a natural time to be flying static. But once the technique is mastered it just seems logical to move on to something that connects the power of the wind with smooth, efficient and enjoyable motion.

kitejumper - 29-9-2009 at 07:59 PM

buggy or landboard is cool, but sometimes i want a break, so i'll do some scudding or jumping--i need variety, and power kites provide that in many forms.......

Jolt - 29-9-2009 at 08:30 PM

I initially got started flying, thanks to trancein1, static, and now i want to move onto boarding.

But I don't see a good reason not to just give up on fixed bridle jumping kites, its still a rush, and I'm never giving that up.

Maven454 - 30-9-2009 at 03:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by airin
I also sometimes fly a wee, 1.4 metre, two line foil, to change things up from the Rev every now and then. The power of the wind is obvious as the speed picks up and the foil responds with a stronger and stronger pull. But why fight it, I think to myself.... really why fight the wind, why not put it to work?
Just want to point out that the Prism Snapshot line are badly... numbered. The Snapshot 1.4 is only 1m not 1.4m --> http://www.prismkites.com/k_snapshot.html But the Snapshots are a lot of fun.

As for the thread topic, I usually fly static. Both to learn the kites and due to a lack of (known) large spaces.

william_rx7 - 30-9-2009 at 04:42 AM

I guess, static is OK for some, especially with a cool kite. As they say down South (US), "It's all good".

Rev's and Flexi-foil stacks are cool. After a short time, it must get to be a little boring without the movement.

Scudding, and digging a pit to jump is really silly IMHO.


(Somebody buy these kids a landboard quick!)


I wonder if it's called a 'sport' so that beginners that are too timid to try moving kite sports feel like they are part of something. Honestly I think it's just industry marketing hype, trying to reach a larger audience.

Then again, I can't really 'dis' static flying, it's how many of us got into kiting. It's the gate-way drug of the kiting world.

Then again, some take it to 'whole 'nother level'.

(maybe it is a sport?)

Maven454 - 30-9-2009 at 04:45 AM

Yeah, I think I'm getting bored with static, but I need to find good places for a buggy or ATB around here.

ragden - 30-9-2009 at 05:01 AM

I barely flew static for any length of time. If the kite has enough power to make scud a foot, then its enough power to ride in a buggy. Then when I got better, if I had to lean against the power of the kite to hold my ground, then I went for my buggy.

I have nothing against people who do static flying. It really is necessary so that you can learn the wind window, and all that other good stuff BEFORE you grab your buggy or board, or whatever. I can see the appeal of static flying, but it doesnt do much for me anymore. I dont even go anywhere to static fly. The last time I did, I was totally bummed I didnt have my buggy setup. Even though it wasnt really enough wind to get it rolling...

For me, movement is the key. The translation of wind power into movement is just awesome. I love the whole one-with-nature "Zen" feeling of zipping along using the wind to get there...

ragden - 30-9-2009 at 05:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Maven454
Yeah, I think I'm getting bored with static, but I need to find good places for a buggy or ATB around here.


The problem with DC is the limited number of places you can ride. Wind is either too fickle, or the fields too small, or the direction just isnt right... it can be really frustrating trying to get anything going in DC.

Having said that, now that the beach season is over... Wildwood is a GREAT place to go. Just have to get a place to crash over night, then head up. Tides are always an issue, so its an every-other-weekend kind of thing (working with the tides). However, I will not be doing this regularly until the water is too cold to ride. Not that kitesurfing is that much better, but the locations for it are a little closer and do not require overnight stays. I draw the line at a 3hr trip one way. If its 4, I'm staying somewhere...

kitejumper - 30-9-2009 at 05:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Maven454
Yeah, I think I'm getting bored with static, but I need to find good places for a buggy or ATB around here.
LOL--if youre bored with static flying try a blade--that will get the adrenaline flowing--trust me on that hahaha

flyboy15 - 30-9-2009 at 07:21 AM

I do a mix everytime i go out. I can get some pretty huge static jumps with a 12, so Ill warm up with a few jumps and maneuvers to see how the wind is. Then ill board around for hours at a time taking breaks to grab some water, do some static jumps (mostly to blow minds of unknowing spectators haha) or ill stick to static flying for about 10 min or so if i eat it pretty good so i can get my marbles back and then ill take off again. I only spend a whole day flying static if im teaching people, and i agree it is completely neccessary to understand the window first. I'm wondering if there are any age trends with this? something to consider

Bladerunner - 30-9-2009 at 03:02 PM

This is what I would think .


Sort of like smoking without inhaling? :yes:



Quote:
Originally posted by william_rx7


Then again, I can't really 'dis' static flying, it's how many of us got into kiting. It's the gate-way drug of the kiting world.

BeamerBob - 30-9-2009 at 05:52 PM

I had 30 minutes one day earlier this week and the wind was blowing pretty good. I eagerly stopped by my localest flying field between errands just to do an inaugural flight of my Beamer. I had a blast getting to know the kite. Like I said in that thread last week or so about kitesurfers: I like owning, unpacking, flying, watching, packing away and generally admiring the beauty of a kite. I don't have to be moving to do any of that. The buggy or kutesurfing is just icing on the cake.

shehatesmyhobbies - 30-9-2009 at 06:42 PM

Ditto on what Bob said. It doesn't matter what I am flying, or if I can or can't buggy. I get excited either way when the wind blows good. If there is not enough wind to buggy then I fly static. If the wind is crazy then I get out the small pissed off kites!. I have several stunt kites as well, which I still love to fly when I can't be somewhere big enough for the big guns! I just love to fly, I don't have to be sitting in something or have something strapped to my feet to make me feel like flying!

Either way to each their own, and good winds to all!

william_rx7 - 30-9-2009 at 09:17 PM

BeamerBob I know what you mean, when you say
"I don't have to be moving to do any of that. The buggy or kutesurfing is just icing on the cake"

Several years into the sport, and I guess I'm spoiled now. I usually only fly static in calm winds to test out a line repair / gear switch.

I dig cool kites, especially the Rev, but for now I'm focusing my kiting efforts/$/time on water & snow riding. Flying the kite is cool, but for static flying (sans jumps/scud/wipeouts), seems like you really don't want to bey flying a big traction kite, but want something that flys gracefully.

What do you guys think about this Revolution kites.


It's a trip when I hear this guy at 2:28 say about Revolution kites "it's having a bird listen to your mind." (Sounds like it belongs on the "Have a Cigar" thread). Is this the kind of session you guys talking about, or am I way, way off base.

Seems like from the 3 videos I've posted, "static flying" covers a pretty wide range, and means really different things to different people.

snobdr - 1-10-2009 at 06:06 AM

went out yesturday trying to get some runs in. Put up a kite and the wind wasnt there. Just not enuff to do anything. I flew static for all of 5 minutes and was board out of my mind. I just cant sit there and fly static. I have to be moving, land, or water. If i wanted to fly static i would have taken up stunt kites.

Scudley - 1-10-2009 at 06:57 AM

I flew static for a long time, 4 years, before I started to buggy. I was perfectly happy doing so. It was only a chance encounter at Clover Point in Victoria that gave me the opportunity to try a buggy. After that one session I was hooked. I had to have one.
Dusty was not that interested the idea. She liked going to Vanier Park, a little flying interspersed with knitting. Now she seldom misses the opportunity to go to GP, buggying interspersed with knitting.
I do not think my time flying static was wasted. I think a lot of people try to start being mobile too soon. They have not taken the time to develop good flying skills. They can have a much harder time getting mobile as they are trying to learn two skills at the same time.
I still like flying static, but then again I flew stunt kites for ten years before I flew foils.

S

BeamerBob - 1-10-2009 at 07:08 AM

Don't get me wrong. With the right winds and time opportunity, I'd have the buggy out and be ripping along in it. And I wouldn't go to Jekyll island and spend hours flying static with miles of open beach on both sides of me. But limit my opportunity with time or space, and I'd much rather fly static than nothing at all.

Erics - 1-10-2009 at 10:08 AM

I prefer to be in a bug but I still enjoy getting my 2 string parafoil 1.8 out for a static fly as it can be thrown around the sky and being easy to control. I had the parafoil and then a 3 mtr blaze for several months before getting a bug and this was good as it helped develope kite skills so when i got a bug it was easier to learn. It is nice and relaxing sometimes to fly static and just being out in fresh air concentrating on the kite helps get your brain cleared out and makes you feel better.

furbowski - 1-10-2009 at 11:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Erics
It is nice and relaxing sometimes to fly static and just being out in fresh air concentrating on the kite helps get your brain cleared out and makes you feel better.


:thumbup:

I'm currently dithering about a landboard and suffering from a surfeit of employment and a dearth of decent winds on the right beach.

And may I mention I resent the insinuations of inferiority cast by some of the edge-holding, board-riding, buggy-cruising, flow-grooving presumptuous overlords of this forum...

:puzzled:

....I've helped many a single liner figure out how to catch the wind for the first time, yes usually I have to get them to figure out the difference between down and up wind and grok the benefits of line tension on takeoff.

It's always nice to set somebody up and flying, 1,2, or 4 lines, handles or bar, frame / foil / or pump, but at the end of the day the joy I take in the wind is mine alone, and best enjoyed with nobody around.

I must confess I still try to share it whenever possible, with due care not to impinge on discussions or threads where I haven't much to contribute.

I know a few kitesurfers, and sometimes they drop by my beach. I always offer my kite, only one has had the hoojness to try my 8m, and he was pumped after two minutes and beginning to get dragged downwind. Mind you, I was getting consistent ten-footers that day and he was twenty pounds lighter than me.

After a few hundred hours of solid, focused flying time and quite a few thousand static jumps, I'm still finding plenty to learn doing the boring static thing, but this forum keeps encouraging me to broaden my skills.

My wallet is the only part of me that minds and/or restricts that.

xiaan - 1-10-2009 at 10:05 PM

During the windy winter months here in Colorado, I can take a quick break from work and fly my 3m or 4.5m static for 30 minutes, at least 3 times a week. It's quick, it's fun, and the effort to reward ratio is right on. Now that I've been at this for a year, I am totally lusting for a larger 6 -8m rig and a landboard.

For $300 or less, you can be well set up for static flying, but I'd say you'd have to spend at least $800-$1200 to get set up for buggying or ATB. So yes, I'm drooling over an HQ Crossfire II or a Flexifoil Blade in the larger sizes, but it's the $$$ getting in the way :|

Christiaan

Erics - 2-10-2009 at 07:17 AM

the main kites I use in the buggy is a 3 and 5 mtr so all you need is a board or bug to get moving. However don't stop your quick static work breaks.

coreykite - 2-10-2009 at 10:47 AM

Hey Sailors,
You got me confused...
Are you limiting this to flying power kites in a static format?
I don't wonder it would get boring quickly.

In light winds, when power is insufficient for traction, I pull out one of my Super-Ultra-Light two-line delta stunters.
The Benson Innerspace or Joel Scholz's U.L. Luna Moth.
Perhaps my Wolfe Designs Big Sister or my U.L. BigDipper.
All wonderfully capable in winds under 4 mph.
My Super Blast is even indoor capable and loves light stuff under 10 mph.
Over 10 mph, it becomes an engine.
My single-line tumblers like winds under 8-10 mph also.
More than that and I can't feed line fast enough to allow them to break loose and tumble.
I also fly my fighters in the very lightest of breezes up to 8-10mph - Then it's Buggy Time.

Back in the day, before power kiting had hit the media, when sport kites were the "next new thing", one could often hear newcomers to sport-kiting comment how how silly the single-line flyers seemed to them.
As if the number of lines on a kite was what mattered.

There is a whole world of kiting that isn't power kiting.
I believe my love affair is with the wind, not any specific kite style.

I would suggest widening access to the wind with more styles of kites.
But I'm just repeating what everyone tells me to say.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

kitejumper - 2-10-2009 at 02:44 PM

i just flew my eo 10 and my micron today, after a few buggy runs--i love em all-single line--stunters-- power

Bladerunner - 3-10-2009 at 09:36 AM

Well put Coreylama !

I have nothing but respect for people who fly every style of kite. We are all playing with the wind.

I suspect I will enjoy flying static more and more as I can stand getting hurt less and less. At that point I'm pretty sure I'll move toward the rev's.

The Brighton Beach Boys have my total respect with their antics ! Static flying can be extreme and skilled no doubt !