Power Kite Forum - Newbie - Jumping & Static

Newbie - Jumping & Static

andis - 7-7-2010 at 04:07 AM

Hey, firstly I'd like to say "Hi" I'd had a look around the site and I'm glad I've finally found some knowledgable people... Because I know practically nothing! I'm looking to get a kite suitable for jumping and static if such a thing exists, currently have a radsail basic I bought to see how I'd cope and have got used to it virtually overnight. Budget is not a massive issue more value and ease of use as I'm still very new to power kiting. Wind profile near me is most quite low but there are some high spots where I can go that are very blustery, additonally I'm 6'4 and 200lbs. I've been looking at HQ Crossfires and Flexifoil Blades but can anyone tell me if these would be suitable and whether there's such a thing as an allrounder? Any help would be much appreciated... Cheers guys

bigkid - 7-7-2010 at 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by andis
Hey, firstly I'd like to say "Hi" I'd had a look around the site and I'm glad I've finally found some knowledgable people... Because I know practically nothing! I'm looking to get a kite suitable for jumping and static if such a thing exists, currently have a radsail basic I bought to see how I'd cope and have got used to it virtually overnight. Any help would be much appreciated... Cheers guys

Welcome to the forum.
Hope you read EVERYTHING about jumping, and unexpected OBE's.
I won't rain on your desire but you aint an expert yet, keep practicing an the little one, I guarantee it will find you sleeping.

mougl - 7-7-2010 at 06:16 AM

I'm partial to thw twister II.

Stable, forgiving, lots of lift

andis - 7-7-2010 at 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigkidWelcome to the forum.
Hope you read EVERYTHING about jumping, and unexpected OBE's.
I won't rain on your desire but you aint an expert yet, keep practicing an the little one, I guarantee it will find you sleeping.

Thanks for the welcome. I know it sounds big headed but it's the smallest they do and even in strong winds it's easy to keep up with, really I bought it to see if I had the patience... Now I fancy something considerably more powerful but not sure if I can get something that'll be suitable for both jumps and static. I've read the site's guide and appreciate I'm a long way off jumping yet but I'd like to be heading in the right direction. No idea about OBEs...! I just need help as I'd hate to buy something totally wrong, which is a strong liklihood!

andis - 7-7-2010 at 10:09 AM

Quote:

Txshooter38 - 7-7-2010 at 05:34 PM

Welcome. Fly....fly...and fly some more. When you get done flying read everything you can get your hands on.

It is true they can catch you off guard.....my brother got launched this weekend by an unexpected gust and it got his attention big time. You don't want to be 10-15 feet off the deck trying to figure out if you should let go or ride it out.

As far as jump kites I am no expert...but I just got a 7.7M Twister and it is AWESOME! I have been flying for coming up on a year and am right at 200lbs.

At your stage of the game the 5.6 may be a better fit. Listen to what these guys have to say, they have your best interests, safety, and safety of our sport in mind.

Blue skies to ya. :spin:

mougl - 7-7-2010 at 05:44 PM

^^^^ See? Twister II....its just a solid kite :wee:

sofa king - 7-7-2010 at 06:48 PM

PROTIP: learn to jump on the sand, or if you must learn on grass, then don't do it near a hill.....

acartier1981 - 7-7-2010 at 08:18 PM

I am really new to Kiting too, had an awesome experience at sunset beach with a bunch of guys and got to try several different kites. If you can the MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO is get together with some experienced guys, fly some different kites, and hear about first hand experiences, not read. Those 2 days where 100 times more informative and I learned a lot more than reading every thread in every forum.

But if that is impossible to do, I drove 8 hours to do it (granted I was headed that way already). If your kite is over 3m, I would fly it till you get ripped from the ground and slammed back down, happens to everyone from what I have heard. Then learn to fly without looking at the kite while walking. Just what some of the more experienced guys told me.

I got slammed by my Tensor 5m, I never saw that coming, lol.

canuck - 7-7-2010 at 09:49 PM

My 3.2m Crossfire and 6.6m Blade are both lifty. No trouble getting my 200lb carcass airborne. In my experience, all kites are suitable for static flying but the most fun with power kites comes from getting the kite to pull you around on land or water. I would stay with about a 5m or slightly bigger for jumping unless you like to return to earth as fast as you left it. Search jumping on this forum - there is lots of good advice.

You will likely need the wind speed at the blustery high spot for jumping - I hope it is a large flat area and the winds are just gusty, not swirling. Landing safely is the problem to solve :Ange09:

DAKITEZ - 7-7-2010 at 11:29 PM

I would say a kite made for jumping will be a good kite for static flying also. The twister is a excellent kite and very affordable. The blade is also very, very good but very expensive. the blade is also not being produced at this time. No official word on when they will be available again so if you want a blade you will have to find a used one. The crossfire is a good kite, but tends to want to fold up alot if not controlled perfectly. Due to this characteristic i do not like to recommend it for jumping. On wrong input from the pilot and the kite will most likely fold up and you will fall like a stone.