KiteMonkey - 20-6-2011 at 06:42 PM
I just purchased an Ozone Flow 3m and need some advice before I take it out. First, I've been flying large stunt kites for years, but I'm a newbie to
foils. I'm a big athletic guy (6'1" 270) and have never had a kite pull me from my feet. So... All of that said, here is my question. When I fly my
new kite on the beach (no buggy, no boards) is it possible to actually do damage to the kite by just digging in and not letting it pull me across the
sand? I don't want to rip anything up by digging in and not "moving" with the kite when I'm flying in a big breeze. Is there a point where something
could tear loose, or am I concerned over nothing? Thanks! First post and sure glad I found this forum!
Cerebite - 20-6-2011 at 07:01 PM
The smart people will chime in shortly but here are my first couple of thoughts:
1. Welcome to the forum, we/ they are a friendly bunch
2. Start in low winds so you can learn the four line control. You said that you have been flying stunts, only 2 line or have you also flow Rev's?
The brake action goes a long way to applying/ removing the power to the kite during flight.
3. Go with the flow and don't try and stand still :singing:
4. In theory the weak point of the configuration will be the lines. They should [I think] break before the sail rips from the wind. As an example I
was playing with a new 2/ 4 line kite on dual lines in more wind than it was designed for [c. 25 -30 mph] and snapped the 150# lines I was using.
5. With foils there is a danger of blowing a cell when the kite "augurs in" [crashes leading edge first] to the ground. This is more of a hazard on
water than on sand/ grass because the hard surfaces do not seal the opening like water does.
Welcome to the madness :wee:
KiteMonkey - 20-6-2011 at 07:14 PM
Thanks Cerebite. Yea, two line stunts only. Looking forward to working and learning the four line system with brakes. Hopefully it will be a short
learning curve!
BeamerBob - 20-6-2011 at 07:16 PM
I think you might get moved around when you fly in some higher winds in the kite's range.
Welcome to the forum!
shaggs2riches - 20-6-2011 at 07:21 PM
Welcome to the forum. I agree, you'll find it very enjoyable to be scudded around on your feet (or bottom) in the sand. Unless the kite is extremely
used, you won't have to worry about the kite breaking, it will break you before that happens. The lines will break first, and your arms might wear out
sooner than that. Your current skills will be sure to help you progress fast; although, one thing to keep in mind is that in strong winds, that kite
will become really fast in the window, an inexperienced pilot could find themselves in trouble in a hurry. Sometimes a bigger pilot isn't always a
good thing. Start small and work your way up as your skills grow. Just by asking these questions, and starting with a smaller kite, you're already on
the right path. One last thing, if you don't already have one, invest in a helmet. Good luck and welcome.
Shaggs
Drewculous - 20-6-2011 at 08:28 PM
thats what i always tell people
"the kite will break me before the wind breaks it"
im a big guy too, not quite your size, but all the same, it doesnt really matter, in the wrong winds, that flow will chuck your @$$ down the beach and
keep flying!
Extremely fun, these kites are, but no matter how strong you are... mother nature wins out by a long shot
But to answer your question, unless you slam your kite into the ground, nose first, at the top of its wind limit, and god decides he has it in for
you, your kite will be fine.... The good quality kites out there are designed to take a good amount of abuse... ozone is def a good kite!
Dont worry, have fun, fly safe!
Welcome to the addiction :evil:
John Holgate - 20-6-2011 at 08:49 PM
It's funny, I can imagine you digging in and holding on for all you're worth until the kite hits the middle of the window at full pelt and then
launches you head first into the nearest dune!!
Seriously, the best bit of flying down the beach is letting the kite pull you through the sand (scudding) and the 3m Flow in 20mph will have you
leaving quite long skid marks across the beach. Embrace the journey !!!
The beach is the one spot I feel I can static fly overpowered and not have to worry about breaking an ankle...just lean back and slide. I usually fly
with a harness so my arms are not taking the full load - I wouldn't last long otherwise.
Enjoy.
awindofchange - 20-6-2011 at 09:01 PM
It doesn't matter how much you dig in....if the winds are strong enough, you will NOT be able to hold it back. The kite will overpower you no matter
what. I am 240lbs and have been yanked 5 feet in the air with a 2m Flow. Didn't hurt anything but it shows the power these kites can produce. As
mentioned above, you will be dragged with the kite either feet first or head first - best way is to just drop on your butt and let it drag you. In
the stronger winds you can't hold it back.
As mentioned, start in the lighter winds first. I would recommend something in the 5-10mph range first as you get use to the kite. Once you start go
get use to the power and control, you can start playing in the stronger winds. I don't recommend going out in anything over 15mph until you are very
comfortable with the kite.
Ozone makes one of the best built and strongest kites on the market. You got a great kite and I doubt you will damage it at all by flying it, no
matter how hard you dig in. The lines will break before the kite does and the factory lines are 440lb test. If you can hold back more pull than
that, then you are doing something pretty amazing. Think of a dumbbell with 440 lbs of weight on it pulling you upwards constantly. Most people
can't lift that much dead weight, pulling is even worse.
I don't want to scare you or anything, just explaining the power these kites can generate in the extreme wind conditions. Lighter winds are nowhere
near this type of power and you will be fine as long as you respect the wind and use caution.
Hope this helps.
nocando - 21-6-2011 at 01:52 AM
If you go to this site and read tutorials all may be clear
www.coastalwiindsports.com
greasehopper - 21-6-2011 at 04:40 AM
BIG RED FLAG, DANGER MOUSE
"holding the pressure" of any reasonably sized power kite is nearly impossible. During a test flight of a 4m high aspect NASA wing, I had the main
lines dallied off to the hitch ball on my truck and was controlling it on the brake lines though a redirect system. All technical aspects aside, the
wind increased and as I tried to ground the kite, the truck was beginning to skid sideways. The system did fail at a Qpoint (main line attachment
point) but the bridle and attachment points on the skin survived flawlessly.
All this to say, if you decide to try and hold that kind of pressure, good luck on your reconstructive surgery. Just go with the power and learn to
scrub off the excess pull because a human anchor point WILL fail first.
Bladerunner - 21-6-2011 at 05:39 AM
Welcome
Good choice. Ozone make paragliders and if anything over build their product. It will be tougher than you !
Like the others said, learning to scud is fun and essential in progressing. That and controling the power.
Speed equals power. Brakes allow you to slow the kite once you learn them.