Power Kite Forum - How to know the right conditions to landkite

How to know the right conditions to landkite

loftywinds - 11-10-2013 at 08:12 PM

Ok. I've been land kiting now for 4 months since kiting on water for 2 years and I am finding the transition easy. I can go left, right and control the kite pretty well. I am now learning to jump, but the problem is I don't know what is considered good winds for jumping, and I mean steady winds that are not gusty and not over 20knots.
I have a 12.5mt Montana HQ 5, and she really starts to lift me in 12 to 15 knots. But every time I jump, I don't actually get much lift, and I am thinking I need more winds?

I have watched Carl's videos on how to jump and others videos on jumping in general. I get the idea. I know what to do. I am trying it, but I am still not going much higher or consistently than as high as my waist!

So the subject line asks - the right conditions to land kite because true land kiting IMO is also about being able to jump and get good air. But if I go out on a 18 or 20knot day, I dare say it could be my last! Yikes!

I have the gear but now it's time to find the right conditions and locations I guess and just practice.

B-Roc - 11-10-2013 at 08:39 PM

If you are not getting the height you want you are either under powered or not throwing the kite back fast or hard enough. If you feel you are over powered and only getting little jumps than you aren't over powered or you aren't throwing the kite fast and hard enough. There is no shame in flying conservative. I was out with my 14m today and in 12mph winds that kite will lift me off the ground without my even trying to jump. If I threw the kite hard at that point I would get some pretty good height and distance. If I hold the power down and just slide and scrub off power there is no real jumping at all. ITs just comfort level but 12-15 knots should be decent for jumping on a 12.5 as I'm on my 14m until around 12 mph and on my 10 from 12+ mph and I can jump fine with both in either conditions if I'm carrying some speed and throw the kite back. Are you jumping by pulling the bar in or do you really throw it behind you. Just pulling in will get you small, skippy jumps. If you want some serious pop you need to throw it and then redirect hard.

loftywinds - 11-10-2013 at 09:22 PM

I am chicken #@%$#!... LOL

I know, I know...

I had a "good" jump yesterday when I rode with some speed this time and put the kite quickly up to 12. It lifted me, but I panicked and could not land back with the board. The board came off and I landed on my rump. But it was a soft landing so I really should not panic.
What I really think I need is space. The park I practice in is here...

Gill Park
Gulliver QLD 4812
Link: <https://maps.google.com.au/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=Gill+Park&fb=1&gl=au&hq=gill+park&hnear=0x6bd5f8db d573d1e7:0x500eef17f20feb0,Townsville+City+QLD&cid=1081126635368998720&ll=-19.282608,146.784285&spn=0.006137,0.009645&t=h&z=17& ;vpsrc=6&iwloc=A>

I kite on the top right hand section of the park due to those stupid trees along the middle.

Not enough room eh?

PHREERIDER - 11-10-2013 at 10:02 PM

since you have been on water, threshold for fun for me is 8-12 mph fun usually very steady and predictable ,,,and knowing the wind patterns and behavior for an area is helpful in gear selection ...things like precipitation,electrical activity,gusty seasons....so thngs get going on a TT on the water about the same time...and thats where i get on the water OR start amping the ATB with and speeds really get zoomy so boost and swing outs for rotations are at decent height 6-10'feet 15-20knots blistering fast and huge, throwing big airs and loops got to be supa smooth and balanced..straight pop-ups at will..and 20knts i want to be on the water.

speed management AND sending the kite back to boost (same as on the water) kinda work together...jumpng in light air takes considerable combination to make the most of it.

for space thats easy, more needs more a boost in 20knts an easy 30-50+ yds of flight plus run in and run out space 200yds square min. plus the skill to stay in control!

B-Roc - 12-10-2013 at 05:51 AM

Small spaces with obstacles to avoid can definitely play on the mind and make one think twice about jumping. I ride on the beach and whenever it is narrow, overly wet and sticky or soft and likely to torpedo me I fly and jump far more conservatively as I don't want to land somewhere undesired le and risk injury.

abkayak - 12-10-2013 at 07:41 AM

anytime it's not dangerous is the right time out....and it's day light.

Bladerunner - 12-10-2013 at 10:08 AM

I tend to only end up with waist high jumps as well . It has everything to do with aggression and follow through.

Go in faster. Edge and hold on more before sending the kite. I go in all brave but something inside me slows me down both in speed and the amount I'm willing to edge . Big air doesn't just happen, you need to push for it and not back off.

I don't know the character of your kite but 12 - 15 kts sounds perfect for a 12.5. I suspect you can go higher if you spank the kite more and worry less about the kite spanking you ? ( easy to say )

I am held back by my own wimpy ways but location also matters and the tiny park I use dictates that I hold back at some point. I have obstacles and sometimes people down wind that encourage me to take it easy. GP ends up full of sand traps so riding and jumping at speed with small wheels is tricky. So a good surface and plenty of open space downwind are the location issues I find help to hold me back.

B-Roc - 12-10-2013 at 01:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

I tend to only end up with waist high jumps as well .

I go in all brave but something inside me slows me down both in speed and the amount I'm willing to edge .

I am held back by my own wimpy ways.

You and me both. Every now and again I get a big one where I'm just dangling from the lines and my wheels don't touch when I feel like they should but mostly I judge my jumps by distance and not height and feel the safer for doing so. I hurt my finger 6 months ago in a hockey game and it's still not healed. I can't afford an injured neck, back, hip etc. stinks getting older. Mentally I'm still 22. Physically I'm just about twice that.

loftywinds - 19-10-2013 at 05:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by B-Roc

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

I tend to only end up with waist high jumps as well .

I go in all brave but something inside me slows me down both in speed and the amount I'm willing to edge .

I am held back by my own wimpy ways.

You and me both the same there bro! Going on 45, thinking 25~!

But I do get some decent jumps and I know if I flang the kite, I will go higher, but that comes with added risk of course. I think I'll just do my big jumps on water and only on land when the right location and opportunity arises. Thanks for the advice guys.