vaultingbassist - 27-8-2014 at 08:05 AM
I mean that title figuratively and literally.
Hey guys, new to the forum and new to the sport with some questions on how to proceed.
Quick history: Last year I got my gf a prism Jazz stunt kite and then myself a 1.2m snapshot, and became hooked. This summer I decided I wanted to
try out the bigger toys, and picked up a Cross Kites Quattro as everywhere online people suggested a trainer kite. I was gonna get the 3.5 m but a
mere $25 could get me a 4.5 and of course, being new, couldn't help but think bigger is better (still not sure if it was the right purchase, I went
out once when it was gusty and it launched me a few feet forward scraping my arm and leg, but otherwise I feel like the wind is often too light even
for it, so a 3.5 would probably be less exciting).
I also picked up a mountain board, but I've only had a couple of chances to try it and it hasn't gone great. I think my biggest problem is just
inconsistent/light wind. I live in Baltimore and my gf in DC so not a ton of great options that I am aware of (I posted on EastKB about good spots
too, so hopefully I can find some better locations).
I also am very interested in kiteboarding in the water, but I'm left wondering what to do about landboarding. It seems like my best bet is to
landboard on weeknights and then hopefully get in the water on the weekends aka drive to the coast. I have yet to take any lessons, so I feel like
I'm split between the two disciplines.
I also don't know if my 4.5 is enough for what the winds seem to be around my area. I feel like when the wind is in the 4-7 mph range I have to work
the kite to keep it in the air when static, which has made trying to get moving on the board impossible. It also seems like when it's finally windy
enough to get some power, it's gusty enough for me to be nervous that I'll superman again (I have since bought some pads, had a helmet already).
I also don't want to blindly buy a bigger kite (FB?, depower? Arc?), and if I get water lessons in this fall I also want to try to mitigate gear
costs, as I know some kites can be used on land and water.
Any advice??? And sorry for the long post, lots of questions here.
TL;DR: Water? Land? Wind? New gear? What should I do?
abkayak - 27-8-2014 at 10:25 AM
welcome....little by little all your questions will be answered here..how big are you? where are you flying now?
make sure to get to the most open area you can find that has the best wind available....
atb's dont get going in lite wind unless you have a big kite and or a lot of experience cause you do have to work the kite
most important go to Wildwood this fall...it is the best lesson you can get
its ok to blindly buy kites because whoever dies w/ the most wins
vaultingbassist - 27-8-2014 at 11:37 AM
I'm about 165 lbs, flying mainly at a big park in Baltimore (Patterson Park) with decent field space near baseball diamonds and soccer fields. I've
taken the board with me a couple of times only to fly static as there were just too many people around (tons of people playing soccer and bball).
I saw the Buggy Bash event and hopefully will be able to make it. I saw something about needing to join NAPKA to attend?
I just feel a little overwhelmed with all the options, I want to landboard, kiteboard, snowkite and maybe even buggy, and I guess I am wondering if I
should focus on the land stuff (so get a bigger kite for ATB and snow) and hold off on the water til next year. If I go that route, then I would
certainly need help figuring out what type of kite and what size(s). But of course, I really want to get into the water too so then I wonder if I
should do those lessons first.
I've read through a lot on here and it seems like there are just so many options and directions to go in this sport. Naturally, I want them all!
abkayak - 27-8-2014 at 12:06 PM
@165# the 4.5 will more than get you going but you need a proper 8/10+ wind...dont force the issue at your park now, in the fall the people will all
go away... keep flying static as much as you can..if u were a skater the atb will come natural as your piloting skills improve...bring your board to
the beach and catch some onshore wind if you can (after the lifeguards leave)...imo you still need a 3m kite everyone does, you need it more than you
need a bigger kite...hit the buggybash if you can..dont worry about the NAPKA thing i will give you a note and sign Riches name
best part about this sport is it is 4 seasons..take your time play it safe and we will get to them all..no need to rush
vaultingbassist - 27-8-2014 at 12:31 PM
Yeah I'm not in any huge rush but I have put a fair number of hours (10-20?) on the 4.5 static so I was looking to move forward.
I have been looking around at 3m kites too as I am aware that I'll need it in higher winds.
Joining NAPKA is not a big deal to me, certainly seems useful to have a group like that to refer to. Would I be able to just sign up there?
abkayak - 27-8-2014 at 12:35 PM
yes...just show and go...i will take the liberty of saying the only rules are their are no rules...ohh and i hear they like beer
i just looked at your park...that cant be good, get out of the city if you can and find some clean wind
vaultingbassist - 27-8-2014 at 01:05 PM
Yeah I've been trying to find other places but there doesn't seem like a whole lot around me. I could go out to the coast, but then I feel like I
should just focus on getting out in the water if I have to go that far anyways.
Suds after thuds - 27-8-2014 at 03:10 PM
how about down by fort McHenry?
Bladerunner - 27-8-2014 at 04:00 PM
You may want to wait until spring for lessons ? I found if you don't follow up on them right away you lose a lot of what you learned. After a winter
of snowkiting you will be more prepared and get more out of your ( expensive ) lessons.
Wind is messed up for 7 - 10 times the distance downwind as the obstacle is high.
You want to point your board downwind to get moving. The lower the wind the more you need to point it downwind. Once you have speed you can edge
upwind. If wind is low just accept that you will not be able to edge upwind and enjoy the ride.
While arcs and closed cell foils work on water learning with an LEI is better. You can use an LEI on land. Snow in particular. You may want to
consider buying a cheap used LEI for snowkiting? No older than 2009ish and no bigger than 10m. 7m is better. Don't buy a C kite. Bow or SLE are better
for learning.
If you want to kitesurf then snowkite with a board. If you want to make learning to snowkite easy, start out on skis.
Watch out kiting in populated parks. People are ignorant and will do the most outrageous things. You need to be an ambassador for all of us !
vaultingbassist - 27-8-2014 at 09:10 PM
Bladerunner, thanks for the advice.
I haven't used the board in the park for the exact reason you mentioned. I've also had to drop the kite a few times from people getting too close,
including a couple of little kids who wanted to "play." I don't think they understood me when I told them this kite was far too dangerous for them
(they were maybe 50 lbs each).
Suds,
Ft. McHenry looks like a decent spot to try, so good catch! I haven't actually been down there since I moved here, so I didn't realize it had a
decent sized field. There also seem to be some other parks down that way that I'll have to try out, so thanks!
Suds after thuds - 28-8-2014 at 12:45 PM
been years since I lived in Charm City, hun.
There's a massive parking lot on the water just over the Hannover St. Bridge in Brooklyn, B-more too. It's the merceds benz vehicle preparation
center. If you had a Nasa wing and a long board, it could be epic. You could ask them for permission...