Power Kite Forum

Murphy's laws of kiting

rtz - 9-2-2015 at 05:51 PM

If you only bring one kite; it won't be the one you need.

If you bring two kites; the kite you didn't bring is the one you needed.

Same goes for bringing only 3 kites.

If you bring all your kites; you'll only need one of them.

If you don't wear your helmet; something will happen(or nearly happen) and you will wish you would have.

If you wear your helmet; nothing will happen to have needed it.

If the wind is forecast to be 20mph; it will be less.

If the wind is forecast to be 10mph; it will be more.

If there is no wind or nearly no wind forecast; the weatherman will get that right.

---

Just my experiences and observations from the past few days.

Also if you're near your riding spot; with the buggy in the vehicle but no kites because no wind was forecast; but it ends up blowing just enough a big kite would have worked. Has happened to me before. Hence today; no wind and I had my biggest kite just in case and based on personal experience; and there was no wind. Situation can always go either way and typically goes opposite of what one is prepared for or planned for. Have kite? No wind. No kite? Wind.

riffclown - 9-2-2015 at 06:04 PM

Gusts are nearly always underestimated by the weatherman

Either the wind direction is wrong or the compass is

If there's one dog anywhere on the beach, he can find your gear with urinary accuracy

Sunscreen will bring Rain

Rain gear will bring ... more rain

A 20% chance of rain on a otherwise nice wind day is a sure bet for rain..

A 50% chance of rain a day when kiting is not an option is a good bet for a nice day

The perfect kite days are the days you work

An otherwise perfect field will have sand spurs.



Bladerunner - 9-2-2015 at 07:04 PM

If you arrive late everybody tells you how epic the wind was this morning.

If you leave early the wind will surely pick up.

Or maybe that's just me? I kill wind you know. :smug:

riffclown - 9-2-2015 at 07:23 PM

A sure way to improve the conditions is to start packing up.

volock - 9-2-2015 at 08:07 PM

Pulling out your biggest kite either kills the wind or makes it blow like crazy

Cheddarhead - 9-2-2015 at 09:02 PM

Buying new skis will surely kill any chance of you getting snow:evil: (Like this year)

3shot - 9-2-2015 at 09:20 PM

Now these are some great replies!!!

"Dog on the beach". That is a good one LOL.

Feyd - 10-2-2015 at 04:51 AM

When the wind dies you will wait until you lose patience and the the wind will always pick up as soon as you give up and start packing your kite.

On snow like a kite, if you have three pairs of skis and leave one at home the one you left is the one you'll need.

abkayak - 10-2-2015 at 07:46 AM

once you fully commit to beer...conditions improve dramatically

Windy Heap - 10-2-2015 at 12:26 PM

seriously,

trust me.


do not look up skyward, as the Seagull flies over.


Randy - 10-2-2015 at 01:11 PM

Don't even get me started on Dr's appointments, conference calls, wedding invitations or in law visits......

sadsack - 10-2-2015 at 01:36 PM

I am like Bladerunner :cool::o it can be blowing 90 mph, but as soon I get there the wind stop.:o But every few min. it pick up just so much that, you say "I will stay here for just a bit longer, I am sure the wind will come bad up" . Yes you wait and wait. on the way home it begun to blow again.:bisou:

B-Roc - 10-2-2015 at 01:38 PM

If a family shows up to fly their $1.99 single line kite, guaranteed they will park themselves right where you are flying and let out 400' of string over your entire flight zone.

To launch that kite they will first run with the wind and drag the kite for 100'. After tiring and becoming frustrated they will watch the kite blow by them and then launch.

The more you try to avoid them, the more they will continue walking down the beach towards you.

They will, of course, always be up wind of you and if its blowing from the ocean, they will be at the shore and if blowing offshore they will be by the dunes.

If they should nearly kill you or cut your kite in half with their nearly invisible, crap cotton string, it will be your fault.


That dog ain't just going to sniff your kite bag.

sadsack - 10-2-2015 at 03:02 PM

be nice to the dogs Kite does have his problems with kite line, stakes,tails and some kites that take long time to get up. But that is a dogs life.




kite.JPG - 74kB

I wish I had his life.

skimtwashington - 10-2-2015 at 03:16 PM



* you will unwind line exact opposite of how you wrapped it and unfold kite exactly opposite(last fold unfold first) how you folded it. but there will still be several twists in the line...

* The 'prospector' looking for jewelry at beach digging big holes won't fill them back in...but you'll miss most of them because you're paying attention....all except that one...

* You'll yell,' stop, or go around', at the person about to walk across your kite lines which are hovering several or more inches above ground in higher winds, while your down adjusting your kite, or getting something from your buggy......They'll STOP and look at you..and then proceed to walk and trip up in your kite line any way.

B-Roc - 10-2-2015 at 03:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by skimtwashington  




* The 'prospector' looking for jewelry at beach digging big holes won't fill them back in...but you'll miss most of them because you're paying attention....all except that one...




I hate that prospector guy. As bad as it is to hit those holes on a buggy, torpedoing a landboard is no fun trip either.

Demoknight - 10-2-2015 at 03:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by B-Roc  
If a family shows up to fly their $1.99 single line kite, guaranteed they will park themselves right where you are flying and let out 400' of string over your entire flight zone.

To launch that kite they will first run with the wind and drag the kite for 100'. After tiring and becoming frustrated they will watch the kite blow by them and then launch.

The more you try to avoid them, the more they will continue walking down the beach towards you.

They will, of course, always be up wind of you and if its blowing from the ocean, they will be at the shore and if blowing offshore they will be by the dunes.

If they should nearly kill you or cut your kite in half with their nearly invisible, crap cotton string, it will be your fault.


That dog ain't just going to sniff your kite bag.


This happens every time. "Oh it is a perfect day to fly a kite!" Yep, which means there will be more than one person flying a kite. "We have so much room on this beach to fly!" They find the middle of the beach and let out enough line that it droops down too low to fly under, and they are standing too close to water or dunes to go around on their windward side.

Also the "Stop don't cross over the lines!" "Please go around behind me!" *confused look, step over lines and trip, pulling the kite over to force me to fight it so it doesn't power up, then they look at me like I can't keep my kite under control*
I never understood this. Power kite lines are only 60 feet, and they will step through bridles rather than walk around the kite.

Guy downwind sees you flying. Walks directly towards you under your kite and lines. Stops 10 feet away to ask you "What do you call that?" You try to move to keep him out from under it, but he must think you don't control where the kite is, so walks back in front of you again so he can get in your field of vision.

If the wind hasn't been up AND the right direction for a few weeks, if you see it blowing perfect, you will have some obligation to keep you from it.

soliver - 10-2-2015 at 04:45 PM

You look out the window and see some of the best wind you've ever seen in the Metro Atlanta area,... Like ever... Then realize "Oh poop, I broke my foot kiting..."

WELDNGOD - 10-2-2015 at 06:02 PM

And what ever you do... NEVER say "Just one more run". If you accidentally do say those immortal words. Just pretend you did.... AND DON'T ! Pack up your stuff and carry your butt (still intact). Words to live by... Here was my one more run... https://vimeo.com/16678110

Dayhiker - 10-2-2015 at 06:04 PM

If high winds with gusting are forecast, leave the big foils at home in order to induce more perfect conditions that would have been ideal for the big kites.

When arriving at the field get out the most ideal kite for conditions, launch it, fly briefly until the wind dies, then fly your ultra light kites.

Leave extra kites & lines set up as you go through changing wind conditions. If wind seems to be dying pack up some of the kites & pretend to be giving up to induce the wind to pick up.

If all else fails, call up your wife & tell her you are just about to leave the field. The wind will immediately improve.

All these things have worked for me, your mileage may vary.

Randy - 11-2-2015 at 09:43 AM

Weldngod, that's a really good video. Makes your point quite well!:

area429 - 11-2-2015 at 10:46 AM

If you work every day but Sunday... Every day is going to be windy but Sunday... Every Sunday.

I'll try some of the tricks from Dayhiker. Thanks!

scifibuff66 - 15-2-2015 at 12:17 PM

Miles of sand and you have researched and found a place you think you will not be disturbed but the beaches in Spain in winter are a big doggy litter tray and you shouldn't be there flying your kite. Or have I taken a invisibility pill. (no offense to responsible dog owners all over the world who clean up after their dogs and respect other beach users, IE walk around kite lines.) More research needed but wherever I go they will find me! Murphy's law I suppose.

soliver - 15-2-2015 at 05:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soliver  
You look out the window and see some of the best wind you've ever seen in the Metro Atlanta area,... Like ever... Then realize "Oh poop, I broke my foot kiting..."


Still coping with this :( ... Wind was PHENOMENAL yesterday :mad:

riffclown - 9-7-2017 at 08:16 AM

It sounded familiar..

m00ms - 9-7-2017 at 10:07 AM

i think of myself as fairly new to this scene but have encountered almost of these so its great to hear its not just me!

Ed Cline - 10-7-2017 at 03:28 PM

It's the dog that you expect to sniff and pee that you have to watch.
I had one snatch my 7m DFO and take off across the field. Of course I had to drop the bar, and listen to the owners fruitless attempts to stop it.
"I'll give you my information if you want it?" Why,, can you sew? I was a little upset.
The dog was fearless.