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God-like powers

ColinW - 12-4-2016 at 08:38 PM

So I know we're all at the mercy of the wind Gods; around here that means patience and big kites.
I had a look at the weather on the Google machine, and to me, things look perfect for tomorrow.
Then I started thinking... What with different skill levels, experience, and quivers, this must be VERY different for different folks.
So, if you could order up the weather, what wind speed would be your ultimate day?
I'm guessing that the more experience you have, the more wind speed you're after.
Do you have a favourite small kite that is just perfect in 29 mph or do you have a huge session saver that makes you happiest at 7 kph?

colin

Kamikuza - 12-4-2016 at 09:00 PM

Depends on my mood, but it'd be over 20 knots and so clean you could eat off if it. Or 14 knots for good foiling...

It's gusty I can usually live without. Monday we had 15 to 35 knots

couldn't do anything cos you couldn't have the right kite or gear for more than a couple of minutes...

BeamerBob - 12-4-2016 at 09:25 PM

With the rust knocked off of my riding, I like winds about 25 gusting to 35. I guess a smooth steady 30-35 would be pretty nice too. That allows 60 + mph runs in the buggy. If I haven't ridden in months, then a steady 20 or so is great to get the confidence back with runs into the mid 40s and never a hard time slowing down.

John Holgate - 12-4-2016 at 09:39 PM

I like absolutely fuss free cruising, so I'd order up 12 - 15 knots. That also allows me a hand free to film stuff.

Windstruck - 13-4-2016 at 04:07 AM

I suppose since we get the choice of things here I'd take buttery smooth and steady at around 10 knots. While I have kites that can handle a range of conditions, take offs and landings are easier for me to handle solo in these comparatively lighter conditions.

PHREERIDER - 13-4-2016 at 05:36 AM

20 onshore , any more it gets super rough

30 offshore, totally sketch-free

ssayre - 13-4-2016 at 05:40 AM

Base wind of 10-12 with gusts near 20 is probably as good of wind as I ever get. Higher winds than that are accompanied by huge gusts and lighter wind is accompanied by lulls of zero. i could get by with either one of my depowers for 95 percent of my usable wind.

It's filling the gaps in our quiver to accompany that 5 percent that causes us to go broke.

RedSky - 13-4-2016 at 05:50 AM

A sunny summers day in the park, ideally with smooth-ish winds in the mid 20s are very nice.

soliver - 13-4-2016 at 06:00 AM

My best day ever was a nice steady 14mph onshore on JI,... I'm with John Holgate, anything in the 10-15mph range is good for me.

B-Roc - 13-4-2016 at 06:24 AM

12-15 mph off the ocean. I way prefer large kites in lower winds than smaller kites in big winds. Jumping with a big kite in smooth 12mph winds is a lot of fun.

abkayak - 13-4-2016 at 06:38 AM

3m day all the way!
22/25 onshores rule!!!
it makes for perfect 9m day as well

WELDNGOD - 13-4-2016 at 08:53 AM

You rang??? We are having 30 mph onshore today! Small PKDs FTW!!! Here's me earlier on a 2.2m Buster soulfly laying down tracks.

Demoknight - 13-4-2016 at 08:54 AM

I am a big fan of the 20-25mph on shore stuff. That is the sweet spot for my 12m Charger II, which is the kite I think I have my most flight time logged. I do also like a steady 15-20mph for riding the 19m Speed 3. That makes for some big air on demand. I love days when the wind is stout, but not overpowering on that kite. Pulling the bar in and going up just never gets old.

Bladerunner - 13-4-2016 at 10:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by B-Roc

12-15 mph off the ocean. I way prefer large kites in lower winds than smaller kites in big winds. Jumping with a big kite in smooth 12mph winds is a lot of fun.

A man of my own heart! :thumbup:

What is a session saver in our small local spots is not the same as on the beaches down south so that is tough to answer.

Probably the kite I would take in to winds I no longer enjoy flying in would be the 1.7m Sting. I have used Bill's on Ivanpah a little. It works as an engine but feels completely safe. ONLY sub 2m kite I have actually liked!

flyguy0101 - 13-4-2016 at 11:12 AM

Happiest when I can be part of the 1920 club (19+ meter kite and 20 mph+ smooth winds) nothing better for soft landings and big boosts

RedSky - 13-4-2016 at 11:19 AM

Quote: Originally posted by WELDNGOD

You rang??? We are having 30 mph onshore today! Small PKDs FTW!!! Here's me earlier on a 2.2m Buster soulfly laying down tracks.

Whats that grill on your forks ?

carltb - 13-4-2016 at 12:32 PM

its got to be 20+mph winds for a comfortable freestyle session. above 30 for a boosting session and below10 and really sunny for a cruise in the buggy

ssayre - 15-4-2016 at 08:38 AM

bummer, beautiful weekend forecast but little to no wind. Looks like an outdoor chore weekend

pongnut - 15-4-2016 at 02:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by flyguy0101

Happiest when I can be part of the 1920 club (19+ meter kite and 20 mph+ smooth winds) nothing better for soft landings and big boosts

Anthonyshopguy - 18-4-2016 at 10:10 PM

Only been in 25 knots in Costa Rica on Arinal with Tico Winds. Very clean but intimidating. With local strong wind on the snow maybe being 10 MPH for me my best days have been in the 15 to 18 MPH on a light powder base. AWESOME!!!!

WELDNGOD - 19-4-2016 at 07:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by RedSky

Quote: Originally posted by WELDNGOD

You rang??? We are having 30 mph onshore today! Small PKDs FTW!!! Here's me earlier on a 2.2m Buster soulfly laying down tracks.

Whats that grill on your forks ?

3/16" 316L Perforated stainless sheet. Here is a front veiw pic of it back when I first built it.

RedSky - 19-4-2016 at 02:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by WELDNGOD

Quote: Originally posted by RedSky

Quote: Originally posted by WELDNGOD

You rang??? We are having 30 mph onshore today! Small PKDs FTW!!! Here's me earlier on a 2.2m Buster soulfly laying down tracks.

Whats that grill on your forks ?

3/16" 316L Perforated stainless sheet. Here is a front veiw pic of it back when I first built it.

Finishes it off nice. Maybe spray paint a number or graphic on there.