scottevo - 28-2-2007 at 02:59 PM
How does one predict when and where the kite is going to lift??? and is it better for me to pointing the kite skyward when I jump or back across the
wind window???
Ta.
code - 28-2-2007 at 05:01 PM
This is the best link I've seen thus far describing jumping and making it easy to figure out.
http://chris.m.whittaker.googlepages.com/pendulumjump
If you send the kite through the power zone to pick up speed and then directly into the zenith the kite is going to generate lift. You don't have to
do the pendulum jump method, but, IMHO it generates the power fast and usually there's a nice clean out come ( it's not the feeling of suddenly being
popped into the air, which I feel tends to jerk on the arms a bit more, but you're actually running into the jump..thus making the jump smoother
feeling.).
Stationary jumps are generated similar...sending the kite into the power zone then making a b-line for the zenith directly out of the power zone.
You'll begin to feel the kite lift as soon as you redirect it towards the zenith. From what I've experienced, depending on the winds, it may take a
few really sharp turns to get the kite to pop you up. Of course having a lifty kite helps too.
Definitely try the pendulum method..I started there and it made things a lot easier to figure out. Learning how to do both also helps you learn how to
avoid doing either if you're not wanting to.
Hope I got all that right. Am sure others will chime in to help you out with possibly easier suggestions as well.
~Joe
scottevo - 3-3-2007 at 01:21 PM
Cheers, I should have said, I've got a 4line 3m Radail which I'm using.......dunno whether its the most appropriate kite for jumping???? I bought it
because I want to start small and build up gradually.
Bucky - 4-3-2007 at 02:50 PM
Although it's possible to jump with a 3m Radsail in a big enough wind (Heck, I've done it), it's not the safest size to jump with. Believe it or not,
what makes your kite not so safe for jumping, is that it's TOO SMALL!
Small kite tend to pop you up really fast, then throw you down equally hard. Not much fun! A bigger kite like a 5m, 6m, or 7m Radsail in a lighter
wind is a much safer and more satisfying jumping kite.
It will be slower, and easier to control, and your jump should be much more managable, longer, and with a much softer landing due to a larger kite's
parachute effect.
As an added safety bonus, the lighter winds that you will fly a larger kite in, tend to be less gusty.
Keep your 3m though. When the winds pick up, take it out. Just stick to skudding, boarding, or buggying with it until your skills improve.