Power Kite Forum - New to the sport ... looking for information

New to the sport ... looking for information

nandrew555 - 28-12-2007 at 01:08 PM

Hi all ... my wife just bought me a kite and landboard. Before I opened the gift, I had no clue what this is. Now I'm forced to have fun. My only issue is that I don't know where to go or how to start. I'm in So. Cal (Orange County area), can I get some directions? Where do I start? Known places to practice? How to find local flyers/clubs?

Thanks in advance ... this looks really exciting!

Drew

DAKITEZ - 28-12-2007 at 04:28 PM

Congrats ... on having a great wife :thumbup:

and welcome. I don't know the so. cal. area, but I'm sure people will chime in. I know there is suppose to be good riding in the dry lakes, but I don't know how far that is from you. What brand and size kite did you get ?

nandrew555 - 28-12-2007 at 04:37 PM

Thanks for the welcome and for the record ... my wife IS great. As for the brand ... I'm not quite sure since I did not want to take it out of the backpack and have to fold it again, but I remember something about "HQ" (she got 2 ... a 5.0m and I think a 2.5m).

I've done some reading on here about dry lakes, but was hoping to find a local place to learn before making the 2-3 hour drive.

Any tips for a beginner? Should I take a class?

Thanks.

Baluk - 28-12-2007 at 04:40 PM

I'm sure you can find someone nearby that can help you. You're wife probably got you an HQ Beamer. Pretty good kite to learn on. Start out in low winds and take the small one out first. I'm pretty sure it comes with a small DVD that you can play on your computer and it shows you how to fly it etc. Although I may be wrong.

DAKITEZ - 28-12-2007 at 04:46 PM

WOW !! 2 kites even. I would definately recommend starting with the 2.5m. If you have a place local who gives lessons thats not a bad idea. I would highly recommend you open the kite at home and get it ready to fly then roll it back up and pack it away. It will be a lot easier to do that at home than on the field when the wind is blowing.

acampbell - 29-12-2007 at 09:29 AM

Does it say "Beamer TSR" on the bag, or is it Orange? Most likely, as the 2.5 and 5.0 are common sizes (the 2.5 is the tip-off). If so, they will have a long control bar with them, and these are often recommended as good starter kites for a land board.

In this case, Baluk is correct and they come with an instructional video CD which is pretty good. Watch it a bunch of times. Make sure your darling wife knows what you are watching; the goofy sound tracks heard from the other room makes my wife think I am watching a porno...

In the case of a red bag and the Beamer III on handles, the video is more promotional and entertaining and less instructional.

In either case you will be fine; you wife clearly did some homework as indicated by the two sizes. Clearly start on the 2.5 m, and on your feet in moderate winds. Then, mistakes you make will be instructive, but not too violent.

When you get on the board, put on your bike helmet and rollerblade pads, or get them if you do not have them.

Have fun.

Baluk - 29-12-2007 at 02:25 PM

Aha. Angus -> those DVD soundtracks are priceless, aren't they! (really. I can't put a price on them. I would NEVER give a penny for them!) lmao :frog:

nandrew555, have you ever skateboarded, snowboarded, windsurfed or wake boarded before? I think you should take out the 2.5 in low winds. Winds where you can feel them blowing, but like around 10-13mph ish or right around there. You should be fine, and use your kitekillers that should have come with it. Kite killers are a wrist strap that go to either both handles or the centre of the bar, depending on what kite you have, and basically collapse the kite if you let go of it.

Play around with it, not on the board, just on your feet. Get used to it. If the winds are okay. Don't be afraid to take out the 5m after a while. You'll be able to notice the huge increase in power. Don't take it out if its getting windy though. Most likely you should just stick the 2.5m to get a hang of it.

Remember. Protection. Helmet! Especially if you use the board. If you have been doing board sports earlier, it won't take too long to pick up the hang of it. It might be a bit longer to get the feel for it if you have never been on a skateboard/snowbaord etc before.

Have fun and be safe! Take risks but know your limits!
You have entered an awesome sport!

nandrew555 - 31-12-2007 at 10:28 AM

Thanks for all the feedback. I believe it's the Beamer that I have. Did watch the video and the soundtrack is pretty cool. Since Angus mentioned it, it does sound like the videos made in the valley.

I'm going to try and take the 2.5 out and get my feet wet (hopefully there's wind tomorrow). The other question I have is that my wife also bought a harnest ... doing her research, she told me that it's suggested to get familiar with flying the kite (on your feet), then start with the board and kite, once comfortable with board+kite, then use the harnest. My question is if I don't plan (unless it's out of my control) on getting air, is the harnest needed? Or at least useful?

I'm still nervous about taking the kite out because of liabilities and all so would a high school football field be enough space for a beginner?

Thanks!

kiteNH - 31-12-2007 at 10:58 AM

I think a football field is probably enough space. The more space the better, obviously. You also want to find space that are as wide open as possible. You'll find that a nice open field that is surrounded on all sides by tall trees is lousy to fly in. The trees (or buildings, etc.) block out the wind and the wind you do get will be choppy.

Just watch out for power lines and roads (and people). If you're a safe distance from all of these things then it's probably a fine spot.

Baluk - 31-12-2007 at 11:01 AM

Hey. Did you figure out which type of a "beamer" it is?

Easyiest way to tell is just to look at the bag. Does it look like one of these three?

Beamer II
http://www.powerkiteshop.com/images/productimages/kites/hq%2...

Beamer III
http://www.powerkiteshop.com/images/productimages/kites/hq%2...

Beamer TSR
http://www.extremekiteshop.com/kites/product_thumb.php?img=i...

nandrew555 - 31-12-2007 at 11:36 AM

Baluk ... the one I have is definitely the Beamer TSR.

acampbell - 31-12-2007 at 11:38 AM

The harness is not needed nor recommended to start as your wife's (very thorough) research suggests.
The Beamer TSR comes with a "D-loop" strap for the bar that is used to hook in to a harness, so you do not need to install that yet. Just start with the 2.5 in 8-12 mph winds and have fun.
Try the 'board when you can predict when the kite is going to power up and what the kite is about to do at every moment without having to look at it all the time. Then later try the harness.

lunchbox - 31-12-2007 at 02:59 PM

If you live in O.C. maybe you're relatively close to the ocean. If so, I highly recommend a visit to your local beach...The smooth coastal winds are the best winds in learn in. They will greatly enhance the learning process. Also when you start landboarding, hard packed sand in my opinion is the best surface to ride on...kinda feels like you're riding on butta!

...But with any beach, just make sure there's no people around that can get hurt by your kite and then check with the lifeguards if they're on duty to make sure there's no restrictions!

Welcome to kiting...right next to surfing in my opinion as being the best sport/hobby on earth!

Bladerunner - 1-1-2008 at 12:16 PM

WOW! Hopefully your girlfriend will join you !

Don't be too intimidated. Your G.F. set you up well . Start with the smaller kite and find your control / confidence.
Things to do to learn:

- Be sure you know how to deploy / reset your safety
- At 1st just try to control the kite sitting above your head. AVOID large jerky motions and just try to be smoooooth.
If there is not enough wind for the kite to sit comfortably above your head you will have too little wind . You can fly it but it's tougher.
- Start to fly figure 8's. Keep them up high and controlled avoiding the power zone lower down. Turning before you fly too far left and right.
- Expand those figure 8's feeling for the power zone .
-Take your kite from overhead and feel the edge of the window all the way down your left and right by trying to hold the kite there.
- start getting brave, looping the kite and generally learning how to act / react ! How to fly with the harness. ( save energy )
- try similar stuff with the larger kite . Learn to fly both BLIND, on your butt facing backwards . You'll be amazed how often you end up that way :wink2:
-

art_lessing - 2-1-2008 at 03:07 AM

Hey I have a question,
What brand of girlfriend do you have and where can I get one?

I had to return my last one. She was not compatible with kites

nandrew555 - 2-1-2008 at 10:30 AM

Thanks all for your feedback ... I'm going to try and ask the local high school to see if I could use their football field. The beaches are good but I'm worried about the people.

After reviewing lots of posts on here I noticed that everyone refers to the "window". Is this a set area in the air? Or does it change depending on the wind that day? General degrees?

Snowbird ... if I fly the kite directly overhead, won't the kite lift me if strong enough? This is one of my biggest fears is being lifted (I'm sure it would be fun once I'm comfortable on the board and control of the kite).

Thanks again!

Pablo - 2-1-2008 at 12:45 PM

Quite often it's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission, I say this because if you ask someone if you can do an extreme sport on their property and they say yes then they're taking on some liability. So they're often forced to say no. If you don't ask officially and they never say no, then they never knew you were there and are not responsible for someone on their property without their permission.

Now if they come out and talk, then talk away.

As for the amazing wife that got you into this sport, who wants to bet she sees it a little different after the 10th kite?

acampbell - 2-1-2008 at 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nandrew555

After reviewing lots of posts on here I noticed that everyone refers to the "window". Is this a set area in the air? Or does it change depending on the wind that day? General degrees?

http://www.coastalwindsports.com/WindWindow.html

Bladerunner - 2-1-2008 at 05:02 PM

When your kite is right above your head or any place at 90' to the wind ( the edge of the wind window ) it will be passing right under your kite and creating minimal lift / pull. The more of the face of the kite that catches air the more the lift / pull since it is acting more like a sail at that point. So the more that the kite is straight downwind from you the more the pull as you fly to the edge that pull decreases as less wind is hitting the kite. If you try to fly the kite more than 90' relative to the wind it will collapse. It SHOULD just want to sit happily anyplace on the edge of the window with very little power if you have enough wind.

Here are some good links:

http://www.kitesurfingschool.org/

http://www.kite-buggiers.co.uk/_videos/

http://www.racekites.com/home/home.asp

If you are being lifted with the kite overhead, you gave too big a kite up !

Don't be afraid to ask us questions. Folks on here won't think any question is dumb. We have all been there !

BeamerBob - 3-1-2008 at 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by snowbird
If you are being lifted with the kite overhead, you gave too big a kite up !

Don't be afraid to ask us questions. Folks on here won't think any question is dumb. We have all been there !

Ok snowbird, I'll take you up on the question offer and hope others with helpful info will chime in. I was flying my Crossfire 5.0 at the beach with winds topping out at 14 mph according to my Christmas gift Lacrosse anemometer. It was mostly 8-12 mph. I could just weave the kite to and fro at the zenith and it was picking me up 2-4 feet. One time it carried me downwind faster than I could catch myself. The onlookers were impressed that I could land and roll on the ground and then stand up without crashing my kite. I personally want to avoid the rolling around on the ground part. I am wondering how you could fly the CF5 in the 24 mph winds HQ says is its top if it lifts my 235 lb body in 12-14. When would you ever come down?:wow:

lunchbox - 3-1-2008 at 12:47 PM

Hey BeamerBob - I've never flown the CF5 but I would have thought it would take a lot more wind for it to 'Peter Pan' you at 12-14 especially since you positioned it close to the zenith. It would make sense you if you did a hard direct from 9/3 to 12....however.

I wonder if your wind meter was under reporting the wind speed???

Quote:

Quite often it's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission, I say this because if you ask someone if you can do an extreme sport on their property and they say yes then they're taking on some liability.

I would agree with Pablo here. In my experience there might be a slight chance that they would allow you to fly a kite but almost no chance in h$%l if you were to mention something 'skateboard' related (i.e. Landboard). My only concern would be that most schools at least in L.A. are locked and then hopping the fence would be considered trespassing and could constitue a fine or worse. Please note, don't mean to imply that Pablo was telling anyone to hop a fence...

BeamerBob - 3-1-2008 at 01:12 PM

lunchbox, It is possible the wind meter was under reporting the wind. I might check it out the car window or on a bicycle with an accurate computer. Also, it didn't really Peter Pan me, but while I remained under the handles, I started moving forward and to the side causing me to lose my footing when I landed. I had hopped up in a similar fashion a dozen times before that with floaty 2-3 foot levitations. I'll check the wind meter and get back.

acampbell - 3-1-2008 at 02:05 PM

Wanna try my Crossfire 7.7? heh heh heh

Bladerunner - 3-1-2008 at 03:57 PM

I often get too much power at the top of the rated zone for kites. My 7 and 9 in particular. I'm only 145lbs and a bit of a chicken though.
The other thing I notice is that the rated low end for kites is often not enough to get me moving even if the kite will fly ?

I agree that at 14mph you should still be in control of a 5m ? I'ld check that wind meter ?

BeamerBob - 3-1-2008 at 08:19 PM

Angus, what wind is your max for that 7.7? Funny thing is, after the first time I saw someone flying a 4 line kite, (a 5m Crossfire) I went on ebay to see what I could get one for. There was a sweet deal on a 7.7 CF and it was in Orlando where I was at the time. I wisely chickened out. Can you imagine your first turn with a 4 line being with a 7.7 Crossfire in about a 12 mph wind?:wow:

Bladerunner - 4-1-2008 at 08:17 AM

I think I should have pointed out that when you are flying at the top end it is best to AVOID resting the kite at ZENITH. If you keep it lower along the edge of the window you will not get the Peter Pan.
Keep it low and go was the instructors words !

BeamerBob - 4-1-2008 at 08:25 AM

Well I wasn't actually trying to discourage the lofts.:wink2: I did go and rest at the edge from time to time or just land it in front of me, but as soon as I'd get a rest, back up to the top I would go till I decided to put it up. I'm not sure I could ever use the CF in a buggy unless there wasn't enough wind to loft me.

acampbell - 4-1-2008 at 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob
Angus, what wind is your max for that 7.7? Funny thing is, after the first time I saw someone flying a 4 line kite, (a 5m Crossfire) I went on ebay to see what I could get one for. There was a sweet deal on a 7.7 CF and it was in Orlando where I was at the time. I wisely chickened out. Can you imagine your first turn with a 4 line being with a 7.7 Crossfire in about a 12 mph wind?:wow:

Much over 10 mph and I'd move to something else as I start to feel the breeze under my butt in the buggy. The Reactor 8.3 is better for that application as it is lower lift and smooth on power.
The CF 7.7 would be a great light wind ski-kite as airtime is often welcome, and you should be able to hold down a lot of kite with two edges.
The CF 2, due out soon, with its adjustable bridle and low lift setting should be a very versatile kite,

awindofchange - 4-1-2008 at 04:33 PM

One thing to remember is that the kite is usually 25 to 30 meters away from you. Although your wind meter held just above your head reads 10-12 mph wind, the wind may be well over 20 mph up on top where the kite is at. Many things can change the wind as it blows including but not limited to hills, trees, fences, block walls, buildings and thermals.

There is a good chance that you were standing in 12 mph winds but when the kite was at zenith the winds were much stronger.

Just my two cents worth.

Pablo - 4-1-2008 at 05:30 PM

They're right, the wind can vary a good 10mph in some cases as you go up in height. Take an area like Sunset Beach, there's a 15-20ft high dune running the lenght of the beach, often you'll have lower winds down below the berm, then lots of wind when you get the kite up over 45deg. I've used this lack of wind down low to get back to camp a couple times when the wind came up and I ended up badly overpowered.

I've also got bitten by the windmeter thing, reading 12mph down low, put up a 9m kite only to get lofted then dragged clear across the park, perfected my land based body dragging though. Should have looked at the trees and flags instead. no wind at ground level, shrubs barely moving, tall trees whipping around like crazy.

BeamerBob - 5-1-2008 at 06:41 AM

This was on a beach. It was Fort Desoto in the St. Petersburg area. I was north of the point getting the fresh wind. The wind was blowing straight down the beach with nothing but a pier a quarter mile behind me. I noticed I could get to the edge of the window much better on the water side than I could on the dune side so the wind could've been affected by the beach and maybe the pier. As I think back, there were dozens of kite boarders that I drove past to get to Fort Desoto. They might not've been so interested in the 10-12 I was reading.