Power Kite Forum

My first kite!

roo - 5-3-2008 at 01:45 PM

Hi all! I have just recieved my very first power kite for my birthday!

:) It's a 3m Radsail eolo. I'm waiting for a good day to get it out.

Since I am a complete beginner, what wind conditions would be

best?

Thanks!

BeamerBob - 5-3-2008 at 01:58 PM

Typically, you would want about 5-8 mph. 5 might not be enough to make the kite fly well, but just enough to be able to control it is best on your first outing. After some time in those winds, you will be ready for the really fun 7-10 mph. When you are comfortable with that, you will have enough experience to decide if the wind is too much. Just don't go out in 15 mph winds for your first flight. Congratulations!

Bladerunner - 5-3-2008 at 02:02 PM

Congrat's and welcome.

Go to www.kitesurfingschool.org for a good intro. That kite will start flying in very little wind. It will fly well + Hang at the edge of the window and such at about 10kph. and will fly well way up into the 30's . Around 10 kph is a good start. Over 20 will be a bit of a challenge at 1st.

strictlycarved - 5-3-2008 at 02:17 PM

yea have fun, good judgment and being safe will insure that you will always have a good time. remember to have everything setup perfectly before flight it will make the whole experience way better. fly safe.

gross213 - 5-3-2008 at 09:04 PM

My first kite was an eolo 3m radsail and I loved it, have fun and be safe your first time out..:flaming::flaming:

roo - 18-3-2008 at 01:41 PM

Flew my kite first time today! Not sure if it was windy enough though or just my inexperiance. Was quite hard to launch and I only managed to keep it up for a while! I guess it needs much practise! But it was good to get a feel of it. Thanks for all your advice and help! It is appreciated! :)

Lobo - 18-3-2008 at 02:22 PM

Great roo!!! You've been baptized into the sport! I'm very envious...I'm still watching the mailman closely for my first kite!!:( But, I HAPPY for YOU! :smilegrin:

Lobo :singing:

acampbell - 18-3-2008 at 02:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by roo
Flew my kite first time today! Not sure if it was windy enough though or just my inexperiance. Was quite hard to launch and I only managed to keep it up for a while! I guess it needs much practise! But it was good to get a feel of it. Thanks for all your advice and help! It is appreciated! :)

Could be not enough wind and brake lines too tight. In light winds you want them loose. If the bottom skin of the kite puckers at the bridle attachment points, then that is another sign of tight brakes.

Too loosen...
See if the brake bridles where the lines attach have multiple knots on each side to which to fix the larks head knot, Loosen the larks head and move it down (away from the kite) to the next one. Do the same on both sides of course.

If no such choice, tie a knot in the upper (main line) leads back at the handles about 2-3" from the ends. Do both handles evenly. Move the larks head up to the new knots. Shortening the main lines effectively lenghtens (loosens) the brakes.

Sthrasher38 - 18-3-2008 at 03:49 PM

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your first flight.:tumble:

Bladerunner - 18-3-2008 at 03:50 PM

If you have enough wind for the kite it should launch and then shoot straight overhead and hang there. If you think there should be enough wind and it won't do that then your brake lines are too short.
Your kite should still fly even in too little wind but the trick is to keep it moving creating apparent wind.

Your brakes should hang loose in a slight arc when not applied.

Almost every time you have trouble with a fixed bridle foil it is do to brake input. Make them very slack until you get a feel for them. Beginers often add brake without realizing it at 1st. Hold the handles with the top line between your pointer and index finger for less unwanted brake input.

Sthrasher38 - 18-3-2008 at 03:59 PM

What is the most wind you have had that 7m Bullet in? Do you use that kite alot? I like my 4.5 but in strong wind it pulls so hard I always end up way down wind with what seems to be alot of work getting back if at all.

WELDNGOD - 18-3-2008 at 05:09 PM

Get a "AAA" kit :thumbup: It makes my 4.7 Rage cover more wind range. I'm gonna get 2 flexi BLURRs a 3.5 and a 7.0 ,put AAAs on both.I'm thinking that would do for all but the worst days.For those days I have several 2.5s a 1.7 and 2.0 ace that is one scary kite in30+ wind. I highly recommend the AAA kit for Rages/Bullets,and I would think, the new BLURR .Maybe flexi is going to put it on the production model like on the Blades. that would be sweet , and save me shipping from england!

roo - 24-3-2008 at 03:31 PM