Looking for all possible info on these kite-esq items
price ranges?
Different brands?
Wind ranges?
Size options?
Where can i get them?
Videos?
Just some info, so i know more than i do now
I've seen these things around and know virtually nothing about them, and could actually find very little online. They kinda look like fun for
cruising around parking lots and such... for those days when the soccer kids over run the fields, i could go down to a block of abandonded strip malls
and board in the parking lot (too many light-poles for a kite)
Thanks in advance, i'm sure someone here knows more about them then i do!
PL: Twister II 5.6m, Phantom 15m / 12m, 10m Synergy, JIBE Viper 5.3m, Charger 19m
HQ: Montana 4 12.5m, Apex 3 5m
Flexi: Blade ViP, Rage 1.8m \"lil Pepi!\"
FlexiFoot Bug / FlexDeck / MBS Core 95 / Custom Carbon Fiber MTH \"Monster Door\"
Corsair Crash Test Dummy (QC Suervisor )
My most perfect days have been on Jekyll
One of our local guys sells them and they are quite inexpensive IMO. I was actually toying with the idea of convincing him to let me try it out but I
can't imagine I'll enjoy it more than kiting so I never bothered. If I remember correctly they were under $400 CDN.
horizonkites.com
I was wrong. They are plus $1200CDN...it was his landwings that are sub $400. His name is Vince - tell him Kelly sent ya!
Dunno about different brands, I've heard of Skimbat but I thought they were the predecessor of Kitewing brand?
I got a Kitewing brand 4.8m IV8 dacron ... the other sizes are 5.5 and 7.7 for water - basically just more AR on the sails. They also come in all
monofilm, like boardsailing sails - all see through. I'd go for the 5.5 if I did it over although you can buy just the sail and battons to upgrade a
4.8
Depending on the surface, the bottom end is like 5m/s (10 knots) on concrete and a good rolling toy ie. inline skates or skateboard or 8m/s on packed
dirt with an ATB. That's for my fat arse, you painty-waisted girly-men may get up rolling sooner :D More wind is more fun though! When I've put up my
4m kite and it's kicking my arse, I've swapped it for the 'wing and it's rocking! The upper end would be huge cos you can sheet out real easy ... in
the video I posted below, I'm on an ATB on the grass and it gusts over 30 knots that day!
The real ones aren't cheap but you get what you pay for - they're REALLY well made. I doubt there'd be too many around used though, cos they not so
popular
I got mine to use in the riverside parks here, that are open to the wind but not big enough to launch a kite cos they're narrow and close to houses,
power lines etc. They also rock in carparks which are usually bigger than the parks here
The learning curve is steep - you'll soon be rocking in no time. Recommend pads for sure, I've lost more skin on the 'wing than on the kite!
Youtube for videos - there's tons! Here's me learning on the first day ...
You will find a lot of info at www.kitewing.com - vids and photos.
the north american distributor is based out of quebec, canada - www.vertigohv.com/
they did have a few demo kitewings in the U.S. from last year that might be able available.
Macboy, you might have better luck getting a demo from Mike or Jeremy at www.dirtsurfer.ca they are based in Edmonton. They were the folks that brought the kitewing to western Canada.
Most US distributors are gone. Looks like Super Dairy Boy is it in The States
When I got my 5.5 monfilm 5-6 years ago they were called Skimbat...name changed to kitewing soon after. They are well made and worth every penny in my
book. Took a few hours at first to figure out how to hold it and get comfy. Started kite flying last year so I could fly in lighter winds and found
that harder to learn.
I've only flown the kitewing with skates. And you need at least 15mph to enjoy the ride. 20-30+ is a hoot.
You can also hook in with a seat or waist harness using windsurfer V lines. Also use a leash.
The learning curve is steep - you'll soon be rocking in no time.
Wait a sec... I thought I read somewhere this was easier to learn than kiteboarding.
Don't you mean the curve is not steep?
Axis of time vs skill, increasing ... yes steep. You pick it up quick and quickly get real good - that's what I meant
I think I was gybing then tacking within 2 or 3 hours on skates, and do it comfortably now on the board. Never been so fast on inline skates as I have
with the wing!
Originally posted by Kamikuza
I knew I liked you, Jaymz
Quote:
Originally posted by sp4cem0nkey
Quote:
The learning curve is steep - you'll soon be rocking in no time.
Wait a sec... I thought I read somewhere this was easier to learn than kiteboarding.
Don't you mean the curve is not steep?
Axis of time vs skill, increasing ... yes steep. You pick it up quick and quickly get real good - that's what I meant
I think I was gybing then tacking within 2 or 3 hours on skates, and do it comfortably now on the board. Never been so fast on inline skates as I have
with the wing!
Ah! Well, that is good to hear! Does it work well inland during high winds, or does it require steady coastal winds to work well? I think that
would be a blast to use in big parking lots on a windy day with my landboard!
My Kites: {Peter Lynn Synergy 15m} {LF Havoc 10m} {Flexifoil Blade III 8.5m} {LF Havoc 8m} {HQ Beamer IV 2m} I ride: {MBS Comp 90} {Best Spark}
I've yet to use it on a coast - all in-land ... they rock and sheet out well - so long as you don't have a death-grip on the boom yes I got superman'd by the 'wing :D
The wings need a good amount of wind to perform well. You can get going sooner on ice skates and roller blades though. They work well in high gusty
winds. Meeting the kitewing / dirtsurfer gang was a highlight of my 1st NABX Somebody invite them back this year please . :bigok:
Ah! Well, that is good to hear! Does it work well inland during high winds, or does it require steady coastal winds to work well? I think that
would be a blast to use in big parking lots on a windy day with my landboard!
sp4cem0nkey:
When the first big northern comes through head out to the Dell Diamond Parking lot. A few of us are ususally out riding Skatewings on skateboards
there. I work next door so I can pretty consistantly do a lunch session if the winds are there.
Ah! Well, that is good to hear! Does it work well inland during high winds, or does it require steady coastal winds to work well? I think that
would be a blast to use in big parking lots on a windy day with my landboard!
sp4cem0nkey:
When the first big northern comes through head out to the Dell Diamond Parking lot. A few of us are ususally out riding Skatewings on skateboards
there. I work next door so I can pretty consistantly do a lunch session if the winds are there.
Yo, dave!
I'd love to come out and see the awesomeness, but its quite a drive from The Domain where I work. Still, send me a U2U when you plan to be out there
and I'll try to make it out. Even better if its on a weekend!
My Kites: {Peter Lynn Synergy 15m} {LF Havoc 10m} {Flexifoil Blade III 8.5m} {LF Havoc 8m} {HQ Beamer IV 2m} I ride: {MBS Comp 90} {Best Spark}
Yo, dave!
I'd love to come out and see the awesomeness, but its quite a drive from The Domain where I work. Still, send me a U2U when you plan to be out there
and I'll try to make it out. Even better if its on a weekend!
Heck ya...love to have some company out there. Just got back from a lunchtime session...great winds today. I was using my 2.4 Sting today, your
small Beamer would work great with a skateboard...I have extras with me if you need to borrow one. If you're ever in the area around noon and it's
windy stop on by. Take the autobahn around from the Domain...45 to 130 to 79. Takes about 10 minutes.
dude kami... Carbon is the shiznit... havent you ever seen a riced out honda> Carbon fiber... even just a little adds like 200 HP... imagine what
it can do for my slow a$$
Honestly just looking at the bigger size... if i could find the pro at a good price i wouldnt pass it up... but you're right i dont need the
carbon...
PL: Twister II 5.6m, Phantom 15m / 12m, 10m Synergy, JIBE Viper 5.3m, Charger 19m
HQ: Montana 4 12.5m, Apex 3 5m
Flexi: Blade ViP, Rage 1.8m \"lil Pepi!\"
FlexiFoot Bug / FlexDeck / MBS Core 95 / Custom Carbon Fiber MTH \"Monster Door\"
Corsair Crash Test Dummy (QC Suervisor )
My most perfect days have been on Jekyll
So far Super Dairy Boy looks like they have about the best prices on these... it seems everyone has only two prices... MSRP and a few hundred off...
nothing in between, hmm
PL: Twister II 5.6m, Phantom 15m / 12m, 10m Synergy, JIBE Viper 5.3m, Charger 19m
HQ: Montana 4 12.5m, Apex 3 5m
Flexi: Blade ViP, Rage 1.8m \"lil Pepi!\"
FlexiFoot Bug / FlexDeck / MBS Core 95 / Custom Carbon Fiber MTH \"Monster Door\"
Corsair Crash Test Dummy (QC Suervisor )
My most perfect days have been on Jekyll
I have been out about 5 times and love it I have the 4.8 mono and I need a lot of wing for a mountain board on grass. On pavement like 8mph. It is
amazing how far these things go upwind. Took me about an hour to figure out how to make it work. Toe side is much easier than with a kite and I seem
to have more control of the board this way.
I also bought a dirtsurfer and I need about have the wind for that to work in grass. It is very fast. I have not flown a kite since I bought the
Kitewing. It is snowing now so I hope I can try it tomorrow with skis,
I have been out about 5 times and love it I have the 4.8 mono and I need a lot of wing for a mountain board on grass. On pavement like 8mph. It is
amazing how far these things go upwind. Took me about an hour to figure out how to make it work. Toe side is much easier than with a kite and I seem
to have more control of the board this way.
I also bought a dirtsurfer and I need about have the wind for that to work in grass. It is very fast. I have not flown a kite since I bought the
Kitewing. It is snowing now so I hope I can try it tomorrow with skis,
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