I know this kite is a little small for real jumping, but just out of curiosity, in 15mph winds gusting to 20, what kind of height should I be getting on my pendulum jumps? I weigh 130lbs.

you should be getting NO height because you shouldnt be jumping with that small a kite--it will lift you up,thats no problem,but it will drop you like a lead weight

As much as I know that is true, when it drops me, it is faster than I would prefer but it is not dangerously fast.

it's a little small for real jumping, but it's not as dangerous and fast as a 3m. also at 130 lbs the physics are on your side, if kitejumper is 170 or so his 5m will go the same speed as your 4m for you.

the increase in risk from 4m to 3m (when powered up enough to jump) is a lot more than the increase in risk going from 5m to 4m.

don't know where you are, but it's likely that you have gusty winter winds coming up. they'll make the kite more likely to collapse on a blown redirect, and yes that size kite won't give you much float, but it will have some, especially as you get better on redirects.

be careful out there, tho... one can't really say kite jumping can be safe, but by being really aware of the risks you take on you can lower the russian roulette aspect of the sport somewhat.

Although the winds are somewhat gusty, can you give me an idea of how high I could be jumping and doing a proper pendulum jump somewhat safely (if I didn't get lifted by a gust over 20)?

I wouldn't expect nor hope to jump higher than about 5ft. With that kite in those winds.

If you are working towards snowkiting and other forms of riding then your time could be better spent. Practice Flying blind, with one hand , sitting down then facing backwards. Try a loop at that point. Having complete and total control of your kite in all those situations will get you a lot farther , safer than trying to learn how to jump with too small a kite.

I practice flying without looking all the time. When I jump I never look at the kite from the time I start running until after I land. How could I fly with one hand and handles?

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Originally posted by power I practice flying without looking all the time. When I jump I never look at the kite from the time I start running until after I land. How could I fly with one hand and handles?

OOPS! I thought you had your twister on a bar.

Sounds like you are on track. Keep saving for that bigger kite!

another way to look at it... you want to get control, not air... flying blind is good for this, the best thing really as BR says.

once you get the control, then the jumps will come, but airtime is a gift of the wind... don't look too hard for it.

one hand and handles is kinda possible, although not at all good, with a harness and a strop between the handles, but you're much better off without a strop / harness for jumping.

I'm not sure what else to do to practice and improve my skills besides just flying for fun. I can fly blind well, I've got my spins down, I can make the kite do what I want it to do.... I know there is much more to learn and that I have only scratched the surface, but what else can I do to become a better flier?

Quote:

Originally posted by power I know this kite is a little small for real jumping, but just out of curiosity, in 15mph winds gusting to 20, what kind of height should I be getting on my pendulum jumps? I weigh 130lbs.

How high would I be getting on average if I were using a 5.6 twister II? How about a blade V 6.5?

Larger kites don't give you higher jumps so much as they give you more float.

You can jump 20 ft ++ on a 5m or 25m kite depending on tthe conditions. Odds are you will stay up there a lot longer with the 25 .

You buy a kite to match the wind speed / conditions NOT the height you jump!!!!!!