I got winds around 17-18mph this evening do you think i should fly my crosfire 4.0. I got about 8 hours flying time in light winds and when it did get gusty i got hurt. my hip is still hurting.

Skip it. Wait till you feel stronger!

Im totally new and am about to buy my first kite next month. One thing im not getting is, cant you let go of the kite before it takes you up to such a height that can hurt you?

I kept thinking the same way until last week (I'm still new also).

It just happens so fast, especially with small kites and big gusty winds.

Yup - they can bite hard...

You know, it seems just that simple, doesn't it. Unfortunately, there are several factors that make that exceedingly difficult to achieve, and in many cases, ill-advised.

1. Reaction time: It takes our brains a little over 1.5 seconds to recognize a potential threat (i.e. The car ahead's brake lights come on, and their tires begin smoking), then react appropriately (i.e. Slam on your brakes, or swerve) Hence the whole "3 second" rule when following another motor vehicle. In 1.5 seconds in powerkiting, you're probably already too high up to safely let go.

2. Mindset: No one wants to lose their kite. Strong pulling is what traction kiting is all about, so we train our mind to hold on and resist the pull. Our brain's message is "Holding on is GOOD!!". Sometimes, however, it takes us a little while to "switch gears" to the "Holding on is BAD!!" message. I've seen people dragged face first several hundred feet over the sand, before they finally got the idea that they could let go of the damned thing!!

3. Control and Balance: This is both mental and physical. On the mental side: Everyone wants to feel in control in scary situations. For practically everyone, the best way to attain that feeling (real or imagined) is to grip onto something. It's why babies cling to their mothers, and people in rollercoasters will hold onto their seat or their friend's arm. In an unintentional lift with a kite, those handles are pretty much the only things you got.

On the physics side of it: In power kiting, when your launched into the air, the only pivot\balance point you have, is your kite handles or bar. They allow you to manuver your body, so that you can brace for a landing, and land on your feet (not your head). Letting go in mid-flight, turns you into a tumbling projectile.

4. And finally, "Since you're already up": Most powerkites (particularly larger ones) create a limited "parachute effect" after a kiter has been launched into the air. They limit the rate at which the kiter decends. This is why kite jumpers can do repeated 20 ft. high jumps without breaking their legs. If you're up that high (intentional, or not), you might as well take the easy way down by holding on.

Hope that explains it.

When i got pulled up around only 3 feet and downwind around 12 feet i had to ask my brother what happened :puzzled:because it happend so fast. i only let go of the handles when i was on the floor in pain and then the kite killers done there job.

One time i took a 3 m out in 30 mph winds on my mountain board. I caught a HUGE gust and it just took me up up and away. I was beeing pulled down the field with my hands over my head and i was facing away from the kite in the fital pisition. Haha good times!

:D I don't like using kite killers (notice the word is plural) When I use a kite killer (notice the word is singular) I use only one. If and when you ever need to let go of the kite and you have two connected to your wrist there is the possibility that the kite could power up again. Generally speaking, most people will let go of one line or the other when sh#* happens. After sitting around taking out several hundred twists in your line you will learn which wrist to put it on.