hi all, i just started fly kites so how do i reduce the damage to the kite because i don't want to spend too much repairing the kites. any suggestions or advice? maybe diy or custom kites are better?

thanks

don't crash it!!!

Ditto the above. Crashing the kite nose down into the ground at full speed is the best way to destroy your investment. Start out underpowered. Learn the wind window. Avoid trees and crashes. Drop he kite on its killers or safety if you are a out to crash it.

Beginner kites, like Ozone Flows or HQ Beamers are almost impossible to damage no matter how hard you bang it into the ground. I'd start by flying those until you learn a bit of control.

Ok thanks. Any tools or things that protect the kite?

Ok thanks. Any tools or things that protect the kite?

Common sense is the only real tool I can think of. If it's gusty wind, leave it in it's bag. Ditto if it's too windy. Keep it away from trees and fences etc. Or your car - I side launched an Ozone Access in not enough wind and ended up wrapping it around my car's roof rack putting a very small hole in it... Learn to use the kite killers and just LET GO if it powers up and heads toward the ground. Try this:

i forgot to tell you guys that i am using kite reel with brake so beside the kite killer, is there any tools to protect it?

What kind of kite are you flying?

I hope its not an OOOOOLD school surf kite with the reel on that bar...

i think thats where we are going...this may get good.

I have a feeling you should be asking how to avoid having your kite damage YOU first !

If you have an old school kite and reel bar you have set yourself up for trouble.

I think we need a better description of your kite ?

Hi eddygoody,

Apart from the obvious there's nothing really to protect your kite unfortunately. Unless like me you have the skills to fly your kite straight into it's bag already neatly folded. ;D...then I'm afraid its inevitable that your kite will come into contact with mud, sand or water.

If you are flying a kitesurfing kite (please get some lessons ) then maybe you can fly the kite slightly under inflated.
This should soften the blow when you crash it, but don't fly the kite too soft so that the kite jellyfishes.

If you're flying a foil kite, then there's 'Seal & Glide' or its equivalent. A coating that supposedly protects your kite from water penetration. Personally I wouldn't bother. And I'm pretty sure covering the porous canopy results in blown cells when crashed but at least your popped kite will be clean.

I asked the same question when I started flying my first 4m kite and got the same answers. That 4m kite was to much for my lack of experience. I bought myself a 2m HQ 4 line kite and practiced, practiced, practiced. I now enjoy nose dives and pulling out at the last second.

3m delta kite

OK, sounds like its not a kitesurfing kite due to size but to clarify, do you use a pump to inflate the kite ?

Hey eddygoody, are you describing a delta "stunt" kite with only one flying line and 3 carbon fiber spars?

http://www.passionkites.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view...

Just a normal kite. Not stunt kite and pump to inflate the kite ? What is that ?

http://www.passionkites.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view...

And my reel is this

Only thing you need us spare spars (carbon or fiberglass) and maybe sail tape. Those kites break spars relatively easy if nose dived and if nose dived at speed like a lawn dart you are apt to tear the sail where the main spine meets the tail of the sail. You should goto gwtwkites.com as that us dedicated to sport kites.

Kite reel is not needed with that. A simple figure 8 card winder is sufficent. Do you have wrist straps? I assume that is a dual line kite based in design.

no that's a single line kite - basic delta
We are all talking two different things here.
Single line on a reel - all you need is gloves to avoid string burn.

This kite is a single line kite. B-Roc is correct. You don't need that reel for your kite. All the questions above were assuming your kite had 4 or at least 2 lines which allow you to control and "fly" the kite. I've enjoyed single line kites for many hours in my life, but they can't compare to a kite you can steer and then develop enough power to propel you on wheels or water.

I think when he says reel some of you are thinking reel like a crank reel - he is talking about a spool. A spool (what he calls a reel) is great for a single line to hold in a way to let line play out and fairly quick to wind line in. It's a small kite but keep in mind it's often easier in higher winds to pull line down and carefully zig zag it on the ground and wind it onto the spool after.
Biggest thing to keep your kite safe - Don't let go of the spool!

Quote: Originally posted by eddygoody

http://www.passionkites.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view... And my reel is this

Mark, this is a link to the reel he is using.

ayeee!
thanks Bobby missed that - now that's a reel!
(mmmm bugggy parts)

Man, just when I think I've seen everything kite related, something like this comes along and blows me away. Kind of makes me want to make a huge delta and give that reel a whirl.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

Man, just when I think I've seen everything kite related, something like this comes along and blows me away. Kind of makes me want to make a huge delta and give that reel a whirl.

Disc brakes for added fun. :o




ATB,
Sam