Hi

My apologies if this is covered ad-nauseum elsewhere, but all I can find are the real intro tutorials.

I have a PL Hornet 3m that I have flown a few times now, can do controlled figure eights (looking to develop power stroke), can land and relaunch (leading edge both up and down) and have been trying to apply different tension to brake lines during maneuvers to see the impact it has.

Basically I am very new, but learning to crawl.

I understand that it's a good idea to spend a bunch of time practicing static before even taking a traction lesson (and at the price being asked locally, I want to learn as much as I can first).

Not sure if I am heading towards land or water, but the basic kite handling skills are hopefully similar.

Any suggestions what specifically I should be trying to do during these recommended 20 -30 hours (varies based on source) of familiarization?

Not that I am not having fun carving around the sky with some heels dragging (and one pupil dilating lift) but wanted to understand what the 'basics' are that I should be trying to get comfortable with.

Sorry for the long winded question, but what are the basic skills that a new kiter should be focus on?

Thanks for any advice you can share

It sounds like you are already on the right track.

Try " down turns " . With the kite up high turn it down like a kiteloop but straighten it out for a big long power stroke across the window.

Play with adding brake to slow the kite as it travels low through the window. Notice how speed = power.

Work on flying the kite " blind " Look around instead of at the kite and try to control it be feel only. Start by just trying to keep it under control and off to one side sitting at the edge of the wind window.

Work the kite down and up each side of the wind window. Holding it for a while down low on each edge.

Practice sitting and diving the kite to lift you up on your feet. If you want to go right, rock it a little to the left and then dive it into the power zone. Once up run to the right and work the kite in a sine ~ wave.

Don't keep the kite overhead. Get in the habit of keeping it to the side. Especially in strong gusty wind. If you keep it off to the side you won't get accidently lofted by a gust.

Get a harness and start getting used to flying hooked in. Once you have a harness hold you handles like a bar and work on turning the kite with brake input only. That is sort of how depower works. Practice that slowing the kite thing from earlier while hooked in. Feel how you speed up the kite through your core / harness and slow it with the brakes. A bit like pushing the bar in and out on depower.

You are correct. Being master of your kite before going to lessons will speed you through them and get you off the best possible start.

Wear a helmet and have FUN !

Excellent, this is exactly what I was hoping for.

Thanks for taking a moment to share your advice.

btw, the Hornet came with handles and a bar. I haven't tried the bar yet as it appears that the brake tension is basically 'set it and forget it' or at least it would be difficult to make subtle brake changes quickly while flying. Will stick with the handles until I have become familiar with some of the flying behaviour that you've described.

Cheers

Practice your turns and figure how the kite reacts with different motions with the turns.

for example:
Simple one hand pull turn
Push-pull turns-- Pull one handle back while pushing the other forward.
brake turns-- apply brake pressure with only one handle
push-pull with brakes-- do a push-pull turn adding brake pressure to the pull side hand

pay attention to A. how the kite reacts when you do these different turning maneuvers and B. the difference in power generated with the different maneuvers.... you should notice that the simple one hand pull turn and the push-pull turn are a bigger/slightly slower turn but generates more power, while turns using any brake pressure may be faster (the kite will flip over quicker and sharper) but will generate less power .

Also try a vertical figure 8... its harder than you realize

BTW... there are PLENTY of water kiters out there... kite on land and join the cool kid club

Turns can be all kinds of interesting...

>> Link << to another post, because I am too lazy to type it again.

Practice reverse launches, much like sunscreen you'll be glad you did later.



ATB,
Sam

When I was learning to drive a car, my instructor gave me some advice prior to my test. Knowing all the maneuvers and practical stuff wasn't enough he said. What the examiner is really looking for was an awareness of my surroundings.
My instructor told me to keep checking my mirrors as I drove my examiner around town and to be seen doing so.

I finished the test by failing some of the obvious practical stuff and botched a few simple maneuvers but I passed!
Admittedly the envelope stuffed with cash must have had some influence but my instructor was right.

I think its very important to be aware of what's around you when flying a power kite and not allow yourself to become distracted. Your immediate downwind especially, what or who is within range. Traction kiting too, for example, a quick glance behind you to see if it is clear before turning 180 on your board or buggy.

Distraction tests should include flying your kite at the edge of the window and keeping it flying as rock steady as you can while a parade of super fit half naked men or women (depending on your preference) strut their stuff in full view.

Good luck!

+1 for what indigo wolf says, when you do get into traction you are going to need to know how to reverse launch cause you will be dropping the kite a lot.

For buggying and boarding, practice flying the kite while you walk sideways, just like in a buggy, then practice turning the kite and then walk back the other way. Repeat. This is essentially everything you'll be doing with a kite while buggying without the buggy.

Thanks for the tips gentlemen, appreciate the help getting started (and the sunscreen reminder).

Now if I can get windfinder.com to cooperate during my free time, I'll be all set.

You will learn the most about the kite with handles and adding a harness as I described.

Since you have a bar it will be good to get used to it before you take the lessons. You are right that the bar sort of castrates the kites performance but learning how to fly on one with one hand and without looking at the kite is an advantage. You need that set of skills to get set up on your board. To fly one handed you put your hand in the middle of the bar.

As you seem to understand it is all about setting reflex memory. Setting those reflexes before lessons will be a huge advantage.

+2 on what RedSky said...got to pay attention to everything not just the kite...gotta have it all going on in your head and not be caught off guard...be aware of your surroundings most solid advice to be had and it multiples when you get to the water