Hi guys..
just received my Ozone Octane 4m power kite today.

I was fortune enough an Ozone distributor was in the area at the time.
I setup the kite in the same way I would setup my stunt kite (lay out the lines first then unwrap the kite last)

I spent a lot of time making sure all 4 lines were lined up then did the larks head knots. The Ozone rep was delayed a little so I launched the kite ok by myself but then soon as it went into the wind window I got dragged off my feet and had to run with it. I was stunned I could not believe it just dragged me along. I then sort of crashed it into the sand and decided to wait until the Ozone rep arrived. I could not figure out how to stop the thing once it got going

Now I understood why people initially recommend the 3m on here. The ozone rep showed me how to launch and control the kite via the brakes and taught me how to land it and keep it secure. Having someone teach you really helped a lot. He then left me and I was flying it okay alone.

The wind was 13-15 knots so it was perfect to learn with no strong gust wind. My only issue is when you pack up the kite is it best to left the lines attached to the handles and kite or should you untie the knots completely from the handles and the kite itself then fold it up properly? I also have a habit of washing the sand off the kite in the bath under cold water. I usually run water over my lines too to remove sand.

I would definately say 3m power kite is the ideal kite for a beginner. The Ozone trainer 2m 3 line isn't really ideal because you will have to learn on a quad line sooner or later. The ozone rep. kind of saved me and helped me control the 4m.

Right now I will continue to fly it in different wind ranges and get some experience. I hope to get the 5m if I can find a good place to landboard or I may go straight into kite surfing (after I get some lessons first). In my opinion if you do not get lessons you can seriously get hurt.

Glad you had some help on hand to save learning the hard way (ie dragged on your face along the sand!)

Unless you're going to use the lines and handles on another kite just leave them attached to the kite.

Some people prefer winding the lines around the handles in a figure-eight. Others prefer "para packing". I love the para pack way.

My para packing technique is very non-scientific. I fold the kite up and get it in the bag. Then I make some space down the back. And stuff the lines down into the space hand over hand. Finally get the handles in on the opposite side of the kite to the lines.

This guy has a much better technique:

http://vimeo.com/12388332

It takes a bit of care when packing down but it's worth it next time you come to set up as you can just stake your handles and walk away from them with the kite still folded up letting the lines come out. And hey presto, you're good to go!

Good luck with your progression, watch lots of tutorials online if you don't have somebody to help you.

It sounds like you already have some respect for the power that 4m can generate!

yeah after I launched it for the first time I was basically forced to respect it. I was just stunned it dragged me around like I was a lightweight. All those years in the gym and my 100kg weight I thought I'd be fine.. basically it pulled me off my centre of gravity and I pretty much either had to run with it or get dragged around with my face in the sand. I am just lucky an Ozone distributor located me and helped me straight away. He took control of the kite and gave me a demonstration session then I took over. He showed me how to hold the handles and how to use the brakes and explained how to fly sensibly with respect to my surroundings. If I didn't have anyone to teach me this it would have taken me hours to figure out all this stuff. He didn't charge me either but he probably sees me as a future client for his bigger more expensive kites he is selling - it was fun to see my kite drag him around too as he is an Ozone employee

I am pretty happy with the purchase as it was not cheap. For now I will experiment with wind ranges and fastest most efficient way to pack it up and set it up.

Quote:

I got dragged off my feet and had to run with it

Do NOT run with kite launching it. You want to Scud. This is where you lean back and let your heels drag into the ground-skidding, if you will. You have to lean back enough so you don't get pulled over forward. Practice scudding. Scudding is something people even do just for fun - 'working' the kite for increased pull and scudding as they work kite. But it is practically an integral part of handling a power kite on land.

Running with the force of the kite gives poor control, exerting jarring extra forces on your joints and WILL lead to falling on your face, or spraining ankle, knee injury, etc...

oh ok I was on solid sand at the time.. I will try that technique if it allows on the surface. Does it only work on soft sand?

Also there is some sand in my kite. What is the best way to get it out? hang it up on the clothesline and repeatedly tap it? or try to wash it out somehow?

Hard sand is great to scud on...maybe the EASIEST, in fact.

Practice it.

Washing(rinsing) is worst way to get sand out of kite. Just let it dry if wet or damp, then shake sand out vigorously -cell's opening facing downward, naturally. The sand tends to often get caught in 'curl' of topskin at opening, so just flip it open for final release If this happens. You will have to do this for each cell.

Be safe. Good luck and enjoy.

I think you will damage your kite if you wash it after every outing. I would tap and shake the kite to get the loose sand off of it and be done with it. If you want to wipe it down with a damp cloth, that might be a good compromise. Washing with water can imbed sand into the seams and eventually speed up wear and tear.

This is my parking method... I'm OCD enough with my kites that the para pack method makes me twitch... I find this method is fast enough that it doesn't interfere much with flight time and also keeps things from ever getting in a tangle:

https://vimeo.com/85890919

Edit: this is not a parking method so much as a PACKING method

Isn't it amazing how much getting a bit of instruction speeds up the learning curve? It will be the same if and when you go for kitesurf instructions.

I highly suggest that you move to depower for your next kite. Depower is preferred for ATB, snowkiting and water.

I also suggest that your next purchase should be a harness. Getting used to flying hooked in will mean you can fly for hours on end and it is all about getting time on the lines for progression. It will make the transition to depower much smoother as well.

One of the many reasons I suggest a 3m is that a 5m ( if you want FB ) doesn't overlap too much. 5m FB will have a lot of overlap with your 4m. Another reason that 3m is good is that it serves as a high wind kite. Be careful with the 4m. The wind will be too strong for it some days. Packing up because the wind is too much is a move we all respect.

AS mentioned, take time to pack up right. There is nothing more frustrating than good wind and you can't launch because you messed up your lines or bridle. Keep the lines attached but take extra care to NEVER let your handles near your bridle when packing.

Be sure and check out the tutorials at coastalwindsports. Tons of valuable info there.