Just signed up for IBX 2018, first time going there... will be there Mon -> Thursday, flying in with my mountain board. What kite sizes do you think I should bring? Where I live most of my time is spent on a 20m peter lynn aero. Was thinking I would bring 20m, 14m aero ultralights, and maybe some charger 3's if it really picks up, my charger 22m is usually the go to kite when the 14m aero is overpowered or if it's inconsistent winds, so maybe a 22m and 12m charger (or should I go with the 15m / 8m charger combo if it's really blowing). Probably will only have space for 4 kites or so on the airline so I don't get hit with huge fees. Also could go with a 9m aero but tend not to jump much on anything smaller than a 14, since i'm used to riding in inconsistent winds and the bigger kites don't drop you as hard. Is the wind usually fairly consistent there?

See you there!

Great to hear you are coming to IBX! If you've never been on something like a playa before you are in for quite an experience. When thinking about kites it may come down to a game-day decision based on your best wind forecast information. I rely on the site linked to here:

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w0=t&w1=td&...

Keep in mind that the rolling resistance of rock hard pretty smooth mud is much lower than what you would experience on a sandy beach or grass fields. As such you can really get moving in any given wind a whole lot faster than the same wind back home. A second thing to consider is altitude and air density. You appear to be from Dillon, CO which is up around 9,000 ft above sea level. Ivanpah is at about 2,600. As such, any given wind speed will have more power on the playa than in your backyard. Because of this you will likely want to err towards smaller kites to keep from being overpowered.

I appreciate that smaller kites are not as floaty and harder (read more dangerous) to jump with. When thinking about jumping, keep in mind that the playa surface itself is rock hard dried mud. It has a very high friction component, akin to 40wt sandpaper. Lots of us (though not all) wear all the "plastic courage" we can get our hands on when we're out there. Going down at speed at Ivanpah without good protection could well really change your schedule for the rest of the week if you know what I'm saying...

Bottom line, Ivanpah is a power kiters dream come true and you'll have a great time. Look forward to meeting you in a couple of weeks.

Yes i think having more on the medium to smaller is a better way to go. There are times when big kites are damn handy but it seems like it's either very light / no wind or when the wind comes up it doesn't take long before it's stronger. Quite often during the day when the wind is up you may find it gusty or troughs of much stronger wind mid lake. If wind is up you'll be happy you have smaller kites but you just never know but I've used far more med to small arcs than i have of my larger arcs and have not taken anything bigger than a 15 or 16 arc to the playa

last thing to consider is the wear and tear on kites like the Aero a little scuff on the abrasive surface can put some nice fine rips in a lighter skin like the Aero - beauty kite to use but one that you want to minimize wear on the most expensive sizes. We took a large tarp and weighted it down on the playa for launching our arcs - at first the old gang thought we were trying to keep our kites clean but the arcs had the weighted wing tip to slide on launch and the tarp was to save the wingtip damage - the dust on the kite is just part of the badge of honor as you embrace the beige...and beware of the devils!

Yeah, wasn't thinking about the wear and tear, that's good to keep in mind, maybe i'll bring more arcs than Aero's, the sandpaper surface is probably way harder on kites than snow. Both my larger Aero's are ultralights as well so not the most durable compared to an Arc or Lynx.

Quote: Originally posted by markite

embrace the beige...and beware of the devils!

OUTSTANDING! Embrace the beige. Love it. :karate:

You know, "beware of the devils" sure would have been words to live by a couple of summers ago when I had my freak gasoline fight accident wearing my oh-so-aptly-named Wheels of Doom. :evil:

If you have a 12m Charger take it. Winds can get crazy strong and combined with the super fast sticky surface things get challenging at times.
Winds can change by 20+ miles an hour in seconds. This on top of a base wind in the high 20's. ( about the very top end for an 18.) You get a visual warning but.....

Can anybody find that video of Phreerider getting spanked with his venom a few years ago? Getting sent downwind is no easy ride on the playa.

Hey...I'm down in Denver and going as well.

Send me an email jeepersjoey@yahoo.

Perhaps there are items that I can carry out for you.

Are you camping, or hoteling?

Either way...stick with me and my group and we will keep you safe and entertained!

Paul

Hi kitejumping, western Co here, been to IBX twice now, had an absolute blast. Not an buggy expert at all but had loads of fun just flying 7m and 9m LEI' s. Had to sit out a few days last year because of too strong winds. Wish I'd had something in 3 to 4 m range. Think frictionless:D PS sometimes a side trip to 6mile on lake Mojave comes into the picture. You might just keep that in the back of your head. Oh and the lake bed destroyed my seven last year.

Cool, can you kitesurf on lake Mojave? Is the water freezing where you need a wetsuit? Sounds like I should definitely bring an 8m arc for the high wind days. I'm staying at the hotel with the group rate in Primm. Wasn't planning on bringing gear for water but maybe I should?

I was going to suggest an 8m if you have one. I don't know what it will be like for jumping but how often do you get to ride lit up on it otherwise?

Personally I have found myself overpowered with my 10m Synergy. I am a lightweight and ride off road rollerblades so ..... That said, the PL boys held down their 18m Chargers and went BIG in some crazy strong winds when they were there.