Ok...In my 40 years of life and 30 of that flying kites, I never associated it with pain...that is until today. I took my new 3.5m kite out to Quend Plage and got it airborne. However, the power was a little overwhelming and within 15 minutes of getting it airborne, I was being smacked to the ground and pulled across the beach.

I did manage to keep it up for a while but the moment I let it get an angle on the wind, I was slammed to the surface. Now, my shoulders, arms and knees are aching a bit and I still haven't even approached the landboard yet.

Two things I learned today.

The plastic handles suck. Keeping the kite up had it digging into my hands.

Getting the kite off the ground is going to take two people until I learn to master it.

Back to the drawing board.

Ouch.

I could not keep a straight face while reading your message.
We all have a similar story, now you know it is not an easy to handle toy.
My 4m got me really scarred few times in gusty 20mph winds.

When you start on a board you will redirect the kite force into the board so your body will not take a beating.

Next time go out make sure you have better wind conditions.
Hang in there and after few times you will definitely have better control.

No pain... no gain

The amount of pain you suffer is directly inverse to the amount of knowledge you have and your ability to control the kite.

It will come in time grasshopper.
:karate:

Keep flying!

Just a suggestion, but next time out I'd go in a little less wind, small movements and keep the kite parked overhead as much as possible, when in decent wind, any quick moves with the kite will generate a huge amount of power.

For learning, I'd take the 3.5m up in 8-15mph winds max, you'll want more once you get it dialed in, but keep the winds low to start.

Oh yeah, one last thing, control is an illusion, ask any of the old timers, they still have a kite rise up and smack them once in a blue moon, usually when you think it's all under control.

Quote:

Originally posted by Paddlenround Two things I learned today. The plastic handles suck. Keeping the kite up had it digging into my hands. Getting the kite off the ground is going to take two people until I learn to master it. Back to the drawing board. Ouch.

PLASTIC HANDLES ???? Somehow those sound very wrong ?
What kind of kite is it ? What kind of handles ?

If it is a 2 line or 4 line. Put weight on the back edge of the kite to keep it on the ground. Round rocks or something. Walk the lines upwind. Tug lightly until the kite fills a bit. Then tug hard to pop away from the weight. The kite will shoot through the power zone ( brace yourself and move toward it ) and settle at zenith.
If the wind is strong. Set the kite so one wingtip is facing the wind the other flagging back. Fold over a bit of the upwind wing and weight it. Walk the lines out accross the wind. Again tug lightly to fill the kite. The downwind wing will start to lift. Give it a tug to pop off the weight and it should rest nicely at the edge of the window. Practice this method in lower winds so you have it down when you NEED it in big winds.

Pick up a harness ASAP. Even if you fly unhooked at 1st you can hook in for rests. Extending your fun time greatly !

By plastic he may mean PVC or pvc-like material which is totally acceptable.

I think I have seven sets of handles and only 3 of them are metal. I like the PVC jobbers.

OK...so I went out today to practice flying and it was a challenge. Instead of too much power, I was fighting gusts and shifting winds. A surprise T-storm was making the wind shift direction constantly. I couldn't even get the bugger off the ground.

I am having a hard time finding a place to fly the kite here that is flat, public and without obstruction. It has been frustrating to say the least.

I bought a flybar and harness and hooked the bar up today. I am still struggling where to tie up the kite though. I clearly know where the control lines go but the brake lines do not have a clear connection and I am confused as to where to tie them.

I did buy the Drill1 DVD and it was an excellent help. It helped me understand a lot. However, it does not show kite assembly. I have the option of either 4 or two string. I have the bar, two metal gripped handles and two PVC handles.

I have gotten the kite airborne with the PVC handles and as long as it was 90 degrees I kept it airborne. A pull on the bar got the kit up in the air but I had a helluva time getting it to climb.

Does anyone use windmeters? I am hopeful I can find a good spot local. I want to practice so I can make the most of my beach trips.

I am the ant and this kite is the rubber tree plant.....

Mike