About 7 years ago I bought a 2 line T-foil trainer when I lived near the ocean. Then about 4 years ago I moved to NW OK, USA and got a Bullet 1.5 with a bar. I didn’t use it much, just occasional static flying. Then about 1 year ago I took the bullet out when it was 35+ mph and I was able to scud and get yanked around which renewed my interest in traction kiting so I bought a Riot 5.0 and harness. The first few flights in 8-12 mph made me wonder if I purchased the wrong kite/size (high performance, lifty kite sounded nice). I did get a Rage 2.5 which isn’t much different than the bullet 1.5. After some low wind practice (8-10) with the Riot I am getting more comfortable with it – i.e. how to not fly out the back of the window and generally keep it up in low wind. After a 25mph session with the Rage 2.5 hooked in I decided I was ready to start flying the Riot with the harness. The first time was really nice – one handed leaning back flying back and forth in the window and just having the ability to fly longer. The second time hooked in with the Riot is why I am writing this message. It was 10-15 mph and I was having a good time. I was flying the kite across the window and then up and getting the feeling of just being on my tippy toes for a few feet with all the weight in the harness until I turned the kite. This was nice and then as I was continuing this maneuver I could feel the wind pick up as I flew across the window. I continued up with the kite (probably could have went left lower and stayed on the ground) – this time I clearly was lifted in what felt like a very smooth reaction, almost like an amusement park ride. It happened pretty quickly and I guess I maybe went up 4ft and forward 8ft and landed on my feet with no problem. After that I was mixed between exhilarated and a little scared so I landed the kite and called it a day. I am 5ft 10 and 150pounds. Currently I am not so anxious to do kite jumping but safely being lifted and placed down seems cool. Did I go up because of the flight pattern, a wind gust both? Say something like this happens again and I go much higher – if I don’t panic and stay hooked in am I likely to not fall out of the sky and break something? I am 37 now so I am a little more cautious but this power kiting is really exciting.

Anyone flying traction kites in Oklahoma?

Jason

Sounds like fun! If you are doing this with a 2.5 I don't think you should get a bigger kite yet. Wait to hear from other guys on the forum that may be more informational than me. but, yes I would say it had to do with both flight pattern and wind gusts.

If you go up unexpectedly, just keep the kite overhead, if you start to swing it side to side it's possible to whip yourself around and hit the ground pretty hard. Straight overhead will give you a soft landing.

One note though, landing with the kite straight overhead has the possibility of luffing the kite when you touch down, if this happens when you're overpowered and somewhat out of control, best bet is to hit the brakes hard and keep the kite in a ball until it hits the ground. Getting lofted, landing safely only to have the kite pop open again in the power is not fun.

Going up only happens when the kite's generating enough power to lift, either by flying it in big wind or by sweeping it across the window to generate apparent wind then sending it up. Sounds like in this case you were just flying very well lit. Perfect setup for jumping and other freestyle type of stuff.

Ive had a bit of trouble, on big jumps of rotating; so i dont land straight, maybe 45-90 degrees of straight. So i then have to run to straighten up. Any tips for keeping facing forwards when jumping?

use your legs to control big jumps...


also keep in mind on how your head control your turns ...for example turn your head {right now as your reading this} the shoulders will fallow then the rest will rotate

here are some photos of jumps it mixed with other kiting misc.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/247743541007241328...

Here is a popular animated illustration of how to do a pendulum jump with re-direct to keep the kite overhead for a softer landing...

http://chris.m.whittaker.googlepages.com/pendulumjump

Nice example kiteslinger! Its hard to build up power while running and jumping static. and being straight when you do it. More wind or bigger kite makes alot of difference too. But pratice makes perfect.Be safe. Your talking to the right person because I have seen kiteslinger in action flying static nice 8-12ft. static jumps! Nice and floaty. Ozone.