Keep an eye on the forecasts for this coming weekend. I already have plans for Saturday, but Sunday is a "kiting" day, if there is wind. I'll let you know where I am planning on going if the forecast holds...

I skipped west potomac yesterday because I knew that with that wind direction, it was going to be terrible.

I just gave up on the landboard with those gusts and popped out the stunt kite. How do you deal with large changes in wind speed on a landboard or buggy? I found that I'd be cruising along nicely but if the wind died a little bit, I would keep rolling but the kite would end up behind me because it would start to stall. What I can I do to keep going? I would also have to get off the board and walk backwards to launch the kite and then if a gust hit me it would pull me downwind of the board. Another problem.

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Originally posted by ragden Keep an eye on the forecasts for this coming weekend. I already have plans for Saturday, but Sunday is a "kiting" day, if there is wind. I'll let you know where I am planning on going if the forecast holds...

Darn. Saturday's looking real windy, Sunday's supposed to be OK. But its still a week away so we'll see.

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Originally posted by power I just gave up on the landboard with those gusts and popped out the stunt kite. How do you deal with large changes in wind speed on a landboard or buggy? I found that I'd be cruising along nicely but if the wind died a little bit, I would keep rolling but the kite would end up behind me because it would start to stall. What I can I do to keep going? I would also have to get off the board and walk backwards to launch the kite and then if a gust hit me it would pull me downwind of the board. Another problem.

That kind of thing is why people use different fields for different wind directions. If you have good clean wind, you shouldn't have major (repeated) changes in wind speed. If the wind speed does change, it'll usually mean that it's time for a different kite. As for the kite ending up behind you, you can try working the kite in a sine wave, that might help. You've got to keep that apparent wind speed up.

What is apparent wind speed?

Speed of the air over the kite, which is not the same as speed of the air against the ground.

We really need to get you together with ragden and I for a good flying session.

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Originally posted by Maven454 We really need to get you together with ragden and I for a good flying session.

I agree that Saturday looks like a great day. If I didnt already have plans putting me in central PA, I'd be trying to get down to Wildwood for the day... Looks like a lot of fun... Sunday looks flukey at best (right now). If it holds to decent west winds, Anacostia would be my pick. If it swings far enough north, The Bowl... Only time will tell...

What you need for gusty conditions is a depower. Much easier to handle gusts. If your flying fixed, try to keep the kite high, when you hit a hole dive the kite as needed to keep it going.

Where is the Bowl?

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Originally posted by dtoast Where is the Bowl?

Baltimore.

If we end up going there, I'll post a link that you can use to get directions.

I'm probably closer to the secretive "Bowl" than anyone else :cool2: But I never went there yet. Let me know if anyone goes!

I know I've posted the location before. Its not that big of a secret.

Ya, just let me know. Don't think I have anything coming up this weekend and as long as I can escape the gf, I would like to meet up with whomever is out there. I desperately need to get a few flying tips, I keep losing the kite as it seems to always want to luff when I dive it down to get moving on my board. Not sure if this is just the gusty wind or the crummy terrain I am on. Takes a lot to get moving out of the ruts on these soccer fields around here.

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Originally posted by snobdr What you need for gusty conditions is a depower. Much easier to handle gusts. If your flying fixed, try to keep the kite high, when you hit a hole dive the kite as needed to keep it going.

That's what I figured. I'm looking for a used depower, probably an LEI or a Twinskin.

Hope we can all get together on sunday. But I'm probably open for saturday if anyone else is available.

The important thing to note about depower is that while it helps with gusts, it doesn't do much for lulls. Which is usually what causes a kite to luff.

Thats true. Sorry this is off topic, but if I was to get a depower this winter for D.C. conditions, what would be an appropriate size and type?

You'd likely need at least two. And you weigh, what? 130? I'd guess probably a 7 and a 10. But as I'm not all that experienced, so you really should get a second opinion :wee:

Size depends on what kind of kite you are getting. Foil, Twinskin, LEI bow, LEI c kite.

Oh yeah, good point snobdr.

I would almost definitely get an LEI or a twinskin. But two kites? Thats hard two swallow when the budget is tight. And yes I weigh 130.

Those two kites would cover most of the usable wind range though.

How much money am I looking at? Getting the full packages used but good condition. Lowest price possible. Over 1000?:eekdrull:

It depends on what kind of a deal you can score... But I'd guess somewhere around 900-1000, yeah.

I guess thats not that bad. As long as they last me and they work for my purpose.

No you could get a 2 kite quiver for less then $1000. Again exact price depends on the type of kite. What kites you get would also depend on what you want to do. On water you need much more kite then you would if you were just going to ride on land.

Don't forget though, to get full use out of a depower, you need a harness. Which'll run much less than the kites at least.