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Originally posted by BeamerBob bike gloves have shorter fingers in my experience. West Marine has some great 3/4 finger gloves that give you tactile finger tips but plenty of finger protection as well. You want the gloves to give chafe protection where the fingers meet the handle/bar.

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Wow, where did I go to school? They didn't teach this stuff!!!!!! :wow:

Thanks!

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Originally posted by acampbell Yeah, while better than nothing, bike and weight lifting gloves offer chafe protection for broad round objects like handlebars and such. Sailing gloves have extra heavy leather (even if artificial) to protect from a smaller and and textured line zipping through your hand under tension. About $8-10 at West Marine and mine last about 2 years.

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I know about the line zip... had a single-line kite hit a gust and the wallet I used to take the heat suffered a severe radial dissection. Could have been my hand!!!! :wow:

Point well-taken!!!!

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Originally posted by furbowski Quote: Originally posted by Stan-TheMan I went home with humility. Oh, one other lesson -- my string broke in the gusty wind. I now believe in using max strength line. Maybe I'd be safer in a balloon. kites have a way of handing you your ego all broken up nice on a platter once in a while... On the other hand sometimes approaching the kite with humility can be the entry to an awesomely ego-boosting session, so go figure. it's likely your kite line was cut by something on the ground, as kite lines cut really easily under tension and it sounds like your kite was mostly on the ground... Well, comparing balloons to kites? bit of apples vs oranges there... Good luck to ya...

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My kite didn't really have anything on the ground to cut the string as it was a grass playing field, but one thing I've discovered about kite string -- if there is a way for it to get snagged or cut, it will find it. Probably something I didn't even notice such as a buckle, ring, or something like that...

The snag around my ankle was nothing but sheer senior or novice clutz. I knew better, but it just couldn't happen to me because I am too smart!!!!! Doesn't everyone know that????

The icing was getting hit by the flying bar as the gust took the kite -- not enough to think about having my ankle cut to the bone. Pardon me, I want to hide somewhere.

Thanks for the post... and luck? Well, perhaps more brains would help. Better yet, I should eat those apples and oranges. Maybe it's my diet.

ankle cut to the bone? that sounds worse than I'd thought. wouldn't take much in the right spot, though... But yes it's the sort of mistake most folks don't make more than once or twice, just be really careful to stay upwind of stuff in the future... Two-line kites don't actually sit on the ground at all well, they NEED to be weighted down really. I fly mine into a volleyball net on the beach when I need to land them in fast and bumpy winds.

"senior or novice klutz ???" just take your time... next time out in high winds will go better. 4 lines also better.

I like doing things my own way, so I've been following this thread with interest. I reckon a lot of the guys here recognize a kindred spirit in you.

But it's essential to take your time if you do it your way tho... Without instruction / hints / help you'll have to figure it out on your own, esp. these surprises like ground handling a big 2-line safely in big winds...

If you get your viper back on four lines it will have more to teach you and be safer to fly. Save learning the bar until you have a kite with float and depower, imho...

is your injury bad enough to keep you off the field for a while?

also have you figured out how to fix your lines yet? You can re-tie things pretty quick, but a quality repair can be a bit more complicated.

keep flying!

:bigok:

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Originally posted by furbowski ankle cut to the bone? that sounds worse than I'd thought. wouldn't take much in the right spot, though... But yes it's the sort of mistake most folks don't make more than once or twice, just be really careful to stay upwind of stuff in the future... Two-line kites don't actually sit on the ground at all well, they NEED to be weighted down really. I fly mine into a volleyball net on the beach when I need to land them in fast and bumpy winds. "senior or novice klutz ???" just take your time... next time out in high winds will go better. 4 lines also better. I like doing things my own way, so I've been following this thread with interest. I reckon a lot of the guys here recognize a kindred spirit in you. But it's essential to take your time if you do it your way tho... Without instruction / hints / help you'll have to figure it out on your own, esp. these surprises like ground handling a big 2-line safely in big winds... If you get your viper back on four lines it will have more to teach you and be safer to fly. Save learning the bar until you have a kite with float and depower, imho... is your injury bad enough to keep you off the field for a while? also have you figured out how to fix your lines yet? You can re-tie things pretty quick, but a quality repair can be a bit more complicated. keep flying! :bigok:

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As thin as my 2-line string is, it cuts through flesh without a problem. I could tell you to try it for yourself, but I don't recommend going there -- trust me. The garrote with thin wire has been a long-time weapon used to behead people throughout history. Remember the first 007 movie? (Okay, how about Rome about 300 B.C.?) Thin string having a 300-lb pull can do a number -- especially if up against only thin socks!

My reaction was quick to use my other foot to try to keep the string and kite grounded, but when that failed, I used the long sleeve of my sweatshirt to pull the string back toward me to get slack in the line so I could untangle my foot. I had to dance around a minute on one foot as I couldn't see the string in the dark to untangle my other foot. Fortunately, the gusty wind had died for moment so I could get free. I felt like that fisherman in the movie "The Big Storm" (I think that's the title) where he gets caught by a fishhook and is pulled overboard.

I really didn't sustain any broken skin, but the string was at a point of tension where it was getting ready to do so, and THAT had my attention, especially as the thought of how deep it could cut entered my mind -- and that I couldn't really stop it from happening if done quickly.

Without question, I now have a new respect for braking systems. Amen to the safety factor of 4-liners.

I do weigh my kites down -- before and after flying, but there are times when the best of kite flyers have to confess to losing control and eating ground. I had placed my bar down behind two imbedded screwdrivers to go secure the kite. The gust then hit the kite, the bar flew up and hit my anklebone, and in my reaction, I stepped into my lines.

The injury to my line was a break just before the sewn-covered end.

I don't know that there's enough kite instruction out there to cover all situations before a flyer gets started. Situations like mine are typical of learning the hard way. I'm willing to bet most of the audience reading this thread, as you noticed, has been there, too. That's why they know what gloves to buy -- and where. ; )

Thanks for your interest and post.

Take care,

Stan

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Originally posted by Stan-TheMan Thanks for your interest and post. Stan

no worries...

...and here's a wee bit of float to whet your appetite, the first 30 secs are best...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVUApkKLD6M

cheers...

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no worries... ...and here's a wee bit of float to whet your appetite, the first 30 secs are best... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVUApkKLD6M cheers...

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Floating? How do you know this fellow isn't praying? I know THAT'S what I would be doing!!!

My replay tends to skip frames. I played it several times. Did I see a gash just below the knee of the fellow (in blue) jumping over a dune just in front of the camera?

Hope these guys don't need medical. Seems like a long trip for help -- and being stuck in sand doesn't add much confidence. Someone needs to inform the driver that SUV's don't surf well.

Thanks for thinking of me, but you have some infatuation about my style and ability. Remember? I'm the guy who got tangled in his string! Can you imagine doing that 50 feet up? Yeh, right.

Give me a week or two to catch up. I'm going back to praying.

Smiles,

Stan

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Originally posted by Stan-TheMan Thanks for thinking of me, but you have some infatuation about my style and ability. Stan

no infatuation at all.... just no sense posting on here from my limited experience til you started the long walk up the learning curve.... untangling lines is just the beginning... I'm curious to see where your interest takes you as you get into the nitty-gritty of kites...

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no infatuation at all.... just no sense posting on here from my limited experience til you started the long walk up the learning curve.... untangling lines is just the beginning... I'm curious to see where your interest takes you as you get into the nitty-gritty of kites...

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Well, I have to say, two of the most impressive aspects I've discovered about kite-flying is the cordial, yet adventurous personalities connected with the sport. Everyone online has been extremely helpful... and they could be taking some good shots at me.
I know a lot these contributors are guys who are doing the 50 foot jumps that would make any hair still left on my head stand on edge.

The other is the amazingly rewarding feeling one gets from flying these crazy things. I have to admit I got started as a curiosity watching some parents fly a kite for their child. I thought that it might be a fun thing to do since we have a lot of wind in Texas. Then I recalled an experience I had in Fairbanks, Alaska, where I watched a power kiter try to hold onto his 3m kite as it was pulling him across the field. What a challenge! I'm kind of funny in that I have fun trying new things... I guess it's the "kid" in me.

I have to watch my UV exposure as I'm riding the edge with it, and Melanoma is the next step if I'm not careful. Otherwise, I'd be out on the dunes or in some water. I used to sail a lot, and the reflection off the water acts like a reflective oven on the skin. With sunscreen, one never knows how much UV still seeps through. I see other kiters in beach pictures trying to guard themselves against sun exposure, too. That's my reason for flying in a lot of moonlight. Putting various lights on kites can give a neat effect.

I think Bladerunner has a cool concept of flying with the rollerblades. I can't imagine what objects I'd take out trying those. The neighborhood would get a real show. :roll:

Others may jeer, but I have a new warmth for 4-line kites due to their braking ability, and I'm cautiously anxious to try the Syn 12m -- my first depower. Depower with rollerblades and I'll be ready for Barnum & Bailey. I see you have a 12m Syn. Any experience is welcome.

Well, the wind is up, and I have honey-do's to get done to qualify to fly.

Take care, and thanks for the encouragement.

Later...

Any readers going to South Padre Island (Texas) AKA Kite Festival this January? I've never been to one of these, so I'd appreciate any prep advice. I have visited B & S Kites, who sponsor the activity and they had photos of a lot of people attending -- and I mean A LOT. They're expecting some world-class flyers coming to this.

Another positive note, I became a member of AKA, which, I guess, now says I'm AKC registered.

Lookout!!!!!! Rest easy, I won't be in any competition.

TheMan

You should probably get a good knife with your harness , stock ? I carry 2.

I keep a knife in my helmet and NEVER fly without a helmet. It is easy to access and always there.

The one in my harness isn't as easy to reach. I know of people who got in to trouble because they couldn't get at the one in their harness.

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Originally posted by Bladerunner You should probably get a good knife with your harness , stock ? I carry 2. I keep a knife in my helmet and NEVER fly without a helmet. It is easy to access and always there. The one in my harness isn't as easy to reach. I know of people who got in to trouble because they couldn't get at the one in their harness.

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Without question, I'm sold on the need for a blade when flying. Thanks for the reassurance, but after getting my ankle in a noose, no argument from me!!!