Hi guys...

I'm new here, I've been reading some of your topics and are magnificent, well, this forum is great for kiters...

Lets go straight to the point...

I would like to jump with a kite but I have a huge problem.. I am big and weighed, 1.95m and 110kg (6.39ft and 3.88oz).

Considering those values and add the fact of having winds around 10 to 15 knots here, which kite do I have to buy to reach good high and long jumps???

Let me say that I am also a Snowboarder and I am considering the possibility of apply it to snowkiting as well.


Thank you

NF

At only 3.88 ounces I'd think you could get away with a properly bridled dish towel but only in low winds ;-)

However, at 242 pounds you are going to need a bigger kite. An 8.5 blade would do the ticket for sure but if you are going on the snow you may want a depowerable.

Now the debate can start about how much experience you have and what you should really fly vs what you want to fly.

lol... sorry about the error... I am not used to the US weight mesures...

Well... I began with a small 1.8m 2 line kite on the beach, after that I bought a 3.5m recreational kite of an unknown brand, it is a 4 line with handles.
This last kite has no secrets to me anymore... I can fly it easily even with strong winds (30mph). I've managed to have light lifts with it, something like 3ft, but it was on a exceptional windy day (very cool sensation)...

Actually, I was thinking about a Ozone Manta, but I don't know which length to choose for my weight.

Independently of thinking about the Manta or not, I'm open to suggestions about brands, models and lengths.


Thank you!!!!

The Manta is a de-power kite. De-power kites like to be in motion to realize their benefits. It would be of limited value for static jumping. It would be fine with your snowboard however. Just remember that you need a harness and you have to consider the complexities of a de-power kite and the risks of being hooked in if you are new to this kind of rig. The Access XC is a simpler rig and easy to fly- maybe e better choice for first time de-power.

For static jumping, the following fixed bridle kites are lifty...
Flexifoil Blade
Peter Lynn Twister
HQ Crossfire

Conventional wisdom suggests a 5m or larger for jumping, but you have to consider the risks, since these kites are not meant to be paragliders.

Very nice explanation... Thank you

Now that I have already 3 good models to choose I still need to know your opinion about kite lengths to my weight (110 kg or 242 pounds)

Thanks again

Still to say that bar and harness are imperative for me.

Quote:

Originally posted by giantpt Still to say that bar and harness are imperative for me.

Why is that?

Makes sense for the snowboard. Not so much for static jumping.

The Blade and Twister will fly on a standard control bar. the Crossfire will not like the bar so much since it is a 4-line biased kite and appreciates the finesse on the brakes. Remember that in this case we are talking about the standard control bar for fixed bridle kites and it is not the same as a de-power bar.

clarified about it... thank you acampbell

Let talk about lengths please

In kite sizes we speak of square area in meters. You are looking at 6m or more, but must be careful with that much kite, especially an aggressive kite.

Hiya...

I do a little bit of static jumping, most times I go out for the last year or so I can get my feet off the ground if the winds co-operate.

If you don't mind, I'd suggest taking a middle step to the 6,5 that acampbell recommends. your 3.5 is not a very good kite if you are only getting 3 foot jumps in 30 mph. Yes, the weight is different. I weigh 165 lbs, kg 78. I have a HQ crossfire 3.2 that can get me up over 15 feet in 30 mph, if I dared, which I have not yet, and I'm not sure I will. I'm sure it could get you up a bit higher than 3 feet, but it would be a very fast and dangerous kite to jump on, it is even for me at my weight if the winds are at all gusty.

The middle step I suggest is to get a 4m kite. If you get one of the 3 kites mentioned above, you will have 2 to 3 times as much power on your hands than you have now with your 3.5m, and any of those kites will deliver power over a much wider area of the window, and with a lot of lift as well. The 3.2 you have now does not seem lifty at all.

The Blade is the most expensive, but it is also the most adjustable.

The Crossfire has the strongest construction, and is a little less adjustable than the blade.

The Twister is the least expensive of these three excellent high quality lifty kites and will give you just as good an experience as the other two, by all reports.

I have a newer Blade and an older non-adjustable Crossfire, and I'm very happy with both of those kites. I have not flown the Twister, but it has a very good reputation.

Also I would suggest continuing to fly your 4m on handles, then shift to a bar for the 6.5 meter. Bars cut down on your control ability when taking off and landing, also when you make mistakes, as compared to handles, and are best on slower, bigger kites which don't require such quick control as the little fast ones.

You are completely comfortable with the 3.5, yes? Then get the 4. Don't try to jump with it just yet, but try to get as comfortable on it as you are on the 3.5. When you are comfortable on the 4, you will start to jump. When that happens, get the 6.5 or so (5.6 twister also a good size for this) and then you will have a kite that you can begin to learn to jump more safely on.

The bigger kites are best for jumping, but they require that you choose your winds carefully. It is best to have some smaller kite to choose from so you can control your risks. Go slow and you will be safer, of course your safety is your choice, but we have seen many X-rays of broken bones on this forum.

Kite jumping is dangerous, there is no way to do it safely, but you can be very careful about how you learn and this can help to keep you away from injury.

Safety gear such as a helmet and padded shorts are also very good things to think about.

You could go to depower and start a different learning curve, but depower will be harder and riskier for you alone, especially if you want to jump. But in the long term, you will want to try depower at some point.

Best of luck to you... But please do take it slow, don't rush into jumping!

:wee:

I might suggest that if snowkiting is part of your desire you are on track thinking a depower kite will be the way to go. Fixed bridle kites are less safe and less useful on winter terrain and such IMHO. I started out with them.
You can pull off some amazing jumps using a depower kite and flying static but it is true that they perform as designed once you are in motion. I enjoy flying depower kites as much and more static as I do handles ?

I big fellow like you will want a larger kite than me in the same winds. Another good reason to look at a depower. Do a bit of study on the different types available. Open cell , closed cell, and twin skin arcs. Each type have advanced and entry level kites.

Any local riders you can connect with ? Lessons ? Both of these are good to have.

:bigok:



yes depower for snow and inland / winter winds, possible on fixed bridle kites but much better to have a depower in those winds, I know I would!

jumping static on fixed bridle is kinda my thing these days, so my remarks above are focused on that.

depower also gets you into bar and harness right away, but yes the learning curve is a little steeper. The cost of depower is more in the beginning, but in the long run it works out about the same...

get a pansh ace 4.5 :D

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack1988 get a pansh ace 4.5 :D

:puzzled:

hijack...

Im wondering how comp xl's work out for jumping, from most of the reviews ive read theyre as good as the blade 4.9's but im not sure which generation of blade...

The PL Twister is a fantastic kite! I just tried the 5.6 (Thanks DAKITEZ!) and could get it to fly in 3mph... wow. Of course it's just a glorified stunt foil then! But once the wind hits 8mph it will pendulum really easily. I flew it in 15mph the other day and it was launching me without blinking. The 5.6 is a damn big and lifty kite for its size; it's got way more grunt than my 7m bullet and at least twice as much lift as my montana. Warning, if you are not an experienced pilot a kite this size (twister, blade, etc) could _easily_ injure or kill you.

If your happy to go with fixed bridal, then there is nothing better to jump with than a Felxi Blade. If you want depower, then have a look a Manta

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner Quote: Originally posted by Jack1988 get a pansh ace 4.5 :D :puzzled:

to amplify (slightly, sorry BR I can't quite bash a pansh just yet, still too much of a newbie LOL) an ace is a really terrible kite in gusty or wiggly winds, and this gentlemen is leaning towards wintersnowkiting, which is about as bad as it gets for nasty inland winds... but you already know this, I've read your review....:P

When I learned to jump on Furbowskis 6.5 Blade IV, (it was tridudes at the time) I weighed about 235 lbs. It picked me up 3-4 feet almost effortlessly in 10-12 mph winds. Take it to 15-16 and I had jumps at 8-12 feet. The 6.5 size is going to be more maneuverable and lifty enough if you have 15 mph winds. It won't be such a big step up in kite as an 8.5 would be either. The 6.5 will have a larger usable wind range and is available in the current model Blade V

Giantpt,

If i were you i would go with a depower. Heres why.
(1) No harder to fly then fixed bridal
(2) Not really that much more complex
(3) One kite will work in a bigger wind range.

It will cost you a bit more as you will have to buy a harness, but most likely you will only need one or 2 kites to cover all your riding. Instead of buying 4 or 5 fixed bridal kites.

There are benifits when flying static with a depower, its still easier to manage gusts, dosent feel like its going to yank your arms out of their sockets. One kite will work in a bigger wind range. Your hooked in so no fatigue. Designed with safety release systems. And you can hold down much more kite, which if your into jumping means much bigger jumps. Personally i think static jumping is asking for injuries but thats me.

As far as size, your a big guy and flying in pretty light winds i would go with 6-8M leaning towards the 8M. Now this might be a little small for your winds but will get you going. On snow you dont need much to get you riding (unless its deep). Plus its much bigger then what your used to so would be a good step. After you get used to that you might want to think about something in the 12-14M range for the light winds.

+1 for the twister... im a hair smaller than you, 230... and i can bust out some mean jumps on my 5.6m... great kite for the money!

take your time --dont rush into jumping

Quote:

Originally posted by Jolt hijack... Im wondering how comp xl's work out for jumping, from most of the reviews ive read theyre as good as the blade 4.9's but im not sure which generation of blade...

they can get you up there--for sure

I would like to thank you all for your help about my doubts.

Considering everything you said here I am between the Blade and the Frenzy. I will buy one of these..

Just one more thing, I would like to know your opinion about the "Pansh Ace" and the "Gin Eskimo", whats wrong with those kites??? This is just curiosity, it will not interfere with my decision.

Thank you again for your help

I am pretty sure the Gin Eskimo is a fantastic kite ? No personal experience with the Eskimo but some old school snowkiters at Whistler still use their Gin fixed bridles and they are fantastic kites. Gins aren't cheap and aren't that common in North America but they are a great kite.

With the ace ( and most new kites ) you get what you pay for. It will do the job but isn't a very refined kite. Snatchy and a poor choice for snowkiting IMHO. I wouldn't feel too safe jumping with the supplied handles and lines.

Before you go to a larger Blade or Frenzy you NEED to put in some time with a smaller kite. If you haven't flown before then you should get about a 3m foil to work things out. It can be used as your High wind kite later so will NOT be a waste of money if you buy a good one. I suggest you buy a 3m now and think about + look for a deal on the right larger kite for YOU while learning with it. If you get started you have plenty of time to learn the basics in time for snowkiting!


Jumping is a LOT more fun when you are moving !!!! Go depower!

The ace has its virtues, it's a nice early starter in low winds (no power tho) and delivers good lift and pull in stronger winds. Once dialed in, they are fast turners on the brakes and powerful turners on the power lines. But they have poor stability at the edge and the zenith, and they don't always dial in: some folks haven't been able to get them to fly well.

Also very few people with a lot of prior kite experience like these kites. It's not just prejudice. They don't optimize their kites for size within the range, for example. good kite sellers will slow down their small kites and speed up their bigger kites. the 2m ace is not at all optimized for its size and as flexiblade says it is a little killer, far too fast to fly safely when powered up enough to pick up your feet and pull a jump. 8m aces and up are pigs to turn. 3.5 - 6 is the sweet spot for the aces, but only if you have consistent and clean smooth winds, because they are all terrible to fly in gusty winds with their lack of edge stability.

What did you hear it wrong with the eskimo? Or are you asking "what's wrong" as in why isn't it more popular. As bladrunner stated there is nothing wrong with the eskimo, its just tough to come by in these parts. The Gin Eskimo shouldn't be compared to the Pansh Ace. Eskimo is a depower. Ace is fixed bridle.

Best Jumping kite for your weight I'd say is the Flysurfer Speed 19m.
You'll need to low end grunt of the most powerfull kite out there to give you floatier less effort to jump and bring you down smoother.

I need it too in lightwinds even though I'm lighter.

When on skis you don't need as much power, but on a snowboard you need more.
Even a Speed 15m will help alllot or an Ozone Manta 15m.

As kites get smaller, you have to be quicker and have more skill to jump and for smoother landings.

Vid of the 19m in lighter stuff on a Snowboard... Easier to jump with decent power.

This is the Speed 2

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_tfbCkAApU[/youtube]

Latest is Speed 3 seen here on water...


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3D4YoIH0Hc[/youtube]

You just want to use the video id not the whole url, IE just use the red part
h ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_tfbCkAApU

that's a great video - that rider has some mad skills!