Hi guys, just started kiting and since winter is coming up (already pretty much here in chicago). I feel as though i have not had any time kiting and wont till next summer... do people kite in the winter? Im not talking about atb,landboarding, or snowkiting, just jumping and kiting. Is it just as much fun or is it annoying and pointless when your freezing? The reason why i bring this up is because today really seems cold (40 degrees) and i cant imagine kiting in this horrible weather. Gosh I hate winter sooooo much..

i flew my kite static with some jumping when it was cold and after 5 minutes i was sweating to death--

the wind is usually on your back when flying static, it makes a difference! It's warm exercise, you'll likely wear too many layers and sweat after five minutes.

i wished it snowed in texas. i want to strap on the ole snowboard for a chance!

Went to Nags Head down on the Outter Banks of North Carolina last year for Thanksgiving week just to fly kites for the week. When we arrived it was 28 degrees and the wind was blowing around 10-15mph. Didnt slow us down.

As the others have said, the wind is at your back and with the coat and sweat shirt on you kinda forget how cold it really is. That is until you are done and packing up and pull the jacket off after sweating for 2 hours. LOL

Oh, and scudding in the snow is a blast !!!!

:wee:

It was about 32 degrees Fahrenheit that day.... Wear something to cover your ears and some gloves and you're good to go :D Winter is more fun to me cuz there's higher winds!!

why not strap on a board or skis and do some real kiting?

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Originally posted by snobdr why not strap on a board or skis and do some real kiting?

there you go again, dude.

more than half the folks at my local kitesurf beach (shui hau wan, lantau island, >20 kites in the air last weekend) would brown themselves if they got that high.

but i've never held an edge, is that truly where the motherlode of kite enlightenment resides?

:puzzled:

Can only go so far static flying

as others have said, dress in layers but defintately have good gloves. I find because you are holding the handles so tight, your fingers get cold and go numb faster in the winter.

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jumping in winter yay or nay?

I vote Yay!

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Originally posted by B-Roc as others have said, dress in layers but defintately have good gloves. I find because you are holding the handles so tight, your fingers get cold and go numb faster in the winter.

Exactly what I was going to say. I've done some winter static sessions in pretty cold weather and my hands felt like blocks of ice from gripping the handles. I had gloves on, but they were a bit thin. Other than that, I was plenty warm, cause like most are saying, you're gonna work up a sweat.

Alright, yea I guess it wont be that bad from what everyone is saying. I was just kind of angry that right when im really about to get into the sport it starts to get really cold outside. I am just a summer person, and dont like the cold too much. I'll just wear 10 or twelve sweaters and a couple of pants,gloves,hats,scarfs,thermals,ear muffs,fleeces, and a few pairs of socks, lol :singing:. Oh, and dont forget the snow boots, and safety gear as well. i'm gonna end up weighing an extra 100 pounds, im gonna need a new kite:o 18 meter anyone:puzzled:

I vote yay, im planing to see how it works out here n chicago :D...

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Originally posted by romaflight I am just a summer person, and dont like the cold too much.

I feel your pain! I'm a summer person too, can't stand winter...too depressing. But, it's kind of a "Catch 22" being a kite flyer, as the winds tend to be higher during the winter.

I can't wait for winter. Far fewer dumb tourists wandering around. And since I grew up well north of where I live now... The cold here doesn't bother me in the slightest.

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Originally posted by Maven454 Far fewer dumb tourists wandering around.

That too! Gotta love an empty beach with 15-20mph onshore winds!

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Originally posted by romaflight Alright, yea I guess it wont be that bad from what everyone is saying. I was just kind of angry that right when im really about to get into the sport it starts to get really cold outside. I am just a summer person, and dont like the cold too much. I'll just wear 10 or twelve sweaters and a couple of pants,gloves,hats,scarfs,thermals,ear muffs,fleeces, and a few pairs of socks, lol :singing:. Oh, and dont forget the snow boots, and safety gear as well. i'm gonna end up weighing an extra 100 pounds, im gonna need a new kite:o 18 meter anyone:puzzled:

activities in the cold is not only about 'adding' layers. the abilitiy to vent is important as well. you gotta stay dry. if you can't vent away excess heat it quickly forms moisture and you are now a soggy cold dog or a frozen popsicle.
kite skiing last winter was adjusting clothing zippers as much as kite trim and such.
Paul

Winter is a fine time to be flying a kite. As noted above you get a lot cleaner areas to ride (less people) and better winds. Just make sure you dress appropriately. I think just about everything has been covered. Have fun, and be safe.

Btw, snowkiting on a board or skis is a total and complete blast. If you get a chance, give it a shot

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Originally posted by rdavis Quote: Originally posted by B-Roc as others have said, dress in layers but defintately have good gloves. I find because you are holding the handles so tight, your fingers get cold and go numb faster in the winter. Exactly what I was going to say. I've done some winter static sessions in pretty cold weather and my hands felt like blocks of ice from gripping the handles. I had gloves on, but they were a bit thin. Other than that, I was plenty warm, cause like most are saying, you're gonna work up a sweat.

Completly agree with what these guys say. The Gloves are really important......I wear Mechanics Gloves. Very flexible and very warm. I can do larks heads knots with them and all.

Oh yeah the ground is frozen so it helps to have a small mallet in the bag for the kite stake. (That is if your on grass)

And the grass hurts a little more when you fall. A nice Snow boarding helmet with ear pads are nice touch for warmth.

I also have a very thin X Gear thing that goes over my head and covers my mouth and nose too .

Having said all this. I don't go out if it's below 30degress :P
its just too cold and frigid.
and if i dress warmer. by the time i start rolling on my board and all sweaty it's too dangerous to strip down layers. :megan:

Nothing like two foot of fresh powder and 15 to 20 winds. Nite time sessions with full moon and a field covered in snow. You static guys really have to get out on skis or a board. Its a whole new experence. Static flying will never be the same after that.

Jumping in the cold? Of course yes. Just wear more.

Another cure for cold hands is to get those little hand warmers that automatically start heating up when exposed to the air.

They have all different kinds, they have some for boots and your body too.

http://www.warmers.com/

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Originally posted by snobdr Can only go so far static flying

haha ---lets hear you say that after youve flown a blade 10.5 static--and dont fly it in 5mph--12 to 18 at least,then tell us how boring static flying is.....that is, after your friends have pulled you out of a tree or something--lol--dont get mad at me im kinda joking--but static flying is anything BUT boring, if done my way, which is def exhilirating--and if youre careful--you might even live through it:o

Before my work timetable finished at 5pm, I'd go down for an hour or so before it got dark - shorts, t-shirt and a wind breaker was all I wore and the wind breaker got unzipped and sleeves rolled up in a hurry ...

As long as its not raining and the temperature doest drop below 0 then im sure you will be warm after 5 minutes of flying.