OK, so here's my story. I get into power kiting last fall, buy a small collection of trainer kites (LD, Buster, Beamer) and start to learn to buggy on my trusty PL folder. This spring I decide to go to NABX in the hopes of having more time and lots of space to learn. I learn a lot from watching but don't end up flying much due to the high winds, not having small enough kites and being just plain intimidated!:o

I come back, buy two more small kites, and spend three weekdays in the local park with no one nearby to slice with my lines or dress with my bowtied kite. I hit some strong wind days and have a blast with my small kites. Yay, its coming together finally! And to add to my delight, my brother takes up the sport as well and we spend the weekdays flying together, flailing but not failing. Gradually we build some skill and have a great bonding time.

Then today I'm back in the park with the local BC crew and its a low wind day. I find myself, again, without the right kites....lots of small ones now, for sure, but my biggest kite, the 5 metre Beamer, just can't budge the tiny bug. And static flying a trainer kite doesn't do much for sating my buggy riding appetite. Sure I could've asked to fly one of the boys' 10 metre, 12.5 metre or 16 metre :wow: kites, they're really generous guys, I don't think any of them would've said 'no' but, remember...the easily intimidated part?

So I'm on the hunt for a bigger kite. A kite that won't loft me out of the bug should an unexpected gust come along but will give me some power in the low wind days in my little local park. Lemme know what you've tried that you think would fit the bill.

thanks,
Erin

What was the wind speed?

BigSiler introduced me to ATB on a very slow onshore day. I'd had some experience with a quad line stunt foil before but never any power. The kite he let me use.. a Panash 12.5m Blaze on KBSS pulley handles. It was very slow and forgiving of small handling mistakes (read Requires large inputs). Just a genital*
giant. It was the most sober fun I had ever had at the beach.

* gentle
The "genital" was a spelling check typo it is funny however.

Big kite days are my favorite days here and, like you I was so paranoid about high winds that I filled the low end of the quiver before NABX. Thing is, I'm back home now where 5m days are the good days and every other day needs more.

I love the big kites and think it's because, since they only come out in the lighter winds, they are way more forgiving than you might think. I think it was Bladerunner who explained to me how the big, older (pre-charger) PLs were such that you could make little mistakes but had plenty of time to correct them before it was too late - kinda like an "undo" button for a kite. Of course a big fixed bridle is less forgiving than a big depower but if my 7.5m Brooza is any indication I think it's a safe call.

Granted, the "big kite" days usually mean fighting to keep the things in the air more than anything.....around here anyway.

I say - use the boys' toys if you can. Then decide which bigger kite you want/need.

Willard - was the "gental" typo intended? Cuz it's funny if it was.......don't need hooj ones

You and your Bro' MUST take me up on the offer of the 9m Blade loan !

That kite is so well behaved in low winds like yesterday that I promise you won't get hurt by it ! Like it even ! I know you will put it down as soon as a real wind picks up ! Harald .....not so much !

If things play out I may be able to loan you the 7.7 Twister as well soon but it was too small a kite yesterday. You just have to Cowboy up and ride the big kites !!! :wee: Yesterday was way too typical of our summer wind or lack there of !

Thanks for the suggestions guys....always appreciate your advice!

You are free to try Phlo, if you want. Or you could probably ask Ed or Roland to try their 8m.
S

You could always try a big NPW. My 7M gets me moving in 5-6mph wind. I'm not breaking any speed records, but I'm buggying! And it won't break the bank.:bigok:

your more than welcome too any of my kites from 2 to 16. i can only use one kite at a time. between Ken #3 / Grant / myself there is enough big kites to go around. I secretly have extra sets of kites. oops. secret is out, rad the bagS at your own will.

for us locally you can get away with the season with 3 / 5 / 7 and if you must 10. you have an advance with the smaller bug that you wouldnt need a super size kite like the 16m

honestly the weekend was a bust, you wouldnt have fun either way with a big kite ... the wind direction was all wrong and it would shift in different ways. between you and your bro you could split a 7m and share that if you're wanting to buy.

to cut cost, you could get it say a 7m with 20m lines and also maybe pickup a second set of 30m lines to extended the lower windrange and work the kite a bit more.

Very helpful suggestions and generous offers guys - thanks a lot!

Scudley, yeah, I really like those SC kites but am worried that if I try 'em I'll like 'em even more but they're just out of my price range to buy.

boobaloie, great idea about the NPW....I had forgotten about them. I have a smaller one already and to the horror of some of my kite friends, simply love to fly it.

Rip and Bladerunner, you know I always appreciate your knowledge and generosity when it comes to offering your kites to share.

OK, no more whining from me, I've got lots of ideas now on dealing with our lower winds....onward and upward!

Quote:

Originally posted by airin Rip and Bladerunner, you know I always appreciate your knowledge and generosity when it comes to offering your kites to share.

if you get into the market for a new look at the reactor II, but im sure we could find something to fit your budget.

however im not the person to tell anyone what to fly or how to ride. as long as you're riding is the KEY. each kit has its own application, and not all kites are designed the same, and not everyone needs a race kite in their quiver. not everyone needs to race too, or be the fastest person.

my only suggestion is that you lengthen your buggy downtube a bit. we're both in the Short Cat. (at least its better than the Midget Cat. ie Ken #3, "i cant see over the front wheel of my BF Xxtreme ApeXX".
being cramped up in that position doesnt give you a lot of freedom of movement. I know when you're first starting out you need to feel safe and wanna be able to put enough force down on your footpegs. however when you drive, being extended a bit gives you a better center of gravity. also when you knees arent at your ears, youll have more movements with your arms to control the kite. driving the buggy will come easy to you, but controlling the kite at the same time is a different situation. practice is the key. when you turn its not a quick action, stretching out a big will force your turns a little wider at first and your kite will also have time to catch up.

my wooden nickel thought

Thanks Rip!

As both BR and you have suggested, I will lengthen the bug's downtube.

Still mulling over the kite options...definitely don't feel a need for speed but I'm not into just standing around either!

You need to get BR to get you on a de-power. Maybe the pulse?

Quote:

Originally posted by DAKITEZ You need to get BR to get you on a de-power. Maybe the pulse?

hey daskirtz not everyone is a lazy bugger like you who needs depower. By end of summer I will convert you to full on fb race kites. Have you mastered the upwind yet? It's need like two weeks since you got your buggy and asked for directions. Is the buggy assembled yet? Did you need me to send you some real bolts. Hehehe. Just playin!!! ; )

I skipped through this .

Personally I have found that our wind is too light for anything smaller than an 8.3.

My 7.7 and Roland's 8 were NOT a good choice this weekend. Even though you could fly them it is too much work to keep it going ! It seems the smallest kite I have flown That worked in those typical dead winds is my 9m Blade so far. Try it , the 8.? Vapor and Flo' . DON'T rush out buyng a 7. anything and think it will work for those typical days !!!!!

There is also a real joy being under a big bright canopy and the one in control !!! :wee:

Rule of thumb : look at what Ken #3 is flying and fly one size LARGER . If you are a Girl ! :P

P.S. I put Airin on everything from an NPW to the depower Pulse in her 1st lessons! Silly Silly girl took to the NPW !!!! :ticking:

If you do not have lots to spend on a large kite then nasa wings can be the right kite for that. Price for size is real low. I flew my 11 meter npw9 this past weekend in low winds in Galveston and had a great time. Now time to clean up all that sand.

Susan (npw goddess)

And do you remember BigKid flying his 15 metre NPW9 at NABX when most no one else was flying at all?!

Oh yeah those NPW's, kirky looking but oh so much fun to fly!:bigok:

for the big NPW!:wee:

Airin call me or just stop by and you are more than welcome to search through my kite sets it starts at a 1m and goes progressively up to 12m of foil kites and then to 20 if you include water kites . i live just down the street from Gary Point so grab what you need for the day and give it a try .there is over 20 kites all different brands and kinds (depower & fixed) and some NPW's as well .it's not like i can use them right now anyway because i just had the hardware removed from my spine and the doc has told me no kiting for 6 weeks so help me out and let my wings get a bit of sunshine that they so desperately need haha.

Hey Ken#1, soon it will feel so good to not have all those nuts and bolts irritating you anymore.

I wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you zoom past me on the field at GP!


Thanks for the offer to try out some of your kites - I may just take you up on that.

Quote:

Originally posted by airin And do you remember BigKid flying his 15 metre NPW9 at NABX when most no one else was flying at all?! Oh yeah those NPW's, kirky looking but oh so much fun to fly!:bigok:

Kirky? The kite, right?

I would be more than happy to let you try any of my NPW quiver.

Quote:

Originally posted by bigkid Quote: Originally posted by airin And do you remember BigKid flying his 15 metre NPW9 at NABX when most no one else was flying at all?! Oh yeah those NPW's, kirky looking but oh so much fun to fly!:bigok: Kirky? The kite, right?

Nope not the kites

It took me 5 minutes to take the bug apart, and box it up for you Dino. Been bugging lately?
Sorry Erin, Dino started it.:saint: