So I've recently stumbled upon the sport of power kiting and following the recommendation of several posts here I purchased a HQ Beamer IV 3.0 as my first kite. So it arrived today and I took it to the local park in hopes to get it in the air. I ran into a problem while trying to set everything up. When laying out the kite do I lay it so the bridles are facing the sky or ground? Should the leading edge be closer or father away from the handles?

Today I had the bridles facing the sky with the leading edge father away from me then the trailing edge. I couldn't launch but there was low winds (4-6 mph gusts). When I had my son hold the kite up and toss it in the air during a slight gust I was able to step backwards and pull the kite into the air, kept it there for 10-20 seconds before I ran out of air, or crashed into the ground.

Thanks,
Midgaar

Hi Midgaar,and welcome to the forum. Good choice on your first kite, it will be at your service for some time! It sounds like you had too little wind, a common occurance when you get a new kite. lol It sounds like you had the kite oriented properly for launch(kite on its back, LE away from you) When you can get some steady 8-10 mph winds, you will have better luck with your launch, and flying in general. I wouldn't advise going out in anything much stronger than 12 at first, until you get used to the kite and the wind window, where the power is, etc. If possible look at the excellent tutorials on powerkiting/buggying at coastalwindsports.com, and the dvd that should have come with the kite should be helpful for setting up, launching, etc. Good luck on your next outing, and get ready for the 'addiction'.

Welcome!

Not enough wind is the suck.

Stake in ground. Loop handles over it so brakes are 'ON'. Kite downwind from handles. Bridles face the sky. Trailing edge closest to handles.
In theory, the kite will just sit on the ground waiting for you to pull the handles to take off. If you're on a beach, but handfuls of sand across the trailing edge to keep it down and forget about the stake ...

... next question will be - what's the best way to pack the kite

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamikuza ... next question will be - what's the best way to pack the kite

no, the next the question will be "how do I untangle my lines?" Then we get the packing bit....

agreed, the wind wasn't quite enough. the wind window turns into a wind tunnel (really narrow, you can only fly the kite in a tight fig 8 dead down wind ) and it's hard to get the kite up into the air. a few months down the road, you'll probably be able to launch and fly in those conditions, but... well... there won't be any pull...

sounds like you had the kite laid out exactly right!

good luck with your next time out, and if you have to spend half an hour untangling your lines, count yourself lucky... I know I spent more time than that a couple times when I was starting out...

So I thought I'd give you all an update. Winds were sweet today 10-15mph peaking at 4pm around 18mph. Spent the entire afternoon at the park with the wife and kids and everyone had a blast. Kite launched without any problems and we all got pretty good at keeping it in the air, except my wife... While doing some figure 8s in and out of the power zone I got unlucky and caught a strong 20+ mph gust and twisted my ankle pretty good. My oldest son was doing crazy fast figure 8s and by the end of the day he was spinning the kite getting the lines twisted then spinning it back. The little brat caught on pretty quick.

Forecast for tomorrow is 5-15mph so we are going to the beach and making a day of it, I just hope my ankle can handle it or I'm going to have to sit and fly, just too much fun to sit out.

Just for future reference what size kite would I need to fly in low, 4-5 mph, wind and still get the pull of the little 3m on a day like I had today?

Don't ya hate kids

I love mine, I hate everyone else's!

try wearing heavy boots to brace your ankle, you'll look like a goof but you'll be having fun!

Also try flying with your side to the kite, best foot forward...

there's usually some sign of a gust before it hits your kite... You may find you can prepare for them more as your wind awareness gets better...

Quote:

Originally posted by Midgaar Just for future reference what size kite would I need to fly in low, 4-5 mph, wind and still get the pull of the little 3m on a day like I had today?

8 meter will give you a pull in 4-5
Got a 10.8 that will go in 1-3 but have to put it away at 7