Winter has set in and…

Is there any special care needed when using your kite in cold weather conditions?

I gather that you need to dry everything prior to storage, but experience has taught me the effect of cold on materials durability.
So, even though others clearly use their equipment in VERY cold weather, do you have any tips, techniques, or advice on how to use or care for these materials (fabric, lines, handles, bars) in winter conditions?

So far it seems that you need to just care for yourself? The only issue I found was when I flew my scorpion then brought it inside for a few hours, when I went back out the intake pockets froze shut from the melted snow. Other than that no issues to report. Just remember inanimate objects are not affected by windchill:D

shaggs

I always bring them in and hang them in the basement to dry completely (12 hours+). Once or twice I've just left them in the garage where the snow would stay snow (if I was going back out in the next day or two). I think there are a few members here that just do that - keep 'em cold. I like the "that's a kite?!" comments if we have people over while I have a kite stretching from one end of the basement to the other ; )

I guess there's more to it than just apres-fly.

You should try to minimize how much you let the kite and lines slide to a fro on the ground - especially if you have jaggy icy conditions. We don't get that till spring here but the ice can snag hard enough to hold a line on launch and flip it right over to a hard nose crash. Ditto that for the edge surface of the kite. A friend of mine flew an LEI last winter and just the dragging to and fro on relaunch left signs of wear on the kite.

If it's cold enough snow shouldn't sick while flying - it's usually only if you're flying in snowy (snowing) conditions, crashing lots with an open cell foil or picking up snow as you pack everything up. I've had lines stick together post-pack but a quick defrost in the car gets them freed pretty good.

One of the other things to watch for is if you get slush under snow and you lay bars down and they get a bit wet and then when flying it's a lot colder and snowing you can freeze up some parts that could effect a safety release or sheeting when the cleat gets jammed with frozen slush.
Haven't really had any damage due specifically to cold that I can think of other than the tape on kite seams becoming brittle and peeling off on one kite. Or rough ice dragging and snagging lines - and of course beware the dreaded snowmobiles cutting lines or catching lines and dragging everything until it chews up in the track.
Most important concerns are to your personal comfort and exposure. I usually have a second pair of gloves tucked in the top of my coat - come in handy to change into them at some point during the day. With your arms held up higher all day you'll find times when you get frozen fingers followed by the burn. Get good clothing.

I have to feed horses and muck stalls before daybreak every day, so managing my layers is not a problem.

Material issues and stupid (ignorant) mistakes in managing the equipment is the best advice for me. Knowing what you guys have used as “tricks” to minimize wear & tear or time & effort is very beneficial.

Oh yeah a complete drying and inspect after each session is a must for me. With an arc it is awesome cuz you have no bridle to worry about. The snowmobiles really scare me haven't had to worry yet but there's always the what if. Once thing I can mention from watching is to not let someone out of being curious drive up beside your kite while you are setting up or anytime for that matter. A gust of wind blowing your kite into his exhaust is not the best thing for ripstop and bladders.

Quote:

I have to feed horses and muck stalls before daybreak every day, so managing my layers is not a problem.

Please don't misunderstand this comment, all advice on PPE is welcome.
Helmets, for example. Even with the horses and a wife with multiple concussions, I may not always take my own advice. :embarrased:

Although many on this forum have convinced me to be more diligent.

I'm no expert, but I would think that inflatos would be more prone to popping in the cold weather. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong. Anyone want to add to this?

Cheers,
Seanny

Just stiff valves on the LEIs and the fact that you usually can't do the valve-work with gloves on? I don't wanna start THAT debate

@labrat - at first read I thought it sounded like you've survived multiple concussions and the horses AND a wife

OK, I added punctuation (oh yeh, that) to try to clear that up.

I am sure my wife feels much more like she has to survive me, than the other way around. Like dealing with a new hobby of mine... :bouncing:

Great idea about the second set of gloves Markite !
Cold fingers is one of my greatest complaints.

I would concern myself more with ..... myself.

Sweat is your enemy ! You get hot while kiting. Often sweating. When you stop it's an issue. Layer your stuff and have something windproof and warm to cover up when you stop.