So I really have to thank all of you here at PKF, today was the first time I have flown my 3m hornet. It was at least 18 mph with pretty high gusts, I'm not a good judge but large tree branches were swaying. I had no clue how much these kite truly pulled, I got knocked off my feet a couple of times and was sweating bullets the entire time. If it wasn't for all of you I truly may be in the ground, I totally underestimated everything. So thank you. Now to my questions, how do you prevent the blisters on your fingers and I'm going to the beach next week and it's usually pretty windy but the beach is not very wide at all. I would fly where there aren't any people but is it advisable to fly in a skinny space? I am hooked for good now, I was at the park just static flying for over 5 hours and I just can't imagine how fun it will get adding a board.

Now you're talking Alex!!!:wee:

It is truly amazing how much power a "little" 3m FB kite can generate in moderate winds.

Based on your description I fear you may have been sucked into power kiting's Twilight Zone, another dimension of time and space. While few souls manage to escape you needn't worry; you've got good company in here! :alien:



Oh, in answer to your question - gloves

I assumed gloves but I just hate wearing them so want to see if there was some other possible solution. I am certainly sucked in and I am actually quite worried that when college is back in session I'll spend more time flying than studying.

I get it. I don't usually wear gloves either. I do see a lot of video with people in gloves on the beach. They've got jackets and long pants on too, so maybe it's just cold and not a protection thing?

I will tell you though that for the past few weeks I have been slowly healing from three fairly large and deep abrasions on my right hand suffered from a wipe out in my buggy trying some stupid $%#@!. I had to go to a major meeting for work last week and ended up shaking hands with hundreds of people, wincing in pain with each vice-like grasp.

As for tight spaces, just be sure you've got a wind window worth of space in all directions with a good buffer for safety. At the beach you are likely to have kids and dogs getting close to your kite and lines checking the whole spectacle out. The lines are under a lot of tension and are very strong. You can seriously hurt somebody if you mow them over with your lines when they are under high load. Seriously, somebody could get really hurt.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24021331

Something else to keep in mind is that the Hornet has two skins with baffling to keep the skins apart. This whole structure gets filled with air and actually gets pretty taught under high load. Same story: it would not be pretty to plow into somebody with a fast moving fully inflated kite.

As someone who has been somewhat of a gym rat for the past 30 years, I can tell you to ration your time with the bar to not more than 30-60 minutes, until you develop calluses on your hands, and then proceed to longer periods. Use powder, if needed, to reduce the sweat effect. Give your hands a week to recover from the 5 hr flight.

Quote: Originally posted by average_newb

Now to my questions, how do you prevent the blisters on your fingers

As noted, calluses or gloves. I've lived in non-winter gloves for some chunks of time, so I have never had an aversion to it. The big hurdle is finding the right gloves. You might be surprised at what you find in the climbing section of the local EMS/REI.... even fingerless if you didn't want to fuss with gloves for knot work.

Quote: Originally posted by average_newb

and I'm going to the beach next week and it's usually pretty windy but the beach is not very wide at all. I would fly where there aren't any people but is it advisable to fly in a skinny space?

Assume water is on one side of the skinny stretch.... what's on the other?

There are several pics of people trying to fish their foils out of the surf during some of the Wildwood events. Perhaps someone will repost them.

ATB,
Sam

walmart has 8$ halfinger gloves w/ bilt in tabs for an easy off and on...i like them in orange
dont risk your access to anywhere because you have to fly rite now....pick and chose your spots
fly in the skinny space if thats all thats being offered....

+1 for what wolphy says. I hate gloves as well and just buitl up callises. You will be forced to wear gloves if you need / have to fly at the beach if your hands are still too sore

Another question, two kids came to me while I was flying and I let them try(although they could barely fly it) and I really enjoyed teching other people. Which would be better to show people on my small 2m symphony beach or the 3m hornet? The symphony is much smaller so it doesn't have nearly as much pull but it also just has straps and no safety measure at all. So which one should I show others how to fly?

Depends on wind. I used to try and teach people on my symphony like foil and if wind is light it's just frustrating. High winds use symphony and lighter stuff use 3m. Remember power is relative to wind. My daughter flew my 8.5 blade this weekend in light wind.

I go for cheap cycling gloves (though that may be because I also have a bike addiction). Lots of affordable options and fits for everyone. Many are designed for summer/warm weather riding, and they're thin enough to not lose the feel. Big plus side for me (I know it's gross) is most have a snot wipe built into the glove, I know it's gross, but me having bad seasonal allergies, and that existing, means easier stopping to wipe, given the wind stirs it up.

Volock - classic overshare! :barf:


:D:D:D

Its not a problem to let others give the kite a try , I do sometimes but i usually hold on to the handles or bar along with them, and if its too windy i just tell them NO sorry its too windy, be very carefull as u already know its very easy for the kite to throw the inexperienced person face first into the ground and create a problem for yourself and possibly the sport in general. most people think the kite floats up there like a ballon,. lol

It's great to here you are on the right track!

It is best to have 2 times your line length clear of people and objects down wind.

Wind is fluid. Imagine it coming at you like water in a stream. For 7 or more times the distance down wind as any object is high the wind will be messed up and not worth trying to fly in.

You need to be able to fly the kite in the full 180' that is your wind window.

You can fly your kite out in the shallows if the wind is better? If you crash it, you won't be able to relaunch. You will have to roll your lines up, stuff the kite in a ( mesh ) bag and walk to shore. Then " fly it dry " . Major incentive not to crash!

Are you holding the handles with your index finger above and middle finger below the top line? That is best with that kite.

Alex,
Glad the Hornet is working out for you.
I use sailing gloves from the local West Marine. Open fingertips let you work knots. Reinforced palms let you safely grab lines and fabric panels on the back are breathable for comfort.

Another name for gloves is #@%$#! pads.....

Make sure you're holding the handles right, and relax your hand. You probably have a death grip (we all did) but you actually don't need to hold them that tight. Also, make sure the front lines are between your first two fingers. Otherwise you gotta torque those handles harder than you want to to make the kite do what you want it to do.

Welcome. When you're ready to ride a board I'd suggest looking into a depower rig. It's different, but more suited to boarding. That being said, I still use my 3m trainer all the time. It is, also, a Hornet 3m

i remember when i flew my 3m legend in 40mph winds landboarding .... Ill never be the same mentally.... lol!!!!!