Finally got out with my blade. I was waiting for a dry day with about 10mph wind, I thought I knew what to expect when flying the kite, I thought it would be like a stunt kite but with power. I was wrong. The only similarities between the 2 is that you pull left to go left and right to go right, tricks and multiple loops went out the window, I was content with digging my feet into the sand and doing figure of 8s across the wind window. my body aches, I have worked out hard for 12 hours over 3 days and my body is done in until my torn muscle tissue as healed lol.
I love this sport, I can see why people say that you should get onto wheels though. Static flying is very hard on the body. anyway, I edited a little video of my first go with a power kite, I hope the link works.
https://youtu.be/5HDPcsjjiN0

we accept you we accept you one of us one of us

Welcome to the Monkey House Graham! Always room for a few mor good chimps. I think pretty much all of us have had sessions like the one you showed in the video. Can you say Rag Doll? I loved how you didn't have the kite killers on your wrists. Hate those things.

Thanks guys.
I tried the kite killers for about 5 mins and hated them. I left them on so I didn't lose them but I have removed them now. I couldn't see the point of them. You need to let go of the handles for them to work so if I got into trouble I would let go anyway and be out of danger and maybe have to walk a little further to pick up the kite. They seemed to get in my way

Lol welcome

How long did you guys fly statically before progressing to wheels? What do I need to master before I consider getting into a buggy?

About the kite killers, should I use them even though I don't like them?
I kayak a lot in summer and the buoyancy aid sometimes gets in the way bit I would never go on the water without it

I think you should use at least one killer, but we have discussions about that around here LOL

Whenever you're feeling confident. Just give yourself plenty of room away from things and you'll be fine.

Just remember, gear is replaceable, good health is not.

to bug or board you want to be able to fly w/out needing to look at the kite...to sense what its doing and what its gonna be doing
to be totally comfy and in control w/ the foil when its powered...mastering scudding is a great lead in to where you want to be
but yea...its ok to start shopping

hi graham

i am also new to this sport and flying a hq beamer 2.0m (also just got a 4m!) and i find that with the killers yes they are annoying to put on first time but then when flying i forget all about them,when ive crashed kite i just let lines go little loose so that kite rolls over,give lines shake and a pull to shape kite then re launch using normal or reverse launch.

I know how ya feel! I just got took a huge jump and bought a Hornet 5m. We had a nice little 6 to 8mph wind almost all day at my local park. I was out there about 4 hours in the morning, came home for a few and saw the wind pick back up and I flew at night under the park lights for 2 more hours, haha. My body is killin but it was an amazing workout! So good in fact, in a couple hours Im going back out there! I already want to buy a depower, I can see that this is going to be a costly but very fun habit.

Quote: Originally posted by Shogun

I know how ya feel! I just got took a huge jump and bought a Hornet 5m. We had a nice little 6 to 8mph wind almost all day at my local park. I was out there about 4 hours in the morning, came home for a few and saw the wind pick back up and I flew at night under the park lights for 2 more hours, haha. My body is killin but it was an amazing workout! So good in fact, in a couple hours Im going back out there! I already want to buy a depower, I can see that this is going to be a costly but very fun habit.

Fixed bridle is more fun will give you a much better workout when flying static, but depower will likely serve you better once you put wheels under you. :wee:

The main thing you need to master before you get rolling on a board or buggy is kite control without looking at the kite. If you look at the kite and imagine a clock face where the hands attach to the middle just a bit above the horizon, you need to be able to close your eyes and park that kite on any hour someone calls out at random and keep it there as long as you like. That will also help you develop the muscle memory needed to let your body take over and take some of the load off your mind while you are learning to cope with the wheels.

Thanks for the advice. In fact I will start practicing that today!

Quote: Originally posted by Graham

About the kite killers, should I use them even though I don't like them? I kayak a lot in summer and the buoyancy aid sometimes gets in the way bit I would never go on the water without it

They retain your kite should you need to let go. A good idea if you're around people and you don't want your handles catapulting into someones face or lose your kite out to sea. If you don't like them then lose them, they do get in the way especially if you're looping your kite, just be careful that there aren't any people close enough downwind of you to receive a handle and be sure the wind is on-shore.

Cool vid! Kites, kites, and more kites!!!