The first time we've had wind since I got my used Skydog SDT 2.8, couldn't wait all day at work to get home to try it. Soon as I got home, of course,
the wife had a bucket list of things for me to look at and talk about. I finally got out (it was already kinda dark) and unpacked the kite. Laid it
out and started unrolling the lines. Went back again (sinking into the snow up to my knees) to lay out the lines.
Maybe there's a trick to it, but man those strings were all twisted around each other SOOO bad! It took me a good half hour to untwist them!
I ran back to where I had the handles tied down and picked them up with a big grin! - and then the wind died...
waited and waited... nothing. Sad and beaten, I started winding the lines back up around the handles. About half-way wound up, the wind kicked back up
again... AAHHHHG! By this time, I just finished rolling everything up and went inside to eat dinner.
One of these days, I'll be able to get the kite out and have my first real foil experience.
Welcome to the addiction. Reading your post has me thinking you could benefit from a few simple tips on how to wind and unwind your lines. The
venerable Mr. Holgate offers the kiting community a fine video:
So what was for dinner?
As you progress in this sport the perfect days outnumber the crappy ones . In the beginning you look for any wind at all, heck a good cough is enough
wind to try to fly in. The wind will blow and you will have everything fall into its place for an amazing day, just be sure your not the part that
falls into some sort of unwanted space.
Appex buggy, Libre hardcore buggies.
Flexboardz. Blokarts.
PKD Century Soulflys. NPW's. Nasa Stars.
A few other less flown oddballs,
Line sets from 10" to 328" or 2m to 100m.
worlds only AQR that works.
North American distributor for PKD.
"Kite Bugging is not an addiction until you try to quit".
I can't see windstrucS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s video at work but if it doesn't include tips on how to parapack your kite and you are flying on handles then I
highly recommend you check this out http://www.racekites.com/how-to-fly-part-4-packing-away/
I don't fly much on handles these days but when I did and when I do, I always parapack. Looks like a mess but works like a charm and the kite is the
last thing to come out of the bag when setting up and the first to go back in when packing up so you know it is always secured while you are
vulnerable.
Depower Quiver: 14m Gin Eskimo, 10m Gin Eskimo III, 6m Gin Yeti, 4.5m Gin Yeti (custom bridle and mixer)
Fixed Bridle Quiver: MAC Bego 400, JOJO ET Instinct 2.5 & 5.5, Lil Devil 1.5, Sting 1.2
Rides: Ground Industries
Never tried parapacking but always found it sort of cool looking on the videos I've seen of it. Nope, the video I linked to is an oldie but goodie
from John Holgate that includes, among other things the right way to wind the lines around the handles (wax on wax off) so things don't get all
tangled up.
We don't para-pack. If you are fortunate enough to get out regularly, folding, unfolding, refolding the same way can cause issues with the coating on
materials. We burrito roll everything pretty much. Less change of wear risers due to repetition. With simple fixed bridles its reasonable to still
shove the bridles into the bag after the kite. With depowers, the key is keeping the pulleys and speed system separate from the bridles. If you don't
want issues.
Chris Krug-Owner @ Hardwater Kiting. Authorized Dealer of Ozone, Flysurfer, HQ kites. www.hardwaterkiter.com 603-986-2784
I wish people would get into the habit of laying the lines and securing the brakes before opening up the wing.
Opening the wing first, with no means to control the kite if it accidentally catches the wind can be an annoyance at best or a hazard on a bad day.
Obviously Mr. Holgate has his wing weighted. But my bet is few people will make that extra effort. At least not many that I have seen.
Crazy talk. I've always unpacked the kite first laid parallel to wind. Weight up wind tip, unwind and launch. Eliminates the need for me to need a
kite stake. Ice is a different story I'm sure. But yes you can't lay the kite out with no weight.
Spaghetti sounds good, how about tonight?
The best tip I ever got and the one I pass on to anyone I teach is, "consistency".
Set it up the same way each time and put it away the opposite way each time, wax on-wax off.
Appex buggy, Libre hardcore buggies.
Flexboardz. Blokarts.
PKD Century Soulflys. NPW's. Nasa Stars.
A few other less flown oddballs,
Line sets from 10" to 328" or 2m to 100m.
worlds only AQR that works.
North American distributor for PKD.
"Kite Bugging is not an addiction until you try to quit".
With fixed bridles I always parapack. The kite is always attached to something. When setting up step1: attach brake lines to stake or ice screw.
step2 : pay out lines as you walk down wind. the kite is still contained in the bag or pack. step3 unfurl the kite which should pop open
and sit on the ground ready for launch.
step4 : pick up handles and stake, launch.
If it is very gusty, the trailing edge may need weights to keep from " skirting up " and flapping around.
With depowers I haven't figured out a good way that doesn't require two trips to the kite. I do the burrito roll pack which means that the
kite has some exposure to the wind, even though heavily weighted. On ice, having the whole mess attached is critical. Try chasing your kite
sliding along down wind while you stomp after it in ski boots! On a really punchy day, nothing beats an experienced helper.
Reactors 2.8 3.5 6.9
Peaks 4m 6m 12m
HQ Neo2 11m Ozone Chrono V2 15m WASP 5m
Flexi wide axle w/mids and runners
Skis Nordic skates and winter stuff
Quatro Wing Foilboard Slingshot Foils
NAPKA US06
So is it common then that it takes forever checking the line for tangles, and all the videos I see just gloss over the half hour of curses with a
simple step of "make sure the lines are not tangled"? -unless you're just experienced to the point where you can wind/unwind without problems -
hahaha not that it deters me from wanting to do this... just something to laugh at.
The key to packing 4 line is repetition
No matter how much of a hurry to get started or pack up do it right of pay for it next time.
After spending ages when I started kiting untangling kite lines I was shown how to do it.
I am right handed so this works easiest for me
PACKING AWAY
Kite para-packed or rolled as long as it is secured
Both handles held at the bottom in the left hand
With all 4 lines in your right hand wrap them clockwise around the handles
With the last couple of feet of line lock the lines by wrapping between the handles, this stops them all coming loose later
UNPACKING
Kite secured on the ground
Both handles held at the bottom in the left hand
Unlock the lines from between the handles
With all 4 lines in your right hand unwrap them anti-clockwise around the handles
Once you start wrapping/unwrapping your line at NO time do you let go of the handles or lines
Once you have done it a few time it just becomes the natural way. I will now not let anyone else wrap up my kites as I don't know how they will unwrap
next time I use them and I don't want to spend the first half hour spinning round unwrapping lines.
1.5mtr HQ Beamer IV, 3mtr PKD Buster II, 4.9mtr Flexifoil Blade III, 5.5mtr PKD Buster I, 5.5mtr PKD Brooza II, 7mtr PKD Buster I
16mtr PL Venom I
Org Flexifoil Buggy cut & shut with side rails
Now with the tandem option
Doh! I just realized that I linked the wrong video earlier. John has so many videos I can't keep track of which one has what topic. The video below
(starting at about 7:40 seconds in) demonstrates a simple and highly effective way of winding a four line kite up that uses a simple gym sock. As
we've all been saying, wax on/wax off, or put another way, do the exact opposite in your unwind as your windup.
Can't say I've ever found a good way to pack up when the winds are nuking. Landing solo in strong wind results in survival packing. Stuff in bag
anyway you can and get the heck out of there. Repack on a calm day:D
SS Turbine 17m
SS Rally 14m
SS Rally 12m
SS RPM 10m
SS Rally 8m
SS Rally 6m
FS Speed 3 15m dlx
FS Peak 2 6m
Ozone Frenzy 9m
Ozone Access XT 6m
PL Farc 1200
What I ride:
Home brew buggy
Volkl race tiger DH 210
Dynastar DH 218
Blizzard Cochise 185
Steepwater 179 twin tip
Aboards Reverse 161
I had a mate with great intentions roll up my Revolution quad lines.
I realized as I was untangling them later that he was left handed.
I had unrolled them as I normally do and induced lots of twists. I complicated these into tangles when I ran my hand down the lines between my
fingers to separate them.
Took me half an hour to separate just a single line then it got much easier.
Gota keep fluffing the lines round not pulling anything tight and a beverage beside you keeps you hydrated instead of frustrated.:D
Finally had some decent wind - enough to get the kite in the air.
For packing, I've found the parapack style was immediately a lot easier for me - packing and unpacking. Literally took 5 minutes or less. That way,
when it's wet from the snow, it's not so much of an ordeal to unpack it inside to let it dry out (and clean mud off it).
Soliver>> That method looks pretty slick as well. I may try that one if I ever get around to getting a winder... or make one.
So I finally got it up in the air and hoooooooooooooooooooly crap it's fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've watched so many vids on how to fly and take off
and land etc etc, but it was so dog gone difficult to get it up in the air! It finally took my 2 sons on each wing tip holding it up to finally get a
clean launch.
It pulled me around my back yard pretty good and it put me on my back at one point. I just lay there, enjoying the view of the kite in the air. Then I
ran it through some power zone so I could stand back up, and that's where my wife started filming me from the house.
I have a problem though - and I am betting many of you know what my problem is... As I was flying, it suddenly started corkscrewing down, almost as if
it were shot and died. I couldn't recover, no matter which way I pulled the lines. I have some video of it. I haven't edited this at all, so if it's
hard to see, I can zoom in and edit it when I get home so it's easier to see.
Wind was still stable and lines weren't tangle (as far as I know). Here's the video starting at 35 seconds (just before the corkscrew of death).
just a quick watch and would guess that the lines went slack and you hooked a brake line on to a bridle knot. need to learn to lean back and scud
don't run after the kite - it usually wont end very pretty- your butt has more cushion than your face:P
keep it up and have fun- could not tell if you had a brain bucket on but if not get one
just a quick watch and would guess that the lines went slack and you hooked a brake line on to a bridle knot. need to learn to lean back and scud
don't run after the kite - it usually wont end very pretty- your butt has more cushion than your face:P
keep it up and have fun- could not tell if you had a brain bucket on but if not get one
Ahhhh that would make sense. It's all a new feeling, but I figure I'll get used to scudding. I do have a brain bucket, but my field is all really
soft. Only thing that can happen here is getting a mouthful of mud! haha But I did recently buy a new skiing helmet that doubles as a biking helmet
that I intend to use for kiting.
ALWAYS wear a helmet and put it on before the kite leaves the ground- have seen tooo many instances where it gets ugly quick- hell watched my son get
supermanned on a kite - had a helmet and never even hit his head but hit the ground so hard rattled his brain and caused a concussion and that was a
muddy field as well. I have done a lot of crazy things and can say without a doubt I have suffered more injuries and serious ones at the end of a
kite than anything else. But yes I still love to fly but I do prepare appropriately
ALWAYS wear a helmet and put it on before the kite leaves the ground- have seen tooo many instances where it gets ugly quick- hell watched my son get
supermanned on a kite - had a helmet and never even hit his head but hit the ground so hard rattled his brain and caused a concussion and that was a
muddy field as well. I have done a lot of crazy things and can say without a doubt I have suffered more injuries and serious ones at the end of a
kite than anything else. But yes I still love to fly but I do prepare appropriately
I planned on the helmet for big winds, or if I get on a skateboard or buggy. Didn't really think of it for my back yard, but then... I wear a helmet
religiously for other sports - this isn't any different, even if it's just my back yard.
I'll make the helmet mandatory. Thanks!
I'm glad that you've finally had a taste of the excitement. Welcome to the party.
Looks like flyguy has the answer to the spiraling kite issue.
Helmet? Check.
Everybody upwind? Not so much!
About 34 seconds into the video, you and your child both realize that there's something amiss. ALWAYS ensure that spectators are behind you. Lines
under tension are quite unforgiving. Gotta keep the kids safe so that they can join you at a buggy bash!
Fly safe,
h
Go ahead... tell me to "go fly a kite!" Please!
Howard - used to be KC67
Fly: A quiver of Lynx' and Cores (did someone say "Pansh"?), a couple o' Arcs, and a Rev to remind me about control
Ride: PL XR+
Where: 43.857899, -78.941661 and 38.970951, -74.828922
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