Hi

Recently got a Blade III (4M) just for some fun on the beach - jumping around etc. So Im pretty new to this - only had it out twice so far in relatively light winds.

If I was to fly a 4M in strong winds would anyone suggest I use a harness and bar with this 4 m Kite or is it too small to require this?

Also, I believe its possible to use a harness without a bar - is this correct?

Basically, Im off to a windy island for 2 weeks and want to get the best out of my kite. Since Im a beginner Im not sure whether I need a harness yet - can anyone give this newbie some general advice?


Thanks
Jon

The 4m Blade is a bit of an advanced kite to be learning on. Be VERY careful with it. They are designed with lift. It is a general rule that with jumping 5m is the smallest kite that will float you. You can and will get lifted by this kite. It will also drop you like a stone if you don't keep it flying. Not the best kite to learn jumps with, not the worst.
A harness will GREATLY increase the amount of time you can stay out and have fun. You can hook in and rest while walking up wind and such. Without one you will tire way too fast.

Yes, you can use a harness without a bar. The tops of your handles will have short pigtails coming out the back. Put what's called a strop between them...

http://www.coastalwindsports.com/HandleStrop.jpg

...by putting a loop on each end of some line with an overhand or figure eight knot and then use a larks head to attach to the pigtails. legthe between handles will be between 15-18" more or less depending on your size.

Then you hook in like this...

http://www.coastalwindsports.com/HarnessStrop.jpg

...BUT as snowbird said, be careful. You should never hook in 'till you can control the kite in all conditions and always know what it's about to do. The forces that will want to make you unhook in a hurry are the forces that will make it very difficult or impossible to do so. And that indeed is a powerfull kite.

Another and arguably better way is a quick-release shackle and a pulley from the local marine store. Sorry no picture at this time but maybe someone else will .

I prefer a Wichard 2673 Shackle as a quick release safety. It will release under high load and isn't prone to jamming with sand or corrosion as a piston shackle can.

The pulley in the pics is a Holt Allen spinnaker cheek block where the cheek plate opens to release your line. The Wichard shackle bail slips through it when released by pulling the red stopper ball toward you.

There are climbing rescue pulleys by Petzl and others that can have the cheeks rotated to release the rope - just be sure the shackle bail can't get stuck in the pulley hole when you release.

As Angus suggested, riding hooked in is for after you are experienced and comfortable with the kite. You loose the handles, and the kite is fully powered on the front lines. These pics and comments should not be construed as a recommendation to use the set-up (legal disclaimer sort of thing...)

krumly

harness with strop and handles after you learn the kite. A bar will kill the kites performance.

Hi!
I've just joined this forum as i #@%$#!ed up my ebay application and they suspended me! So I'm gonna try selling my stuff on here to like-minded individuals.
I'm keeping my 4m Blade II and Da Kine harness and bar as they are good accessories as the other guy said a 4m kite WILL tire you out. I've flown mine static as always in a 15-20mph wind and I'm 16stone! I've been airborne with a second lift to 10 or 12 feet, so, yes, it IS a powerful beast. Not flown the III at all, but if mine's anything to go by yours will be even MORE powerful.
I nearly broke me neck once doing an oscar-winning Superman impression shortly b4 the 12ft jump and had a bad neck for months. BE CAREFUL, DUDE!
But above all, have fun!