I have had this kite for a while, it was actually the first kite I bought but have only used it once. I used a bar but I didnt have a harness when I flew it which is why (I'm assuming) it didnt fly so well.

It went straight to Zenith but was not very responsive and if I did get it to move it would just crash. I have since bought a Blade III 4.9 with handles which I can control very well. What am I doing wrong? I still dont have a harness, is this the problem?

Any hints, tips or suggestions? Summer is coming and I really want to get out on the water.

Reckless

the storm was a fantastic kite, for it's time... make sure you get a 5th line fitted if it doesnt have one, and yes YOU NEED A HARNESS...

Pulling in on the bar is effectively taking it up fully powered and will dramatically decrease the response of this kite, you need to be using a harness and i wouldn't even consider flying this kite without one.

Please please please get a lesson... only bad things will come of you going about things like this and trying to figure it out without reading about it first

Thanks domdino,

I will definately get lessons, the blade has taught me to respect the wind and skill needed to fly. Im actually glad I was not able to take the Storm into the power when I flew it.

You said a 5th line was important. I only have a four line set up and remember checking the kite to see if it had a 5th line attachment but could not see one. It has been a while since I had the kite out though so I may have missed it.

What is the importance of the 5th line?

Thanks again for the advice.

Reckless

Hey man, the 5th line is basically just a good idea when you're starting out because it's the only real form of safety you have on LEIs... it will kill all the power and pull the kite down to the ground on the one fifth line.

Lots of people don't use them but if you're starting out it's a very good idea to have it, the alternative is to just dump the kite all together which would not be very good

Storms are notoriously powerful kites, so do be careful, it's great when you get the hang of it but some lessons will really help you get the hang of it

Sorry to bring this up again guys.

I took out my Storm II this weekend to check for a 5th line attachment but it doesnt have one and it only came with a 4 line set up (2nd hand).

It just leads me to believe that the Storm was not designed for a 5 line set up. Probably because it is old. I dont even know when they came out or were discontinued.

Also, I am not sure the bar that I have is big enough. I have not measured it but its roughly 50cm (19/20inch)

Any ideas?

what kind of bar is it? i think you should be okay with 50. hey what year storm is it? and your sure it has no fifth line attachment. i learned without a fifth and i would not recommend it very scary and alot of busted bladders no way to treat a kite.
Happy flying.

Not sure on the year, its a red and grey 12m if that helps.

I checked for a 5th line attachment this weekend but could not see one. Im assuming that the 5th line would attach to the centre of the leading edge but there does not seem to be any sort of attachment point and there are no abnormalities so it does not loook like it has been pulled/ripped/cut off.

Even the instruction manual shows the kite set up with a 4 line system.

I will definitely get some lessons before I take it out on the water. I want my learning curve to be a short and smooth as possible.