Just wondering if theres some Canadians out there that know if theres any Flexifoil dealers out here? Been static flying my Pansh Legend for awhile now and think it is time to start to get pulled around and start to get into jumping with some skis and possibly a buggy. I hear that the Blade IV 6.5 might just do the trick as I weigh about 190 lbs. and I live on the open prairies so the wind is relatively smooth with the odd gust. Any ideas???

I ordered mine from Tailspin Kites (www.tailspinkites.com/), but I don't know if they are still around. I think they are in Ontario. I love the kite though. I have the 4.9m, and it flies beautifully. The AAA bridle also works really well for the times you want less lift, for crusing. I haven't found any dealers closer to Alberta. I wish there was a way to try kites before buying, other than finding another kiter living close by.

Brian ,

Are you sure you wouldn't get more use out of a depower kite ?

It would be the better choice for snowkiting while giving you a larger wind range to buggy in.

I havent totally ruled out a depower kite but I like the way I can control and "feel" the kite with handles. But saying that I havent really had the chance to fly with a bar either.

The 6.5 Blade will also make a better snow kite than buggy engine. It is a fantastic kite. I just wonder if it's the best match for your described purpose?

It's just that very few people snowkite with Fixed bridle kites. I found it very frustrating due to the lack of range myself.

I would like to however eventualy get into kitesurfing so a depower might be good to get used to before the cross over to water. What depower would you recomend for me to start out with being 190 lbs. and average wind speeds of 15-25 kph.

I think I'd cast my vote with BR on this one, consider seriously going depower unless you have some insanely smooth (lakeside? I can't remember is Denzil a lake as well as a town?) inland winds both summer and winter.

I love my blade, yes, spent three hours on it today and feeling it everywhere in my sore muscles! But it really grabs hard on the high lift setting, combine that with any kind of gusts and you are looking at pretty nervous kite flying. Even on the lower lift settings (much more stable, much less grabby / snatchy).

Also it is a big jump up from your legend (I have the 2 and the 3) -- at least quadruple the power on the low lift setting, double again up from that on the high lift setting. You'll have a serious quiver gap.

I've not flown depower, but if you were to post your normal flying conditions -- normals and extremes of speed and steadiness of wind -- you'll get some great depower kite suggestions that will likely not cost as much as a used blade.

fixed bridles mostly like smooth winds better than gusty, the way their power can turn on and off in really wiggly winds can make a pilot extremely nervous when powered and really takes the fun out of a session. With depower you can really smooth the winds the winds out (or so I understand...) and still have fun.

make no mistake, it's a huge jump in power, and with that jump in power, gusty winds become a much more serious issue and risk of injury goes wayyyyy up!

if you have smooth winds and nice soft sandy beaches, tho, you'd have a lot of fun with the blade.

perhaps a PeterLynn?

venom 10m?

PM me.

I loved flying my fixed bridle kites until I picked up my Outlaws.
Flying a depower kite is an amazing experience. It really does change quite a bit. I loved the control and precision that fixed-bridle kites give you, but every time I head out, I grab my Outlaws. My Beamers havent seen the light of day in about 4 months.

It's worth giving it a shot. The Peter Lynns aren't a bad way to go, they certainly aren't too pricey. Though there is a bit of a learning curve in getting used to flying them. I love my Outlaw's and would recommend them in a heartbeat. Thing is the price is a little steep (comparitively).

Best of luck to you. Hope you find what you are looking for.

I've been kite skiing with fixed bridled kites for the past 5 winters in all kinds of conditions and never really had a problem. Lower aspect kites work better inland than higher aspect kites but I've skied with every kite listed in my quiver below (except the 600 as that is new) and been clocked over 45 mph twice and over 50 once.

If you've got the right size kite for the winds you are OK. Have I been overpowered when skiing,,,, yes. Underpowered... yes. Scared on an occasion or two when the gusts really picked up... yes.

I'd prefer a 4-6m depower for the high wind days but anything 20 mph or under on skis, I'm fine with fixed bridles.

When I do my quiver over someday, I will do it over with depowers, but I wouldn't avoid buying a kite you wanted just because its fixed bridle and you want to ski. There have been times (lower wind days) when I've been the one having the most fun riding because I'm the only one on handles and I can work the kite or fly a more efficient kite than a 12+ meter depowerable arc or foil.

Pros and cons to each.

Does the 10m HQ Apex II have any lift and would it be a good kite to learn the depower side of the sport with???

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Does the 10m HQ Apex II have any lift and would it be a good kite to learn the depower side of the sport with???

good kite to learn = yes

lift = not very much

sounds to me like you need a PL or a neo

You might find a Sky Country Alaska fits your needs well (and your wallet better than some of the other choices.) As to size of kite, you listed your weight and typical wind speeds, but forgot to mention this size of your cojones and your IQ. Desired kite size for a given wind is primarily determined by these factors and not weight. The rule: kite size is directly proportional to size of cojones and inversely proportional to IQ.
S

Hey Scudley what is the colour scheme of the Alasca 10m and the wind range and does it come R2F?

U2U sent ( I think )