WAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

BIG day today. We had absolutely perfect winds all afternoon long - 14-15 knots CLEAN as can be and I had the Phantom in the air. Grabbed the bar, launched the kite and started rippin and then thought, "I should give it a go". On a transition turn I sent the kite back the other way and when the kite lines disappeared out of the corner of my eyes I pulled the bar in and gave myself a little jump off the ground and SKYWARD I went!:wee:

The skis came back to the ground and proceeded to slide out from under me so I finished the move on my back looking up at the Phantom with a smile from ear pad to ear pad and a rush going through me like nobody's business.

I got lucky? Maybe.......I'll have to do it again.

Sure enough, a little less of a launch but lost contact with the ground all the same. The bonus was that I stayed upright this time ; )

Now, I carved back the way I had just come and thought, "I should try it in a straight line". Built up some speed, sent the kite back and just as the lines left my peripheral vision I pulled in the bar and gave myself another little hop skyward, bringing the kite back the same way I was going as soon as I was "aware" that I had left the ground and wouldn't you know it, the kite set me down and I kept on my merry way. Not with the grace I daydreamed about but I had two skis between me and the snow nonetheless.

Of course it's only lucky until you've done it repeatedly so I did - and did I! Chuck said he figured me about 3-4 feet off the ground which isn't much compared to the stuff we see out there but it felt like miles to me!:wee::wee::wee::wee::wee:

So......props to the PKF (that's all you people out there) for giving me the knowledge AND the courage to finally get it right. Now - if anybody has any tips on improving my 2 for 10 landing record - fire away

Welcome to the world of air, had people show up from out of town couldn't get away. Glad you made the jump, its all up from here...lol

BREAKTHROUGH :wee:

One more good day out there to seal it in and you are an Albertan Jumping Bean

It sounds like by the time we meet we will be on about equal footing !

glad to here you're airbourne. 1 tip i can give you re jumping is dont pull the bar until you feel the maximum pull on your harness. keep the bar in until you hit the top of the jump (or as high as you want to go!!) then let the bar out and redirect the kite.(letting the bar out also speeds up the kite). just before you land pull the bar in again for a softer landing.

right on macboy!

congrats on your first lift, pratics makes perfect, becareful to keep an eye on the kite and pushing it to much forward, i will kite loop and thats not good for us nebies.:Ange09:

Yee Ha Kelly :wee:

I'll have to get up to Edmonton to fly with you guys again. Lots of new snow down south so jumps should come with soft landings - I'll have to try it....:bouncing:

Thanks guys! I walked downstairs this morning to start my work day and the Phantom hung across the basement brought yesterdays smiles right back to me. Now I'm just sad that winter is on its last legs here. If we can have one more day with such clean wind like yesterday's....just one more day like that.......

Feeling the new muscles today too ; ) From the lift, the non-landing and the attempts on the snowboard

BR / Canuck - I guess we're outta time for a mid mountain meet this winter huh?

With NABX and all I think we are too late this year.
My mother is O.K. with putting us up in Peachland. Plenty of room to set up camp in her basement. If any of you want to meet up next year just give the heads up and I can make it happen.

I hope you get that "one more chance " this year! If not, you CAN jump with Coyotes !!!!!! Aooooowwwwwww!

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Originally posted by macboy Thanks guys! I walked downstairs this morning to start my work day and the Phantom hung across the basement brought yesterdays smiles right back to me. Now I'm just sad that winter is on its last legs here. If we can have one more day with such clean wind like yesterday's....just one more day like that....... Feeling the new muscles today too ; ) From the lift, the non-landing and the attempts on the snowboard BR / Canuck - I guess we're outta time for a mid mountain meet this winter huh?

Would you believe I looked at those things twice today and had the same thought - I'd just like one more go on the soft snow to see if I can learn how to reliably make sure the old feet get back where they need to be before the ground reacquaints itself with me ; )

Still lots of soft snow on this side of the Rockies - I hear Gull Lake has over a foot and it won't blow to Montana this time of year. We'll have to watch the weekend wind forecasts and do it.

I'm game. I bet Derek and Paul would be in too. Kinda far for Ken to come but we can do what we can to make him jealous ; )

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Originally posted by macboy I'm game. I bet Derek and Paul would be in too. Kinda far for Ken to come but we can do what we can to make him jealous ; )

Right, I'll try to be jealous as I look down from the airplane on my way to Vegas ! :wink2:


Seriously, I hope you get that second day while the muscle memory is still there .

Meeting at Gull lake sounds VERY do-able for you all ! I would have thought Sylvan would blow ? Isn't Gull lake in a bit of a valley ?