Hi Fella's,
want to get the Blade 4.9,i have about 2 years experience.I have owned,in the past a Blade 4.0 m and a Pansh 4.5m,i always flew them in light to
moderate winds and was careful and always used 'killers'.
Thing is i want to up my game a bit and get a Blade 4.9 as i would like to do some inland recreational jumping,i'm around 12st by the way.I have
seen Guys on Youtube jumping,some safely and seen some crazy accidents where Guys are getting hurt for whatever reason,inexperience ect.What REALLY
scares me though is getting lofted 20 ft in the air UNINTENTIONALLY! and landing very hard! What is a safe wind range for this kite so this does not
happen? I just want controlled jumps,like most i guess.I know about re-directing the kite but just want to remain in control? I know the 6.5 will give
a better float when jumping but i think that would be to much for me.I really want to progress in this great sport but the thought of ending up in
Hospital is not for me! lol.
Any advice much appreciated,
Cheers Guys.Snake - 26-1-2013 at 09:35 PM
Bigger is better. I remember when I used to jump with my 4.5 lengend. Boy was I crazy. The landings where hard. My 13m venom has much softer landings.
If you really want to jump you should consider getting a depower. The landing are much softer compaired to fixed bridle.RedSky - 27-1-2013 at 09:26 AM
Every size has it's given wind range, therefore kite size makes no real difference, it's all relative. Read up on the manufactures wind range chart.
A bigger kite as Snake suggested might be a better compromise. The 6.5 will give you better float and travel slower through the air giving you more
time to react to it.
Be under no illusions though, jumping is probably the most dangerous thing you'll ever attempt to do with a kite and kite killers only help retain
the kite should you let go, they're of absolutely no use to you if you're plummeting towards the ground like a meteor.
To minimise the risks, never fly in heavy gusts, small gusts of a few mph are manageable but if it's gusting more than 10mph above the wind speed then
stay home. All those kites that go bad on YouTube are showing people going out in gusts. Dumb.
Flying inland is nearly always going to involve gusts.
Check the forecast before heading out. XC Weather isn't that reliable for inland forecasts in the UK but they usually get the gusts about right, so
check it out.
Don't ever be tempted to jump on a ridge. A sudden up-draft will see you lofted 50ft in the air. Last year a guy died at Epsom Downs on a Blade. He
got lofted big.
If you're on the east coast then why not fly at the coast, a clean easterly onshore wind is going to be far safer and more fun. A shingle/ pebble
beach is the best place as the small pebbles soak up the energy when you land.
A skate style helmet might also be a good idea.
rule number 1 - Don't fly in gusty weather
rule number 2 - Don't fly in gusty weather
rule number 3 - Fly within the kites wind range
rule number 4 - Don't allow yourself to become distracted when flying.
rule number 5 - Choose your location carefully. Allow plenty of downwind space.
rule number 6 - Don't wear boots. Do wear flat non grip shoes/trainers
rule number 7 - kite killers
rule number 8 - Protectionsteve5767 - 27-1-2013 at 11:42 AM
Hi mate,all taken on board,Thank You.Yeah,i read about the Guy in the UK that got killed,really horrific! obviously gusty winds are a big no no.
Cheers mate.Bladerunner - 27-1-2013 at 02:13 PM
2 words have been given to describe this kite in the wrong hands.
" Widow Maker " !
In the right hands it is a freestyle machine!
reminder to be extra cautious jumping
skimtwashington - 29-1-2013 at 08:55 AM
don't jump in too strong or gusty winds...
....no floating here..size is not likely the problem.
