Power Kite Forum

DC Area Riders - New Thread (and Trainer Kite help request)

pleverr - 21-5-2013 at 07:29 AM

Hi - I am new here! I just got my first trainer kite in the mail yesterday (Hydra 300) and I feel like a kid with a new bike that I can't ride.

I have yet to unfurl the kite and would like to do so somewhere near NE DC (Anacostia or other ideas) sometime in the next few days. I also go to Bethany whenever I can get there.

I am also new to this forum and am hoping that starting a new DC thread will be helpful as the last one seems to have capped out at 35 pages and the last post was in December.

If there is a new thread, please post it here or delete this one.

Here's my ask: Does anyone want to help me on my maiden voyage for an hour or so today or tomorrow? There is also Kingman Park on Capitol Hill that might work.

Thank you in advance,
Paul

3shot - 21-5-2013 at 03:08 PM

Welcome to the PKF!! Welcome to the mad addiction of power kiting!
I think there are a couple NoVa and SMd pilots in here. I hope they chime in here and give you a hand.
I'm about 3 hours south, down on the middle peninsula.

P.S. Say good buy to any extra money you thought you'd have!!
You've been warned :evil:

indigo_wolf - 21-5-2013 at 09:18 PM

I think I am 30-40 minutes from Anacostia or Kingman Park.

I can probably free up Friday or the beginning of next week.

Kites and gear are still in the final stages of being sorted out from a recent move.

If the "I got a new kite" pangs won't let you wait, that's perfectly understandable.

ATB,
Sam

pleverr - 23-5-2013 at 07:34 AM

Thank you for the responses. I took the kite out yesterday for the first time and failed. Perhaps it was lack of wind (I felt some gusts although i was not on the water in Anacostia park, but in a field just off of the water as I wanted to embarrass myself in private).

So I chalked it up to learning how to unpack and pack my kite...which I am not very good at either...I hope I don't tangle lines up to the point of ruining the kite.

It took me about an hour to untangle the 3 lines and it wasn't until I figured out that I needed to untie the middle line to untangle it that I was able to start attempting to fly it.

Once I got it 2 feet off of the ground it would flip over and smack the ground. I did this about 20 times in various angles to the wind having the most 'lucS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K- with the wind to my back.

All-in-all it was a frustrating outing although I enjoyed learning.


***
2 hours later
***

After doing some reading I will need some lessons and possibly more wind and more patience. It is also possible I was trying to fly the kite upside down.

ragden - 29-5-2013 at 11:05 AM

Unfortunately there is a distinct lack of good places to fly in DC. The park in anacostia is good, on the right wind direction. There is also a park in northern DC, called Colmer manor that is... Ok. Lots of obstacles, but for static flying, it could work.

I live in Springfield, so not far from anything in DC. Though, I do tend to stay pretty busy... Let us know how it goes...

indigo_wolf - 29-5-2013 at 11:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by ragden  
Unfortunately there is a distinct lack of good places to fly in DC.


Sadly this is just a fuse for a rant on the use/misuse/under-utilization of potential green space in the US.

The latest one on my radar:

McMillan Sand Filtration Site

Has the dubious distinction of being on the List of Most Endangered Properties in both 2000 & 2005.

Current sits fenced off and barb-wire cap. Currently back in play with several proposals being considered.

ATB,
Sam

pleverr - 29-5-2013 at 12:05 PM

During one of the windy days last week I was able to get the kite up and flying for 2 days in a row. It was exhilarating. I learned a ton and was very sore. Gusts would drag me around a bit and it made me want to do it again.

This weekend (Sunday and Monday) I brought my kite to bethany beach, de and did not have the chance to take it out (I am still unclear how much/little wind it takes to fly a 3m kite). My next goal is to be drug through the water. Can I do this on the west side of the Bay somewhere? I guess I could have done this in the Indian River Inlet although I am not skilled enough (I think) to go out on my own to get drug throughout the water. I suppose I wanted to have a little instruction...but perhaps I need to read up on where to 'put in' and what to do if I get in trouble.

If anyone wants to go out and help me get my trainer in the water in the next few weeks, lets coordinate.

ragden - 29-5-2013 at 12:26 PM

Pleverr, if your goal is to learn kitesurfing, then you might want to seriously consider lessons. There are some quite decent instructors in the area. I don't know that it is wise to hit the water without a lesson under your belt. Even considering all you plan to do is drag with the kite... It might work out, sure, but the last thing you want is to get yourself in trouble.

Having said that, Sunday is looking like an interesting day with SSE winds. There are a few places worth checking out in that direction of wind. If you are looking at water riding, take the drive to Dewey Beach, DE. Check a spot on the bay called New Road.

Update: Virgin dragging session

pleverr - 27-6-2013 at 01:55 PM

I ended up going to New Road this past Sunday for my first time in the water to have the kite (3M trainer) drag me around. It was not a total disaster but enough of one to leave an indelible mark on psyche. Long story short, I was able to get in the water and have the kite drag me around and I was able to control it for the most part and have it hover overhead and was able to fly it back and forth through the wind window (light on the lingo), then got board and whipped the kite around which I just (in http://www.eastkb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7628 that thread from Rory) learned was not a very productive way to practice on land.

I dropped it in the water a few times and enough to fill the thing full of water. I should have walked to the shore but (poorly) decided to walk to the kite to see if there was anything I could do about it while I was still in the water. I was not able to empty the kite so I drug it on the land and proceeded to tangle the lines to the point that I am still quasi-hell bent on untangling this giant knot.

The one thing I have going for me is that I have a place to sleep in bethany and I like to buy beer. I can't always go at the drop of a hat but I did enjoy being in the water with the kite. I could stand some instruction for sure though and have not had much luck and have not tried as hard as I should have admittedly to find an instructor. I also probably have not exhausted youtube resources either.

In summation, I probably need to do a few more land sessions with safety in mind rather than whipping the kite around. Also start holding the kite in the center of the bar rather than the edges. lastly, I need lessons. I can be in Annapolis in 45 min and the eastern shore in 3 hours.

Thank you for your continued support. Questions, comments, suggestions, admonishments or direct orders are all welcome.

pleverr

abkayak - 28-6-2013 at 11:40 AM

IMO....every time you set up and pack up you are gaining valuable experience.. you need to do this just as well as you can.. its an important part of kiting and so is untangling lines...you need to fly as much as possible.. the more you fly the easier the next steps are..be a pilot first than move on to the fun and games of water/boards or whatever...protect the kite don’t risk it too much..being forced into getting the 2nd one because you trashed the 1st one is a regret many of us have...fly everyday everywhere if you can.....ohh yea Dogfish 75min is well spent $$$ and Blue Mountain Full Nelson is a winner...and Va breweries are solid as it gets...but never drink and fly

shortlineflyer - 5-8-2015 at 12:27 PM

anyone ever ride at the lake fairfax park cricket fields

indigo_wolf - 6-8-2015 at 06:07 AM

Quote: Originally posted by shortlineflyer  
anyone ever ride at the lake fairfax park cricket fields


Haven't been out there.... across state lines for me, but still fairly close.

Probably have better luck with the land board than buggy.

Nothing on the website seems to prohibit powerkiting specifically.

Use of the fields seems to be skewed towards team sports, but you seem to be allowed to use empty fields.

Quote:

Lake Fairfax Park has extensive athletic facilities including a Skate Park, baseball field, natural surface and turf soccer pitches, and a large cricket field.

The athletic fields are generally booked for youth and adult teams, but the public is allowed to use empty fields (at least until the next team arrives).


Looks like you can booted by any teams.

Might want to check if there are any restrictions against using stakes on either the natural fields or synth-turf either due to sprinkler systems or water retention membranes.

I expect that they would look more kindly on you if you don't tear up their sod.

Right now it seems like the fields see reguar use by:

  1. Local soccer leagues
  2. The Fairfax Cricket Club
  3. Washington Area Frisbee Club

There might be others.

Can check for field closures (either due to maintenance, seeding or rain drainage) here:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fieldstatus.htm

That also lists the "winter rest period" for natural fields. Not sure how hardass they are about that, but as the local county fields here llist a $100 minimum fine, I haven't been inclined to push it (thus far).

ATB,
Sam

shortlineflyer - 21-8-2015 at 05:59 AM

I am going to go there today (lake fairfax) and fly if no one is using the crickett fields. If not I will just do some mountain boarding. they have some nice trails there

shortlineflyer - 19-10-2015 at 01:14 PM

Anyone want to go fly at my local spot some time. its slightly smaller than the washington monument fields, and you can buggy and board there. also has 2nd cleanest wind IMHO in the area second to the monument grounds