I picked up a used snowboard at a thrift store last week since it looked like the snow (about 7") was here to stay.
Overall, it went pretty well. I've snowboarded before, but this was the first time with a kite.
I set up and launched the kite first. The 13m Pulse is very well behaved and remained at zenith so I could cinch up the bindings.
By simply swinging the kite to the side, I was off. I was able to get upwind when I really edged heelside. I didn’t get to ride toeside much.
Jumping went well until I caught my toeside edge, landed face down and got pulled on my stomach for about 30 feet.
By letting go of the bar, the kite depowered enough and I was able to get up.
The depowerability (1:7) of this kite is really impressive. So far, I've used the 13m from 9 - 20 mph and have not felt overpowered.
So...It went well enough that I'm ready for more leebrianh - 29-1-2007 at 08:22 AM
Nice one, DaVinch. Next month, I plan on my first snowkiting in VT. I have been snowboarding but with a kite, it makes me nervous. Will see how
mine goes - BrianSecondWind - 29-1-2007 at 09:44 AM
Brian,
Just noticed you have a Ozone Manta - give us the scoop on it when you get a chance. Is it better than the Frenzy?leebrianh - 29-1-2007 at 09:51 AM
Didn't have a chace to fly it yet. Hoping to get a hang of it during my first snowkiting in Feb. Will keep you guys posted. - BrianB-Roc - 29-1-2007 at 10:57 AM
Rock on DaVinch I got out to the two ponds in my backyard this weekend
but there was no wind... of course.
Winter kiting is awesome.
- LeeBrianh... if you can board and you can kite I know you'll put the two together pretty well.
I skied for years before I ever kite skied and my first run went very well when I started kite skiing.
Plus, you'll be at Kitestorm and Rachael or anyone else will be able to give you any necessary pointers.
I'll be kite skiing pretty regularly now... wind and weather permitting!! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!leebrianh - 29-1-2007 at 11:40 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by B-Roc
- LeeBrianh... if you can board and you can kite I know you'll put the two together pretty well.
I skied for years before I ever kite skied and my first run went very well when I started kite skiing.
B-Roc, that's good to hear. I am very excited about my first snowkite experience this year. As a matter of fact, I have prepared everything
(snowboard, bindings, and boots etc...) last year and been waiting, waiting and waiting. Can't wait any longer - BrianSecondWind - 29-1-2007 at 01:33 PM
I wish I could get some pics - problem is, I can't find anyone to come out to the fields when it's 10 degrees F out scott540 - 30-1-2007 at 03:38 PM
Last couple of weekends I've had the skis out. We only have about 3-4 inches of snow but man was it fun. Much easier for me than land boarding.
Only problem was wishing I had more room. I covered a lot of ground quickly in 15-18 mph winds. More than a few plants and belly slidesSecondWind - 30-1-2007 at 04:31 PM
What do you guys use to secure the kite when you are finished riding (ready to pack it up)?
My ground stake didn’t work so well with the frozen ground...SecondWind - 31-1-2007 at 08:29 AM
Maybe an ice screw?B-Roc - 31-1-2007 at 10:12 AM
Davinch - don't use an ice screw. They are expensive and not always easily seen once you get going so if you hit them on a board or skis you could
really get screwed up if you leave them in the ground. And if you take them out then you need to hold the kite while you work the screw.
Cheapest thing to do is get 1 gallon zip lock bags (2-4 depending upon kite size and wind) and take them with you. Fill them with snow when you get
to your destination and plop them on the kite's TE while setting up - just keep them under your bridle. When you get ready to lauch they should slide
off and away you go. Dump the snow out at the end of the day and home you go.
If there is no snow go buy some playground sand and fill the bags with sand instead of snow - heavy to carry around but not expensive.
I have 3 canvass birdseed bags filled with ~5#s of sand each and they work fine. I have wrapped flo organge tape around them to make them easier to
see after I've launched and so I can find them at the end of the day.
Easiest thing is just snow though if you have it.SecondWind - 31-1-2007 at 10:18 AM
Thanks B-Roc,
Setting up is not really my problem - it's the take down. I just need something to stake my bar (or handles) down so that I can make it to the kite
and pack up.B-Roc - 31-1-2007 at 10:22 AM
Gotcha - you could still use the sand bags if you can get back to you launch point and then drop them on your bar. I've done that with a frenzy and
I've also just burried the bar in heavy snow (but the kite wasn't mine ;-)
When I'm on sheer ice, I usually just fly the kite to far edge of the window and let it collapse down and when it seems like it has settled a bit I
unclick from the skis and run for it - not the best and easier to get out of skis than a board but I haven't lost a kite yet.SecondWind - 31-1-2007 at 12:19 PM
Ok - that's what I tried the other day, but a gust came along and I had to run for it
The Flysurfers stay inflated (looks like an inflated mattress) and they fly away in a little bit of wind...B-Roc - 31-1-2007 at 12:34 PM
You could carry a BB gun for emergency venting PrairieWind - 3-2-2007 at 02:13 PM
I use an ice screw, then put an old ski pole in it so that it is easily visible. Any blowing snow would easily obscure the ice screw. Tthe ski pole
comes in handy for popping the bindings on the skis too. I'll be giving a snowboard a try next week.SecondWind - 3-2-2007 at 02:27 PM
Could I use the screw in dirt (underneath my 6" of snow)?
Went out again today and It was great. Got in one perfect jump - built up some speed, carved back hard, turned the kite towards zenith, jumped up and
pulled the bar in some and sailed for what seemed like forever....redirected the kite and I landed it smooth. That was the best jump I have had so
far :tumble:PrairieWind - 3-2-2007 at 03:56 PM
I spend most of my time on lakes. The icescrew is for ice... - a too fine for the ground. There are various corkscrew style stakes that might work.
An ice axe for climbing would be able to be whacked in nicely and might work well.B-Roc - 3-2-2007 at 04:13 PM
I skied for 2.5 hours today. Winds were 10-17mph. Started with my 5.5 and dropped to my 2.5. There were about 10 of us all together on 4" fresh
snow on a huge lake.
I made first tracks for an hour on a smaller pond before I joined the others who had come out.
Great day.SecondWind - 3-2-2007 at 04:33 PM
Sounds like fun B-Roc! Any pictures?SecondWind - 3-2-2007 at 04:43 PM
Also - did you get to use the Bego B-Roc??scott540 - 3-2-2007 at 06:00 PM
I wanted to go out so bad today. Big winds but it was -5 with a - 30 windchill. Same thing for Sunday predicted.SecondWind - 4-2-2007 at 06:44 AM
Ouch. That is a bit cold to fly in...Bladerunner - 4-2-2007 at 01:51 PM
If I'm wrong about this I hope someone will pipe up.
What I have done with my Phsyco ( never in ripper winds ) is : Drop the kite at the edge of the window. Decide how you ( it ) wants to let one end
flag back in the wind. Quickly wrap the upwind sides leading edge line around the bar for about the length of the kite. Hold that side, hook your
safety to you ride and bury it in the snow / sand. Walk to the kite holding the upwind ( wound ) line until you get to the kite. Basically it's the
same as a self rescue on water. So I suppose you could possibly start winding all lines after you have done the 1st part and just walk to your kite.
Water lessons are of HUGE value even if you kite on land!SecondWind - 4-2-2007 at 08:46 PM
Thanks Snowbird - I'll try flagging it out sometime. I used the fifth line today to pack up with the safety line hooked to my snowboard and it worked
great. I just need to get better packing up so I don't end up with tangled bridles...B-Roc - 5-2-2007 at 10:37 AM
Hey Joe,
No pictures but there was some video shot (but not with a digital camera).
I didn't get a chance to use the Bego. Probably could have in the morning but wanted to start off with something more familiar to me. Then the gusts
came in and I wanted something lower aspect than the Bego.
I regret not having flown it earlier but the ice is solid so I'll be out soon
enough and will let you know leebrianh - 6-2-2007 at 08:47 AM
Finally, I can join this club. Last Saturday, I had my very first snowkiting in Vermont and I have a proof (unlike you guys :D)
Last Friday, I was looking for a good snowkiting spot nearby but not enough cold weather nor snow. So, I decided to go up north, Lake Champlain, VT.
It wasn't a easy journey, I have to say. According to google map, it is supposed to take 7 hours but took me more than 10 hours due to snowy
condition on the way. When I got there it was 2 am. I was tired but so excited about my first snowkiting next day.
Saturday. I had AMAZING time there. Within 5 min, I was up and running across the lake. I am sure my landboarding experiece helped a lot. I was
second one setting up a kite in the morning and second last packing up at the end of the day. On the way home on Sunday, I don't know how I drove
back. The whole time, I was dreaming about snowkiting
As I promised, here is the proof: If you look at carefully, you can see my dog running around with BumbleBee fashion.
How much snow was there on top of the ice?B-Roc - 6-2-2007 at 10:10 AM
Looks like a great day!
Awesome experience, huh?
Nothing like the sound of the wind at your back as your board or skis cut across the snow on a blue bird day.
I'm lucky enough to be able to snowkite in my backyard and I love getting out there as the sun is rising and laying down fresh tracks in the peace and
quiet of the day.leebrianh - 6-2-2007 at 10:47 AM
Ye, I am jealous of local kiters at Lake Champlain. Snow was barely enough to cover the ice. You still see ice spots here and there but didn't have
trouble snowkiting. I hope it gets better by the time of KiteStorm. - Brianscott540 - 6-2-2007 at 03:27 PM
Really great pictures. Is the Red white and Blue kite the Manta? that thing looks huge! I can't wait to get out again if it ever get above 0
degrees.leebrianh - 6-2-2007 at 03:49 PM
That's Frenzy 10. Wind started high and died down at the end of the day. I could have used Manta 12 for the last one hour that day but didn't want
to lose precious time on packing and setting up kites. - Brianwjb - 7-2-2007 at 09:57 PM
Awesome pics Brian! I am hoping to get a chance in a couple of weeks. A friend of mine and I are going to Tahoe to ski for the weekend but I am
bringing my kite gear in hopes of scoring a session. Thanks for the bindings, WadeSecondWind - 10-2-2007 at 07:56 PM
After seeing your pictures leebrianh, I had to get on a lake soon.
So I drove out today to one about 15 mins from my house.
The local fishermen told me the ice was 12 - 14" thick so I figured it was safe.
The winds were only 6 - 7 mph, but the Silverarrow allowed me to cruise the lake
The lightwind ability of the kite is impressive.
I'm borrowing some skis for tomorrow
Skis (kept the snowboard in the truck)
SecondWind - 11-2-2007 at 05:08 PM
Got on skis today! Here are some pictures. The winds were around 6 - 10 mph. My best speed run was 28.9 mph with the 17m Speed. It is an
incredible light wind engine - it just kept picking up speed as I went across the lake.
SecondWind - 14-2-2007 at 04:07 PM
Well...so far skis are more fun (and faster) behind a kite.
I think the snowboard will be better when the snow gets deeper.B-Roc - 14-2-2007 at 04:26 PM
Skis all the way - you can hold down more power, carve harder and skate with them if needed to get up wind a bit.leebrianh - 14-2-2007 at 04:47 PM
Nice pictures, DaVinch. I was going to just snowboard during KiteStorm but now you guys mentioned skis, I am bringing my skis too. - BrianSecondWind - 14-2-2007 at 04:57 PM
Yeah - definitely bring your skis also!
The old downhill skis I'm using are a bit long (200) but they felt great at speed. The winds should be good this weekend, so I'm going to bring the
GPS again.SecondWind - 14-2-2007 at 05:07 PM
What is the best length & type of skis for snowkiting?woodneers - 14-2-2007 at 05:54 PM
DaVinch you could use a corkscrew like for a dog leash. It could go through the snow and into the frozen ground. They are very cheep!SecondWind - 15-2-2007 at 06:57 AM
Thanks wood - I may have to give it a try. Right now I'm attaching my safety line (fifth line) to the ski or snowboard then I walk to the kite to
pack up.B-Roc - 15-2-2007 at 10:14 AM
Davinch, the best skis would be a pair of twin tips so you could ride toeside or land reverses if you so desired.
As far as length and sidecut, that's personal preference and terrain dependant. Personally, I don't like super sidecuts for kiteskiing but I ski on
lakes and not mountains. I think the skis with less sidecut hold better on the ice.
I ski on 180s, 185s and 190s. I had a pair of 170s but I can't find them anymore??
180s come out first in most conditions. 185s are beater skis for fields and questionable terrain. 190s are my mogul skis so they only come out with
the kite in primo conditions. I'm 5'7" and 145#s.
Longer skis for faster, icy conditions. Shorter skis for crud when you need to be sure you can whip the skis around as you are truning.SecondWind - 15-2-2007 at 01:20 PM
Thanks for the scoop B-Roc.SecondWind - 18-2-2007 at 07:43 PM
I've been having a great time on the frozen lake lately - best speed so far is 33mph with a 13m Flysurfer Pulse. I'm hoping to break 40 before the
ice melts...B-Roc - 19-2-2007 at 08:22 AM
Joe, your runs may get faster if the weather conditions allow the ice and snow to fuse together at the end of the season from the daytime melting and
night time refreezing cycles.
When we have a winter that dumps enough snow that doesn't get melted or blown off the lakes, the late season runs are on a fast, firm yet edgeable
surface that can allow you to run the skis flat and build up some decent speed.
Added benefit is you can slide the skis all over the place on powered turns at the end of your run without catching or dragging edges.SecondWind - 19-2-2007 at 03:17 PM
I hope it gets a little better - the snow was really slushy today since it was about 40 F out. I'm having fun either way.
The jumps with the Silverarrow are so nice...great hang time :DB-Roc - 20-2-2007 at 06:56 AM
I was with a rider on Saturday who was jumping with his Venom. Depowerables definately have an advantage for jumping. He'd be cruising along and
simply squat down a bit and pull the bar in then pop... away he went. Got me really thinking that I may have to go the depowerable route.SecondWind - 20-2-2007 at 07:11 AM
B-Roc,
I'm really enjoying the depowers now.
Can you try out that Venom? If so, give it a go.B-Roc - 20-2-2007 at 10:34 AM
I could try the Venom if he'd ever stop flying it
Problem is most of the people I ride with in the winter are kite surfers so they have no idea what to do with handles and don't really want to swap
with me for a while Bladerunner - 20-2-2007 at 03:42 PM
Just got back from Montana snowkite Rodeo. It was a BLAST ! Bigger in every way. Including the winds. The wind was WAY up and down. Trying to deal
with those conditions and not flying depower was frustrating. I would be perfectly powered , underpowered , then WAY overpowered, unable to even make
it upwind again. I now FULLY understand the need for depower flying inland / mountian winds.
I return home, humbled and looking for another kite . Waroos and Ozone ( including the instinct ) seemed to handle themselves best from what I
observed.
As far as skis go. I have chosen to run with short twintips but bring my old 200's should I want speed runs or extra edge. I was on the twin tips when
unable to get upwind but doubt even the 200's would have been enough.B-Roc - 25-2-2007 at 11:51 AM
I broke 45mph yesterday. Woohoo :singing:
Me and a buddy had the whole lake to ourselves. I was on my 180s and my 2.5m JOJO he on his snowboard and a 3m trainer. The winds were averaging
18mph with gusts close to 30 and 3 snowmobilers were really interested in what we were doing and they started shadowing us to monitor our speeds.
My top monitored speed as measured by the pace snowmobile was just over 45mph and sustained for half the length of the lake.
I'm pretty sure I had a couple runs that were over 50mph but couldn't prove it. I know they didn't shadow what felt to be my fastest run.
Huge power and super acceleration. Speed was the word for the day and the ice/snow surface was perfect for full lake length bomber runs SecondWind - 25-2-2007 at 12:18 PM
Way to go B-Roc! That's fast... Best for me this year is only 33 mph (on skis w/GPS).Bladerunner - 25-2-2007 at 02:08 PM
My toque goes off to you. Those are some respectable speeds. You aught to pick up a GPS. I got my Garmin Fortrex 101 cheap and enjoy it so far ( my
best is 39.8 ).
You can win monthly / yearly prizes running in the 40's and 50's. Another good reason to add one to the toy bag !B-Roc - 26-2-2007 at 07:26 AM
I've seen and considered the GPS thing but never felt like spending the money on it. It was the first thing I thought of though after the snowmobiler
came over to tell me my speed. I wished I could have submitted it to the Stormboarding folks but I'm sure they had some great runs this past weekend
too.scott540 - 26-2-2007 at 03:27 PM
Man, that sounds so fast. We finally got snow here so I'm thinking of heading out to one of the lakes this coming weekend. So far I've only been on
the soccer fileds a few times. Not enough room there for any real fun. No way do I want to go that fast (yet) so my question is, if I'm flying a 7m
Montana in say 15MPH winds on skis how fast would/could I be going? I know the snow makes difference too but any guesses?Bladerunner - 26-2-2007 at 04:57 PM
Probably 25 - 30 mph. From the little experience I have. I was going about 30 kph in 8 - 10 kt wind on my 7 Bullet.SecondWind - 13-3-2007 at 05:42 AM
Just read this on Stormboarding:
Jeff Blais riding in Sun Valley, ID is now on top of the Stormboarding snowkite speed ranking list with a run of 61.7mph.
- Brian
- Brian
