Power Kite Forum - It's so close I can taste it !

It's so close I can taste it !

Bladerunner - 6-9-2007 at 08:03 PM

This one is haunting me. Almost makes summers end look like a good thing :wink2:

SecondWind - 6-9-2007 at 08:13 PM

Same here! I've been looking to buy some new skis. I want to chase some speed this winter on the lake :thumbup:

B-Roc posted some impressive numbers last year :yes:

SecondWind - 7-9-2007 at 07:25 PM

So...what type (twin tip, powder, etc.) of skis are you guys going to use this season?

B-Roc - 7-9-2007 at 08:33 PM

I just heard on the news that BC got or is about to get its first snowfall and Mt. Washington, NH should get its next week :singing:

I can't wait :cool:

Twin tips would definately be best for freestyling but I like older style (or minimally side cut) skis for the conditions I ride. I have a pair of 180 recreational skis, 185 race skis and 190 mogul skis (I'm 5'7" and 145#)

I used to use the 180s all the time but since last year had little snow cover I went with the straighter and more stiff 185s and that was what I was doing speed runs on.

I think I'll start with those this year.

If I had to go with just one ski type I'd get an all mountain, recreational cruiser. They are best for all around conditions so they will carve OK and cruise OK. They might be a little soft in the shovel and get squirely if you start cruising real fast and powered in deeper snow but generally speaking, if you wanted only one pair, go with those, and if you see someone tossing a pair in a yardsale, pick them up. Remounting bindings really isn't that hard and P-Tex repairs are simple as pie.

Personally, I don't think one needs the best gear for lakes and ponds. If I was going off-piste and skiing at altitude in steep and deep conditions, I'd use my best gear but for cruising over rocks, trees and ice fishing holes, just get something that will keep you moving and repair if needed.

And don't forget to wax the bases and sharpen the edges - that is key (especially the edges on ice).

SecondWind - 7-9-2007 at 08:36 PM

Thanks B-Roc! What was your top speed last year? Any plans to use a GPS this year to record your runs?

Oh yeah... this is what I'm looking forward to - click here

B-Roc - 7-9-2007 at 08:41 PM

The skimobiler was with me to 45mph so it was at least that.

It was not my most fast run so if his reading was accurate I would say the fastest runs topped out over 50mph.

That was on my 2.5 in winds 25+mph and a solid ice surface with maybe 4 inches of wind compressed snow. It was perfect conditions.

I flew with my 8.5 Blade 2 winters ago in winds measured at 16mph and those runs were also clocked by a snowmobiler at over 45mph. I went so fast so quick that he turned off and I ran out of space to tack back upwind :o and needed to hitch a ride from the snowmobiler back up the lake.

SecondWind - 7-9-2007 at 08:43 PM

That's fast! :thumbup:

Baluk - 12-9-2007 at 08:39 PM

I'm so jealous of people who are getting snow soon! I probably wont be getting any until January and by April it'll be all gone!

BTW Davinch, I'm also jealous of you looking forward to the silver arrow!

SecondWind - 12-9-2007 at 08:46 PM

Baluk - I sold that one

It got me powered up on skis in 6 - 8 mph.

Baluk - 12-9-2007 at 08:50 PM

I'm still jealous!:P

Pablo - 12-9-2007 at 11:08 PM

The 13m Cent will fly no problem in 2-4mph, well powered by 6-8mph, 10mph and it's how far do you want to fly.

Can't wait to get the 12.4m Combat.

Bladerunner - 13-9-2007 at 09:11 AM

Unfortunately even when it snows in the mountains in S.W. British Columbia there isn't a lot of wide open space up at elevation. Good for the ski hills but we need to wait for the lakes to freeze.
I won't be getting out on the snow until December. I'll need time to recoup from an operation. Most often it is Christmas before the lakes freeze around here so I think I have things planned right.

Pablo - 13-9-2007 at 09:54 AM

Hey Snowbird, any of the hills around Merrit suitable, I've got a large gust eating monster we can share.

wind-dave - 13-9-2007 at 10:13 AM

Quote:

Oh yeah... this is what I'm looking forward to - click here

That's a pretty sweet picture of the Silver Arrow DaVinch :yes:

, how did you take that photo?

Bladerunner - 13-9-2007 at 02:01 PM

I had great hopes for Merrit. The wind in summer is great but it's mostly thermal generated. It seems like the last 2 winters wind has been spotty at best around Merrit in the winter. It's on the way to my Mothers so I'll still be trying to kite there but don't have the hope I once did for the place :sniff:

Pablo - 13-9-2007 at 04:23 PM

So better off hitting up green lake, still, gotta check out merrit for some summer possibilities.

Bladerunner - 13-9-2007 at 07:23 PM

Alta Lake ( also at Whistler ) is smaller and may freeze a bit sooner. It works very well. Nice thing about Whistler is even if you get skunked you can chill in the Village and have a fun day. OR take a 1/2 day pass and ski.
Pab's, You mention breaking a few things at SOBB ? Besides the blown bridle what else did you manage to break ????

SecondWind - 13-9-2007 at 07:32 PM

Pablo - you are right. I got to fly the Century the other day in 5 - 6 mph winds. Wow - that thing is strong :evil:

Wind-Dave - I just snapped it with my digital camera. It was such a great time! That Silverarrow was a light wind dream kite. However, after about 13 mph, it was a handful. I should have let Powerzone do the Mod to extend the wind range.

SecondWind - 13-9-2007 at 07:43 PM

I just got in a Garmin Forerunner 205 to track my speeds this year on the lake. I'll write up a review once I get a chance to try it out.

Garmin FR 205

I just needed a smaller, wrist mounted GPS. My goal is 45 mph this year!

powerzone - 14-9-2007 at 09:42 AM

**snowbird wrote**** Pab's, You mention breaking a few things at SOBB ? Besides the blown bridle what else did you manage to break ???? ******

let me know if i can hook you up with more bridle lines "Pab's"

Pablo - 14-9-2007 at 04:17 PM

Nothing, just a quote from "Swave", went something like this "The wind is up, let's go to the beach and break some s**t"

I'd fix the bridal myself, but once one line went with the kite under load it started a cascade, blew out a min of 12 bridal lines, most of the A and some of the B. The bridal failed mid kite loop so the kite was really heavily loaded up. Teaches me to tinker and push something past the design specs. New bridal is ordered, who knows how many other bridal lines have been over stressed as well that haven't snapped yet.

Baluk - 10-11-2007 at 05:12 PM

Yes! We got snow for the first time a couple days ago, and it snowed teh next day for the entire day... granted everything melted on contact with teh ground, it still is a good sign !

Pablo - 10-11-2007 at 07:55 PM

Snow eh, could be good for some speed runs if it sticks in the next couple weeks.:evil:

SecondWind - 10-11-2007 at 08:12 PM

No snow yet, but I got my skis out today - they really need a good wax.

Anyone have any tuning tips?

1oldkid - 10-11-2007 at 10:13 PM

Try this one DaVinch.
Hope the link works, this is the first time I've tried to list a link...:puzzled:

Here

I gotta get mine looked at pretty soon also.

Best wishes for the new record attempt!

B-Roc - 11-11-2007 at 07:42 AM

Tuning is very easy if you have time. I used melt on swix wax for years but have moved over to the rub on waxes over the past few years (I think its F4 or something like that).

For the edges you need a wet/flat stone (to remove burrs) and a mill bastard file to sharpen. For waxing you need wax and flat iron (if you plan to melt) and always use a plastic scraper as opposed to metal. P-tex is good to have if the bases are damaged and metal wires to hold the brakes in the upright position without the boots in them.

Don't forget a nice fat cork to polish the wax when done and some use a brush for wax application but I never do.

Use the link referenced above for directions or google "ski tuning". There are tons of picture tutorials out there that will describe the process better than I can type it up.

Bladerunner - 11-11-2007 at 09:12 AM

I just traveled over the local mountians and through Merrit. It was windy just to tease me. :mad:

There is a little snow + it was snowing at the time up high. The lake at Coq. summit hadn't even started to freeze

My 2 spots, Corbet lake and Mckenzie had no signs of freeze up.

The sergeon gave me the go ahead for 2 months. I had my operation Oct.25 so I've told the Family I'll be busy Kiting Christmas day :smug: What a great present + I'll be in Calgary so my odds of getting out are good :thumbup:

SecondWind - 12-11-2007 at 01:57 PM

Thanks for the tuning tips :thumbup:

I'm off to the garage to get them ready.

Rye - 18-11-2007 at 01:27 PM

Was just out on a local lake here in Yellowknife watching a few kite skiers. About 4 inches of soft snow over maybe 8 inches of ice. Winds averaging 12kph.

canuck - 21-11-2007 at 07:28 PM

Thanks for the tuning link 1oldkid.

The weather has been teasing us in Calgary - snowed 3 times so far but never enough to cover the grass yet and not cold enough to keep ice on the lakes. The mountains are getting some snow - 90cm (~3ft) on Sunshine Meadows. Too bad the US$ is at par, the ski areas used to be crowded with Americans for their Thanksgiving but not anymore.

Looking forward to a great winter!

1oldkid - 21-11-2007 at 08:08 PM

You bet!

Yeah, The $'s are all pretty even now....That should give you more room!

We're still waitin' for the flakes to cover the rocks here in southern Idaho.....(sigh)

Heard there was 21" up on the divide at Lost Trail a couple days ago.

SecondWind - 22-11-2007 at 06:38 AM

Got about an inch of snow yesterday. Not enough for the skis...maybe my Dirtsurfer will work today:?:

DenisLaMenace - 23-11-2007 at 08:53 PM

I just come back from my first snowkite session of the season.

Friday Nov 23, 20h to 22h.
Nice wind around 15 knots no gusts.
About 3 inches of snow mostly crispy and icy.
NIGHT session at my well lighted secret spot 5 minutes from home.

I feel good !

:singing: :thumbup:

:singing:

1oldkid - 23-11-2007 at 08:58 PM

Hey that sounds nice!
It's lookin' like we're gonna have to pack up and go find some...

SecondWind - 23-11-2007 at 09:10 PM

5 mins from your house - now that's pretty cool :thumbup:

Did you ever get that 10m Speed 2 deal sorted out?

DenisLaMenace - 24-11-2007 at 03:53 PM

no the deal with the speed2 is not sorted out yet

postal services dont want take the blame, so it might get longs before.

in the meantime, I am trying to get a P3 10m instead

Baluk - 2-12-2007 at 05:43 AM

FINALLY! WE got like 8-12 inches of snow over night. Woot!

SecondWind - 2-12-2007 at 07:16 AM

Good deal Baluk :thumbup:

We got freezing rain yesterday... :no:

Baluk - 2-12-2007 at 07:57 AM

Yea... but zero winds :o

Bladerunner - 2-12-2007 at 08:14 AM

UH OH !!! :o We have snow locally this A.M. !!! :singing:

To HE double hockey sticks with the Doc. . If there is enough I'm going to HAVE to take advantage !
I'll just stay hooked in. :wink2:
Ya, that's it ! Just hooked in and a small kite ! :ticking:
YAAAA, that's it :ticking: :ticking:

Bladerunner - 2-12-2007 at 02:52 PM

YEEEHA !!!

I got out today ! It was snowing wet snow . For Vancouver that is as good as you get. Between the wind being all over the place, my kite getting soaking wet and filled with snowballs it was a real chore just to get a few runs in.
BUT IT WAS WORTH IT ! :singing:

I TRULY HATE my Flexi's on snow !!!!!!!! The mesh takes no time to build snowballs inside the kite :flaming:
My 7m Bullet doesn't have any dirt outs just to add to the frustration. :no:

The snow all sits at the bottom and the kite won't fly to Zenith. Very frustrating ! :rolleyes:

Sky Country is really on to something with the tight mesh they use :thumbup:

Baluk - 2-12-2007 at 02:57 PM

Suppose to be plus six overnight :puzzled:

Gah, its been raining very lightly all day though... so it'll melt some and then form a hard top... oh well. The only good I can see coming from this rain is if it freezes and then no school tomorrow.

Oh well.

DenisLaMenace - 2-12-2007 at 04:48 PM

Montreal is waiting 25-30cm (10-12inches) of snow this night and tomorrow.

getting my snowboard ready for kiting! :thumbup:

PrairieWind - 2-12-2007 at 10:32 PM

Snowbird,

I've had my blade mk I 3.3 out many a time in the snow and had no problem with snow on the mesh. Maybe wet sloppy vancouver snow is the problem,... . I'm sure the dry snow around Calgary is all that you need to get the most out of your flexi on snow. Dry snow is a different animal.

Chinook is on the way early this week,... then the temps drop again.

Bladerunner - 3-12-2007 at 07:57 AM

I'm sure you are right about the dry snow.
The troubles yesterday were not uncommon around here. It was snowing heavy enough that by the time you got set and ready to go the kite was already wet. The wind would just shut down so the kites were up and down. The park was small so it was hard to take advantage of apparent winds.

On an ideal day the kites work GREAT and dropping the kite is uncommon ! Rarely is the kite ever even facing nose down on the snow. Unfortunatley for me, I get more marginal snow days than stellar ones

.
This was the second time that those pesky snowballs caused me to have a poor performing kite + waist precious time squeezing stoopid snow balls through mesh :flaming:

The rains started last night and the snow is gone already. If I didn't ache so much I'ld think I was dreaming again ! :rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally posted by PrairieWind
Snowbird,

I've had my blade mk I 3.3 out many a time in the snow and had no problem with snow on the mesh. Maybe wet sloppy vancouver snow is the problem,... . I'm sure the dry snow around Calgary is all that you need to get the most out of your flexi on snow. Dry snow is a different animal.

Chinook is on the way early this week,... then the temps drop again.

SecondWind - 6-12-2007 at 04:08 PM

Hey guys,

Just got back from a short trip to Key West, Fl.

Landed back in town today and we got 5 inches of snow!

Should be a great weekend :D

B-Roc - 7-12-2007 at 10:07 AM

I hope that snow is heading my way. We got 5" earlier this week and the lakes are actually frozen over (though not safe yet). A few more inches will make most fields rideable :cool:

SecondWind - 29-12-2007 at 07:24 AM

Can you guys send some more snow my way...

The local fields only have about 2" of frozen snow left :thumbdown:

DenisLaMenace - 29-12-2007 at 02:05 PM

we got some rain with warm weather, and now the fields are just wet snow.

I was having a kite session on skis, in 20 knots and I could not get any speed.

the lakes are not yet reading cause of the warm weather.

we have the snow but I need cold weather for few days !!