Power Kite Forum

Flying last night in DFW (6-25-08)

jockeys - 26-6-2008 at 06:18 AM

ok, were any other DFW flyers out last night? it started off as a great low wind day (8-10mph) if a bit hot. (97F) blue sky, few clouds. Was having a great time with my 6 meter kite and enjoying the chance to practice some moves without being pulled all over the place.

The wind must have died rather suddenly, because I found myself getting quite a workout flying the kite on apparent wind alone. I decide that I've had enough, and start packing it in. By the time I've parapacked and am dealing with the handles, the sky is looking rather ominous, and by the time I hiked back to my truck, it was raining. 10 minutes later, as I'm pulling in my driveway, I'm having to fight to keep my truck on the road due to insane winds.

I get inside and go online to see just how bad it is, and pull up a weather site which informs me it's 44mph with gusts to 70!!!!!!! Just then the large oak tree in the front lawn gives up the ghost and takes out the power.

Sure am glad I didn't stay at the park another half hour. Anyone else have a nasty storm sneak up on them like this? Texas is especially notorious for rapid unpredictable weather, but this one takes the cake.

PHREERIDER - 26-6-2008 at 07:42 AM

kiter instinct ......never underestimate its power

glad you'll fly another day brother

BeamerBob - 26-6-2008 at 08:04 AM

If you get caught in something like that you can just grab the kite in your arms and wind the lines as you run toward the car. Get that thing out of the wind and put it up tidy later when you are safe. I've also parapacked the kite, lines and handles to take the wind off the kite fast. No folding or pretty figure 8's when the sky turns dark fast like that. You gave yourself enough time that you weren't at risk this time. Good going.

_____ - 26-6-2008 at 12:32 PM

Last weekend weldongod, silvereaglekiter and I were at a local beach when some much stronger winds mover in out of no where. I Hit a nice 30-40' scud before I could get my kite down. As I look up I see Donny (weldongod) running to his kite he had staked down. Silly me thinking he was in a hurry to pack it up. Nah he grabbed the handles and got that thing in the air as fast as he could. I didnt feel very incontrol of my kite so I knew it was best to pack it up. Nick Checked the windspeed and it was jumping from about 23-28 mph.

silvereaglekiter - 26-6-2008 at 01:02 PM

I was glad I was flyn the 2m when that hit the 6.5 would of put me in the middle of the bay:lol:

_____ - 26-6-2008 at 01:04 PM

I really wanted to keep flying but I saw the tent and fishing poles coming up very close, very fast as I was scudding closer to em...lol. Maybe if I were on the otherside of em I would have tried a little harder.... then again maybe not....haha

USA_Eli_A - 27-6-2008 at 11:43 AM

sssssssssshhhhhhhhheeeete, that nuts, I ran off the beach and camped under a deck during thunderstorms last winter, hail sideways felt like someone throwing rocks at me. That was after I had to stop and run downwind to my gear, it was too strong for my kite and my pl buggy was creaking under the strain of my yakuza...

action jackson - 27-6-2008 at 12:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by USA_Eli_A
my pl buggy was creaking under the strain of too many pies...
.....................aj:lol::lol:

f0rgiv3n - 27-6-2008 at 12:37 PM

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

_____ - 27-6-2008 at 12:41 PM

haha....mmmmmm pie....

WELDNGOD - 27-6-2008 at 02:53 PM

that's perfectly good wind there, and I'm gonna get me some.I just wish it would have been onshore wind, then I would jump in the buggy.:frog: