Power Kite Forum

question from beginner

neilsolaris - 27-3-2009 at 10:40 AM

I tried out my landboard for the 1st time today, with partial success. I think the wind was too strong and gusty for my 1st attempt, so most of the time was spent waiting for the wind to die down a bit before I was brave enough to stand on the board!

However, I was aware that I had my eyes fixed on the kite when moving on the board. Is this good practice? It occurred to me though that maybe it would be better to look where I was going! Any advice would be appreciated.

bugymangp - 27-3-2009 at 10:52 AM

hey neil
as you get better with the kite and board. you will find yourself not looking at the kite as much. you will be able to tell what and where the kite is by feel.
yes its better to look at where you are going and not at the kite.
try just flying the kite ,not on the board with your eyes closed and get a feel of what the kite is doing. i know is sounds crazy. but it works. thats i how learned. i don`t kite board only kite buggy. but i think it will work just the same.

neilsolaris - 27-3-2009 at 10:58 AM

Thanks for your advice bugymangp, that's what I suspected. I'll try flying the kite with my eyes closed as you advised (minus board obviously!).

Bladerunner - 27-3-2009 at 10:59 AM

YES, you are right about looking elsewhere. You tend to go where you look. After many hours of flying you should be able to do it by feel only. ( just the odd glance ) Practice flying the kite blind as much as possible. Practice flying it blind on your butt and facing the wrong direction !!! This is SURE to happen at some point so it is better to have been there before ! Actually nuking winds are kind of cool for learning. Don't be afraid to stand on the board. Set it parallel to the wind. Keep the kite at 12 O'clock as you step on and be prepared to jump back off if a big gust hits. Once you are on the board just rock the kite a tiny bit to one side and you should start rolling that direction. The trick learning in big wind is to make TINY motions with the kite and be ever vigilant toward gusts.  

neilsolaris - 27-3-2009 at 11:08 AM

Thanks Bladerunner. When I practice flying the kite behind me, do I hold the handles above my head, or behind my back? I can't quite get my head around it, maybe it'll seem obvious when I'm trying it though.

Also, what does nuking mean, in the context of winds?

Thanks.

bugymangp - 27-3-2009 at 11:16 AM

hey neil NEVER put the handles over head. or behind you
handles should only be in front of you low. lower than your chest. are you using a harness??
nuking is strong wind.

Bladerunner - 27-3-2009 at 11:21 AM

Ha Ha,

Nuking is a BIG wind. ( Nuclear )

When I say fly blind facing backwards + on your butt I would go about it this way.

Fly the kite normal but without looking at it until the turning is burned in to your memory reflexes. Then try turning backwards and trying to fly the kite. This is when it gets fun. If you have the memory reflex burned in then you will still pull the right to fly right. If you don't you will tend to turn the wrong way. The kite itself will still fly as normal but with crossed line. Next try doing the same steps but sitting on your butt.

This way you will be prepared to recover after a wipe out.

Hope that helps !

neilsolaris - 27-3-2009 at 11:24 AM

Thanks for clarifying that. I look forward to trying that next time. No, I don't use a harness bugymangp. My kite is only 3.5m, would it be advisable to get a harness at some stage?

Bladerunner - 27-3-2009 at 11:26 AM

Buggymangp?

I'm curious about your tip to never fly with hands over head. I'm pretty sure I do that a bit when flying static + unhooked. What is the logic in avoiding that position ? How about outstretched arms ?

Neil,

YES, a harness allows you to take the load off and so you can fly all day without burning out. It is good to get used to hooking in early . People who don't seem to have a harder time convincing themselves that it is safe + better and so lose out on the learning curve. You can hook in and out depending on what you are trying at 1st.

bugymangp - 27-3-2009 at 11:42 AM

hey blade
yes i do put hands over my head when i get to lazy to get out of my buggy when my kite on the ground but for a newbi i see a gust and his kite getting ripped out of his hands.
hey neil
yes a harness will unload the pull from your arms and you won`t try as easy

neilsolaris - 27-3-2009 at 12:02 PM

When wearing a harness, what happens if the wind blows me too hard. For instance, today I had to let go of the handles twice to stop the wind pulling me over, and the brake lines attached to my wrist kicked in. Therefore, does the harness have that kind of safety system?

bugymangp - 27-3-2009 at 12:10 PM

hey neil
just use an open hook kind of harness.
you will need to put a length of rope between your handles at the top where the power lines met the handles.
if the wind get to strong just unhook and let go.
there are many diff kind of harnesses. so be sure to get one that you feel ok with.

neilsolaris - 27-3-2009 at 12:26 PM

A harness sounds like a great idea. Do you have a link to the one you recommend (open hook) so I can see what it looks like and costs? Thanks a lot.

bugymangp - 27-3-2009 at 12:37 PM

hey neil
any kite store that sells power kites will sell harness. but there are many to choose from. it might be better to try before you buy. they cost around 60$ and up. and there are dif sizes. not one size fits all. its goes by your waist size.

Bladerunner - 27-3-2009 at 04:16 PM

You ask good questions !

You are right. When you are hooked in there is a chance that you can be caught by a gust and lofted. A hook style of " spreader bar " is a J shape. Trying to push out can take a second more when a second is all you have. When you are loaded it can also be a hard push to get the job done. I put a little Quick release on mine but don't expect it it save me from the 1st lift before I can pull it.

The trick is to avoid flying in winds that the gusts are so big they are dangerous. :no: or go to a smaller kite :yes:. Only use the harness for getting upwind and resting up and such at 1st. With time you will get used to being hooked in for more and more stuff. Even now I onhook when trying tricky stuff but I always wear a harness to keep rested.

There are a few types of harness to choose from. They are sort of a personal choice. I have a waist harness that I like but it rides up. An impact vest harness that I like but it gets hot. I am about to buy a seat harness. Hopefully it is just right. I'm buying a Mystic because I NEVER hear people complain about them but they are pretty spendy. If you don't have a shop to try them out then buy a cheap second hand one off a forum like this or Ebay to get going.

neilsolaris - 28-3-2009 at 02:51 AM

Thanks Bladerunner, you give good answers too! I notice today that my stomach and legs muscles are a bit achy from yesterday using the board. I didn't realize I was using my stomach muscles so much, is that normal when using the board? Maybe I'll hold out on the harness for a while in the hope that I might shed a couple of inches off my waistline!

snobdr - 28-3-2009 at 06:10 AM

This is some of the most stupid advice i have ever heard. The guy said hes just learning, then why the hell would you tell him to go out in "nuking" winds?? Bladerunner are you an idoit? Then you also tell him to learn flying the kite backwards on your butt facing the wrong direction as your sure to get into this situation. I guess he should do this in nuking wind also?? Oh yea you should put a harness on your handles also that eliminates the safty system. Blade you are nothing less than a moron.

Neilsolaris you want some advice that wont get you hurt???
First lets talk about your gear.
My advice if your just going to mountain board, and or are thinking about kiteboarding in water, do your self a favor and get a bar with a good safety system. You DONT want to be hooked in without a quick safe way to unhook. All bars these days have some style of quick-release. You want to learn how to release and practice using it. A bar will let you hook in and also you can fly with one hand, just check out some vids and youll see.

2 DONT try to fly the kite if you get turned around backwards. You will get in more trouble then anything. Just let go of the kite (release to safety) it only takes a fraction of a second to get into trouble and get hurt bad. Trying to fly the kite in reverse(i.e. pull left and the kite goes right) is not something you want to try if you get in trouble. You will be able to do this in time. Ill do it when im in the water as water is more forgiving then solid earth. I would never do it on land. i always release to safety.

3 You DONT want to learn in "nuking" winds. Again you are just asking for trouble. Also it much easier to get yanked out of your board. Learn in lighter winds. Its much easier. It also lets you work the kite more to make power, i.e more kite flying skils which you will need.

Im sorry that i have to come on here and rip people but , come on, use common sence. Safety first.
Dont tell a newb to go out in high wind,or hooked in with no safty, or to try and fly the kite backwards. THATS HOW PEOPLE GET HURT.

neilsolaris - 29-3-2009 at 03:40 AM

Hi snobdr,

Thanks for your concern for my safety. Obviously I can't tell which comments are sensible or not because I am a newbie after all! However I have no doubt they were all well intended, and I appreciate people spending the time to help me. Particularly the comments clarifying where I should be looking when landboarding I found very useful, so thanks for that.

Bladerunner - 29-3-2009 at 09:17 AM

I think this is what I said. You tend to go where you look. After many hours of flying you can do it by feel. Then start riding.
Big winds ARE good for learning. Light wind is a pain.
Be vigilant about gusts. ( I think in a further message I mentioned changing kite size. 0Buy a harness and only use it to rest at 1st. ( I did mention I have a safety release on my handles but doubt I'll get to it to avoid lofting ? )
Learn what it feels like to find yourself backwards and on your butt with the kite in the sky.
I have had 6 lessons and DO think of safety. You sound like a sane individual so I didn't give you the safety lecture. There are plenty of opininons on the net. Be carefull what you take in and try to verify it. I am sure you are aware that the best way to learn is lessons.

You can learn to toss the handles every time you get close to trouble or you can learn how to fly the kite out of bad situations. The people I look up to have taught me to fly my way out of trouble.

I'll send you a U2U with links to good sites for beginers if you can't get lessons.

I'm not surprised you are feeling the strain. Remember it's a good pain !

Just have fun and try to treat your fellow kiters with respect



OH...... I get it now ......... If you look back in the for sale section you will see that Snob' had an issue with people on the forum and decided to try and attack me verbally ! He has a history of acting like this!:singing:

HEY Snob' My 16m Naish is SOLD :wee:

Consider the source !!!!

snobdr - 30-3-2009 at 08:35 AM

Quote:
"OH...... I get it now ......... If you look back in the for sale section you will see that Snob' had an issue with people on the forum and decided to try and attack me verbally ! He has a history of acting like this!

HEY Snob' My 16m Naish is SOLD "



This has nothing at all to do with me selling my kite on this forum. So why even bring it up.

This is about giving someone idiotic advice. Are you trying to get someone hurt? Blade are you the poster child for what NOT to do in kiting.


Quote:
"Actually nuking winds are kind of cool for learning



A beginner should NEVER be flying in "Nuking" wind


Quote:
"Keep the kite at 12 O'clock as you step on and be prepared to jump back off if a big gust hits. Once you are on the board just rock the kite a tiny bit to one side and you should start rolling that direction"



Thats the worst thing you could do in high winds. Any big gust will most likely loft you. Dont worry about jumping off the board if a gust hits, you most likely will be yanked out of it and into the air. You DO NOT want to keep the kite over your head for any amout of time. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN HIGH WIND. The safest place to have the kite is low at the edge of the window. If a big gust does hit you are better being drug across the ground, not lofted into the air and slammed down to the ground.

Remember you are on a mountain board. Theres not much resistance to over come. If you have enuff wind to fly the kite you have enuff to ride. You may not stay upwind but you dont need NUKING winds.


Quote:
"The trick learning in big wind is to make TINY motions with the kite and be ever vigilant toward gusts. "



Anyone who has flown a smaller kite in high wind knows they are a handfull. The kite is all over the sky. YEA thats an easy way to learn. One wrong move with the kite can quickly put it into the power zone. Even a 3M kite in high wind has ALOT of power. It can and will take you off your feet.
Oh and be vigilant towards gusts. HES A BEGINNER!!!! He dosent have a feel for it yet. It only takes one time of being lofted and slammed down to get hurt.


neilsolaris if you dont have anywhere to get lessons, maybe buy a video. There are some good instructional ones out there for kite mountain boarding. The only thing i would be vigilant of is some of the information from this board. And again feel free to U2U me or contact me for info.

Bladerunner - 16-4-2009 at 01:38 PM

WadoGal - 16-4-2009 at 02:06 PM

Hey neilsolaris,

Here's a thought when you decide to purchase a harness and spreader bar. I just picked up a Slingshot Surefire spreader bar and have been using it with my fixed bridle kites (with strop) for a few flights now. The Surefire has a hook attachment that filps up and releases the kite when you hit the quick release button. You can still push in and out like a regular spreader bar, but there is that quick, no load option to release as well. It comes with a leash built in, but I just removed it (one screw) for simplicity. I've seen them going for $100 or so online. It is a bit pricey, but nice to have the peace of mind just in case I can't recover from a mistake!

Now I'm by no means an expert and I haven't put this piece of equipment through the paces yet, but so far so good!