Hello all, I've been flying Prism stunt kites for a few years now including a Snapshot 2.5 which is their largest "power foil" stunt kite. I was really enjoying it, but thinking it would be fun to have even more power and maybe be able to landboard or kite ski.

After doing some research, I bought a Prism Tensor 4.2 on ebay and took it out over the weekend to give it a try. I thought the conditions were pretty ideal, because it was a day with consistent light wind and no one around. I thought flying it would be very similar to the Snapshot 2.5 only with more power, but it was not, I found it to be quite different. I was flying it in "bar mode" versus handles, and had a bit of a challenge getting the technique down to turn the kite. When it got into the wind window, it *really* pulls. The brake is great, but in heavier wind I don't know how that power would be manageable.

After about 10 minutes I concluded I was in over my head and could use some help. It's not like there's a local "Kite Teacher", so I was wondering what resources people use to figure out how to fly this thing well and safely?

Anyone else transition from stunt power foils into traction kites and if so, what are the technique differences?

Would love to get to the point where I'm getting pulled by the kite on a landboard or something, but don't know the best learning path to get there.

Thanks for humoring a noob.

Might want to specify your approximate location... there might be a "Kite Teacher" near you

In the meantime:

• Choosing Your First Kite
  
  
• Traction Kiting 101: Your First time Out with a Four-Line Kite- A learn to fly kite tutorial.
  
  
• Traction Kiting 102: Your Next Flights with a Four-Line Kite

ATB,
Sam

What Sam posted ↑↑↑

... and give it a go on the handles for more control.

Welcome to the PKF forum, who's members possess the knowledge of the universe, and they know a lot about power kiting also

Its been a long time since I have flown the tensor but if memory serves me correct it needed a adjustment when on the bar. Seems like the brake lines were to long or tight?? sorry I dont remember exactly. I think they were too long .. thus making it difficult to turn quickly.

Might be a good thing to ask others who fly that on a normal basis to see if they needed the adjustment or not

I would echo what everyone else has said about starting with handles. You can learn a lot more flying control with them. Switch to a bar when you are ready to jumb on a board though.

otherwise the links posted by indigo_wolf will serve you well + get on youtube and see what videos you can find.

A UK shop - Powerkiteshop - produce a good DVD which covers everything you need to know to start flying and get going with various types of kite powered transport

http://www.powerkiteshop.com/accessories/videodvdpowerkiting... - they will ship worldwide.

Quote: Originally posted by DAKITEZ

Its been a long time since I have flown the tensor but if memory serves me correct it needed a adjustment when on the bar. Seems like the brake lines were to long or tight?? sorry I dont remember exactly. I think they were too long .. thus making it difficult to turn quickly. Might be a good thing to ask others who fly that on a normal basis to see if they needed the adjustment or not

My 5 meter tensor's lines started out too long on the brake. I'd suggest flying at the 3rd not from the end on the brake, and adjusting the harness to have less pull for starting out. Happy to take pictures to show you what I mean if you need/want them

If you've been flying the snapshot as a two line, I suggest you take the handles and lines from your tensor and fly the Snapshot 2.5 in four line mode with the convertible bar configured as quad handles. It will give you the right feel to transition back to the tensor with the same configuration.

The snapshot 2.5 is a great kite to transition into four line flying.

Another very informative sight is www.kitesurfingschool.org .

A small change in size makes a big difference when it comes to the smaller sized foils. It is logical that you will feel much more power with the Tensor.

Part of the game is to get a complete feeling for the wind window. The stronger the wind the less you want to dive into the power zone. Notice how the power is at minimum when the kite sits at the edge of the window. At some point you will want to fly so powered up that you won't want to / be able to send the kite low through the window without being sent downwind. Scudding or riding.

Practice figure 8s up high at 1st. Work the kite along the edge down your left and right side . It's cool to see how it will sit there just like at zenith + helps control. Stand / sit around and try to keep the kite calm on the edge without even looking at it. Think more about " controlling " the kite rather than " flying " it. Beginners always seem to want to fly the kite all over the place before they have even mastered controlling it on the edge of the window.

I agree that you should just go straight to flying with handles. You maaay like the bar for ATB but for fun flying and learning handles are best.

Great bunch of folks here who want to help out so don't be shy with questions.

I can exactly relate to you. My first kiting passion was stunt kites, and I primarily flew Prism stuff. I have an E2 and E3. I got the Stylus P2 as a super fast and easy "throw the lines out and fly" kite. I loved the pull that little thing generated, so I bought a proper power kite, the Tensor 5.0. I took the kite out on the first day and it scared the poo out of me. I flew it on the bar several times at first, but one day on a strong wind I switched it to handles. I don't know about the smaller sizes of the Tensor, but the 5.0 needs the whole sky to turn around on the bar. Handles make all the difference. With handles on my 5.0, I can almost spin it in place like a Rev. Try the handles, you will be able to have so much more control over the kite by adding just a touch of brakes on the side that you are turning.

Also, you might want to look into a nice used harness with a pulley spreader bar. That way you can have fun all day on the handles without getting worn out. I can only fly unhooked for a half hour or so before I need to put the kite down for a break, but on a harness I can and have literally flown from sun up to sun down.

I've flown that tensor a bunch and I bet I know whats going on. Coming from stunt kites, I had a tendency to really strive for fast, precision flying. Most newish folks have a tendency to try to fly power kites the same way. Regardless of whether you fly on bars or handles, if the kite goes fast through the center of the window, it'll pull REALLY hard. I even have a 1.7m that pulled me off my feet when I flew it fast through the window.

Just slow down the kite by making very small movements with the bar/handles and keeping the nose mostly pointed into the wind and high above you. Practice slowly going from 11:00 to 12:00 to 1:00 to 12:00, etc. If that doesn't do it, the tensor's bridle could be out of whack from the previous owner.

You just need more practice. It is really that simple. Definitely swap the bar into handle mode and try flying it that way. I used to be very scared and cautious with my Tensor, but now I throw it around the sky like it is one of my little stunt kites. I have just had a lot of practice on it over the years, and I know how it reacts to changes in the wind, and what it can and cannot do. Don't get discouraged by the strength of the kite right away. Flying a proper sized kite for the wind through the window will drag you 6-10 feet. That is a new feeling that you will have to get used to. I hardly like flying kites anymore that don't drag me all over the place. I haven't taken one of my rigid frame kites out of the bag in over a year now.

so do any of us no where this guys lives because I live in the BAY AREA specifically SF and am more then willing to help and introduce people to proper static flying.