Hey all, as the title states I finally got to take the next logical progression in my development as a power kiter. Details as follows:

I knew I was going to be headed for the SC/GA coast so what did I do? I got in touch with Angus of Coastal Wind Sports and arranged to get out on a buggy and learn to set-up and fly a depower kite. Angus chose a lovely beach on St. Simons Island where we met up. We only had a one afternoon window where we could make this happen and Angus was so gracious to accommodate all the scheduling issues. This however effectively meant we had to go with whatever the conditions were going to be that day. Unfortunately the winds were gusty, not consistent, and constantly changing direction. In fact, due to the poor winds, the buggy unfortunately was a no go. BUT, the day was salvaged and I did get to hook up to and fly a Phantom 18M.

Yep, I got to fly the "big boy." It was just like Angus said, a real "gentle giant." The good news was that even in spite of the horrible wind conditions I was able to move the kite around and handle it pretty well. As an extra added bonus I did not get the kite wet in the drink, nor did I hit any people or animals! Seriously, the winds were pretty tough, but I had an ear to ear grin.

I felt I had taken my FB kite handling skills as far as they could go so this was the next logical step. Since there is no one around me that is into power kiting I knew I needed some expert help with the depower learning curve. Angus was just great! If you happen to read this Angus thank you so much! This to me was a really huge milestone and I appreciate your help in the form of time, equipment, and instruction.

Well, I guess I need to start looking at sourcing a depower kite that will meet my needs. Prolly looking to decide between a big ole Phantom or something like a Montana. Two different animals I know, just not sure which would be most ideal for wind conditions that usually result in my Viper S 6.8 being my goto FB kite.

On a side note, the next day I was able to fly my 2M Hornet over on Jekyll Island. The only problem was that the wind was constant on shore at 25mph and oops, I had forgotten that I took the kite killers off that particular kite. I was well aware that if the kite got snatched out of my hands it was as good as gone into the nearby treeline along the beach. I managed to do some uphill scudding in aggressively treaded running shoes, did not loose the kite, and did not get hurt! Thanks to my hubby for taking awesome videos and photos of me in action, he did a great job! Scroll down for post with pic links.

Congrats AnnieO! Isn't Angus the most patient guy you ever met? Launching and flying such a large kite and realizing it isn't going to kill or maim you is a liberating experience for sure. Adding depower to your quiver will give you more options to match your conditions. Keep us posted.

Nice! I recently asked the same question about best noob arc and there is a thread on it here somewhere. But you can get a cheap used arc for really cheap on here (like < $500). I think there is even a phantom and a Guerilla on there now.

Post some vids / pics! I've found the easiest way is to upload to Flickr / YouTube then out a link in here. The other way is to reply and "add an attachment" but that way had size restrictions (and you can't do it in easy-mode).

That Angus is a good dude. Glad you had fun! NABX?

OK, here goes with some pics, fingers crossed...
First shot is flying the Phantom. Wind changed direction, now I'm out over the water headed to the edge of the window.
Second shot is me playing around with my 5M Blurr after getting plenty of time on the Phantom.
Last shot is next day over on Jekyll Island. "Look Ma, no kite killers." You can see how close the treeline is. Kite would have def been gone if I had let go!

Flying 18M Phantom to edge of window over the water

Flying 5M Blurr after finishing with Phantom

2M Hornet

:wee: A W E S O M E :wee:

Sorry you couldn't get out in the buggy, but there is always WBB/JIBE and/or both to look forward to. Seems like when you get a grin ear to ear it doesn't quite matter what you expected or didn't expect...a BIG SMILE is the way to go when your out having a fun time with your kites!

Look forward to seeing the pics and possibly meeting you at one of the events...Bonus that you got to experience with your hubby too.

Just remember who wants that Blurr when you don't want to fly FB's anymore... now that you have chosen the D'Arc side ;-)

Now I'm really laughing...Link takes you to a picture of you flying a box kite...You need to eat a little more AnnieO or a De-power will lift you away. :D

I'm still trying to figure out how to link the pics right, argh...
sorry for the technical issues.

Yes, due to my size I got some great air on that 2M Hornet. "Viewers don't try this at home!" Got a nice pic of that too. Anyway, all and all not bad for an "old lady." Wish I would have started this hobby a long time ago on knees that were a lot younger!

LINKS FIXED!

Quote:

Originally posted by AnnieO extra added bonus I did not get the kite wet in the drink

Well you're no kin to me...

Hey be careful hangin that kite stake off of you like that. Could lead to a nasty injury... :o

Did you see this?
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=24796

All the cool kids are flying Guerillas

Great post Annie,

I will use this as fodder to get my girlfriend to try kiting a little more seriously as she seems to think this is a "guys" sport. I think once she tries it she might surprise herself how much fun it is.

It can all look a little intimidating, but once you dive right it, its fun to learn and do!:wee:

Good luck with your PL twin skin! One of these days I will get one as well, but my next kite will definately be an HQ Matrixx. The D'Arc side will have to wait.

All the best!

Nice Annie! You need a full quiver of Arcs now!

@area429 maybe these will help! :singing:
Don't mean to brag but I am lucky both my sister and Kristin enjoy flying with us!
Ana is still a affraid of depower/buggy but we are getting there.

Don't tell Molly it's a guy's sport, I think she'll disagree. or worse stop riding with me.

Sweet post Annie!!!!

3 great things about your trip,... Love St Simons, love Jekyll Island,... And Angus is truly a great guy.

Congrats on the depower flight, I hope to get there one day too

Quote:

Originally posted by AnnieO I felt I had taken my FB kite handling skills as far as they could go so this was the next logical step.

I think we have all felt this way at one time or another, but then you ride with someone with mad skills and you might quickly realize you have not even scratched the surface. I know this has happened to me and honestly I know I have a long way to go. There is a list of riders that when I see them I am in amazement of their kite handling skills.

I say this not to put you down or take anything away from your de-power adventures. I love my de-powers as well But there is just something about a fixed bridle on handles in the buggy that de-powers cant match. So dont totally give up on fixed bridles. I'm afraid you may miss out on some great riding experiences. There is a time and place for each of them.

Is it that direct feel that the FB provides? Direct feel and precise power where with a depower kite sometimes it feels somewhat muted. Everytime I throw a trainer kite up or fly some old fixed bridle I always like the feel it has.

But then our crazy inland mountain wind gusts from 10mph up to 23mph then back to 8mph back to 15mph and I get back on my depower.:shocked2:

Good for you Annie for expanding your kite horizons and for doing it with such a great kite. For having the willingness to give something new a try and getting a taste of the arc goodness.

Did you wake up the next day thinkng about arcs?:embarrased:

I really appreciate all the input & support I have gotten on this forum. Dino, there is no way I would ever give up any of the FB kites in my quiver. FB kites are still my sweet spot, they are just way too much fun. I should have instead stated that my FB skills have gone as far as they can based on my access to good buggying areas, and access to more experienced pilots. No one here is into the spot at all, and nice hard-pack beaches are a long way away. In fact 3/4 of my time spent flying on St Simons and Jekyll were spent flying FB kites. I'll always be challenged and learn to be a better pilot by my gusty winds and the size of some of my kites

Feyd, I think we a similar in a lot of ways. I have excelled at a lot of sports in my past, some more extreme than others and some team oriented. Ski racing, MTB racing, and water skiing are prolly the ones most similar to your background. I'm much older now and can't be as aggressive and take as many chances as I once could. The problem is the desire is still there. Learning to fly an 18M Phantom satisfied the need to be challenged and learn something new in a spot I have really become endeared with. I consider myself fortunate that I can still do what I can. Power kiting has opened up new and fairly unbounded territory for me so the depower route was just one step further into power kiting territory. Yeah, I'd like to source a big 'ol Phantom, but it may take some time, but I really don't see that at my age I'll be looking to fill out a depower quiver but ya never know.

To touch on the fixed bridle issue, I'll say that I feel safer with the potential for having the right amount of power flying my Phantom IIs or Montanas. However, I'll also say that there is something special about a session where you have the right sized fb kite up and are well powered. The power is direct and a part of you much more with the fixed bridle.

Feyd, there is no way you could have a good session on a Vapor in those conditions. Maybe a Reactor II but still not the best time for you. You'd either be standing still or on your belly but always in fear of what its about to do to you.

"the problem is the desire is still there" no truer words have ever been spoken A. :D

After a few years of writing checks my body can't cash things are starting to catch up to me. Kites have opened up a whole new world to me, a world that I feel that I can perform at the level I want to on good days and on bad days I'm still pretty damn happy. I don't get those good days much in my other activities because repairs on my body at this point aren't just to fix what is damaged but more to get a little more time out of what is damaged.

But you're right and I feel extremely fortunate to be able to do anything let alone what I do. If you told me 12 yrs ago that my life would revolve around kites I would have thought you were crazy. Yet here I am in the kitchen with an inflated 13m Peter Lynn Fury installing 15 pigtails to various contact points on the kite. Never would have guessed.

I agree Bob, that's why I've never tried to get ahold of one. At the WISSA race I probably (definitely) could have used one because the winds were light and steady. Here at home I'd bee lucky to get a single day where it wouldn't be a fight to the death. Too bad, they look like beautiful kites and I've never heard a bad word about them.

You all bring a tear to my eye:bigok: