K took my 8 meter out in 20mph today and launched enjoying some snowkiting for a while. Then the same weather that closed I-25 hit me. 30 gusting to 50 came out of no where and lofted me a good 10 feet. Thought to myself "cool!" so I kept going, and about 5 mins later I stopped to take a brake only then did I realize the wind had increased signifigantly, so I looked back to make sure a storm wasnt coming in and I accidently did something stupid that launched the kite and it dug the toe edge of my board in doing some type of modified accidental pit jump. 20 feet of air later I found myself about 60 feet away from where I started.....and about 2 feet infront of a goalpost. :o I dont think I have ever packed up my kite that fast. so here I am (still alive) about 20 mins later.

Anyone else have any kitemares?

Me! Nope its all been smooth sailing........aj

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30 gusting to 50 came out of no where and lofted me a good 10 feet. Thought to myself "cool!" so I kept going,

Might have been a good sign to stop immediately at that point. I mean, an 8m in 30 let alone in conditions with that difference in velocity...that is fatality weather!

Quote:

the wind had increased signifigantly

So it went over 50???

Glad to hear that you're all right...in the future, don't do it...live to kite another day!

...and too think when I saw Kitemare, I was thinking you tried manlifting...

Stay safe!

Thank the snow for me not doing man lifting. It was just too cold and like 12" of snow so my friend stayed inside. And with the increase I didnt notice it so much as the wind was already fairly gusty, so I assumed it was just getting more frequent, and I turned down wind a bit to spill the speed. Then i just kinda got used to it. If it makes anyone feel better i had KS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s just dont do me much good 20 feet up. A depower would have been ok, could have lowered myself down....got some $ for christmas/b-day so im looking at an arc. And yeah it was kinda dumb, went up to the local park after with my 3 and a sled...and was still overpowered. I mean duh its like 50! :P was kinda funny tho cuz when there were gusts you could just sit in the sled and get pushed without anything. :smug:

Went to the beach this morning for low tide and an advertised 10 kt west wind (over land heading out off shore). Turned out to be 4-5kts gusting to I-don't know-what. In the winter here we take what we get and work with it. Launched the PL Reactor 8.3m. Had some nice runs on a north/ south beach but really lumpy, snatchy winds. Winds built over time and I got lofted, flipped the buggy and landed on my side then my back and smacked the hard-pack sand with my head (with a good Giro bike helmet).

Took my helmet off after securing the kite and noticed it was fractured clean through with only the plastic shell holding it together. So I am out a helmet but very grateful for the sacrifice.

Sorry to hear about the helmet.....but thats what they are there for. And thats what duct tape is for...jk jk
I would rather loose $50 splitting my bucket then lose $5000 splitting my skull. Not to mention the ouchieness!!! I assume you were harnessed into the bug? I am looking at doing just cruising...should I harness in or just go strait?

No harness to the bug. I was dragged out sideways and up and I think that's what flipped it. I would not strap in unless I planned to jump with the bug, and that is a whole other arena with great buggy skills required and full body armor. Look at Zloty's pics.

Yeah I was just curious, so no harness to the buggy unless you are going to do freestyle?

No harness with freestyle either, which in my mind means 2-wheel, 180's, 360's etc. Sometimes I can even do them on purpose ;-). One of the veterans here can correct me.

Angus, I thought about you yesterday. I was fighting the NW wind yesterday trying to get my camper back north. I went by Brunswick about 2:30 and I guess the wind was gusting over 25 out by the interstate. I was hoping you were making use of the wind with something small and manageable.

I was sitting at a desk in JAX :-(

My vision is a lot better than reality huh? I hate it when priorities get in the way of priorities.

welcome to the club, you now have special training and dexterity many don't.

may the force be with you!

Oh wow, and I thought it meant I was a dreamer. Your explanation sounds much better!