I took the plunge.....living in Nhulunbuy brings its own set of kiting issues, namely stingers that can seriously hurt and big bitey things that can seriously kill. Then of course the hot gutless wind.
So a Flysurfer Speed4 Lotus 21 was the choice. And what a kite.....8-9 knots and carving upwind on a TT. Upwind on a surfboard in 6-7 knots. Wow....
And after the learning curve associated with making sure all lines in the bridle were in the correct order comes the realization that the kite is a pig to pack down in anything over 10 knots. All those fine lines that need to be stowed safely and securely inside the canopy so its not a dogs breakfast next time unpacked.
So what is the secret to packing it down in anything less than 10 minutes. The canopy stays inflated and you end up rolling it up and having to do it very slowly to allow the air to dump through the weave of the fabric. I've watched the YouTube videos and followed the instructions. There's actually a YouTube video that shows you can do it in less than 3 minutes but it's a smaller kite and done in less wind.
Any guidance appreciated.
Landing with help or solo?
When it's on the ground, lay it out in line with the wind... I'm sure you got that by now.
At the tip, fold back a couple of feet and put sand on it. Open the dump valve(s?)...
Wander off for a drink or somthing... it takes time, you can't avoid it.
You can speed it up some by folding it in half - keeping it low, drag the downwind tip over the kite to the folded upwind tip. Shake the sand off the upwind tip, fold under the downwind tip and add some sand to the pair of them. It'll empty faster, but still not quickly 
Roll up the two tips and keep stuffing the bridle inside as you roll...
One thing I do different to the Gunnar video is when finished rolling up the lines, I throw the bar across the center of the kite to the LE and tidy the bridles to that point. Then roll...
Means you can wash the bar with the kite packed down.
When setting up, throw the bar over the center to the TE and unwind. Gently jiggle the bridles to untangle and give them a once over before wyou launch.
I can count on one hand the number of times I've launched and the bridles have knotted. It's not a huge deal.
Thanks Kamikuza.
Landing solo. Pull the steering lines hard, allow the kite to back down to the sand then pull the qr. Flip flop.
Yes, laid out in line with the wind, sand on wind tip, dump valves open etc. That bit's all good. Bridle lines, mixer and bar lines all good now. I leave the bar attached with about 1m of loose line so I can pop it on the outside of the bag and wash it off.
I do fold it in half already as per your suggestion but I start the pack down straight away. Guess I need to chill for a while. Recover.
Keep em coming...
Once the kites is secure and the flaps open, I toddle off and collect my gear etc to kill time while the kite deflates...
I backstall land too, but hand-over-hand up the lines to the kite until I can grab a tip... kinda like para gliders do. I'm not fond of releasing to safety....
Have to be careful to keep the same tension in the front and rear lines, but you can always let go one side and flag the kite. Saves tangles I reckon. Not easy though, can be hard work when the wind is up.
Had my Lotus 4 21M for 5 months. 4 th Flysurfer I have owned.
Do do all that u are currently doing. Get yourself a 4 inch round piece of PVC pipe about 4 feet long. When you start rolling the kite roll it over the pipe. Helps to get all the air out. When done just slide the pipe out and finish packing.
14
Have had my S3 21 for 3 years plus and I use the same technique as Kami. I often pack down straight away though after landing & opening the release flaps - I find the last couple of metres of rolling the hardest as the air collects at the end. Probably a 10 min job all in.
By by the way have any of you S4 21 Lotus owners also ridden an S3 21? Am keen to know if there is much difference. Have ridden an S4 18 and felt the S3 21 still had heaps more grunt. Thanks
Yeah I can tell you have only packed it down a few times. The trick I find is to start with the tips together upwind obviously. For me it's the black/white join on the LE and the start of the gold material on the TE. Cannot stress how important it is to start wing tips precisely together. This ensures the dump valves will both be functioning correctly with the last meter to roll up. makes it soo much easier, I hated packing up the kite intil about the 20th time. Now it's only takes slightly longer than my 14m inflato. Hell of a lot faster to get into the air though ;)
Congratulations ! Welcome to the dark side :). I do exactly what Kami described - if you let the wind deflate the kite for you, it's much easier to roll up. I find you can be very casual about bridle lines - just stuff them inside as you roll, they always shake out just fine. No need to be very careful.
Sand bags are the shizzle, if you can leave them in situ while you ride. Less mess than kicking sand on the kite and they hold better...
... out of interest JohhnyMC, where are you kiting in Gove, just wondering is all?
Robbie 
Puetz, middle beach on a NE and N, east woodys on E and NE, the port opposite Customs near the jetty on S, SE and E. That's it so far.
Atm there's a resident croc at east woodys so have to be careful. But the tidal lagoon at woodys is flat water and big enough on a N
Select to expand quoteJohnyMc said..
Puetz, middle beach on a NE and N, east woodys on E and NE, the port opposite Customs near the jetty on S, SE and E. That's it so far.
Atm there's a resident croc at east woodys so have to be careful. But the tidal lagoon at woodys is flat water and big enough on a N
... cool as. A couple of the Darwin crew are moving there so you won't be alone.
Cheers,
Robbie
Select to expand quotejamesperth said..
Congratulations ! Welcome to the dark side :). I do exactly what Kami described - if you let the wind deflate the kite for you, it's much easier to roll up. I find you can be very casual about bridle lines - just stuff them inside as you roll, they always shake out just fine. No need to be very careful.
Are you the FS rep in the west now?
Select to expand quoteJohnyMc said..
Cool
My number is 0422 979 130
Pass it on
... nice one, will do!
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..jamesperth said..
Congratulations ! Welcome to the dark side :). I do exactly what Kami described - if you let the wind deflate the kite for you, it's much easier to roll up. I find you can be very casual about bridle lines - just stuff them inside as you roll, they always shake out just fine. No need to be very careful.
Are you the FS rep in the west now?
Thats the plan ! I have a business name registered, website is finished and stock about to be ordered. I am really excited about launching it - you'll see more in due course.
Good to know... The guy here is nice but they gouge you in prices here. And you speak English
Hey. I heard that Flysurfer might be participating in Kitestock next Feb. Would be good to see some foil powered air-style thrown down. Maybe they need a "longest hangtime" competiton.... Any volunteers ?
flysurfer will have a demo at kitestock, good imo freshens things up a bit from the normal brands , had a beer with youngy and spoke about kite choice for his perth to Exmouth, pretty natural choice for reliability and wind ranges, would be good to see some different brands at kitestock at affordable prices
Select to expand quotePuetz said..
... A couple of the Darwin crew are moving there so you won't be alone.
Cheers,
Robbie
Who's moving Robbie?
Hey Kami + Perth Crew,
Christmas came early - my Flysurfer shipment arrived today incl Speed 4 Lotus all sizes
Should be getting some reviews up in the next week or so, wind depending.
All details on specialistkiteboarding.com
Merry Xmas !
Select to expand quotehigh as a kite said..Puetz said..
... A couple of the Darwin crew are moving there so you won't be alone.
Cheers,
Robbie
Who's moving Robbie?
... you didn't meet them but one of the gang sailed his cat over to Gove and his missus got posted there (police), so,,, johnnymc, its not what you know, its who ya know!!! 
I have an old FS Titan, it was fitted with a zip on the top skin of the canopy . Pig of a kite, but a breeze to pack up .Consider fitting a zip
