OK, Just wanted to share with anyone interested, that today I decided to not just fly the kite like the last couple of outings. But yes take the board out and go that next step.

All was good with the 14m up, flying around doing figure eights feeling the power before trying the board. OK grab board piece off piss lets go, then 2 heavy crashes and 1 ripped kite.

So wind picked up got out the 10m shes right mate fall off horse get back on. walked up the beach for a better angle. WOW plaining, this is a piece off piss then smack followed by a nice body drag. OH did I mention that body drag was across sand and lovely dry kelp every couple meters. Well that happened several times until, YES he's up for about 80m.

At least I survived and can still LOL about the whole experience and try again tomorrow. Although my leg is throbbing and bruised and I've got a head ache still from when I left the water.

For those still reading about my experience please reassure me you went through similiar. Please also explain what I'm doing wrong when I'd get going for about 20M then I'd sink, I couldn't stop the kite fom going to the edge of the wind window. Have I got the bar to vertical or horizontal?? It's at the right high I think but keeps coming round to the edge of the window.

It's a 4 line setup.

Anyhow any constructive suggestions appreciated. And yes I had lessons just not with board.

Cheers

Baster,
just keep doing, the only think tht matters now is time on the water: the more the better you'l go . And keep it safe.
Good luck.

Kites Airush Flows I'm getting in touch with Neil today from hold the line kite shop. apparently he's really good with repairs.

The perception of I'm an ex-windsurfer, I'll be right is totally wrong. I was windsurfing at a high level, but I feel that knowledge is only helping me with about 10% of my kiting.

I will persist and refuse to be beaten. But be assured I'm trying hard to keep it safe as possible.

The airush has 3 settings on the back lines pig tails. Slow, Medium and fast. Am I right in thinking slow would be best for learning. Wouldn't it reduce the kite from taking drastic turns and crashing.

On the same line of thought which of the 3 knots are best. I'm thinking I've goy it right but I t would be nice for others thoughts.

Cheers

we have all been there mate, it brings back memories when i was learning the guitar, breaking strings on heavy riffs.
go the Ozi and get back on that horse!
go big CUZ.

keep trying and when u start and dive your kite point ur board downwind..when u start moving push on ur back leg and u will start plaining..then remember to keep ur front leg striaght and ur back leg pushing constantly.

I think the 3 knots he may have been talking about are for moving the pigtail backwards and fowards along the tip batten.

I am not familiar with the kite but if you can move the pigtails backwards and fowards along 3 attachment points, keep it in the middle. if you want slower turns, move fowards, backwards for faster. personaly preferance really. the bar length effect turning speed aswell, so it's something you will have to experiment with.

A slow turning kite is good for unexpected pulling on the bar (eg while putting the board on) but if you want to corect the kite that has managed to scoot straight through the power zone, it will take longer. 6 of 1, half a dozen...etc. Also, working a kite on lighter days can be a real mission if the kite has been made to turn slow.

As for the 3 knots on each pig tail, the others have already explained their effect on kite power.

good luck, and if in doubt get an experienced kiter to have a look at what you got and help you land and launch a couple of times to adjust things. most of us a pretty friendly.

Get the Progression Beginner DVD.

Details all the basics up to jumping - Good Investment!

Blaster, I was where you are now not that long ago, frustrating time and I wasted a lot of good wind time. The best tip anyone can give you now is to pay an instructor for one more lesson, he will stand with you and he will point you in the right direction straight away and youll be upwind in no time. Mates, dvds and all that are great but a good instructor is best. Cheers

quote:

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Originally posted by junglist



Went through? Going through more like!

Sounds like we are at the same stage only I am having trouble controling the power of the kite. It was 25Kts+ today which is way the strongest I have been out on (13M kite) and it was onshore

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That sounds like either a very rangy kite or you were being way overpowered.

I'm researching kites at moment hoping that a good kite will make life easy for my progression, but all this talk of knots is confusing.

Junglist, do you have to play with knots to use your 13m in 25knots?