Hi all,
Recently i bought my first kite a caution 10m. I took it out for the first time last saturday just to practise some body dragging and get used to the kite. It flew like a dream and was very stable, just sat above me when i wanted it to.
Yesterday i took it out for the second time and it was completey different. The kite kept trying to falll out fo the sky, fly to windward of me (above my head) wouldn't stay still and was just generally being a bitch to keep up . Both times were at Mullaloo Beach in the exact same spot. Saturday was about 15-20knots SW and yesterday was about 15-20 from the south. I did change the lines over from a short bar to a longer bar inbetween my 2 outings but made sure all the lines were exactly the same as they were before (ie. same length etc) so i believe i have eliminated this as a problem.
I was thinking maybe the struts might not have been pumped up enough? could this cause the problem?
any suggestions on what could be the problem would be appreciated
cheers

What time were you out? The wind early yesterday was crap and full of holes and didnt improve to well after 5 pm this sounds more like a wind prob to me

Hi I have been using Mullaloo and nore recently Pinnaroo and found similar turbulance from the dunes etc.
My questuion though is regarding all the advice that suggests to never have your kite at 12 o'clock. Are some kites safer at 12 o'clock?
When walking shamefully back up the beach, I have tried keeping the kite on both sides (land and sea) at the edge of the window and have found neither to be easy to control. The land side obviously has turbulance but find that my Naish Aero(I) 10m is very happy and predicatable at 12 and lofts are largely controlable (seat harness prob helps as well) much more so than with the kite over the sea. Also when walking up the beach plenty of "experts" come in and cramp the airspace forcing you to fly the kite over land to give them a clear show off zone in front of there mates in the shallows. Hey who cares if everyone elses safety is compromised as long as I look cool...
This was a real problem yesterday with one rider (sponsored apperently) who was pulling REALLY stupid stunts all day - like lofting himself about on the beach about 2 mtrs into the air, over a friends head lightly kicking him on the melon as he flew over him for a laugh. Stupid enough on a crowded beach as is, but considering a beginner at "flying the kite on the beach stage" was VERY close well...
As far as I know even the best "expert" can't simultaniously fly somebody else's kite (now that would be clever) and so can only be in control half of the dangerous situation that they are creating.
Anybody else agree?


Getfunky

Hey thanks Ian,
I have treid heaps to stay away from 12 but as you say assesing the situation is the go.
I really do find the kite much more predictable AND controlable at 12 O'clock (depowered of course) when at Pinnaroo, but will try the alternative when at other areas (still learning so sticking to 2 spots so far).
Does this vary widly with kites or is the 12 O'clock stability pretty standard in mid-aspect kites?
Cheers,


Getfunky

LouD
problem solved!
it definately was the conditions that was making it fidgity.
wnt out on saturday and everything was perfect! except for the fact that when i changed the lines over i made one about 5cm too long so the bar had a constant angle hehe whoops
all fixed now though!
will be getting extensions soon.
Thanks for the offer of help LouD I had a lesson with Rob on saturday and we had a quick chat about ya coz he thought it was you that i bought it from apparently you 2 and another guy all started out about the same time.