Forums > Kitesurfing Tasmania

First Time Flying My Kite

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Created by fifis101 > 9 months ago, 20 Oct 2018
fifis101
TAS, 11 posts
20 Oct 2018 6:59PM
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I got myself a secondhand Liquid Force Envy 12m & board sent down from Brissy.
I took the kite down to the beach for the first time this arvo. The plan was to just get the kite in the air to make sure everything was in order. Annoyingly the wind was very hit and miss. One minute there wasn't enough to get the kite in the air, then next I'd get a gust and be dragged down the beach! It was definitely an effort to keep it in the air. I played around with the depower a bit. Low power made it fly poorly but high power got me airborne!
I know it's not ideal to fly a kite on the beach but I really just wanted to check everything out first before I got out in the water.
It was a great learning experience & the amount of sand I ate made me appreciate the kites power . Really looking forward to getting into this new sport.

fifis101
TAS, 11 posts
21 Oct 2018 4:19PM
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OK, just got back from my second time flying the kite. This time I did some body dragging in the water. The water is definitely more forgiving than the hard sand but doesn't make relaunches quite as easy.

I was still struggling to keep the kite in the air. Especially after it got wet. It really seemed like it wanted to sit down at 9 o'clock or 3 o'clock then stall & fall backwards. The same thing happened at 12 o'clock. Would go right up overhead then stall.

One theory is that I didn't have it pumped up enough because once it got wet and cold it did seem to fold on itself when I crashed it. It was definitely not holding its shape well enough. I was definitely able to hold it up at 45 & walk up the beach before it got wet.

Anyway it's all part of the early stages. Next time will be attempting some controlled body drags across wind.

fifis101
TAS, 11 posts
22 Oct 2018 8:40AM
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Another observation I just remembered was that when I first launched the kite & was going reasonably well, the wind was coming inshore 45deg to the beach. Then after while it changed to coming straight down the beach after coming over land, so this could have been another factor in my kites performance.

fifis101
TAS, 11 posts
24 Oct 2018 10:06AM
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Ok so last night I did what I should have done before I flew the kite and that is check the line lengths. I'm not 100% sure on the design of this kite but as far as I know modern kites have the centre lines and steering lines at the same length at full power and bar pulled in. My centre lines were a much much longer than the steering lines. This confirms why the kite kept wanting to go past the edge of the wind window and stall. Looks like who ever replaced the depower line last has put one on about 200mm too long, so that when in the full power position the centre lines are about 100m longer than the steering lines. I have marked the new full power position on the depower line and will test out the kite again to confirm this the issue before cutting this extra off the line and refixing the stopper ball..

Richoa
NSW, 478 posts
25 Oct 2018 8:24AM
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Select to expand quote
fifis101 said..
Ok so last night I did what I should have done before I flew the kite and that is check the line lengths. I'm not 100% sure on the design of this kite but as far as I know modern kites have the centre lines and steering lines at the same length at full power and bar pulled in. My centre lines were a much much longer than the steering lines. This confirms why the kite kept wanting to go past the edge of the wind window and stall. Looks like who ever replaced the depower line last has put one on about 200mm too long, so that when in the full power position the centre lines are about 100m longer than the steering lines. I have marked the new full power position on the depower line and will test out the kite again to confirm this the issue before cutting this extra off the line and refixing the stopper ball..


Just get some pigtails with adjustment knots in them to lengthen the steering lines rather than cut center lines I would of thought better option.

fifis101
TAS, 11 posts
25 Oct 2018 1:34PM
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Select to expand quote
Richoa said..

fifis101 said..
Ok so last night I did what I should have done before I flew the kite and that is check the line lengths. I'm not 100% sure on the design of this kite but as far as I know modern kites have the centre lines and steering lines at the same length at full power and bar pulled in. My centre lines were a much much longer than the steering lines. This confirms why the kite kept wanting to go past the edge of the wind window and stall. Looks like who ever replaced the depower line last has put one on about 200mm too long, so that when in the full power position the centre lines are about 100m longer than the steering lines. I have marked the new full power position on the depower line and will test out the kite again to confirm this the issue before cutting this extra off the line and refixing the stopper ball..



Just get some pigtails with adjustment knots in them to lengthen the steering lines rather than cut center lines I would of thought better option.


Yeah that is another idea and thanks for the suggestion. The depower line on my bar in particular is super long and has far more adjustment than can practically be used. I only have to move the stopper ball up the line a bit and it'll all be good. I most likely won't cut the extra off until I'm 100% sure I don't need it.

Spitfire
WA, 394 posts
18 Nov 2018 2:08PM
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How did you get on? Still alive?

funkyllama
TAS, 308 posts
25 Nov 2018 10:02PM
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Select to expand quote
Spitfire said..
How did you get on? Still alive?



Am wondering if fifis101 is still alive too!!

It can be frustrating getting a kite to fly as a beginner if the settings aren't right out of the bag. I learnt a lot about bridles and line lengths as a beginner tweaking my old GK Sonics. I would have saved hours by getting some lessons hooked up.

Just remember Tassie conditions can be very unforgiving. Our sea breeze season is very short, and most our winds can be brutally gusty which make it difficult just starting out. Best of luck with it, if you can find a kite buddy life will be so much easier!y

fifis101
TAS, 11 posts
17 Dec 2018 10:42AM
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Hi guys, yes I'm still alive hahaha! but unfortunately I haven't been able to get the kite out since the last time. This is going to be a very long learning curve for me as I have very little free time with my young family. I also have many hobbies too! Fishing is my number 1 and the main reason to bought the kite was to have something to do when then weather isn't ideal for fishing! I hope I can get out again soon. I do plan on finding a kite buddy but I will try and get a few more solo sessions in to get to know my kite.



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"First Time Flying My Kite" started by fifis101