NEWBIES: Beware End of Season Wind

[windhorny]

thanks max, thats very nice of you to offer that and i know you always keep an eye out for people. i think it is one of those burden's you/we are forced to take on by living where you can see downed kiters :)


7 meter winds today!

[yojimbo]

Having just switched to a 13 m Waroo, after flying just c-kites for the last two seasons, I am just blown away at the wind range of bow kites.

This has been especially handy with the coming of the fall winds, where it can go from 5mph to 30mph in the blink of an eye.

I had previously used a 12m and 16m, I can now rely on my 13m. Although it is not ideal above 25 mph, I can at least hang on, and ride out the gusts.

I am super happy that I made the switch.

[KillaHz]

If you fly SS you are inluck, the front lines "y" at the bar so you can access both of them. Most other kites "y" up higher to give the kite more stability.

Yuri, I think it's actually the opposite. Most companies use the v straight from the depower strap. North has for some reason kept theirs way up the lines. Makes it hard to self land and I really don't think it gives the kite more stability.

[windhorny]

I self land almost everyday ikite and i have an easier time using the 5th line than i ever did with the upper front. but either works. but now that i think about it your right, most do "y" down low. north just went an extra step to maintain a specific geometrey that works really well for them. the closer that Y point is to the kite the less lateral play there is, to a certain point, then it starts to work against you stability wise. i found this to be one of the hardest adjustments to make when i was making powered paragliders.

[reyrivera]

Bumping this thread up as a heads up for new kiters this season. Bulldog hit this point right on the head.

[Loscocco]

Great advice again... i think this thread should be stickied every fall for the whole winter. I was just looking for it a few days ago to bump it back up also since Bulldog put it so well last season.
Now that we are past the summer patterns and into the knarly winter winds its time to head south!

[maxsteamer]

Hello Bulldog,

You have a big heart dude!! I remember your post from last year.. and I think this crazy sport is so lucky to have you aboard!!!!... always thinking of your fellow kiters is a real Pro in my mind. I pray that all new kiters read your words of wisdom, and stay onshore this winter and study the actions of the seasoned kiters. I have kited a few years now.. and I still ask my bro "Yuri" if he thinks it is safe for my butt to be out there.

This year alone, I have talked with 18 new kiters...I gave you all my number# so PLEASE!! CALL IT IF YOU KITE AT "SHELLGATE BEACH"- IN A STORM WIND!! IF YOU LEAVE YOUR NAME AND NUMBER COLOR OF YOUR KITE, TIME YOU WILL BE HERE?? WE WILL LOOK FOR YOU? OR CALL YOUR NUMBER,TO MAKE SURE YOU MADE IT BACK TO THE BEACH.

Max be with you " " if you call

[Bulldog]

This thread will no doubt come in handy next week during the off-the-charts October storm that they are currently forecasting.

This will be a winter storm similar to some of the January storms we've had the past few years. If you're not a seasoned storm kiter, do yourself a favor and stay on the beach!

[More Waves Please]

Great update, Paul. Anyone planning to come over to HMB also needs to realize that the forecasted SE winds are offshore at the primary launch. Not really a problem in the harbor since you're in a contained area, but that direction tends to put kiters into the moored boats and inner breakwater if it lulls out or if you're underpowered. There are a lot of boats out there right now, so please, please, please give them lots of room. We really don't need kites tangled up in sailboat rigging. The harbormaster keeps a close eye on us, and we don't want to give anyone a reason to think we're going to negatively impact other harbor users (especially ones who are paying rent to keep their boats there!).

If you haven't seen the coast in the last week or so, we have a serious red tide happening. The addition of the runoff from the first big rain of the year may mean that a full body condom is a good idea :)

[Bulldog]

I noticed that red tide last Sunday, but never heard about it happening in these parts (I'm from the East Coast originally, happens all the time there). Yuck.