I would actually or with the help of people I trust and by doing research on my own just like I did with kiting or snowboarding or motocross or any other sport I've done. Really though the point is mute considering I've already gotten up and am riding. Do me a favor though read through all 14 pages first before you decide to comment. I can tell you didn't just by your post. I don't mind the criticism but at least read though everything.doublerumandcoke wrote:So you think you might be a fast learner.
Taking 14 pages of Replies on a topic before you finally back down doesn't seem fast.
You'll be bored with a trainer kite 5 minutes after you grasp how to control it. So spend it on lessons or a helmet !
Living on a popular kite spot we witness hideous accidents every year from those who think they know. Putting bones back that are sticking out through shins is not fun ! For either side.
Put it this way.
WOULD YOU TEACH YOURSELF TO PARACHUTE ??
DRC
Hey hey now I'm only respecting the power of the kite and wind. Now that I somewhat understand how to get up on plane I can give it more. As far as moving the my hands closer to the center I can try that. You couldn't be more right as to what happened when I fell though. I tried moving the kite up from the water and over corrected. I have been sheeting the bar in and out more to keep balance then to control going up wind and or slowing myself down. I can try that next time. I'm not sure what you mean though by moving my back lines up one. I know your talking about the knots just not sure which direction your talking. I have them on the last knot right now. On the kite it's labeled normal and then one knot up is light wind. So should I use the light wind setup?jbdc wrote:Looking good! But your quasi-instructor is right; that's a pretty wimpy power-stroke.
Try to move your hands closer to the middle of the bar. In the video, your left hand is preventing you from making a tight turn at the top of the window to dive the kite. Similarly, before falling it looks like you were trying to make a small correction to turn the kite up off the water a bit, but accidentally sent it straight up. Putting your hands in the middle will help prevent over corrections like this.
In the same vein, for a few sessions consider moving your rear-line attachment points one spot forward to increase bar pressure if your kite has the option. Like moving your hands to the middle of the bar, it reduces your leverage and increases the force required to turn the kite--which is a good thing when you're learning; you don't want every little unintended movement translated into a turn on the kite. Deliberate actions are the order of the day. Your forearms will complain, but you'll have a better feeling for your kite, even when you switch back to the lighter setting.
Tautologies has some good advice on going upwind. Coming from a sailing and windsurfing background, my instinct was to point as high upwind as possible as soon as I got up on plane. I'm much better now about building board speed first; but I still catch myself losing speed when I try to point too far to windward. And that's trick to going upwind: finding the balance between pointing to windward to control your speed and bearing off to maintain it.
The next time you're in a situation where you're thinking, "HOLY SHIT, I'M OVERPOWERED AND GOING WAY TOO FAST!!!" instead of turning the kite to the zenith to lose speed and get back into control, let the bar out, drop the kite closer to the water, and edge hard upwind. You'll be going scary fast for the first few seconds, but soon your speed will taper-off and you'll be able to raise the kite, sheet-in and reduce your edge pressure. At this point, change direction, and marvel at your upwind progress.
That sucks. I'd get in touch with the Method trainer guys. Even if flying in overpowered conditions, the kite should hold together.redman333 wrote:...I did figure out why my trainer kite is not flying right. The internal channel dividers are torn on a couple spots. It looks like there are about 3" circle holes that are in each divider that even out the force between the channels. Well a couple of them are now torn all the way down the kite. That's why it's flying strange...