Kiteforum.com

Posted: **Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:28 am**

I think one of Waynepjh's video proof the point. Snowkite people are going to glide with unmaintained gear. And same will happen from if you are gliding 5ft from ground if steering line breaks and kite starts loose loop. Springtime with little snow and rocks underneath the outcome might be different.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfenWbpkKOg

About PG and sled - I think this looks fun [for a while].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ-0hHzPEO4

Here is the parakiter (the Finnish guy not the french inventor) with speedwing and using it as a kite.. He is not a paraglider and is self-learning. The video just shows going up-hill with short lines. So for a speedwing - how long lines would be "optimal" for both usage, climbing and gliding?

https://youtu.be/nc2Evj9kJ1E?t=1m48s

Posted: **Wed Mar 23, 2016 4:08 pm**

Hi,

It is not because you can fly with a kite, even if it works well, that it is done for this.
Everybody have a chiken loop on a kite, nobody have this system in paragliding...

Why?

Because it is a good thing to be abble to let the kite go, and it is not a good thing to be abble to loose your glider.
For the kite you accespt the risk to losse your kite, for paraglider you take the risk to be not abble to let it go even if you take a gust on the take off.

If in paragliders we need a 10G test or 12g test, there is a reason, it is because some people brake the paraglider in normal condition without this rule.

You can fly with a tube kite or foil kite, it will never change the problem that kites are not design for this.

You can drive your car without a safety belt, it will change nothing for driving...But a accident at 50km/h you are die
Have you an helmet when you are snowkiting?? why ...In case off

The same for the 10G test in paraglider, the same for the QR in kite, this systems have be done to make a good seccurity in this sports, the sports are different, the risks are differnents so the developpment and the security system are differnents.

Norbert

Posted: **Sat Mar 26, 2016 4:38 pm**

Its funny to see waterkiters comments on here. We regularly launch in front of obstacles and hazards. Ride behind trees and many things that waterkiters think it dangerous. Its normal for snowkiters. Charging down a hill on the ground has more consequences then a slow glide straight into the wind a few feet off the ground. The video you posted of me is a great example of what will happen. My kite in that video had over 300 sessions and i had never even thought of closely inspecting my kite. A kiter can put more than double the force on your lines riding straight across the wind as you can in a simple glide. In all my years of kiting the only failure ive had was the one in the video and i kite more than most people. I am curious about testing my older kite to failure. I think Peter frank tested line tension in varied ways. Any thoughts on a way to test a kite to failure?

Posted: **Sat Mar 26, 2016 6:06 pm**

waynepjh wrote:Its funny to see waterkiters comments on here. ...

OP decided to post in the Kitesurfing forum, not in the Snow / Land forum.

Apart, you've got a snowkite and PG designer posting here, who tells you what you are doing is way outside the range of a kite, and even his opinion seems to count little in your world. Why do you ask at all then?

Posted: **Sat Mar 26, 2016 6:31 pm**

plummet wrote:
waynepjh wrote: I fly with very special lines and a chicken loop back up.
Can you share your lines and chicken loop set up? What is special about the lines?

Posted: **Mon Mar 28, 2016 12:08 am**

Even if gliding is the ultimate feeling in snowkiting (at least for me), it's not the flight that is dangerous, it's the landing! After a sudden lift from gust, I got some seconds of gliding on my Spleene X19.
I have landed correct on an inclined face of the mountain, but my front edge of the snowboard got stuck in an ice shell so I flipped fast forward. I have managed to rotate my body during the fall, so I have landed hard on my back, head hitting the icy snow.
The ski helmet CASCO SP5.2 saved my life! I never go snowkiting without my helmet, and this time seems the habit saved my life.

As you can see in the attached picture, the hit was pretty violent, splitting the helmet.

I am alright, thanks to the helmet!

Stay safe and always wear a premium helmet when snowkiting!

P.S. On liquid water, I go strapless and I don't use a helmet

Lucian

Posted: **Wed Oct 12, 2016 2:43 pm**

av_dumitrascu wrote:Even if gliding is the ultimate feeling in snowkiting (at least for me), it's not the flight that is dangerous, it's the landing! After a sudden lift from gust, I got some seconds of gliding on my Spleene X19.
I have landed correct on an inclined face of the mountain, but my front edge of the snowboard got stuck in an ice shell so I flipped fast forward. I have managed to rotate my body during the fall, so I have landed hard on my back, head hitting the icy snow.
The ski helmet CASCO SP5.2 saved my life! I never go snowkiting without my helmet, and this time seems the habit saved my life.

As you can see in the attached picture, the hit was pretty violent, splitting the helmet.

I am alright, thanks to the helmet!

Stay safe and always wear a premium helmet when snowkiting!

P.S. On liquid water, I go strapless and I don't use a helmet

Lucian

Before i do any glides on my kite i ride around for a while getting a feel for the wind. I glide in about the same wind i would paraglide or speedfly in. Steady wind.
Think about the forces involved with tandem water kiting. Hanging underneath a kite does not generate near as much force as a water kiter riding across he wind. Kiting a speed wing up a hill to fly down is one of my favorite things to do but you have to be in the right spot with the right wind. Some hills are to small for a speed wing and gliding on a kite works great. Gliding is not to be taken lightly but can be done relatively safe if you stay close to the ground over soft snow. The stunts people are doing off buildings and such are way more dangerous. If i can glide down a low angle slope with no obstacles and steady wind staying less than 5 feet off the ground is that considered dangerous? Any more than skis on the ground charging down the hill with twice the speed and force on the lines?

Posted: **Wed Oct 12, 2016 3:51 pm**

All I can say is that I do respect the Snowkite riders who glide along big time!
Water kiting since 16 years plus reading here the list is huge of what can happen.

That's why I am not going to do it.

I hope ya all be safe out there!!!

Posted: **Wed Oct 12, 2016 7:44 pm**

Toby wrote:All I can say is that I do respect the Snowkite riders who glide along big time!
...

Yea -- me too ---
but since the death-rate for gliding on a water-kite off a mountain is so low ; i think
i'll keep my mouth shut about the dangers of that activity, from now on ...

The actual death-rate is nearly non existent ; isn't it ?

Bille

Posted: **Wed Oct 12, 2016 7:57 pm**

But the participation rate is also nearly non existent:)

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