28m Monkey Kite
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 6:19 pm
Yesterday I got a first ride on my 28m Monkey Kite. It was increadible. I have to say that before I took it out it is a little scary because you don't know what will happen. Every small gust scars you if the kite might be too big. But this all changed once the kite is in the air.
Now to the point. I'm 190lb (85kg) and was riding a 136 Gaastra sky pro, and sometimes a Litewave 158. I have no windmeter and therefore I cannot tell much about the current wind speed. My friend told me that it was maybe 12kn. Winds were pretty stable.
Here some pics:
No center strut
Extra valve on the tip of the leading edge to get the air out.
The kite felt very comfortable and never scary. In my opinion you have much more control in light winds with this beast, than in bigger winds on a small kite.
It turned really fast and easy. Easier than my 16.6 BT (2002). I used a North Skepter Bar on 27m lines. In the beginning I even didn't notice that I left the bar on the 50cm setting from my last session on a 12m. It was so easy turning. the kite was very stable in the air.
I dropped it twice, but this had nothing to do with the kite, only stupid jumps from me. The first time the kite fell downwind of me, but already on its back, relaunch was really easy. The second time it it fell in the leading edge and I couldn't manage to flip it over.
Getting the air out of the kite takes a while, even with the 2 valves, pumping up was not that bad, I might look for a cheap electronic pump, but its not necessary. A problem was to flip the kite on the beach. I'm 185 cm. I was able to do it on my one, but it was really a pain, with 2 people its pretty easy.
It was such smooth and easy riding, one of my best sessions ever. Cannot tell much about the windrange, though.
Now to the point. I'm 190lb (85kg) and was riding a 136 Gaastra sky pro, and sometimes a Litewave 158. I have no windmeter and therefore I cannot tell much about the current wind speed. My friend told me that it was maybe 12kn. Winds were pretty stable.
Here some pics:
No center strut
Extra valve on the tip of the leading edge to get the air out.
The kite felt very comfortable and never scary. In my opinion you have much more control in light winds with this beast, than in bigger winds on a small kite.
It turned really fast and easy. Easier than my 16.6 BT (2002). I used a North Skepter Bar on 27m lines. In the beginning I even didn't notice that I left the bar on the 50cm setting from my last session on a 12m. It was so easy turning. the kite was very stable in the air.
I dropped it twice, but this had nothing to do with the kite, only stupid jumps from me. The first time the kite fell downwind of me, but already on its back, relaunch was really easy. The second time it it fell in the leading edge and I couldn't manage to flip it over.
Getting the air out of the kite takes a while, even with the 2 valves, pumping up was not that bad, I might look for a cheap electronic pump, but its not necessary. A problem was to flip the kite on the beach. I'm 185 cm. I was able to do it on my one, but it was really a pain, with 2 people its pretty easy.
It was such smooth and easy riding, one of my best sessions ever. Cannot tell much about the windrange, though.
