I notice very few kiters will bother to assist a fellow kiter landing a foil kite onto the beach, perhaps because they are unsure how to. A friend who flies foils and loves them(as I did), comments that other kiters don't put themselves out to assist with landing especially in stronger windier days.
So here's how:
Catch the kite fabric at the wingtip end (not the lines), simply step towards the kiter to loosen line tension and the kite will flag out downwind of you. Either sand up the wingtip or wait for the kiter to release and come takeover the kite from you. Ask if unsure.
Most foil kiters don't need assistance, but please do assist.
you forgot to mention that you should roll it up from the up wind wing tip and then gently place it in the bin.
I was against Flysurfers for long time but now I'm slowly getting to a point that I realize I'm sick of pumping, deflating and finding an air leak in the struts.
I don't wanna pay $2000/year to upgrade my kites.
I want a kite which lasts more than 2 years and IF Flysurfers were a little less ripoff my next kite would definitely be a psycho 4.
$2850 for a 12m??!?!??!!!!
Hey Guys,
I think you'll find that there is a lot more work in building a Flysurfer or any other quality depowerable foil and the work is more intricate and fiddly when compared to an inflatable, not to mention they use twice as much cloth as there are two skins.
The actual foil shaping of a Flysurfer or any decent depowerable foil is so much more aerodynamically superior to the rudimentary aerodynamic design of an inflatable and I think the modern design dynamics that goes into designs like the new Psycho 4 has to be respected whether you ride them or not. I'm not a fan myself, but I can appreciate and respect them for what they are.
Just look at the bridle to start with and then consider all the internal sewing of all the ribs and such. Personally I'm not a huge believer in Foil kites for water kiting but many are, and it is pretty obvious as to why they are so much more expensive.
For land kiting on grass or snow, then foils like the Ozones or Flysurfers are unbeatable for sheer usability. No pumping, no pump required, easy setup, easy relaunch, no valves, no leaks, easier to repair with stickyback, lighter, more compact, more forgiving in gusty winds and simply crazy hangtime in the right hands in the snow.
It's all good!
I think that Kitehard might have forgotten to mention Peter Lynn's foils also...
I've flown PL Venoms since starting kiting back in 2005 & can't complain. Sure, others don't rate them, but for ease of launch & landing alone, they make kiting enjoyable. They are considerably cheaper than Flysurfers without the hassles of the bridles.
I like the big, floaty jumps I get from my 13m & 10m Venoms & would strongly encourage anyone who hasn't tried them to give them a go before bagging them.
The new PL Synergy's are a significant improvement on the Venoms, with a seriously improved turning speed & boosting ability. I've only managed to fly a Synergy 12 once, but it was enough to know my next kite(s) will be PL Synergy's rather than going all inflato instead.
And before anyone shoots me down, I'm not selling PL's...I just think they are damn fine kites.
Juddy
this thread and subsequent jokes should take the heat off the griffin thread for a while .Ah the fun and games of winter
Don't know a lot about foils but my mate flies one and its got painted handprints on the LE. I thought that that was where to grab it. That's what i've been doing anyway..
OK / I may get a ribbing here, which I will not reply to as I do sell Flysurfer kites . BUT , It is annoying on the beach when it is blowing 25 to 27 knots & NO one will come over to assist in the landing of a Flysurfer kite . I sail at Cotton Tree / Maroochydore so many who read this will know me but I continuously assist in launching & putting down of kites / retrieve boards for fellow kiters in the bar & on the weekend had to body drag a pump up kite through the bar mouth back to the beach for a fellow femal sailor . Yet no body will offer to assist in the landing of foils .
You know fellows all you have to do , as JT pointed out, is to grab the front of the wing tip / immediately put it on the sand & STAND on it or sand it down .
Due to the safty required in kiting , we should all help each other whether it is on the water or on the beach / should not matter which sort of kite you choose to use / simply go out their & enjoy your selves .
Jeff R.
Ive just moved across to the foils from inflatables, and I am really enjoying the characteristics of the kites. Im an average kiter that enjoys the surf and low end flat water tricks - and with regards to the majority of kiters skill levels I think it would be hard to tell the difference between the two if you ever get that chance to give both a go.
The only thing that is difficult with a foil is landing in strong winds, light winds no issue but anything in the upper 30% of its wind range and its advantageous to have someone to assist. Putting a kite on the edge of the window and dropping to the leading edge just isnt an option.
As with all kites if you are going to assist - stay upwind and take instructions from the kiter if unsure. The guys have already mentioned the correct methods of landing the kites.
I would like to think that Kiteboarding is a sport that attracts people who are different; for the mainstream folks there are lot's of more accepted options to choose from.
What I can't reconcile is the level of narrow mindedness that seems to prevail already, and the sport hasn't even really been fully established. If a kite looks different to the norm it gets questioned.
I'm just pleased that there are and always will be individuals who dare to be different. If there weren't, we would still be flying the first and original style kite ever made. Only, we really wouldn't be, because they would be too hard to fly, and too unsafe.
It's called evolution. You don't have to seek it but don't put the pioneers down who do. Without them none of us would be out there.
Just because something has many followers does not make it the best choice. It only makes it a popular choice. History is full of examples of that, VHS/Beta, IBM/Mac, Blackberry/PocketPC/iPhone. First to market is a big driver, but it's not the criteria for a good choice.
My 2 cents worth, now I'll get off the soap box.
Have fun out there, share the joy and help one another! It's all good!
Thanks jt737 for pointing this out and for giving a brief explanation.
I also find that in the 30% higher end of the wind range, it is much appreciated to have someone to assist rather than going to safety, and as you said, it is rare for a person to help unless we insist, walk towards him/her, and ask + explain.
I can understand that if people don't know "how to", they would rather not help and avoid the risk of making a mess, or make a full of themselves. Quite often, I find that people try to avoid looking at you so they are not being asked to help with this type of kite they don't know too much... no big deal most of the time but this is a bit of an issue in extrem conditions such as the strong gusty NW winds we sometimes get during winter in NSW... when you become overpowered and there are fellow kiters around on the beach, you could expect to get prompt help. Prompt help is generally offered for tubes, but it is just a little bit less true for foils... hopefully it will improve.
cheers
Jacques
From the P/L manual
Launching with a helper
Launching with a helper is better than a self launch when the surface is rough (like
rocks or dirty beaches) or when you want to launch from a different location than here the kite was pre-inflated, for example if you wish to stand in the water before launching.
With the kite inflated as much as possible, the helper grabs both tips firmly, holding the sticks close together.
Make sure your lines are at 45 degrees, fully tensioned.
The helper holds the tips parallel to the ground, with the leading edge towards the edge of the wind.
When you are ready to launch, signal to your helper.
Note: make sure the helper waits until the kite takes its shape before releasing the
second tip, as letting go before the kite takes its shape can result in very dangerous situations!
The helper now first has to release the tip on top.
Keep your rear lines slightly tensioned. The kite will take its shape and the tip that
was just released wants to fly off.
At this moment the helper lets go of the other tip.
Keep your rear lines slightly tensioned until the kite has completely filled up with
air.
Landing with a helper
Fly your kite all the way to the edge of the wind window, and slowly steer it down to the ground.
A helper can then grab the spar closest to the ground.
Run forward to release the tension on your lines and the kite will flap in the wind.
The helper now lays the kite on the ground and secures the tip with some sand.
Check out the instructional pics for assisted launch/land at:http://www.peterlynnkiteboarding.com/pdf/tsman08.pdf
Cracks me up how biased people are about foils, most of which have never even used one. I learnt on a C kite and then switched to a Peter Lyn , never looked back.
Now that I have a Synergy Ive got all the advantages of the foils and the speed I needed. Also why get someone to land a foil just pull the safty and it will land itself.
You really don't need someone to help you land a PL kite, (just hold the leash and unhook, or hold one of the back lines and unhook etc). Basically though, if someone helps you, your lines are tidier. Everybody likes tidy lines!
Also; KH is very right - those Flysurfers are precision german engineering! They really are designed to milk efficiency out of the wind, and that means they need exact design and cutting. That's why they cost a lot, and also why they go upwind in nothing.
Good one Waveslave........
As I said most foil kiters don't ned help to launch or land just like most inflatable kiters, but it's safer for all especially when the wind conditions are stronger. Please don't forget that most kiting injuries occur on the beach, so do the right thing and offer to assist.
We're all part of the same sport no matter what we choose to fly. That foil kiter might well be the only person close by when you need help.
Waveslave,
Rather than your usual trite anti-foil, hate everything BS it's time you admit you have erectile problems of your own - maybe a kiter as old as you might want to try Viagra or Cialis...
With all the proposed bans from the public mainly regarding close encounters with kites why wouldnt you land somesone's doona?
Putting a doona down to rest is easier than an inflato.... grab the bottom of the kite run towards the guy, throw it on the ground when all the lines are slack and throw some sand on the kite, no flipping required. I'm happy not to land a doona flyer's kite that doesnt help out on the beach, but I'm yet to find one.
I don't care what you fly but if you want a launch on our beaches its the 10 second rule. After 10 seconds I'm letting go(5 seconds for mates). As for landing we all prefer our lines neat and kites without cuts.
I flew foils for years and I never had any trouble getting people to catch my kites.
Most kiters have enough sense to grab fabric and hang on. It is kind of funny watching them try to turn a foil over to sit it LE down.
You can self-land a foil at the edge of the window and flag it out. It just takes practise. It's not as easy as self-landing a tube but it is doable.
