Power kites - what kite have you got?

domcq

Hi all,

I'm hoping that there are lots of avid power kiters out there like me.

I'll start the ball rolling (or kite flying, whichever you prefer ): I have a 4 metre Radsail - a super agile kite with plenty of lift in good conditions. Bought it on e-Bay & have it about 4 years and i've just about mastered pendulum jumps (They're getting bigger!).

Kite mostly in the open area around the papal cross in the Phoneix Park.

I'd like to limit this thread to land based kites (No kitesurfers allowed!), though its' something i'd love to get into.

jkl

I use a 9m Ocean Rodeo Bronco - love this kite,
Just getting the hang of using this with thelandboard


My missus uses a Varc something-or-other, the kites kind of a reclaimed mess, more repairs than kite, but she flies, and does the business.

The oceans just for people afraid of hard ground.

theo4130

i fly a 3m radsail, i used to have a good bit of kitesurfing gear and a mountainboard but i sold it cause it was too much stuff, nd i didnt get to use it as often as i would have liked.
anyway, i love flying my small kite now,

domcq

My old French housemate (who got me into kiting) had a 3 m radsail. They're a really nimble kite in high wind - plenty of poke!

Another of my friends bought a 6 m Crossfire recently which was a real dissapointment. Loads of power, but all as its being launched and really difficult to turn in the middle of the window. It also collapses quite often at the edge of the window. Only really any use in low winds. That siad I have only flown it a few times and was too frustrated with it to persevere .

Makes me appreciate my Radsail all the more!

domcq

A 9 m kite jkl - have you done jumps with it? I'd imagine it has the potential to really hurt you it gets to lift off...

jkl

In lowish winds they're grand, high winds you've got a lot of time to plan your landings.

They're great for landboarding.

domcq

When you say you've lots of time to plan you're landings - Is this time spent in something of a panic or is it more a floaty happy time!? Also, is the Ocean Rodeo 9m a kite surfing kite - does it have an inflatable bladder?

I'm considering getting something arond the 9m mark. Was thinking of a flexifoil blade but they're very pricey. I wonder how a 9 m surf kite would perform for jumps etc. on land.

I'm planning on getting into kitesurfing so it could be a good way of getting a feel for the kite before hitting the water.

jkl

wether is panic or happy all depends on how confident you are

It does have a bladder, i find it fine, easy to use.

Supposedly the blade is excellent, well worth the money, but i dont know first hand.

domcq

Sounds like the kite for me. Did you buy it new?

jkl

No, i'm too poor for that, picked it up on adverts.ie

If you want to try it i'd be more than happy to head out and meet you.

domcq

That'd be great - I'd really appreciate it.

My mobile is down at the moment but I hope to have it up and running again soon. I'll PM you with my mobile number when it's working again and perhaps we could meet in the park some evening.

Looking forward to seeing a 9m kite in action

jkl

i was out in the park today at the cross, but in a genius move i forgot my bar and lines. Used our little 2m kite with the missus for a bit.

Spotted a few other kites around. do many people head out there?

jkl

Just took out a new 5.5m Radsail Savage, completely different animal to the kite surfing kites, great fun, good lift

domcq

Just back from 2 weeks in Croatia. Brought my kite but the pebbley beaches were no good for kiting :rolleyes:.

I do see a few kiters around the park. I met a Polish couple one afternoon with 2 identical 6m kites. They got them in Argos. They had no brand name on them but the build quality and design looked very like Radsail.

I'm now chomping at the bit to buy a bigger kite. I'm sure your new Radsail is great JKL. Mine's a few years old now and still good as new - they're excellent quality.

jkl

i'm trying to get used to flying with handles instead of a bar now, so its been ... interesting, lots of stalling and unintentional jumping.

If you're headed out let me know, i'll bring along the 9m for you to use.

Snowie

I've got 3.0 radsails kite its awesome dragged my brother down the beach the other day :pac:......

domcq

The first power kite I everflew was a 3.o m radsail. My old French housemate had one and got me into it. In high winds the 3 m radsails can generate huge power :eek:

We took his out on a wet afternnon to the polo pitch in the Pheonix park. It was like an ice ring. With runners which has slippy soles we let the kite drag us upright (most of the time) all over the pitch .

I'm a big fan of Radsails.

Snowie

domcq wrote: »

The first power kite I everflew was a 3.o m radsail. My old French housemate had one and got me into it. In high winds the 3 m radsails can generate huge power :eek:

We took his out on a wet afternnon to the polo pitch in the Pheonix park. It was like an ice ring. With runners which has slippy soles we let the kite drag us upright (most of the time) all over the pitch .

I'm a big fan of Radsails.

for its sise its a pretty intense kite after about force 3 ive had it out in force 5 and well i had a long walk back to the car :pac:.


I only payed a 175 euros for it best buy I've ever had...

I've a mate who said oh I dont think brake lines should be on a kite :rolleyes:

domcq

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

for its sise its a pretty intense kite after about force 3 ive had it out in force 5 and well i had a long walk back to the car :pac:.


I only payed a 175 euros for it best buy I've ever had...

I've a mate who said oh I dont think brake lines should be on a kite :rolleyes:

I haven't used a kite without brake lines ever - how would you park it!?

Snowie

domcq wrote: »

I haven't used a kite without brake lines ever - how would you park it!?

fly it into the wind.

bigaid1

i am considering buying a second hand kite for a bit of craic on the beach. don't want to spend a fortune because i don't want a dear garage ornament. can anyone give me any advice or tips

what size
what brand
best location
how to stop

jkl

You'll get a goods small kite 2-3m second hand for not too much money, ebay / kitingireland etc are good places to pick them up.

T-Maxx

bigaid1 wrote: »

i am considering buying a second hand kite for a bit of craic on the beach. don't want to spend a fortune because i don't want a dear garage ornament. can anyone give me any advice or tips

what size
what brand
best location
how to stop

www.racekites.com

paddy l

got a beamer 3m kite. it's good fun and i got a land board too. only started using both together this year. men are not supposed to multi task but i eventually i broke that barrier!!!

looking for a good 2nd hand kite buggy now. any suggestions where to find one??

domcq

I've seen the odd one on e-Bay.

Was watching some guys Kite Surfing in Rosses Point Sligo last wknd - it looks grrrrrreat!

Apologies jkl for not taking you up on the test fly of your 9m yet. The Dublin Marathon has left me with so little time.

Once it's over, I'm 100% back in the busom of wind power.....

T-Maxx

My HQ Beamer III 3m ready-to-fly is still up for grabs - €80 plus postage. If anyone is interested PM me and I'll send you the link to the advert (which contains pics).

collegebear

I have a 2.5m Bullet. Class little thing, great for speed and the craic.
Also i have a 6.5m Blade. Love using this with a board or my friends buggy.
Do my flying on the curragh planes. Great spot for open stretches. Plus its right off the N7 exit 12. Got a few guys up here that do be out. Unfortantley im down in IT Carlow, so i haven't found any where to fly about. Sucks!!

Randyaster

Ive Just bought a HQ BeamerIII 4m Kite, have had a bit of fun with it, but just havent had the chance to take it out in a good bit of wind.

Shiny

Just got a Beamer IV (4 meter). Took it out into 35km winds yesterday. (Bad move)

Randyaster

I feel your pain shiny, I took mine out yesterday too. I'm new to all this and while in light winds I could control the kite almost perfectly I got cocky and thought I'd be fine. That kite with those winds and my lack of knowledge tought me a big lesson. Practice makes perfect.

Shiny

Randyaster wrote: »

I feel your pain shiny, I took mine out yesterday too. I'm new to all this and while in light winds I could control the kite almost perfectly I got cocky and thought I'd be fine. That kite with those winds and my lack of knowledge tought me a big lesson. Practice makes perfect.

hehe, where did you go? I saw someone slapping them selves yesterday
on Dollymount strand with a blue kite I think.

Randyaster

No I wasn't on dollymount, I was in a big park in Leixlip. There was nobody around really other than a few dog walkers. I was going to head out to dollymount but I was worried about being flown out to sea, which would of happened. I'll get used to the kite before I go out where people can see me.

KoNiT

I've a beemer III 3.6, didn't take it our yesterday.. had it out today, very light wind.. lulls you into a false sense of security when the big wind is on!!

Simius Puer

I've got a 3m Flexifoil Blade III which is has beautiful handling bit is a bit of a unpredicatable beast...apparantly the mark IV has got the power and handling right and I'm saving up for one

Also have a fixed-wing stacker for when the wind is just too much for a big kite.

Also flown Flexifoil Sting (fun but not as much fun as the traction kites), Rage (great handling but just not really fun...can't pinpoint why) and Blurr (fun). Tried a few af the beamers and the handling is just dire by comparison. Ozone on the other hand seemed pretty good but I didn't get to fly much (made a friend on the last day of a holiday in Cornwall).

Want to kitesurf but I've terrible vision without glasses/contacts so saving for laser surgery...how's that for dedication? lol

Any other flyers here based in Galway?

KoNiT

I'm in Mayo -

Might have seen you flying in Grattan Park / Salthill?

Simius Puer

Grattan Park is a little small. I normally fly at South Park (aka the bog) or on one of the beaches if the tideis right and there are not too many people around.

If you see a 3m black and silver Blade III (some guy in the area has the 4m one), often accompanied by a blue and white Sting that's most likely me.

Alyways happy to meet new people who fly or want to fly so if you see me feel free to pop over and say hi!

KoNiT

I'll do that - I'll let ya know the next time I'm up in Galway

domcq

Great to see there are so many kiters out and about.

I met an airline pilot for Aerlingus recently who built his own power kite (2m I think he said). He ordered the material over the internet from the states and stitched the whole thing up himself - I think he just set the bar for a kite enthusiast :eek:

Another good website for kites is this UK website
http://www.thewindfarm.co.uk/menu/mmenu/sportskites/index.html

Micky4103

Hi Guys,

My and my brother bought our first kites in 2000... a Blade II (3m) and a Blade I (4.9m).
we fly whenever we get the chance, at the start it was every weekend, but as time went by and moved to Ireland, it only happens about three times a year.
They are great fun, but u should always get a few lessons before your first flight. especially with the 4,9m in strong winds. I got two 1hr sessions from the shop owner when i bought my kites at (Wind & Surf in Monkstown, don't know if the shop is still open)

After getting used to the kites, I bought a buggy, cause i like the beach but not a big fan of getting wet in the weather here. Sandymount (south dublin) is a great spot for space, but unfortunately it gets very crowded when the weather is good. Silver strand (portmarnock) is a good spot as well, although i have never seen any other big kites about other than mine.

Highest jump was about 8ft high and 10ft long over a parked Toyota landcruiser. Longest slide (bare feet) was about 80ft, although i ended up with some bad cuts from sea shells and rocks etc. Never tried flying on hard ground, and sometimes these kites take no mercy.

Either way, its an awesome sport, my only recommendation is to always go in pairs, as then you can swap for rests, and help untangle the lines .

I tried different kite brands , but nothing compared to Flexifoil, and look forward to try the new flexifoil kites such as RAGE and BLURR or even the Blade V.

Regards,
Mick

amcalester

Hi All

Looking for a bit of advice here. I'm thinking of buying a kite for some land based fun. I've never done this kind of thing before and don't know anyone who has.

I've been looking at beginner kites and come up with the HQ Rush III 300 as a good place to start. Here's a link to the kite.

http://www.kiteshop.co.uk/xcart/kites/power-kites/2-line-power-kites/hq-rush-iii-300_p1479.html

What do you experienced kiters think? Is it a good place to start or are there better kites out there for similar money?

Thanks.

Randyaster

amcalester wrote: »

Hi All

Looking for a bit of advice here. I'm thinking of buying a kite for some land based fun. I've never done this kind of thing before and don't know anyone who has.

I've been looking at beginner kites and come up with the HQ Rush III 300 as a good place to start. Here's a link to the kite.

http://www.kiteshop.co.uk/xcart/kites/power-kites/2-line-power-kites/hq-rush-iii-300_p1479.html

What do you experienced kiters think? Is it a good place to start or are there better kites out there for similar money?

Thanks.

Hi there,
The first powerkite I bought was a HQ Beamer 4. I didnt have a clue how to use them but I bought it because the trainer kite was only €50 cheaper so I basically skipped the trainer kite in order to save money. I have been thrown across fields, dragged the length of 2 football pitches on my stomach and I've just generally taken a beating from that thing because I didnt bother with the trainer kite. I'm use to flying it now though but what I'd reccomend is try finding a second hand one first rather than splashing out on a brand spanker that way if you dont like it you havent lost out on much.

domcq

amcalester wrote: »

Hi All

Looking for a bit of advice here. I'm thinking of buying a kite for some land based fun. I've never done this kind of thing before and don't know anyone who has.

I've been looking at beginner kites and come up with the HQ Rush III 300 as a good place to start. Here's a link to the kite.

http://www.kiteshop.co.uk/xcart/kites/power-kites/2-line-power-kites/hq-rush-iii-300_p1479.html

What do you experienced kiters think? Is it a good place to start or are there better kites out there for similar money?

Thanks.

A two line kite of that size is probably a good place to start. I've never used a two line kite before so I'm not sure how they handle. The first kite I ever used was a 3 mtr Radsail 4 line kite. I know that with the brake lines you have alot of control over the kite (you can untwist the lines mid air very quickly).

Mybe somebody else on here can comment on control differences between 2 and 4 line kites. Personally, I love the Radsails and think a 3 mtr 4 line Radsail would be a good start (But I am biased as my current kite is 4 mtr Radsail).

Happy Kiting

domcq

Randyaster wrote: »

Hi there,
The first powerkite I bought was a HQ Beamer 4. I didnt have a clue how to use them but I bought it because the trainer kite was only €50 cheaper so I basically skipped the trainer kite in order to save money. I have been thrown across fields, dragged the length of 2 football pitches on my stomach and I've just generally taken a beating from that thing because I didnt bother with the trainer kite. I'm use to flying it now though but what I'd reccomend is try finding a second hand one first rather than splashing out on a brand spanker that way if you dont like it you havent lost out on much.

A friend of mine bought a 6m Beamer and had a similar experience. The traction on launching it pulls you off your feet and the control in the air is beyond a beginners experience. I've had my 4 mtr Radsail for a few years and had it out in all sorts and I was quite frightened by his Beamer.

He's since lost interest in kiting. If that had been my first kite I'd probably have tired of the grass burns too!

With that siad, I bought a buggy a few weeks ago and I'm going to try out his Beamer with it as the traction might be just what's needed - There's a kite for all occasions .