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For anchoring into soil. (Not sandy soil) I use two spikes 18 to 24inches long. You can buy them for about $3 each at Home Depot or Lowe's in the masonry section near the rebar. Pound them into the ground at opposing angles. (Make an "X") your line goes around the intersection of the "X". If the anchor ever comes loose the spikes are likely not to get tied in the line and become a steel missile too. I also spray paint the ends with bright paint. This helps ppl from tripping on them too.

I like the dark one.

Both.

Dark with neon pink at LE and center instead of grey.

My vote is Dark. Would be curious to see how the purple POPS framed in black. Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app

Thanks. Now on to the mammoth task of deciding what I want to post up for the next Karma.

Light Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app

In a recent south texas beach visit, I decided to experiment with a home-made sand anchor on the big sled you see in my profile picture. Typically, I'll hold this kite down with a branded sand anchor (see attached picture) and then put another big kite (usually 75 foot octo) about 30 ft down wind with another. [note: both on #500 string]. Since I like to experiment, I made a homemade one out of ripstop and a few caribiners, and while having fun on the beach and not paying attention, the wind picked up....lifted the homemade anchor up, which dumped all the sand....which then flew it all into the octo 30 feet away which then proceeded to pull it ALL DOWN. The Sled landed over 100 yards away with the downed octo close by! SO, my advice when at the beach, don't wing it and go home made.... Buy one! ALL KITES AND LAUNDRY SURVIVED and unfortunately, no video of the event.

Depending on how often you can get out to fly, the time it takes to gain basic control of the kite, which means no more crashing, can be multiplied by three and that's about how long it will take until you can feel the changes that subtle adjustments make to how the kite flies. For some people that's three years; for others it's three weeks. It all depends on how much time you put in on the handles. Of course, some are "naturals" and it just clicks for them. For most folks who get out to fly frequently it takes about two seasons to get to the point where you understand the how and why of what makes it work. To put it simply, there are three stages of flying a kite, whether it is single, dual or quad line: 1. The kite flies you. 2. You fly the kite. 3. Both of you fly as one. Most people never get to the third stage, or only feel it briefly in certain circumstances when everything is ideal, including mindset. Watch videos of the pros flying. It's easy to see that they are somewhere else mentally and no longer have to think before making a move. It's difficult to explain, a Zen-like state that you will only understand when you've felt it. If you stay with it long enough it will happen, and the desire to have it happen again is what will keep you in kiting. It is an addiction to bliss.

This is what I use for anchoring my larger kites on grass. It is based on a design for holding aircraft down. Simple to make and the longer the spike you use the better the hold. And yes, I highly recommend gloves. Sent from my SM-G920W8 using KiteLife mobile app

That's what I do with my bigger SLKs... T