Leaderboard

Take a minute to look closer at the bridle before you hook it up. Make sure the matching sides are set to pull the same way. End cap connections pull from top or bottom (make sure both the same), bottom tips pull from inside, top of verticals pull from inside. And make sure as you assemble the kite to fly, you put both top vertical caps to the outside of the vertical rods. Definitely look for clean connections to the kite (those extra looped knots) and just check your lines too for being equal. Longer leaders will let you find a "neutral" in your setup. Ideally you want to balance your handles on one finger, no surge forward or backwards. It only goes when you tell it to. This will affect your ability to launch a bit. No longer flatfoot with just a little tug. You may need to add a step back into your launch sequence. May even have to remove the slack between you and the kite first. But the control you will gain in flying is impossible to describe. Suddenly you will have the ability to put that kite anywhere YOU want. Still requires practice, nothing is automatic. But you will give yourself all the advantages to succeed!

Wow ! What luck I never win anything, had been so busy prepping for the world record mega fly forgot there was a great prize package up for grabs, thanks to John for all his hard work, we’re very lucky to have him the Northwest, this kite will get well used. Thanks , Norvin Stanley (Stan)

I am most of the way there! Thanks to my beloved Kaela, a Keeshond, who left this to me when she passed several years ago along with many fond memories. I throw nothing away. 😥 😀 Since I posted my question I have discovered multiple posts regarding Dog Staking both on KiteLife as well as an interview with John on "kite-and-friends" and have seen the fabulous rig that John designed as well as its evolution. Thanks for the pictures and the video from Jeremy that were recently posted. Very inspiring! link to interview here: https://www.kite-and-friends.de/international/groundstake-kiting-with-john-barresi/ In the absence of being able to purchase a very rare piece of gear, I am “In Deep” with ideas to make a rig of my own, compelled to try the Dog Stake Experience! If I am successful I will share my design. I am trying to keep my project in reach of those who have access to common household machining tools, a drill press is the most advanced tool. And I am trying to keep the material cost below $100. One of my primary goals is to try this without causing damage to my lines. And of course, make something that works. It may not be pretty though. But at 60' and your kite flying right with you, you may just forget about how it looks... or forget about that it is there altogether. Thank you both for responding to my inquiry and I may have a few more questions as I proceed. Best Regards, Segel

in action if you want to see😁

drop all four flying line loops (from the kite end of the string) onto a well-placed stake or a carbiner affixed to a fence post. When you pull back the handles tightly, do all align perfectly? sight down the tops first, pulled tightly back towards your eye (like shooting an arrow), slowly give slack and the longer line will show itself. Adjust knots, or leaders, or flying lines, maybe switch positions of the flying lines. whatever you have to do! These handles when pulled back tight need to align perfectly. longer leaders (on top 200% to 300% on average) will tame the beast like a saddle and heal spurs to a wild pony in the paddock! Call flying smiles kites in NC and ask for some "hi-test bridle line" in a hundred pound strength from Cath/Eliot. In a couple of days you'll have an envelope in the mail to make the change. This change will make the kite WAIT for you to tell it what you want next ~ instead of you reactivating to what it wants to do all by itself affected by the wind.

Its about the folks who showed up. ✊

John, That Kymera video you linked was really helpful. I've always thought a guy could achieve more of a middle ground, with the tricking hand position closer to what is traditionally used for push turns and stuff. That's just the first time I've ever seen it done. Man, this forum has been so helpful. i've already learned a ton and I've only been here a week!