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First, Thank You @David Coffey for the opportunity to work with this fabric. 72" Mesh in the works for the first kite. First panel is sewn..

My pleasure. I get to fly it sometime.

Hi All, This question may be difficult to answer objectively since every kiters experience and skillset is unique, but all feedback is appreciated! I've been flying my dual line off and on seasonally for 2 years, mostly OFF because it's hard to find a location and weather that cooperates out here. I haven't managed to perform any tricks yet - but curious to know - About how long should/could it take for someone to learn the tricks and basics - assuming they practice regularly? My frustration is probably having a kite that requires stronger than normal winds to get going, so on only slightly breezy days, I can barely get the kite in the air. Would it be worth investing in an INDOOR or ultralight type but use it outdoors? In reviewing many videos etc - while the tricks are nice to watch I haven't found too many videos (ie, Dodd's videos are not bad) that CLEARLY show the kiters hand movements etc to be able to mimic on my own. Look forward to all your insights!

Traveler's tip... Use a little clear flex seal (spray and smooth over with cardboard or something) on the areas that will take the most abrasion... Just a fine smoothed layer of Flex Seal slightly rubberizes the fabric, and makes it much more durable, adds some water resistance as well.

Its finally happening! The extensive "Quad 101" orientation and roundtable discussion that I do at the start of every Quad Clinic is now going online, where pilots anywhere in the world can join in and participate - I've already had a 3 hour dry run on the webinar platform and it went GREAT with moderation, descriptions, demonstration and exploration. 12 spots open for this first one, gonna be fun and a fraction of what it usually costs to actually go to a clinic, do it from home! Registration link: https://us04web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4515858876563/WN_XhZ472DcQM6k5VgGm_gHkA

Follow up items, all related to this broader use of online video meetings... == == == == == == @frob: == == == == == == @DonFibonacci: == == == == == == @Yoyoing_p: == == == == == == @Jim Doman: == == == == == == Some COOL new stuff coming up very soon:

https://prismkites.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Dual-Line-Manual.pdf Basics for wind tuning, bridle tuning, finding the wind window, etc. Excellent for beginners https://prismkites.com/dual-line-trick-animations-prism-kites/ Every animation here shows you the hand maneuvers you speak of And of course, you can find Mark Reed's (Prism Kites) instruction on YouTube: They Include The basics for beginners to advanced, Then the Advanced method of taking the basics and strining them together. Finally, each trick gets broken down. Lastly, You already Mentioned Dodd Gross. He has good instruction, too. Be patient. Learn the basics moves. Learn to fly your line and the kite will follow. Be patient and don't rush. You will find that expert flyers are still great at basic push/pull turns for a reason. Once you master the subtle moves the rest is only limited by your imagination. That is why this is a lifetime sport. Reach out when you have questions. and we will help.

I still have Prism kites that are over 20 years old, and the only time I have ever broke them down was to remove broken spars. Most of the time, as the fabric changes from use, or age, or sun exposure, etc, etc, you will need to re-tension, but this is just part of the Zen that this sport brings each of us. Do what feels right. That's the beauty and magic of kiting. It is YOUR experience, and YOUR processes and procedures. Every step is part of the magic; from the way you fold/wrap/roll your kite, to the way you check your lines, or put your kite together or take it apart - do it your way and develop your own process and steps. Then share them with us! Either way, you won't really hurt your kite or sail or spars, so you do you!

Tried it out. I wouldn't be able to fit two of my rollup bags (OSK, 40" long by about 9" diameter) simply because the bag tapers toward the top, but I can fit one OSK plus my old smaller "quad bag" (13 kites, 3 extra frames, 3 handles, 7-9 linesets, etc). I added two throw pillows to simulate clothes. Everything fits without feeling tight: . . A bit, but not too bad. The flap on the upper front isn't an external pocket, it's just the "lid". There's a long side pocket and a hardshell compartment (for a cap or glove I guess). The side compartment still has at least 2" depth left when the bag's full. The cap compartment shares some space with the interior, but the hard lid leaves a lot of space too: . The biggest drawback is that I can't open up the entire length of the bag, so I'll have to pack things in from the bottom up. But overall I'm pleased. EDIT: I forgot I was going to ask - anyone know what that little hook is for (the one that's circled in red in the side pocket pic)?

5 spots filled for the first one already! Already scheduled it again for 1pm Sunday, in case folks can't make it for Saturday. https://us04web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U_D2dEFZS2uTYpCZebwnEg

Hi all, I lovingly stand behind the moderator's move to hide a few posts here earlier this morning , not "right and wrong", no injury and no foul but this forum is inherently based on non-divisive topics so let's keep this non kiting stuff very topical or impersonal, plenty of other suitable venues to debate and share opinions on non-kiting stuff. "Everybody love everybody." -- Jackie Moon

@DeltaLover75: you came to the right place to address all things kite related and you've been given good general advice...but to really help you we should know which kite you are flying and a bit about your locations where you fly... as to buying a lower wind kite, most of us would say what are you waiting for? you describe yourself as"not giving up", now let us help you to "pursue this hoby" i know what you mean by frustration trying to learn through internet videos...those are experts with the best kites for the trick they are doing at a place where the weather is perfect for the trick they are doing and so on. add to that by the time you get out to your flying field the info is gone from your head. learning from another kiter, possibly with his kites is probly the fastest way. if your skills are average you could maybe learn a trick in a session or 2 and go on to practice it from there. a couple of websites that have helped me are not videos at all but instead written descriptions of tricks and simple instructions. i copy a paragraph or so for each trick i'm going to attempt and take it to the field with me so i can refer to it as i practice. it works great...since i switched to this method ive learned several new tricks in a few months. now i can go back to youtube, watch a video of a trick that i can at least complete (although tying tricks together is another trick) and then look at how the experts hold their hands, move around, and so on. on the subject of skipping the basics and moving on to tricks i would say that its much more fun learning the basics as i practice the tricks...all the basics are there in the tricks after all. http://web.archive.org/web/20100827005812/http://seek2know.org.uk/kites/pjkites/kites%20notes%20compressed.pdf this url above will take you to Peter Massey's kite book skip to chapter 5 to learn the "easy-peasy" axel method http://web.archive.org/web/20131012053815/http://www.idemployee.id.tue.nl/p.j.f.peters/kites/basics/alphaidx.frm.html this url above will take you to the trick index good luck

My 1st kite was a Widow ng. Could be the kite or maybe I'm just special but I learned 3 tricks on it the very 1st day . Nose dive left, nose dive center and nose dive right. 2nd day I learned how to repair a broken LS.

Far too variable for a number like 17 hours, or even a number like 23 practice days or 200 hours of practice. Depends on the person, depends on what you mean by "the tricks and basics", depends on when they practice, how often they practice, the conditions during the practice, how long they practice, depends on if the practice is highly focused or casual, depends on what they are practicing, depends on the kites they are using, depends on more factors besides. Some have a natural order. You can't really learn to stall until you've got great control of the kite. Acrobatic tricks require the skills of not just control, but to recover the kite during a loss of control (which many tricks require, especially while learning). You can reach a level of basic control in anywhere from minutes to hours. You can be competent with several hours to several dozen hours (depending on all kinds of factors) but truly mastering it takes many hundred hours of practice in many varied conditions. For one person getting the first accomplishments may mean a weekend of intense training on the beach - - 20+ hours in ideal conditions with experts occasionally offering tips. For another, several years of 50+ one hour sessions going to a local park alone, unaided by anyone and with very limited self review or focus. Does that mean it takes a weekend or years? The kite you are flying also can make a difference. Some kites are better suited for precision and team flying, some kites are better suited to tricks and acrobatics, some kites can do both fairly well, some kites can do neither very well. Getting more time on the line is always a safe answer. No matter the skill, keep practicing it. The more you fly the more experience you gain, the more it will cement existing skills, and the easier new skills will come. I have found recording the session and critically reviewing it to be helpful. Find moments you succeeded, moments you nearly succeeded, moments you hesitated, moments you attempted something and failed spectacularly, and study every single one of them. Post links so others can also review it and offer suggestions. Meeting with another skilled pilot who can help you can be very helpful. Some people are better teachers than others. Track your progress. Make notes of how many hours you were flying, how long you worked on specific skills, the conditions, and assorted other notes. When sharing with others the answers may not be the ones you want, you may be told to practice basics and fundamentals when you want to practice more intense stuff, like someone being told to practice dribbling and passing a basketball when they only want to master a slam dunk. But no matter the sport, experts still have to practice the fundamentals and keep them sharp, from world-class athletes doing sessions passing the ball, Olympic medalist gymnasts still spend time focusing on handstands and handsprings. And pro kite fliers spend some of their flying time thinking about basics like ensuring their flight lines are straight and turning angles are perfect. Maybe. Different kites have different levels they can handle. If you have the budget to buy more expensive kites, or to fly indoor kites and potentially break them outdoors. Also, not all kites are suitable for all kinds of flying. A Pro Dancer is a great light wind kite for precision team formations, the Level One Badass is a great light wind kite for acrobatic tricks, both are great in very low winds but the two are far from interchangeable. Whether a purchase is worth it for you depends on you, your budget, and your interest. If you can reasonably afford it and your interest is strong enough, sure it is probably worth it for you. If you cannot reasonably afford it right now, wait. If you aren't sure your interest is strong enough for several hundred bucks in more kites, wait. A good way to answer is to determine if it is your or your kite. Is the kite you are using capable of the skill you are trying, or is it your own skill that is holding you back? Spending more money on better gear won't help you if you are unable to use it, and better gear is generally more expensive or time consuming to repair; in that case keep on the equipment you have now. However, if you've progressed to the point where you need better equipment, either because your current gear is unable to handle it or because the different equipment is better suited to the task, then get the equipment.

Well I've been flying for about 25 yrs and still don't know that many "tricks"....but then again that style of flying I have little interest in.....so it's all relative. However you should reword your query, as this seems to be a common occurrence....learn the basics and then tricks. I say this as it seems folks want to go from getting a kite in the air to doing all the fancy flip flapping they see the kite do in the online vid right away. Not saying this is the case here as that is all relative as well. The best "trick" I learnt was how to crash very gently ;). You didn't mention the kite (and lines) you are flying as different kites have their own idiosyncrasies.....but ya got it right in that one needs more kites!! bt

You also need to tune the kite to the wind by adjusting the bridle legs and standoffs. If you have an entry level kite that is not adjustable, that will also hinder your effort. Having two or three kites to cover wind conditions helps, but it is not a cure-all. Learn to stall the kite in any direction at any speed and in any part of the wind window. EVERY other trick you can do is based on the ability to stall the kite with precision.