John Barresi

I think my next choice will be 3-wrap MID with 60' x 90# lines. The issue the the wake-free zones where the boat has to slow down... In that situation, I'm looking at a STD w/Race on 90#, but staying in the speed zone, a MID should be pure gravy. Now THAT is a funny story which I'm not ashamed to tell. So we're all packed up and I'm thinking we have my STD with the usual 30' x 50# street kit attached... We're on the boat and I'm unspooling (in S-pattern) my lines onto the floor and back of the boat so it unfurls smoothly and I'm thinking to myself... "Gee, there sure seems to be a lot of line here!" "Ah well, %#&$@ it." So we get it fairly well sorted out (lots of crossed fingers) and I go for the throw... It keeps going, and going, and going, then SPLASH!!!! Yep, went out about 60' and it hit the water with totally slack 90' lines. Hahahahahaha... Okay, think quick! My driver starts throttling back and forth at my command as I'm literally lunging back and forth in the boat, taking up slack and releasing as the water is moving my kite around 90 feet away, at one point I was 1/2 way off the back of the boat until my driver reversed our direction... At this point I can sort of see the "4-square" in the lines as they enter the water, so I'm wrangling this thing, trying to get it sorted while my kite is submerged for well over a minute... Then I realize I've got R/L handles switched and I sort that out... Now I have the right commands available, and 45 seconds of maneuvering got the kite to turn upright and breach the surface... Yes, amazingly, the kite stayed square to me the entire time (even when slack - amazing considering it hit the water upside down) and I was able to do an upright 2-tip drag as my driver increased the throttle a bit, I dropped the excess water, and voila... One loop to the right, no twists or tangles and I was off and running! Hoots, hollers and a bit of "WHO'S YOUR KITE DADDY" all around. LOL Yep, the kite gods were with me that day! == Next time, we'll likely go up as a pair (TK and I), launching on 60' x 90' off my usual dock... May have to get creative with sandbags to allow a smooth launch, or possibly a tricky launch while on the dock, then into the boat as it starts to move. == BEAR IN MIND: The Willamette River is quite slow near downtown PDX, doing this sort of flying is joke and a wrong move can easily toss you in the water, break your kite, lines or a myriad of other things... If you're going to try this, I really truly suggest starting on something like a golf cart or pickup truck at moderate speeds in a wide open area. Also, we're working around both public and private property so respect is PARAMOUNT... We started off with slow work, up and down the river a bit, simple control and mostly straight behind the boat so folks (particularly the Coast Guard, local Police and water authorities) could see what we're working with. Fortunately, there is only one electric line crossing where we flew (probably 75' overhead - only passed it once and I kept my kite in a stable hover down near the water) but your environment can present VERY real dangers... I don't suggest this sort of flying for a simple "yahoo" impulse, it should be taken very seriously - do your homework, scout the site, test and prove your abilities incrementally BEFORE you jump in. And please remember, the outcome affects a great many people, not just the flier(s) actually doing it. Courtesy, control and discretion. Average was probably around 12-14 mph, although we did top out around 25 mph... I kept telling our driver to slow down, as my 50# lines and Race frame were screaming at times, even on the edge of the window. Ehhhh... No.

It's always added later, although I have a few base tempos that I fly to (internally even without tunes), and my taste in music generally reflects that so there is a lot of synchronicity in my video editing.

Ya, upright or inverted, key is to apply pressure to your trailing brake line, compensating for the kite's tendency to turn when you pull the other wing for a slide... I say give 'er, try it hard and fast, try it gradual, get the whole range. Aye, perfect parallel requires more focus and control... Tipping the leading wing up is easier, gives it da ifferent style, and increases sail pressure (good for light wind).

I fly music most of the time when I'm solo, especially if I'm looking to throw down... One ear bud in for casual pairs or team.

Welcome to the forum. Take some care if you plan on crossing lines with folks... Blue Line is renowned for cutting itself in team flies, but the other premium brands are fairly compatible.

Awesome sauce is good on everything.

Hi Pen, sorry for the confusion (I understand why)... You want to post your "I'm in!" over here... http://kitelife.com/forum/topic/5427-karma/ I'll ask Rex to edit the lead post here so it's clearer as to where the drawing is, versus the summary here. Thanks, good luck!

Yep, master list supersedes.

AWESOME SAUCE Good luck to all, I think it'll be neat to watch this develop over time.

That's awesome. Can I play too (for stuff I'd want), if I'm willing to to make with the karma?

KIDDING

Nah, just boil it, like spaghetti.

Having spoken with Wayne about this earlier today, I think he said it has to do with pollen on the lines? Portland (Oregon) is in full bloom right now, and it wouldn't surprise me. :/ If I've got that right, anyone have tips for breaking down pollen residue?

#1101, good luck and thank you sir!

Right-o, got the list updated... Michael: put your chips on #1100. Thanks again for your patience!

If you buy from Amazon and would like to support KiteLife, please consider browsing from these links... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00170172M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00170172M&linkCode=as2&tag=kitelifemagaz-20 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A3US446/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00A3US446&linkCode=as2&tag=kitelifemagaz-20 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SBV5ZC/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003SBV5ZC&linkCode=as2&tag=kitelifemagaz-20

23 years of kiting seems like a long, long time. Thanks all, feeling the love!

50# = nearly zero drag, a bit more stretch, tangles easier if you don't mind your lines. 90# = slightly more line drag, no stretch, less prone to tangling due to thickness of the line. I like the immediacy of the 50#, direct connection with the kite. Anyone else?

For urban Rev kiting, I'm generally on 30' x 50# LaserPro Gold.

Paul has been working with ITW for no more than two years, first kites were made under the Focus Kites label before that business closed... As the designer, Paul is licensing to ITW now and it's pretty normal for only 2-3 new quality kites to be released each year, with at least a year of proofing and manufacturer pipeline work going into each one - also, both Paul and ITW are well known for their product standards and there is sometimes a hitch in the process - they simply won't sell a batch of kites if they're not right.

Just back from 11 days in Quebec, playing catch up on KiteLife and AKA email, forum and Facebook stuff first, then on to some real work (gotta pay the bills) but I wanted to take a moment just to express how much I appreciate y'all... On days like this, reading through the chats, exploration of kiting and friendly jousting amongst our members (subscriber or not) brings me a deep comfort - like I'm in the right place at the right time. Thanks for being yourselves, and for your unique positivities. Carry on, and don't pay this old sentimental kiteflier too much mind. (photo by my friend and iQuad teammate Steve de Rooy)

Hi Michael, thanks for your patience and support. Please bear with me a bit more, just back from 11 days in Quebec and I'm playing catch up today. I have to update the master list to determine your number, but I'll post back with it before the drawing at least. Really, thanks again - glad to see you receiving your share of loving abuse already, welcome to KiteLife!

We very rarely see any damage, just 5-10 minutes of untangling with giggles and comraderie all the way.