NewbieFrank

Great music to accompany great flying. Loved it. Can't remember the last time I actually sat through an 8+ minute Youtube vid! Frank

Ditto. Enjoyed watching, but my heart was in my mouth the whole time. GRIN factor? More like terrified SWEAT factor. Frank

Had to look that one up using your Google search. The on-line images look exactly like a strop line, which I never heard of before. Thanks! For the time being I'm going to leave it intact as provided by the manufacturer until experience with the kite dictates what course of action would be best. Good to know its purpose in order to make an informed decision, so thanks once again, Rob. Frank

Based upon the advice given here, some comparison shopping on specs, and demonstrated YouTube capabilities, I ended up purchasing a Spiderkites Smithi in early January. Due to weather and a compulsion to fly my full vent Rev at every opportunity, the kite remained in its bag until this past week end except for a brief unpacking and inspection in my home upon arrival. Well, I can say after flying it this past Saturday in 11 - 14mph winds, this thing is fast and agile, and can do everything that my Rev can do - with the understanding that as a newbie I've only scratched the surface on that kite's capabilities, too. But...I have yet another, potentially embarrassingly newbie question to ask. I see numerous videos of the Smithi being flown. In none of them are the handles connected by a cord. Mine came connected with an approximately shoulder width's worth of cord. Do I divide this?? What is its purpose? Is it some kind of safety feature of which I am unaware? If anyone knows, please advise. FWIW, if it >IS< a safety feature, I have a wrist strap that I can attach to a brake line. Frankly, I'd prefer to divide the cord so the flying technique is more akin to that of my Revs. Frank

LOL! Yeah, I know you weren't close enough (nor would you endanger a kite) by being that close. I fly nearer to the playground, about 100 yards west of that spot, especially good when the tide is low. The beach is entirely deserted this time of year, and the sand west of there is smooth, flat and even, so even a klutz like me can keep his feet. The parking lot is another matter. After a rain or when there is melting snow, giant puddles form which cannot be navigated on foot unless you enjoy ankle deep cold water. Then the east end is best...seems the lot is a few inches higher there, so you can get onto the sand without the need for SCUBA equipment.

I usually fly at the west end of the beach. Being a newbie, I stay away from rocks and fences! Rob is a pro, though, so he can tip stand on a fence post in a gale with his eyes closed while eating a sandwich. Apparently he can also photograph his kite while simultaneously flying it! Told ya he was a pro! Frank

Holy cow! If I had a kite that could do that (or this), I don't think I'd ever fly another! Definitely have to get educated on this kite! Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Frank

This week-end I had an unexpected amount of fun (and a good upper body work-out to boot) flying my son's 2.5 meter kite boarding trainer. Up until now I've flown only two other kites, a Prism Synapse and Prism Nexus, but of course, this kiting affectation is addicting as hell. Anyway, with such a dizzying array of potential candidates, i was wondering (yes, even after perusing the wealth if info on this site and others!) if folks had strong feelings/recommendations on a 4 line kite in the 3 - 4 meter range. My interest is in tight maneuverability and speed more than raw power. My "wish list" for characteristics would be: 1) kite in above specified size 3 - 4 meter range (Definitely not bigger than 4. Doubt I could handle it). 2) kite capable of turning in the span of its own wing-tip (or very near). 3) quad handle control for power and brake lines preferred over a bar (see #2) - or at least convertible such as the Tensor 3.1. I'm not "married" to Prism as a manufacturer, although I find their graphics to be very appealing eye candy, and I understand they retain a decent re-sale value. Price is not a primary consideration and therefore not high on my list. I really like the Tensor 3.1 graphics. It seems to have most all of the attributes I'm looking for, however, I'm not sure if it is capable of spinning on a wing tip, which is a capability I greatly desire in a kite. I'm a little concerned because it is sold under the category of "power kite." But maybe that's just a function of its 3 meter size? FWIW, I'm not looking to get into traction kiting. Youtube is a bit of a disappointment...not many videos of the Tensor 3.1. I haven't found a video demonstrating that the 3.1 can do what I'm looking for, except maybe this one at 1:02. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm4D8pR4owY Thoughts? Advice? Thanks in advance. Frank

LOL! Yeah, I've stumbled on his videos. He's quite a character! Always seems to have his mouth open. I'm waiting to see him swallow a bug! Frank

Wow! Those are exactly what I was craving! Those links are going to keep me occupied all winter, for sure! Thanks, guys! Frank

Gee...I was hoping for a dictionary that defined and/or described what a constitutes a "Jacobs Ladder," "Coin Toss," and the myriad of other tricks you folks talk so eloquently and familiarly about. I have no clue - but I do have a burning desire to know. So...is there such a repository of information - even something like a judges rules that describe the requirements of each of these maneuvers would be exceedingly helpful. Perhaps these tricks aren't even relevant to me since I'm flying a two line sport kite ATM (Prism Nexus). Do those trick names describe maneuvers which are restricted to four line kites? Frank

@RobB:Thanks for the additional potential flying sites! I >>DO<< want you to know that the state parks stopped collecting fees on November 23 - even on weekends. Here's a cut and paste of the relevant calendar of fees from the web site: "9/13 - 11/23: 8am-4pm, weekends & holidays - $8/car" I've been hiking the Long Island Greenbelt on the week-ends which starts in Sunken Meadow (3 miles from my home) and I've not been charged. In fact, the toll booth is presently deserted. See: http://nysparks.com/parks/37/fees-rates.aspx I've been checking out your photos and videos, Rob. Damn good stuff!!! BTW...we seem to have the EXACT same taste in music!! Just add some Pink Floyd, would ya?? My motorcycling days are pretty much over. "Been there, done that." LI is too crowded with cars, ill maintained roads and distracted drivers these days. Our group stopped riding to PJ when the town decided to get motorcycle unfriendly...that whole spat over how many M/C's could be parked in one spot, yada, yada. I started with a Wide Glide, and owned a Rocker (Harley's version of a chopper) and an Ultra Classic that I sold this spring. I also had a custom chopper (Saxon Warlord) made for me in Arizona with an S&S engine that was terrifyingly powerful and utterly GORGEOUS. Sadly, I had it "Lemon Lawed" and got all my money back because out of the nine months I owned it, it was in the shop with one problem after another (leaking gas, electrical problems, tranny failing to shift (tranny was eventually subjected to a recall) for 60% of the time I owned it. The M/C mechanic and my riding buddies testified about the bike and the judge had no qualms about ordering the manufacturer to come to NY and pick up the bike, which they did. What a debacle. Kites are way less expensive, far less likely to injure, and IMHO, even more fun!

Crab Meadow was completely deserted this morning except for one man and his dog. Just as I was driving away a cop car pulled in. I doubt someone called the cops on account of me...probably he was just looking for a place to coop while drinking his coffee or eating his breakfast. But it unnerved me a bit. I didn't want to be told I couldn't fly there and then try to pretend I was never warned at some date in the future. I've had that experience A LOT with my R/C helicopters. There's no charge at Sunken Meadow or any other state park at this time of year...but yeah, the fees 9 months out of the year suck. Also, what with all the school shootings, an adult can't go anywhere NEAR a schoolyard Monday through Friday anymore. I was merely hiking across a schoolyard LAWN as a shortcut to a wooded trail about a month ago, and some lady security guard got all up in my face. Had on a hydration backpack, carrying a GPS, compass, and walking stick and she treated me like I was a member of ISIS. I reamed her out on how utterly over-the-top ridiculous she was being and she made all kinds of lame excuses...my job, blah, blah, blah. No way I'm taking a kite to ANY school yard in the current high-anxiety climate, so I'm wondering about places like the Pilgrim State Psych Center, stand-alone baseball fields, etc. as places to fly. Definitely need some options once the beaches get crowded again. Dunno what makes you think I hadn't frequented Lanies "back in the day." Although I recently sold my fourth (and last) Harley and have no plans to get back into motorcycles while residing on Long Island, I used to frequent PJ all the time on my bike with my riding buddies! My wife and I have MANY of Lanie's wind-toys at our home from our trips into town! I loved the old store on the east side of Main Street. It had character. I just wasn't into kites at the time...so in that sense, I missed out for sure. Frank

@Makatakam: LOL! Well, that certainly happened with my R/C heli's! If I get enough kite practice in over the winter maybe I'll take a suggestion or two from you experts in the spring on an appropriate "next" kite. I'm a little alarmed at the power of the Synapse 1.7, but maybe that's just my newbie-ness showing through. Still pissed at myself for not having brought my GoPro to the beach to document my loss of two line kite virginity. Frank

Wow, what a warm welcome! Thanks, guys! Yep...bought my kite from Lanie in Port Jefferson. In fact, when I browsed RobB's photos, I recognized the Port Jeff ferry...and those pebble-strewn beaches sure do look familiar! I'm in Northport, just a hair west of PJ. I think the Prism Synapse kite is perfect for my current needs and skill level, and that Lanie gave me excellent advice. I have no illusions about my rank beginner skill level...although I WILL tell you this...I just came back from Crab Meadow Beach where I had my first uneventful flight ahead of what promises to be two days of rain, and although nervous as heck, I got it up and down with no issues. Thank god for all your tutorials! My wife says I'm "slow but trainable." I arrived at the beach at 6:50am. The sky was just brightening up and the wind was stiff and steady, straight out of the east - perfect because they put up those spikey snow fences and I was able to keep the kite far away from them. The Prism Synapse pulls damned hard in it's power zone!!! I had to put one foot forward to brace myself at times. I had no problems whatsoever with traversing the kite L --> R --> L and doing figure 8's. I did NOT try a loop - I think I need lesser winds for that maneuver. I was angry with myself that I didn't bring my GoPro...I figured I'd just be documenting my abject failure. But no! It went well, even the touch down, which I made off to my right (north), successfully stalling the kite about a foot off the sand and then just stepping towards it to have it collapse. I'm off to work now, totally stoked. Best to all, Frank

Hello, guys and gals: I'm brand-new to KiteLife.com, and firstly want to say thanks to those who created and maintain this forum. I've only just begun to explore the site, and can already tell it's filled with invaluable information and kindhearted, helpful folks. I just bought my first two-line kite, a Prism Synapse 1.7 based upon the recommendation of the store owner (probably in no small measure due to her very limited stock!). I live within walking distance to a north shore beach on Long Island. Believe it or not, I went to fly it on Sunday morning for the first time and there was literally no wind - a highly unusual circumstance, so I have not been able to assess the appropriateness of this purchase for my environment and skill level (complete novice). I take some solace in the fact that there's nothing to break, which is why I was steered away from a two-line delta by the salesperson. I do build and fly R/C model helicopters, and thought a dual-line kite would be an awesome way to insure I continue to get outside this fall when the wind is too high to fly them. Hope to be posting some experiences with the kite soon. Any opinions as to whether it is a reasonably appropriate kite for a newbie? Best, NF