Brettgrant99

Welcome! Many, many years ago I lived in Hofstetten bei Brienz. Didn't fly any kites, but I was able to go sailing across the Brienzer See, so I feel like there should be places where you could kite. The one thing that is missing are some quad line kites. Try and make it to a festival or to where other kiters are. The amount that you can learn from others is so much faster than if you have to figure it out yourself.I I wouldn't worry too much about specific kites, you might just have to fly what is available to you. Good luck!

I don't think that I would like those straps because it looks like to me that they will get tighter as the wind increases. What is important is that you like them I generally put my wrists through the straps and then hook my pointer finger through the D-ring. It puts a lot of tension on my finger, I can always release if I want to. Mostly I think it is a personal preference.

I pretty much fly for fun and don't really worry too much about the lines. My current go to set I made in 2002, flew it a lot back then, and then started using it again about 3 years ago. Five years sound kind of young 😉

Prism has some instructions on their web site for equalizing lines. Personally, I would do it the way that you did, undoing the knots and sliding the sleeving, if I am using sleeving. Sometimes I don't use sleeving. I also always tie figure-eight knots, never overhand. Somewhere I picked up a somewhat large needle that I use to pick apart knots. I'd guess it is 2 mm in diameter and four three inches long. It isn't super sharp, but it isn't blunt either. You don't say how new or old the lines are. New lines stretch quite a bit, and you may have to re-equalize once or twice more, so just keep checking especially if your flying seems "off". I tend not to check my dual lines very often, quad lines I check more. Have fun out there!

Well, I'm bummed out, but hopefully whoever got it will enjoy it.

I do. I've sent multiple messages to you on two threads, maybe there is something up with the messaging system. Maybe email me? kites@grantb.org

I tried to send you a message, but the system wouldn't let me send one to you. I'll take it.

Have you checked with Elliot?

Sounds like a great way to start. Good luck, and have fun!

Sorry if I made the impression that I am Swiss, I had the opportunity to work at the Museum outside Brienz for the summer and then I returned to the states. I started out with some Trlbys that my father purchased while we were on vacation at Pismo Beach, California. I dabbled in kites off and on until 1996, where I bought a Revolution Backtraker. I didn't really fly much until I graduated Uni, and got a job in Sunnyvale, Ca, and could fly a lot and had some money to buy a bunch of kites. There I picked up a Utopia and a few Tricktails, which I still fly today. I also got some Deca quad lines, which I really like. I then moved to Tucson Arizona, where flying was like sticking your head in an oven, it was hot all of the time. A few years ago, I move back to Washington State, where I went to Uni, and started flying a lot more again. I mainly fly dual lines, but I also enjoy quad lines kites to. I pretty much fly for my own enjoyment and peace of mind. You can see some of my kites at https://kitelife.com/forum/gallery/album/490-brettgrant99/ I also lived for a bit in the Netherlands. Isn't the area that you are in a flat section of Switzerland? In the Netherlands, I was able to fly in a farmer's field a bit and at the beach. It was pretty good flying, but then again, the Netherlands is pretty flat and windy. That Drop Kick looks pretty cool, I'll have to keep a look out for one over here. Have fun!

Where are you at? When I was younger I lived in Brienz for a bit. Lovely place, I enjoyed it a lot. What kind of kites are you flying there?

That's a bummer for kite flying. Hope you had other fun. Its been a while since I have been to Ocean Shores, I should plan another trip sometime. Where are you located? I have a Team Hawaiian somewhere. Yesterday I took out my Utopia again. I need to see about taking out my Trlbys, I've got a stack of 4.

Yesterday, I dragged a few kites out of the cartop carrier. I have a number to mend. However, I did manage to get the Tsuru UL up for an hour or so. And today I went a little older and took my Stranger out for a bit. Is it sacrilege that later I put an 80' tail on it and flew that for the kids at the park? Hope everyone else is able to enjoy the spring. Brett

I managed to finally make it out yesterday and today for the first time this year. Yesterday it was a Top of the Line NSE with an 85 foot tube tail. Today it was Flying Wings Utopia. (sorry, no pictures) Nice to get back out. Are others starting to get out?

I don't do anything special. Twenty years ago, I tried using Armor All on some lines and it didn't seem to do much. I fly on grass and I have linseeds that are almost 20 years old. I do check them for stretch and adjust accordingly. Quadlines I tend to check when the wind is light and I am not doing anything. Dual lines I tend to just do when I notice that they are off. Years ago I took a 1x2 about 8 inches long, put two brass hooks in it on the 1" side and then tied a small cord to the center. I use this to check if the lines are even, it is pretty easy to do. I like this better than just using my fingers, but you can do it that way, too. Really, you only need to check new lines, or after you fly them in stronger than normal winds.

I really like my UL Tsuru. I hope that you enjoy yours! Brett

I would say yes. I have a mix of different fishing lines and Blue Berry(old) and LPG(old) and for fun flying, they all work. Really you just want stuff that doesn't stretch. Have fun!

Looks awesome!