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The Pro does perform better than the factory B, but only if you are at a level where you can tell. Fit and finish is a whole other story and you don't need to be an expert to appreciate the quality and longevity of the build. Just like a fancy set of golf clubs won't make you any better and you still need to practice, so the Pro would not make you a better pilot. Lucky for us, practice means go outside and have fun Often, I find that receiving the CORRECT instruction, advice or direction is the biggest difference maker, but I have also advanced through different equipment. I was once struggling with advancing my indoor ability until I decided to use my outdoor handles Watty style. I made huge advances there for a long time. When I went back to my indoor handles (many months later) I didn't like it but found some advantages due to my improved knowledge. Eventually I transitioned back to indoor handles and the last time I flew an outdoor handle setup it felt horrible. Whatever gets you progressing and enjoying yourself. I do still highly recommend seeking good info on anything you're working on though

Hi and welcome Completely normal at this stage - I remember feeling like the B-series was slightly better than the Pro for a long time until I developed enough and spent enough time on the Pro to be able to tell the difference. As long as you are enjoying yourself and the kite represents value for your money then you're doing fine. With enough time and experience and knowledge you will come to understand and appreciate the differences and subtleties of various sails, both Revolution based and others. For me, the Pro represents the best all around platform for my money, but that doesn't mean (for example) that I don't pull out my Polo set if I'm in the mood to tip pivot a lot or I want to sacrifice some tracking for a light feel with visual pop. Just looking at the Freilein kites I can see how the feel and personality will be different, but if you're enjoying it then don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Get deep enough in and you're going to find yourself wanting better and more

Here's my personal (not yet awake) list off the top of my head on a cold and wet morning... hover facing the 90 degree marks hover facing the 45 degree marks fly forward from the hovers and reverse back to the start fly squares fly diamonds fly figure 8 Bicycle rotations Tip pivots (360, 270, 180 and 90) slides That's in no particular order (too early for me to be that sharp) and you can fill in your own variations of each. You will hear JB talk about "running track" and I do similar. Check out the below video and you will see me so hovers on the 90, squares, diamonds, bicycles, tip pivots, slides and reverse flight. Nothing more than basic flight patterns that you apply a little personal style to and create what you see. I actually was having a bad day I was shooting the video and you can see me casually looking around while flying because I just wasn't that into it. If you want to see what unedited solo flying in front of a crowd looks like, check the video below. The winds were between low full sail and medium vented and switching direction (keep an eye on the foil in the background and see how it's reacting to the wind) so the conditions kept you on your toes. You'll see a lot of basic moves and track strung together - set a solid foundation and the rest is easy. As someone who's been on both sides of that equation (and still am) I feel your pain. That being said, I seem to have managed it from another country with zero local assistance, so I'm sure it's totally possible As you stated, you don't know what you don't know and everyone seems like an expert so you're easily led down the 'wrong' path. As a trainer, you'll know the silver lining in that is that the experience gained from the wrong direction leads to a deeper and broader understanding of the subject matter. John's teachings are solid (and the main knowledge influence in my flying) and you will do well using his videos to learn. I had to make do with asking questions before the videos existed, so you will do fine with his videos. If you use that as a base and ask any questions you have, you will do just fine.

You got plenty advice on the foils (I started with power foils), so let me throw something different out there and say that what you said is easily improved. All that is required is the right information - to be perfectly honest, revs come from the factory such that they get into the air easily but then lack the precision control needed. To pile more on top of the lack of precision control, the factory videos and instructional material then teach bad mechanics (in my opinion) to the new pilot. I love my framed kites (including single line stuff), but having the wrong information can certainly make them unpleasant when you keep breaking sticks as a result (for single, dual or quad)

Too many thoughts and not enough words .... One thing that I am thankful for is that I have in my possession kite that he insisted I take back home with me on my last trip out there. Even here, words fail me...

If you're on beach sand, the soft sand itself would act as a cushion for you. On a hard surface I think the cap it too thin to provide any real measurable shock absorbing action (the bungee itself is a shock absorber) of value. That setup would keep sand out, but I just use some O-rings for that purpose because it's just simpler and easier for me and I worry about the increase in friction between the vinyl and sail. Multiple solutions to the sand problem - pick whatever works for you. The caps do help with abrasion issues though if you fly in such a manner to warrant it. The plastic end-caps take some grinding though and are easily replaceable - burning through a bridle would be a bigger concern. The do help avoid slippage as mentioned.

The bottom of the vertical spar moving to the outside of bungee knots instead of sitting between them. In my experience, this happens to me for one of two reasons - 1) Not enough tension on the bungee resulting in the spar being able to move too much, or 2) wind that is overpowering the sail. Other than that, knocking or applying force to the spar via an external source could obviously push the spar to the side. A combination of factors increases the likelihood of this happening. It happens to me from time to time, but not often enough for me to implement major modifications. Paul's photo with the 3 loops sewn over the knots and spars would be one such solution. Another (simpler) version would be to replace the bungee with longer shock cord and just overhand knot each end around the opposite one to form a loop that the spar could go through - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisherman's_knot Personally, I don't worry about it and when I see a spar slip it tells me to check the tension on the bungees

I'm only just starting to grasp what I need to do to trick ... so the smaller window makes it tough since there's no speed control or hover to think. Just trying to find a speed / size / window balance that I can work with

I'm going to throw out a variant of the question that is more specific to me... Would a 7' wing be a better fit than an 8' wing when flying on 50' lines?

It's true there are many ways to be right, just as there are a whole boatload of ways to be wrong ... and so far, everything I have seen of the 38 is very wrong. Just my opinion ... if it gets you flying in a way that please you then have at it and don't let me or anyone else stop you

Only if they teach you right...

Yes, and you'll probably find many choices when you search the app store for a barcode / QR scanner

Bit of a PITA if you don't have or know how to use a smartphone and load apps ... or would prefer to use a laptop/desktop instead.

I have better questions for you ... Do you think you're missing out on something? Do you feel like they are going to provide something you won't get on the field with a capable pilot (or a KiteLife subscription)? What are the chances that there are going to be hubs or any major uptake with the current approach? Currently, I think JB could make a list of techniques and 'certified instructors' capable of assessing you quicker and with more reach than this. Given what I've seen of this Club 38 so far, I actually find myself hoping it fails dismally because I think it does more harm than good. It really seems like they are training people wrong as a (bad) joke. Just my opinion based on whatever level of flight skill that I have

Incompleteness.... what a surprise Like everything that seems to be happening these days (at least that I can see) it seems it wasn't tested outside of the people who had the idea in the first place. Always, always conduct a proper testing process with a fresh set of eyes (and take the feedback seriously)

Don't forget the inconsistencies in terminology - same term seems to mean multiple things to them. I'm not even going to get into the editing A clear indication that the company has no clue what their users are doing with their own product (and seemingly no interest in learning either). I'd love for someone to prove me wrong, but I'm not overly optimistic

Aside from the usual fun with dog small and large ... I've had a few occasions where birds of prey track my kite for a while. Out here that's usually a prelude to an attack run so I'm always ready for that when they drop their landing gear or tuck their wings for the dive. Love it when it happens though ... nice energy

Have Bazzer do it on a new set of sails for you

My (extremely shortened) take on this.... We are now entering a state where Rev are the Prism of quad and the quality performance models will be done by skilled craftsman. The reasons for all of this, the implications, and what the future holds - THAT is the much MUCH longer discussion

B2 vented ..... #JustSaying

Not just the spars ... I'm not parting with any (pro) sails either until I am happy there is consistency and availability to assemble a suitable platform. Sadly, I don't have confidence in anything coming out that factory right now. It kills me to say that because Rev products have done much for me and allowed me to go on a very cool journey. I think the people flying the product have progressed further than the products available from the company that gave birth to them. That, however, is a whole different discussion.... one that I wish never existed

Hmmmm .... a DOUBLE break .... a vertical I assume?

All the best....

Me three ... my mid vent. I was surfing the waves and ran out of talent at the wrong moment and got sucked in. I was fortunate to only break a single spar in that episode while my kite got pounded in the surf zone and sucked back every time the waves retreated. Thankfully I was able to maintain enough line control and work with the waves long enough for a buddy to go charging knee deep into the water and grab the kite. I was seconds away from timing the waves, ditching the handles and making a mad rush for the kite in the hopes of covering the distance before the kite was drawn further out. That sail got a good rinse and soak when I got home.

Depends on the beach.... When I'm at WSIKF it doesn't concern me because sea water almost never seems to get airborne there, and if it does it doesn't seem to reach the kite. Back home I am on 50' lines and after 30 minutes everything is damp from the spray (limited space and that close to the water) so it's definitely a concern. I've done comparative testing rinsing one sail and leaving the other and there is a marked increase in the life of the rinsed sail. All I do after flying is rinse and hang in the shower to dry.