Wayne Dowler

Look close - you'll see the strap ends with a loop in it. Add a carabiner and clip to the line.

My method is slightly different. I land inverted and stake the handles. Take the kite you're going to put on with you out to the lines and put it behind the one coming off. Take one sides bottom (now top) line off. Go to the other side and take both lines off, starting with the top line. Let the kite lay flat and take that last line off and gently toss the kite to the rear of the other. Hook up the last line you took off, go to the other side and put both on, starting with the LE line, then go back and put on the last brake line. Make sure of any wing wraps, etc, and set it to go inverted. Reason I go in this pattern is that if you take off both lines on the same side at once to start, the kite can still twist around. With both brake lines off it won't. Make sure to undo the lines and place them in a careful order, so when you hook back up, everything is still untwisted and open. Just my way YMMV. PS: I like Joanna's method!

Plan to be there, just not sure of the days yet. At least Monday thru Monday, but last couple, got up on Friday before and stayed til Mon/Tues. All depends on family situations!

Happy Birthday John. Raining up here now, but it's gonna change - it's your day!!

Most either buy material already made for sleeving, some buy bridle line and pull the core out to make it. In the past, it was thought to buffer the Spectra fiber line from cutting into itself, making knots stronger. Not as needed today as the lines has gotten better. Whether you use it or not depends on personal choice! If used, the guitar string works well to pull your line through.

Ramble on!!

On the hydration pack - get a minimum 70 oz size (holds two big bottles of Gatorade). I learned my lesson at WSIKF on keeping liquid "on board"! Glad to hear you went with the longer leaders!

Just scrolled to an article from 2010 and it loaded so fast!! No hesitation at all!!

You might find the launch needs a little more effort, than before. But in flight, you will get much better control!

Same thing works on our Revs too!!

The Indoor Rev is capable of outdoor flight, but only in VERY low wind conditions. It's lighter, has no bridle to equalize the stress on the frame, and in general, while still using the same basic control movements, loads very differently from an outdoor model. I would not recommend one as your first, unless doing a LOT of indoor flying. Outdoor models do darn near anything! Precision, speed, traction, etc, you can get just about anything to satisfy the need! The trick is knowing what it is YOU are after!

Peter Powell has a store over there I believe. Not the cheapest by any means, but if you want a diamond kite that can perform, try his! They sell as singles and stacks!! Probably get advice on lengths and strengths of line too!

The only "light wind" bridle adjustment I know of, is to try moving the bridle so the nose slants forward some. Most good bridles have some marks to indicate range of motion in adjustments. Try moving to the top, little by little, but not so much you're off the scale. Lighter framing is an option, but getting a dedicated SUL might end up being a better answer to the problem, rather than trying to make what you have, do something it is not meant for!

Yes you can!! I just pull the loop tight and the pull tab gets loose, then equalize as needed! I just use the double larks to secure it a bit more, (I'm old, losing dexterity, and can use all the help I can get!!).

This is an FB link to him, I think: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ocean-Shores-Kites/100862176634409?fref=nf

Not sure if his store is "online", but I know Andy at Ocean Shores kites in Ocean Shores Washington can help!

How long is it from ring point to ring point? Might be able to get a wooden dowel that long, (if less than 48"), or you may have to go with a carbon rod, ferruled together, and arrow nocks at the ends. At least as big around as whatever is in the leading edge. I'm sure any good kite shop can give you recommendations on what to use! Good Luck!

Think of long top leaders as giving you a "neutral" in your kite. Now you have to tell it to do something, not have it jump at every gust. Having that neutral will also help the hovering. Once you get in position to hover, having the neutral helps hold it! Now, any corrections are minor adjustments, rather than coarse movements. Just for fun try putting the other leaders back on, and try flying. To launch - take a step back as you lock your wrists into forward drive. The step adds a little momentum to a pull and lock launch. Get used to some movement, flying isn't about being static (feet in cement), but flowing.

In another development, tried some new diamond rods and magic sticks, on an SUL yesterday! Flies like a mini-Zen! Wind was all over the place and not very strong to boot! Had both the Zen and SUL setup, and kept switching between them! A little different, but testing continues!!

Did you move your hands back up the foam some? Yes, short top leaders give you lift to launch, but longer will give you control as you fly. It takes a bit of getting used to, but at least you're on the right path!

You're #1 so far!! PS: we in chat now!!

OK boys and girls - drum roll please: I decided on trying the unthinkable (for me) of flying my old Indoor ....... outside!!! GASP!!! Know what?? I LIKED IT!!! Sitting around moping over no wind, it struck me to give it a try. Dragged out some old modded 15" handles, put on a lineset I'm not sure how long (more than 10', less than 20'), and the old Indoor. Took it into the cul-de-sac I live on and gave it a whirl. Now picture where I live: down in a hole, wind blows right over me when it does, unless travelling down one of our streets! So basically, indoor conditions outside! Well the kite just ate it up!! Had to retune once, needed a hair more drive than I had guessed, but no problem, it flew with ease! When what passed as a gust came through, never had the feeling of anything breaking. That had been my biggest fear - breakage! With no bridle to spread any forces on the frame equally, I had been pretty scared to try it outside. Shouldn't have been!! Now don't be silly and throw up an Indoor in a hurricane, I doubt it will last, But if you have no or little wind, give it a try, you might be surprised - I was!! OK - let the "I told ya so's" start!!