mystainedskin

Some days I laugh... the wind apps show great conditions and real life is another story. Today was one of those.. App showed 10/15 @ ese, ideal for this ne Florida stretch of beach.. real life was 0 to maybe 8mph..if that... but the direction was spot on. So with optimism,I took the 12 Phantom with some proper spars installed and I set up anyways being I was there. I wanted to finally fly larger than 12m with the low conditions...but alas I was on a small bar...and didn't feel like any over the bar line grabbing today...as I rode fixed bridles yesterday Trusty battery back up fan got me filled and airborne...without the fan it wouldn't have happened. Once airborne and the twinskin moving ...riding began. Nothing spectacular but still achieving smiles. A small climb in wind and I headed for a wider stretch of beach about 1.5 miles away. Played there for a bit....and poof...nadda...not even a puff. Sunset was upon me, so I deflated and rolled up for the walk...2.2 miles later I felt redemption.A block from my "base" the wind was back and stronger than all evening..Still single digits, but high singles and that works for me. I quickly set back up once at the fan...All I could think was one more ride before sunset. I got that and more! Rode until dark and enjoyed some park and ride fun with some beautiful colors over the horizon. Last ride got me the best casual speeds of the day.. A quick glimpse of that ride on Instagram. In the end... never give up. The rewards are always worth the effort. The struggles will only make you a better pilot. Be it buggies.. stunt kites...and yes even SLK. Ride on... until then

I like it all Just can't afford them all...lol Sure having a ton of fun riding..not really any conflicts personally on what I should be flying. It takes an effort for location,conditions, setup for riding. Sport kites is pretty much anywhere I feel the urge. Conditions are helpful...but not a necessity. At least for a little while 😜 Anytime man... maybe a venture north is due this year.

Rain...rain...and more rain.... Figured I would take the time and contribute a small amount It has been sometime since I have used the forum and with a busy kiting season approaching, personally and with #TKL , might as well get back into the swing of things. What better place? Since Jekyll Island Buggy Expo this year.... I dove in. Acquired a full size buggy (Elliot Virus?) and a trio of fixed bridle Peter Lynn Vipers consisting of the 3 smaller sizes 2.6m/3.9m/5.3m near the same time a friend got her Peter Lynn Drifter and a full quiver of Peter Lynn Phantoms 6m-18m. I have wanted to do this for sometime and with the addition of a friend interested pushing me along, So be it. After all, I am a #floridakiteflier / Kitebumbychoice and have an awesome beach locally..and Jekyll is just a short drive away. Some struggles at the start, a few rolls , some out of control slides, even ejected the kite once or twice. Once a good onshore and proper conditions hit, I was hooked....literally (Captive). A video of my first good long ride on the 3.9 Viper S and Drifter (Jekyll Island) can be found in the playlist link below. It only took a few rides on the handles and strop before the de-powers were shouting.... " Fly me!!!!! " ..and since I have been in the care of the Phantoms... I did ,once the bigger buggy was acquired Totally different flavor between the 2 styles of kites and buggies ..each producing sore muscles and smiles that make your cheeks hurt. The de-powers are easier on my body in the long run and provide more ride time for me. The larger buggy is luxurious...lol Adjustable too fit me where I feel comfy and holds the body way different than the Peter Lynn. As things progress ...naturally you get faster and braver 😛 I think I have the minimum basics down now....consistent speed in similar wind conditions on the 9m and 12m Phantom (Top Speed 40mph ), the ability and knowledge to scrub speed in a few ways , knowledge and comfort with my gear and most of all.... Common Sense. Looking forward to some good wind next ride, work on some slides ,upwind turns and maybe some reverse play It has been horrible wind/weather and rain for weeks here it seems lately. Next good day is looking like the day after Xmas and I will be there with an onshore of 13-19mph...... Anyways....I have added a link to the Kitebumbychoice : buggy playlist and a few photos of the adventures so far. Look forward to adding more in this section in the near future...... until then.

Really my first time also...tire sliding fun in 20plus . I feel like I got bit by a Viper...possibly 3 times. 🤔 ...and a friend just got a quiver of older Phantoms and a ride. I feel some buggy riding in my future more often. 😁 So much fun..

Just give it too me already 🚑🚀⏰ ❤️ I was flying foils....

A little fun with the modified HQ Symphony modified by @riffclownat Jekyll Island Buggy Expo... Even some upwind Hopefully the post is public... if not I will obtain the video. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10214665995075421&id=1589538891

Power Sleds are great reliable kites. I have and still fly a majority of the sizes.. Keep an eye on the rear spar pockets of the 36 and up.... I have had them wear out over time and abuse. Easy patch and back in the air.

Just had a Standard and Mid done by my brother from another mother... Spanked them all through Treasure Island Sport Kite Competition and after....preparing for SPI Team KiteLife torture. Much better " feel" out of my production B series quads. Thank you sir !

I will be out of town for a week with Team KiteLife. Any purchased items will be processed and shipped out after February 6th return.

New Kite only (no lines and handles) Revolution SuperSonic $225 shipped Link to photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1G4Pl3bcDXe7-IZp7XPsZoE1vthgQAcg8?usp=sharing

Now that is just sexy...Why not team kite color logos?

There can be variations to most questions asked. Kites and rigs can vary vastly with wind conditions...line also (drag/weight increases with size) weight/size/cost/etc.. Wind speeds needed can vary right along with above reference . ..from single digits to as much as you are willing too risk. As far as "shooting" a kite up....ehhh..good luck. Most kites are launched by hand or anchored at a specific length of line. ..no running involved.

By the hair of my chinny chin chin.... Another kite...another day...just not today..or that kite.

I have an awesome wife.......just sayin'

I have limited time on the set up..Just shut your mind off and fly. Nothing is switched or reversed.

Yes please...I could abuse that easily Asking for permission I will p.m once I have approval. P.m. Sent

Looks like youtube through some stabilization on that...interesting . Funny thing is.....I just watched it again

I have been home for a few hours now from our debut performance as Team KiteLife in South Padre Island, Texas. Hosted by B&S Kites.. Bill and Susie Doan..along with the City . What an event I must say too start! Loving , HUGE crowds..along with a bunch of well known kiters that love exactly that...priceless. A job well done and hopefully a continued and long lived, positive relationship between B&S Kites, the City and the South Padre Island Kite Festival. I am sure I can speak for the whole team in saying... We are HONORED to be a part of the revival and can only hope for many more years too come. All the shared Team photos are from a wonderful woman Kathy Martinelli-Zaun. Hopefully she won't mind the share. Both she and her husband love watching pilots more than kites and boy...the pictures show. There is a ton of media for sorting. So I have included only a few shared photos from Kathy and some of my own. I will also give some encouragement towards the team members for submissions.. Now on to the good stuff... I have been crying since I got home and started actually reviewing pics. Letting expressions sink in and thinking of what has transpired over the last 6 days. It is just simply mind boggling. I am quite sure more thoughts will roll later...just helping a release. 4 pilots..of which some of which have never met..let alone flown with each other.. just went out as a Team and spanked it! Was it perfect...No. But... it sure got my heart going! Fast paced..non recycled movement through a 5+ minute routine. Constructed on site 2 days early by none other than J.B. himself. The First day consisted of writing about a third of the routine and setting up. 4 guys..never flown together..Extra Vent wind... 9 hours later we were still smiling regardless of the work and mind melting task at hand. Day 2...more arm lengthening wind. We opted on writing as much as possible by using stick simulators throughout the entire day into the night. But as with any wind hungry group...ended back on the beach late that night. Meshing as much as possible. Things are starting too flow now..the potential can be felt..momentum. Day 3.. brings more flying...writing..stick play... and honestly ...a complete blur. Did I mention the 3:30 track I must perform with INDOOR this evening with no practice! I have barely flown the thing outdoor,much less Indoor in front of several hundered people. I do remember we practiced at the Festival site...which was also next to the Convention Center hosting the Indoor Event....staring at me all day as everyone was Indoor playing before the show. The practice was coming along...but we still had hang ups and only had about 3.5 minutes of the routine written...therefore never completing the song. But alas....time for indoors. So many great performers. I will not even try mentioning names. Tickets for the event sold out. More seating was aquired, and those sold out....last I heard,over 400 people. Wow! Let the show begin.Some of the highlights for me were.... John and Brett did a pairs routine. Scott Weider as always..tailman.... Jim Cosca and his glider performace..just magical. James Fletcher...blowing kisses at his kite and melting womens hearts. ......and then I did it! I don't remeber crashing, but did miss my last catch for the end. Nothing spectacular other than the effort. I also acheived the smile that comes with doing it. Quite frankly, that's all that matters. The night brought on the usual kite addicts fix of team routine creation,stick paractice, and beach runs over what we reviewed.... still not there. Guess what....tomorrows show time! Day 4... Team KiteLife steps out on the field. John Barresi , Scott Benz , Eli Russell , Brett Marchel...never completed the song or the routine. Crowds building during a few dry runs. Then ....it happened. We hit our written routine mark clean...when John almost leaped from his skin..calling land... as the line insisted we continue. We then freestyled the remaining unwritten portion into some snap 45 knock down landings. Ya! That just happened....and continued throughout the day with a few minor bumps here and there. Day 5.. We practiced more...lol We performed with a few more issues than the day before. All in all I am super stoked at what we achieved. The skies the limit and we still have both feet on the ground. That night brought some spectacular event ending flying on the beach between Team KiteLife and Team Rev Riders. Hashing out moves..switching out members and styles...just so much fun! In the summarized end of my babblings. Team KiteLife is alive and pumping! Congratulations guys....I would call that... "Whump Aquired"

Here..Here... Fly...don't judge

Once again...I have the awesome opportunity to place faces with names. Marshall Henderson swung through St. Augustine...not once, but twice! Crappy conditions both days...but what fun It's always very close to my heart. Most of you know... Kitelife did it for me...only hope it continues for others. Regardless of friends or Team....I will always fly the KiteLife logo with pride

Wow! I started wandering #Skybond with the recent sharings.... forgot all about this thread. Look at us now..... I personally am tickled "yellow" still....In even more weights than before. I still have those 100'x100# and aquired some 50#x50' that I have absoulutely tortured and they are still slick. Can't say how pleased I am too be flying Skybond with the team. At T.I... I competed for the first time in Experienced Precision Quad...missed ballet gathering my insulated gear...it was cold! Oh well... Anyways...I flew Paul LaMasters 135% Shook...you name it...it has it.. in high 25+/_ wind on 175# Skybond....Wow! Did just the trick and tamed the kite down....nice move sir! The kite was very stable...although my hands may not have been.... Really looking forward to putting the new sets through the paces...

I have seen some...and have one with different cap bungee setup...but no pockets. I find the cap worthwhile. Pockets always seem to wear out. Creating a "repair the sail" situation . Instead of replacing a cap. Nice work! Great looking kites

Hq Beamers are quite popular in that range...3-5m Great entey level kite for use as a motor....and stays in the bag as a high wind kite once you move up the ladder of skill.