The Austinite Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 Hi all, My first post here. I've been flying different kites all my life, but back in about 2000 I bought my first dual line 9' Thunderfoil. Then advanced to the 12', then a nice dual line stunt kite. My most recent purchase that I'm extremely excited about is a new Revolution EXP. The first evening I had it up in the air was frustrating to say the least, but near the end of the session I had some sucesses. My second and third sessions have been exponentially better, and I'm really getting the hang of it (without crashing....much) I guess I just wanted to know if there's any suggestions or pointers you would give to a newbie quad kiter, or suggestions you wish were given to you when you were learning if you had to do it all over again. Thanks for the input! Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLTKiter Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 Gosh Ben, I'm excited for you. I love Revs, myself. Below are my thoughts after about 1 1/2 years flying Revs. Others probably have even more helpful advice. I guess you don't have the Rev video that you can get with an EXP. It's pretty helpful, but there's nothing like just flying yourself. What's even better is if you can get someone to stand beside you and talk you through some of the maneuvers. Have you checked out the Rev Web site? Rev Kites Home Page There are some exercises on it that can help. I guess you probably know the basics -- hold your wrists somewhat together and just use wrist motions. Pulling back on the top lines gives "gas" and pulling on the bottom (or tapping) is "brakes". I just like to teach people by telling them my preferred way to hold the handles. Thumbs lightly above the rubber grips and held loosely, not tightly. I usually mention to always keep some gas on and then use a "tapping" with little finger or ring finger to turn or correct from going in the wrong direction. I get people to fly the kite about 3/4 up in the window and then experiment with the "tapping". What they seem to find is that, after just flying around using the gas and tapping the brakes, they get the hang of it. A common problem with previous dual-line flyers is to pull your hands back to turn. On a Rev, that makes the kite slide, not turn. That's why I said keep your wrists close together. You've got time to learn how to slide. Anyway, welcome to Quad Heads. You've got a great time ahead of you! Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Lingenfelter Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Have fun. If you run into problems, try to figure out what you can do different. Launches, control the kite, dont let the wind control it. Try to point your handles as close to the kite as you can instead of down at the ground. That way when you point the bottoms of the handles up, it will pop right up. If you run into any particular problems let us know. Always hold the handles like your holding the kite, (except in reverse) There is no right or wrong way. It's "whatever it takes". Everyone developes their own style. I was amazed the first time I saw Felix from the decorators launch a Rev. like a two string! It's late, I gotta go. Have fun, keep us posted.. when you think you've learned all there is, come back. We'll challenge you. Remember: First the kite flys you., Then you fly the kite., Zen you become one. BB Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcddjj Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 My first post also! Hi everyone! I am in the almost exact same situation. Flying dual line kites for awhile and on a trip to San Diego I got to try my first Rev. All I can say is WOW! I haven't had that much fun in a long time. I found these forums a few days after buying my Rev at Highline Kites in Berkeley. Glad to see some others who enjoy them as much as I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Paul Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 If you're an Austinite as in Austin TX, you're in luck. I'm also in Austin (south), and fly at William Cannon and S. 1st about twice a week. Also, there's a local club that meets on the third Sunday of each month at Old Settler's Park in Round Rock (across from the Dell Diamond). There are always a few quad flyers there. I generally can't make it too much farther than my normal field, but there are plenty of flyers up north. Also, you probably know Tye at World Wind Kites, but if you don't - get over there. He's a great Rev flyer and very nice and helpful. Feel free to ping me at JPaul_tx@sbcglobal.net Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Austinite Posted June 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Thanks for the info all! I've got the hang of flying the thing now (at least keeping it in the air...launching...reverse launching...dive stop). The hardest parts for me (that I'm working on at the moment) are the hovers and stationary spins. Jason, Yup, I'm in Austin, TX. I live over near St. Edwards University, and have been doing most my flying at Zilker Park. Maybe I'll have to check out the field you use since it's very close. I've heard of the kite club at Old Settlers, but it's a little North for me as well. Also, I have met and chatted with Tye quite a bit, he's ALWAYS willing to talk kites! I have yet to pick his brain on quads, so maybe it's time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Lingenfelter Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 ooh oohh tell Tye I said HI! And all those other little ausinites.. BB Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Paul Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Zilker is not the best place to fly IMO. The wind seems to be pretty bumpy most of the year since it's almost surrounded by trees. When the wind is from the north (festival time) it's not too bad because it's not quite as obstructed. My little field is just a middle school (Bedichek), but it's close to my house, it gets fairly clean wind, and there's usually enough room for me to fly. I'm usually there on Wednesdays from around 7:00-7:30 until around 8:30-9:00, and also on Sundays from around 4:00 to around 6:00. Feel free to show up. I'm usually the only kite flyer there. Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Austinite Posted June 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Hope you had a good day there, yesterday, Jason! My girlfriend, a friend, and I all had an impromptu kite flying session on the St. Edward's soccer field. The wind picked up a bit right before sunset and I got soem good flying in. I'm still trying to get the hovers just right and the stationary spins. I can spin it just fine, but it loses altitude when I do it. Thanks for the help everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Lingenfelter Posted September 1, 2004 Report Share Posted September 1, 2004 How's it going out there you newbies? Got that rev whipped into shape yet ? BB Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Austinite Posted September 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2004 Been having a blast flying both the EXP and the 1.5 I got before I went to the beach. Thanks for all the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Lingenfelter Posted September 1, 2004 Report Share Posted September 1, 2004 Your welcome from all o us. Are you flying to music? That's a big help too. Have you met more kiteflyers? If you see Gail Woohdul (sp) tell her I said hello. I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorsal Posted September 2, 2004 Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 My favorite suggestion to a dual line flyer, just learning quads is this: Tie a piece of string about a foot long, from the top of one handle to the top of the other handle. This "Handcuff" line will remind them whenever they are moving their arms instead of rotating their hands. Regarding the stationary spins, you need to practice doing "Four Point Rolls". You can't do these if you have or need the "HandCuff" line on your handles. Get the kite in front of you, upright and hovering. Then rotate it 90 degrees, into one wingtip, and hover right there at least 15 seconds. Then rotate to inverted, and continue hovering in the same position, another 15 seconds. Then rotate it another 90 degrees, into the other wingtip, and hover right there at least 15 seconds. Then rotate 90 more degrees to the upright position again. When you are able to smoothly transition and CONTROL the kite in all four positions, you will notice the different positions your hands and arms need to be, to hold each position. Then, continue doing the Four Point Rolls, but make the pause between positions shorter, still maintaining control. Eventually you will be able to shorten the pause between positions until all four moves become one continuous motion. It is not an easy maneuver to master, so give yourself at least a month of regular serious practice of all of the moves. It took me about 3 months to get it "kinda right" with my 1.5 SLE. btw, I had a terrible time learning this maneuver until I got my Spirit Quad. Then I had success within a week, and that's when I got the Rev to do it also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Lingenfelter Posted September 2, 2004 Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 Good point.. Whether it's a Spirit, Solution, Symphony or a Rev II, or Supersonic. Different quads fly different and will help you learn moves that you can't do on your other quad. ie. A Super Sonic, or Shockwave just wants to do a slide turn. After doing it on the speed series you can go do it on the SLE or Exp. oops gotta go. BB Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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