Reef Runner Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Well, I'm really feeling kinda stupid right now (REALLY). I recently purchased a few single line kites, just to have something to put up in the air, for "flash and for giggles", while I play with my dual and/or quad line kites. I've had the new kites for several weeks now, some I've flown, some not. I normally do my flying at the coast, but today, we had a really nice breeze going on (SE 9 - 10 mph) at home, so I thought, why not (?), I haven't even put up my new Dan Leigh XFS Delta yet, so let's give it a try. Well, I live on a golf course, and people are always giving me a hard time, about not flying there, but trust me, winds are really swirly on golf courses (by design), and I knew better. Those beautiful, wide open fairways, that look so inviting, are usually lined on either side, with trees, long rows of trees, and when it's those 100 - 120 ft pine trees, they channel the wind in all kinds of directions. Ever wonder why the Pros, play the wind, look at the flags, change clubs, etc? Believe me, it's a factor, a big factor, and it's not for kites. Ok - "long story short" - I pulled out my "BRAND NEW", ITW Dan Leigh XFS Delta, that I purchased just a couple of weeks ago, and figured I'd give it a shot. I mean it's a beautiful Sunday afternoon, no one on the course, the temps are wonderful, and such a great breeze, to boot. What could go possibly go wrong..........this is just a simple single line kite (SLK). So, I hook up my line, and up it went, and just as it clears the tops of the pine trees, I suppose a bit of that unstable, swirly air hit it, and wham-o, just like lightning, into the top of a big pine tree, it went. Crap! No way out.........again, "long story short", by the time I got it out, my brand new kite had flown, for less than 1 minute, risen to about 130 feet max, and now, after about 2 hours of struggling to get it back down, it was toast. The good news - nothing was broken (spars, spine, spreader, etc) The bad news - the sail was in shreds, with numerous holes, punctures, and tears, The damage was just unbelievable. I can't believe, that with less than one minute of flight time on this kite, I have managed to completely and totally, destroy it beyond repair. One brand new, unflown, very nice Delta kite, down the tubes. I'm talking completely UNREPAIRABLE.....(garbage can material) R.I.P. "this baby is history" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Russell Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Oh man, that sucks Nick. Sorry to hear that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Runner Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Oh man, that sucks Nick. Sorry to hear that You're not as sorry as I am............. It's my fault. I know better than to try and fly here, but it was just such a beautiful day, and the wind just felt so good.... Crap is all that I can say............ :ani_wallbash: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystainedskin Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Wow....sorry to hear that. I was looking forward to the feedback on it. If it makes you feel any better......my camera went for a 40yrd drag through sugar sand and is trash....due to similar circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Runner Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 That's a "bummer", also............ (sorry to hear about your camera) I'm so out-done! Man, I didn't even get to fly that kite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joespickles Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 sorry about your loss, Been there (trust me I have been there). That stinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 I learned the hard way also, but got away with only one six-inch tear to fix. Know the feeling, took a week of trying to get it down. It landed in the top of a tree in a forest preserve, far enough into the trees so it could not be seen from the edge of the forest. TREES EAT KITES -- STAY AWAY!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Runner Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 I learned the hard way also, but got away with only one six-inch tear to fix. Know the feeling, took a week of trying to get it down. It landed in the top of a tree in a forest preserve, far enough into the trees so it could not be seen from the edge of the forest.TREES EAT KITES -- STAY AWAY!!!!! AND CHEWS THEM UP, PRIOR TO SPITTING THEM OUT !!!!! Yep, it was like, everything was going well, for about a minute or so, as the kite climbed just beautifully, and then, out of no where, came this a little lull, due to some disturbed wind coming from behind me, and all of a sudden, it was like the big old pine tree just sucked the kite straight down into it's jaws from below....... After close examination with the binoculars, it was obvious that there was no way it was coming down, as the line was hopelessly entangled through, within, and around, a large bunch of green pine cones. Nothing to do but pull it free...........and kites don't like that ! LESSON LEARNED ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 "RIP" indeed!! Sorry to hear Nick, too bad!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photomom Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 I'm sitting here at the beach just sadly shaking my head. No need to feel stupid. The "passion" just took over the common sense. It happens. So sorry. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Runner Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Yep, thanks a bunch PM, but I'm over that now............kinda ! Now, I'm looking for another kite to fill it's spot, but more importantly, I believe I see a new "winter project" coming on, to boot ! It might not end up as pretty as it once was, but I just bet that pile of shredded "ripstop" sees 500', by the time I'm done......... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyguy Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Yes, the passion of flight, especially in the eyes of a great day, has taken my common sense away... tree tops seem to have a treacherous turbulence, married to limbs and pokers that finish the job. NO TREES PLEASE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHBKF Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Strange how this story of misfortune makes me want to get out & tempt the trees. Living here in the mountain woods I deal with trees constantly. Cool windy day here today. The trees were all waving to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joespickles Posted October 12, 2013 Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 Strange how this story of misfortune makes me want to get out & tempt the trees. Living here in the mountain woods I deal with trees constantly. Cool windy day here today. The trees were all waving to me. Nooooo don't do it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystainedskin Posted October 13, 2013 Report Share Posted October 13, 2013 I havnt had the tree misfortune yet.... But I have dabbled in light poles and balconies channeling the wind in between buildings on the low wind and wrong direction wind nite. It is more fun than a roller coaster! But when the car comes off the track............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Runner Posted October 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2013 The thing about light poles, balconies, and buildings, if you shake the kite a little, it normally begins to drop or fall, as the lines slide over the obstruction. Cut those lines, and the kite may fall, or you can usually gently work it all the way to the ground, disconnect the line, and then pull your line back over the obstruction. Not so, when the line is hopelessly entangled, over, around, and through, a bunch of green, sticky pine cones, 100 feet off the ground, and the kite sail is wedged tightly, deep between several large branches full of sappy pine needles, and more cones. Slack off the line, and absolutely nothing happens. The kite won't drop, and if it did, it would only end up hopelessly, deeper into the grasp of the dastardly tree . Pull and coax gently, and still, nothing happens. Jerk and pull fiercely, and still nothing. What a hopeless feeling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Runner Posted October 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2013 Never-the-less.................replacements "in-coming"............. :single: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khal Posted October 15, 2013 Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 I avoid trees like the plague. A friend of mine, who is an amazing Rev pilot, was flying at a local festival. A couple who were new to kiting got their brand new baby SLK caught in one of trees that dot the field. He pulled out his B-pro and proceeded to expertly nudge their kite out of harm's way, but in the process one little gust swirling the wrong way meant that his baby was now snagged far worse than the original kite. Hours of effort with upended picnic tables and banner poles only made it worse. In the end, he had to leave without it. A year later the skeleton of his kite still haunts that tree as a reminder that no good deed goes unpunished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Runner Posted October 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 I avoid trees like the plague. A friend of mine, who is an amazing Rev pilot, was flying at a local festival. A couple who were new to kiting got their brand new baby SLK caught in one of trees that dot the field. He pulled out his B-pro and proceeded to expertly nudge their kite out of harm's way, but in the process one little gust swirling the wrong way meant that his baby was now snagged far worse than the original kite. Hours of effort with upended picnic tables and banner poles only made it worse. In the end, he had to leave without it. A year later the skeleton of his kite still haunts that tree as a reminder that no good deed goes unpunished. Oh gosh...........a B-Pro ? That's awful ! I can only imagine the anguish you friend mush have felt ! I felt pretty stupid, myself, and normally, I too "avoid trees like the plague". I thought I was clear and well above them, but as in your case, that "one little gust, swirling the wrong way", got me too, and before it knew it, I was hopelessly in, way too deep to get out. But still, I was only dealing with a moderately priced (SLK) delta. Hearing about loosing a B-Pro really gives me a sick feeling in the gut........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystainedskin Posted October 15, 2013 Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 I would not object chopping a tree like that down with my camp axe that resides in my truck..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyguy Posted October 15, 2013 Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 Ooee, my local Fairgrounds, which is relatively close for a quick flight location, is lined with trees, I mean it is Oregon... So, I can relate to the cringing going on here...especially in unpredictable gusts from hell... cheers everybody... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Runner Posted October 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 I would not object chopping a tree like that down with my camp axe that resides in my truck..... The golf course wouldn't think too highly of that..........although, I'd love to I was actually in my own yard, when I put the kite up, but the tree it lodged in, was on the golf course, which borders my property........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystainedskin Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 I have used compressed air to retrieve items before.... A new product "Kite Retriever". 200' of pv hooked to your most powerful air supply with various nozzle sizes and direction of output. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Runner Posted October 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 That's interesting also..............any pics ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystainedskin Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 That's interesting also..............any pics ? just something to make you giggle trying to envision 200 of pvc vertical weeblewobbling all around. I have used air,water,etc..but with the height and tangled lines....... Food for thought for next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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