White Rabbit Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 Greetings, everyone. I like Rev kites and long walk on the beach. Or maybe that should be, "I'm a new Rev addict." (Everyone else: "Hi Rabbit.") I wish I had some impressive story about years and years of kite experience, having started on this model or that one, but I don't. Sure, growing up in Texas, I had a kite and I certainly had a good time with it, but I guess I fell into the trap of thinking that it was something you either outgrow or upgrade into a parachute, the latter not being very appealing. Then, this past summer, on a family trip to the WA coast, the rental house had some single line kites to play with. Got to researching online to see what the higher end of kites looked like and stumbled across the Rev. Now, I just keep thinking about all this time that has gone by and I'm only just now discovering them. How the heck did that happen? What, no one here thought to pick up the phone and let me know? Just heading off to have your own fun without me, huh? No, that's okay. I see how it is. So now I'm the proud owner of a B-Series standard on 90# 100 ft. lines, as well as a Rev travel frame since I periodically travel for my work. (Don't be surprised if I message some of you to see if you can come out and fly.) My first flight didn't go so well, but apparently even the standard needs some kind of wind. Consistently. Well, on which to learn, at least. For my second flight last Saturday, I headed over to the next town which is known for its wind. (The highway signs about dangerous cross winds are a permanent fixture there.) With estimated 11 mph winds, I had a fantastic day. (Insert Chevy Chase's monologue regarding the amount of fun his family will have at Wally World, and the subsequent plastic surgery, here.) I'm hoping to get a few more flights in before the snow flies (which will hopefully only slightly reduce the frequency and not put it on hold for the season). Good thing I have a cool boss letting me split a single day off into two separate afternoons this week. Lots to learn in a short time. Wow, you're still reading? (Wow, I'm still typing?) Anyway, that's where I am. If any of you find yourselves in the SW part of Montana, drop me a line. Obviously, it will be a while before I can do any team flying, but one never knows! Until next time! -Rabbit 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHBKF Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 Welcome to the forum. It was great chatting with you in the chat room this evening. Best wishes on your new adventures with your Revolution Sportwing. I love mine. SHBKF http://kitelife.com/forum/gallery/image/5611-/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 Hi, White Rabbit, and welcome to the forum. I look forward to flying with you some day. I'm in the Chicago area. Feel free to PM me anytime you're in town. There are at least half a dozen flyers in the west and northwest suburbs here, and several more within 90 minutes. Many good inland fields as well as the beaches of Lake Michigan on which to fly. Odds are good of finding someone to fly with in this neck of the woods. Have fun, smile and don't forget to breathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul LaMasters Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 Welcome and enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystainedskin Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Pull up a chair....Welcome! "Insert Lamasters picture, sitting in chair flying while having a conversation"......just couldn't find it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Here's a shot of Steve Anderson (team 180GO!) doing it right. Photo courtesy of basicbill. And here's four three of team 180GO! and friend. Photo courtesy of James Fletcher and team 180GO! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Lane Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Welcome bro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Rabbit Posted October 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Thanks for the warm welcomes. May need to keep the chair idea in mind. Hoping for some good conditions for flying tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPhelps Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Welcome to the forum. Everyone is super helpful and the resources are great. I was into dualies for a few years before I even discovered the Rev so I can sympathize with you on that. They must just want them all for themselves, I mean JB must have enough kites for a small village at this point and I don't think he's alone in that. Hope the flying conditions are good for you today, I have 30 mile an hour winds and downpours right now, not quite ideal weather for anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Chairs are more fun in numbers. Welcome, welcome, welcome! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glitch Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Welcome Mr White Rabbit! Sounds like you got snagged in the same as me! Very nice introduction with a nice shine of your humorous side.. As you can see lots of nice folks on here... See ya amigo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Rabbit Posted November 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 So I was flying Sunday in some pretty strong winds and I broke a vertical spar. Does that mean I have been fully initiated? Or is it that it's all fun and games until someone breaks a spar? The interesting thing is that the spar broke broke in two places, once on each side side of the label. I would have thought that it would break at one place before the other. Darn. Now it means I'm going to have to get a vented sail, too. *sigh* While I have your attention, anyone know if Rev kite bags are available anywhere? (I really have drunk the Kool Aid, haven't I?) -Rabbit ps - Thank you everyone for all the warm welcomes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPhelps Posted November 4, 2015 Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 It may not be true but it seems to me that the spars have a tendency to break right up against the labels, not sure why but that's what I've seen. As for the vented sail can I use this as an excuse too? I've been looking all over to find a reason to get one... Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Rabbit Posted November 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 I'm sure the label is providing added structure support, even if only a little. What surprised me most was breaking in two places instead of just one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPhelps Posted November 4, 2015 Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 That surprises me too, I've seen them shattered and snapped but never snapped in more than one spot. Did you hit the ground hard or just fly in winds hard enough to snap it? Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted November 4, 2015 Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 Leading edges generally break due to spar damage (worn spots or impact), verticals generally only break due to pressure (high wind). The reason Rev rods work so well for Revs is that they're stiffer than almost anything else, so when a break happens, the material responds more like a ceramic than a fiberglass in terms of forgiveness in flexibility, especially with the performance rods like Black Race or Diamond. I've broken a single Diamond vertical spar into 6 pieces, then 4 another time, purely from loading the sail beyond their strength. Two main rods qualities are stiffness and strength... A rod can be really, really stiff but not be very strong... Said another way, it can resist bending a lot (stiff) so it doesn't flex far, but beyond that flex lies a kinetic explosion throughout the rod. I choose my frame of the moment based on having only a certain range of flex in the leading edge, but also not having it be too stiff - this lets the kite "breathe", fluid flex to help cup the air but not so much that the kite distorts and dumps power. There's actually a third dynamic as well, which is "snap back", or how fast the spar will return to straight when the pressure is released... A strong snap back equates to more power and speed, generally favored by performance Rev fliers. After that, I consider weight. WR is spot on about the labels, they add a lot of support and generally don't break there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3wrapframe Posted November 4, 2015 Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 Welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glitch Posted November 4, 2015 Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 So I was flying Sunday in some pretty strong winds and I broke a vertical spar. Does that mean I have been fully initiated? Or is it that it's all fun and games until someone breaks a spar? The interesting thing is that the spar broke broke in two places, once on each side side of the label. I would have thought that it would break at one place before the other. Darn. Now it means I'm going to have to get a vented sail, too. *sigh* While I have your attention, anyone know if Rev kite bags are available anywhere? (I really have drunk the Kool Aid, haven't I?) -Rabbit ps - Thank you everyone for all the warm welcomes! If you find any rev kite bags let me know. I often wonder why they stopped making them. Maybe if enough people get together and prepay they would make a few? Might be worth a try... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted November 5, 2015 Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 Theresa *might* have some at http://www.thekiteshoppe.com, plus she supports KiteLife. If not, I was in Kites Unlimited just a couple months ago and they had several Rev bags on the shelf. They don't do online sales, but a quick phone call to Don, Geri, Brett, Frankie or any of their folks can help. http://kitesandbirds.com/ku.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photomom Posted November 5, 2015 Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 Last time I looked, there was still one there. That's Kites Unlimited in Atlantic Beach, NC. I was looking at it myself but talked myself out of buying it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glitch Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Ok John and Photomom. Talked to Don and guess what! I got a rev bag coming in the mail! Woohoo!!! I really appreciate you speaking up and turning me on to these guys. Really nice brother to talk to on the phone. I believe he said there was one left there Mr White Rabbit.... Please forgive me for crashing your introduction thread. Thank you again JB and Photomom.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photomom Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 I guess I had better talk to Don this weekend about my commission. LOL 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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