Quad catches...

[audioRob]

Ok. Tips on catching and throwing. My catches always are a good 50ft out despite the 'get it over head and rip the top lines' method...

Throws.. well err. I or 1.5 still way short. the quad sticks would surely help (i've seen rev's with sticks float easily 100ft barely losing altitude).

Other ideas and things to watch for?

[John Barresi]

Any particular problems you're running into?

[Jason Paul]

It's been so long that I've tried catches and throws without quad sticks that I don't even remember.

With the sticks, I generally only have to take a few steps forward - to clarify though, I usually fly on 35' lines. However, I'd bet that even on longer lines the kite would glide almost all the way to you. There have been a few times when I've actually had to take a few steps back to catch it.

Throwing with the sticks is very easy. As you say, it just gently glides out to the end of the lines. You still have to use proper technique, but it's much easier.

For catches without the sticks, the kite will just drop straight down at best. However, it can also be blown farther out if there's much wind. So, even if it looks like the kite is directly over your head when you pull the lines, it will get blown downwind - which is what makes you have to run for it.

It may seem like the easy way out, but I love the sticks. They make for more enjoyable flying for me, and that's what it's all about.

Jason

[Dorsal]

I'd suggest you try to tug on the top lines while the kite is still coasting upward. If you yank on them, the kite is definitely heading straight down (and downwind), but you can get the kite to continue forward a little if it has momentum and you tug just enough to get the kite to nose over.

Practice, practice. Oh darn! You'll need to fly the kite more often!

[audioRob]

Any particular problems you're running into?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

'catches' end up a good 50-60ft away from me... throws are WAY too short.

My first time out with the 1.5 I did 4 perfect catches and tosses no problem, ever since it's been terrible

[monkey]

'catches' end up a good 50-60ft away from me... throws are WAY too short.

My first time out with the 1.5 I did 4 perfect catches and tosses no problem, ever since it's been terrible

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Eat more wheaties and run faster.

ok ok, my real tip for this...

Ideally, when you give ye olde big yank downwards, you want it nearly overhead. Keep in mind, in higher winds, you'll be running forward no matter what unless you are one of those still on rev training wheels... (kidding!)

With respect to throwing, (and for catching as well) keep your lines short, ie, under 50 feet. Like, 30 feet for me is an ideal length unless I have had my oatmeal and then maybe I can throw 50 feet if the wind is working with me...

[audioRob]

'catches' end up a good 50-60ft away from me... throws are WAY too short.

My first time out with the 1.5 I did 4 perfect catches and tosses no problem, ever since it's been terrible

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Eat more wheaties and run faster.

ok ok, my real tip for this...

Ideally, when you give ye olde big yank downwards, you want it nearly overhead. Keep in mind, in higher winds, you'll be running forward no matter what unless you are one of those still on rev training wheels... (kidding!)

With respect to throwing, (and for catching as well) keep your lines short, ie, under 50 feet. Like, 30 feet for me is an ideal length unless I have had my oatmeal and then maybe I can throw 50 feet if the wind is working with me...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Forget that then, Im making a set of quad sticks TOMMOROW. haha

Switching the down rods to a lighter weight rod and adding the sticks.. shouldnt affect overall mass, very little if at all.

Shorter lines... hrm. But I've seen guys do it on 80-90ft lines with no problems in higher winds... there must be a trick to it

[Jason Paul]

Not to completely change the subject, but I'm glad I switched to shorter lines. Of course the biggest disadvantage is a much smaller wind window.

However, I've found the advantages to be worth it.

The kite is faster & more fun.

Many find the 1.5 sluggish, but putting it on 35' lines makes a big difference.

Throws and catches are easier.

I feel like I'm more connected to the kite when the lines are short.

Trying control stuff (like landing on things) is more practical.

You don't take up nearly as much space. Even when my normal field has several soccer games going on, I can usually find a patch that's only around 50' square or so.

Better light wind performance.

Another thing that I've done that's related; I use unsleeved 150# line. It's much cleaner for 3-D flying with no sleeving. I moved up to 150# line to help avoid breaking a line. More force from a throw combined with a lack of sleeving could be too much for 90# line. I'd rather be safe than sorry. The added weight of the heavier line isn't that great on a short lineset (35' on my main one).

Jason

[monkey]

You know, in my perfect world, its 50 foot line sets for all the reasons you outline Jason.

[audioRob]

You know, in my perfect world, its 50 foot line sets for all the reasons you outline Jason.

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Just made a set of 55ft lines to try... flew in my front yard for a bit with em, it was much fun

[Jason Paul]

I've actually been planning to make a 50' set. I've got one, but it's 80# and sleeved, so I don't use it much. I think 50' would probably be about as long as I'd like to go these days.

It's odd that tricking a 5'-6' dual liner on 35' seems too close, but that length is fine on a quad at almost 8'.

Jason

[audioRob]

For reference I figured out the trick today.

Dont bring it to the top of the window! About 70% up and give the yank. The kite will turn forward and float towards you even in higher winds. If you goto the top and yank, the kite will go straight down letting wind grab the sail and push it away from you.

I had 6 perfect catches today using this method. One catch straight off the ground (launch position) in about 10mph winds.

[REVflyer]

I practice on 65 to 70 feet, so when doing demos the fifty foot length seems so effortless.

A throw of seventy feet (with a light weight kite) takes some manly effort though. Almost like throwing a javelin. I take a couple of fast/large steps towards the direction of the throw and really push off with my index finger. Here's where you'll miss the excess mass of the SLE tubes, if you are using something else.

I like to throw it diagonally across the wind window and have it pasted upside down in a hover on the end of the lines. Since you already have both control handles in one hand, just leave 'em there and you'll find this is easier than it looks (aren't almost all of the REV tricks easier to do than they look like they should be?)

On longer lines you have to sprint backwards as the kite is moving away from you. Sand will really screw-up you body speed, particularly that first step!

I've witnessed Revs being thrown a hundred feet, but I can't do much more than about 80-85 despite years of practice.