Need desperate help!!!!

[J-2-F]

Hi all i am Jonathan and i am from S.A. I only just received kite this past Christmas, it has always been a passion for to be really be able to fly a kite properly. I used to fly a basic stunt kite when i was much younger haven't flown for about 10 years. I am now 23 and i have a lot of catching up to do!!!! I have got the Blaster - Rainbow. It flies real nice but i need a few tips on where i should start out with the whole tricks story. I was reading all the tricks that you can do but where do i start? Please if anyone can help with the extreme basics. I can launch by myself and do a 360 in both directions and thats it.

Please help

[John Barresi]

Hi Jonathan! I'm not sure if the kite you have now will get you into these "new fangled" tricks... But, here are the best trick video tutorials on the web:

http://spaces.msn.com/members/sportkiteflyer/ (right side)

I learned 1/2 my stuff from Randy's videos, and they'll certainly give you a major head start... Post back with any questions at all.

Ideal tricks to start with might be the 1/2 axel, Cascade, Flic Flac.

[J-2-F]

Hey John

Thanks so much for the prompt reply. Will certainely take a look at the link you sent me. In your opinion what will be the best kite to learn on. Is the kite i got too much for begginers or what is the problem with it??

Will let you know how it all goes will be flying alot this weekend. Cheers for now!!!!

[John Barresi]

Haha, you've opened a can 'o worms now...

Here's your Blaster.

This is what I generally call a "WalMart entry level kite"... It's made more to sell, not to fly.

A good example of a beginner kite made to sell, AND to fly would be the Cherry Bomb (my personal favorite)... But, it's not a trick kite.

Getting into tricks moves you up in the price range a little bit... A couple of examples:

Mirage by Prism

Big Bang by New Tech

As you can see, you go from the $30-$50 range up into the $80-$120 range for trickability and handling.

You'll get a lot of different opinions though, much like you would for a new car.

A couple of my favorite first questions:

1. What is your budget?

2. What kind of wind speeds do you usually see where you fly?

[John Barresi]

FYI - While it may not be a trick kite, or the easiest for beginners to learn tricks on... I can actually get the Cherry Bomb to do a lot of the new stuff, just by taping a couple of quarters to the tail.

See info about weights on kites.

[J-2-F]

Hey John

I generally fly in winds between 10 - 19mph(rough estimate). I unfortunately can't go out and by a new kite now i as i got this one from the girlfriends parents for Christmas so i don't think i would be the most popular person around if i had to do that. But definately i would be upgrading in a couple of months so maybe i will just slog on and see what i can do with it. Over in the states you guys seem to be much more into flying than here in S.A. I really on know of 2 shops here in Cape Town that stock kites and none of them stock what you have sugested. What sort of shipping costs would i be looking at if i had to ship it from up there. And who would be the best people to go to to purchase a kite over the net??

Anyways thanks so much for the sound advice and those video's are great!!!!

Cheers for now

[audioRob]

There maybe shipping restrictions, but i strongly suggest giving a call to kiteshoppe. 1-866-ROKKAKU

[John Barresi]

Any of the kite stores you see listed on our home page are reputable... You'll find quite a few Kite Shoppe customers here on the site, and they are just over the river from me - making them my own local shop too.

Do let us know, anytime you have any questions at all!

[J-2-F]

Hey thanks so much for all the advice. I will definately let you know how the flying goes this weekend. I am going to practice trying to do a half - axel. I have watched that video about 20 times and i am trying to get the motion into my head.

Thanks for now. Chat soon

[John Barresi]

Good one to start with J-2-F... Keep in mind, the Flic Flac might actually be easier on any kite, whereas the 1/2 axel might just tend to pop your particular kite out of the sky.

Also, I recommend you do try taping a one (or two) US quarter sized coins to the bottom of the keel (tail), on the back side... Experiment, feel it, see what kind of difference you notice.

[J-2-F]

Hey John

Sorry to bother you again. What is the ideal wind speed to practise in? I have notice that where i fly it isn't a constant wind the seems to be alot of spots where there is just nothing. It is still inside the window and the kite dies on me alot and then when it does gust the kite takes off again. I suppose that isn't ideal conditions to fly in?? Another question that i must ask is it compulsory to let all the line on the controls out or can you fly where you feel comfortable?? Man some of those tricks that i viewed look so graceful but there looks to be hardly any wind. Is it the less wind the more control or the more wind the quicker reactions you need??

Cheers Jon

P.S thanks for the help in advance

[John Barresi]

Kind of depends on the kite... I think your kite might require 6-12mph to fly well, some of the kites we've recommended here prefer the 3-10mph range.

When the kite lifts off easily, doesn't fall out of the air when you're flying, and conversely isn't shaking or rip-roaring across the sky... That's about right.

[Acolmanj]

Hi - talking about Walmart kites.....I was given a Brookite Apline 'sport kite' for christmas.

I'd never flown a kite before and to me it seems like a lot of fun. But I notice that it is a 'floopy' type kite and not rigid like the ones in your videos.

Does this mean it will not do the tricks that I see in your videos ?

What can I expect a 'floppy' design kite to be able to do ?

Can (or should) I think of modifying it with vertical spars ??

Cheers,

John.

[audioRob]

It's not exactly a "floppy" kite, but I strongly doubt it will even do a basic axel very well.

I think john's recommendation of a cherry bomb or something similiar (like the level one easy or jackin the box etc..) are great choices to begin.

[J-2-F]

Hey all

I know this might not be the right place to put this question but here it goes in any case. What would on be achieving by adjusting your bridals and the standoffs?? Would it improve the control of the kite or make attempting these tricks easier??

Cheers Jon

[John Barresi]

Whew, that's a tough one when dealing with a kite like the Blaster... In most cases, kites at that level are not made as "adjustable machines"... So, you might be able to move the bridles up and down, but it may or may not make much of a difference in trick performance (perhaps only in the amount of lift).

Someone here on the forum might be able to come up with a solid bridle tuning reference... It's a bit lengthy for me to get into at the moment.

[kite-head]

To J-2-F

I don't know, maybe it is the Crown Royal speaking at this point (yes I have had a gooood time tonight) anyway, if you have a suspicion that something might make a difference in how a kite flies, all I can say is try it.... experiment. Especially if it is a cheap kite. Adjust standoffs, weight...whatever...test fly it...have fun try new things...(to you)...especially if it is a cheaper kite. If your going to mod a kite let it be a cheaper one... I think the most important thing is have fun doing it. Learn new things break new ground. of course some kite designs are going to be more limiting than others but if the overhead is low, who cares. In the last few months I have personally learned that there is a wealth of info out there to be had if you want to mod a kite, check out various forums such as gwtw's forum, kitebuileders forum, fractured axel, etc. There is a wealth of info out there if you are willing to look it up. The best thing about the kite community is that many people out there are more than willing to help you out.... I love this hobby! I myself have spent the last half hour staring at my extinct Prodgressive Line Voodoo wondering, "how can I make this kite better...more fun." I have flown it for many hours. Yet, I feel some characteristics could be better...Oh well, I guess I have rambled on long enough. Bottom line...HAVE FUN!...Go fly a kite!

[John Barresi]

Cool Christopher... Well said.

[Dorsal]

About your question as to what kind of wind to fly:

The primary answer is that you'll have to fly in whatever wind the weather provides that day. I prefer winds from 1 to 8 mph, but the more steady the wind, the better.

The biggest trick is to find a place to fly with a clear breeze. Every upright object causes wind turbulance, whether it's a tree or a building. The area of disturbed wind is downwind from that object, at a distance of about 7 times the height of that object! So, a 30' tall tree will disturb the wind up to 210' downwind from it, and that disturbed wind is up/down, left/right turbulent. It's very difficult to fly in wind like that, and every experienced flyer avoids those areas, no matter how nice or accessible they may be. Most new kite flyers don't know that, and they spend hours of frustration trying to learn to fly their new kite in junky wind.

BTW, you may find a field that's wonderful unless the wind is coming from, say, the south. That might happen if the field was open from all sides, but had a row of trees along its southern border. So, look around, and pay attention to the direction of the wind also. It can make a huge difference!

[Penny Lingenfelter]

"Here Again, Gone Again, Ugly Wind" That's what we call the wind that comes and goes.

I get asked to fly at small fields with trees all around. The wind comes in to the circle and says.. Where do I go? swirls Yuk! Not everyone watching understands this. lol It's good if you give an educational announcement before you fly.

Still, practice in every wind, non wind, here again, gone again ugly wind that you can. It will make a better flyer of you. (Or maybe your not as fanatical as some of us?)

I wish I could do things the easy way, but that's not me. Reading about it adjustments helps a little though it's best if you try those adjustments on your kite slowly, and make sure the beginning is marked!

Different people will adjust their kite differently to fit their fly style. That's why the experience of what works for you is best.

Over the years we've met more then a few people who's kite was just fine, but the wind was not enough for a beginner. Unless your looking to fly no-wind now, I'd suggest a steady 2 mph at the ocean... or at least an ugly 5 mph inland for beginner kite flyers. But that's 4 string thing.

Happy 2006!

Penny