Hi all!

I'm new to kiteboarding having recently finished lessons and purchased a board, harness and second hand kite.

Having read reviews and asked those in the know in the know about an appropriate size kite I purchased a Core GT 10.5m. I've gone a few times since getting all the gear and have had trouble relaunching the kite once I have come off. It seems to want to stay down wind. When I have managed to get it off the water it seems to want to stay low and swing across the window.

The times I have managed to get out are after work from around 4.30pm to 6pm. The wind has been blowing around 15 to 18 knots but dropping off. Those who know Pinnaroo Point know that the wind lightens as you get pushed north of the point towards Mullaloo Beach.

After work today (16th Feb) I went down to get some practice in. The wind was about 16knots I guess but I couldn't even get the kite off the ground. It didn't want to lift off the ground and kept dragging downwind. I put it down checked the pressure and reset the lines but it still didn't want to lift off.

Am I doing something wrong or is there something I need to do to the kite? Do old line effect the flight performance?

Any help would be appreciated.

cheers

PS Big thank you to the riders who picked my bore up on a couple of occasions while I was stuck trying to launch my kite.

Hi Lorgra,

The 10.5 GT is a great kite. It is grunty, stable and turns nicely. It should also relaunch really easily which makes me think there is something wrong.

Firstly, the lines need to be even length with the trim strap at full power and the bar at full power against the chickenloop. Use a screwdriver to connect all the ends together and stick it in the ground. Adjust the lines to even length.

Secondly, the wind North of the access way to Pinnaroo is notoriously gusty and shadowed, especially at ground level. Todays wind was very South meaning the downwind part of the beach was dodgy at best.

Thirdly, when flying a kite in light winds, different techniques are used. Many beginners feel they need to pull the bar in to get more power to raise the kite up. This is the opposite of what is needed, same with relaunching, push the bar out a bit to reduce the potential for stalling. The kite will speed up and increase power despite the bar being sheeted out a bit.

If you see me at the beach, or any of my team, don't be afraid to ask for some help. I'd love to give you a hand but I don't get down there much nowadays until around 6-6.30pm and Sundays.

Thanks! I'll check the lines after work tomorrow be there again this Friday after work to give it another go.
Cheers!

Mate the wind was dodgy as yesterday at Pinnas. A couple of times I thought I wasn't going to get my kite back in the air so if you were launching your's you were doing ok.

It turned very cross off later in the day. Better to come in and wait for a better time or risk the big swim.

Thanks Hosh,

I did notice a few riders doing self rescues later on.

It was just frustrating to not get the kite off the ground at all (kind of makes you look a bit stupid). After all people with smaller kites were up and flying.

The kite just didn't seem to want to get off the ground. There just didn't seem to be any pressure in it. When I pulled on the line nothing happened.

Would have been nice to at least get some upwind body dragging in.

I'll try check the lines tonight and give it another go.

cheers

Something's wrong, take AKS's advice.
10.5 GT in 16 knots is perfect.

Hi Lorgra,

Welcome to kiting! I have a 7m Core GT and I use it in 18knots plus. Sometimes on lighter days it is trickier to self launch. Its always better (and safer) if you can to get someone else to give you a launch. If you have to self-launch I have found that it just needs a bit of technique to get it to sit on it's edge and go up. I'll try to describe what I do.

Lay your lines out downwind of your kite. Make sure there are no obstructions/weed or rocks to catch your lines in the vicinity where you will walk upwind. This is basic stuff. Walk upwind 90-120 degrees to launch position before taking weight in the lines. Leave your bar fully out but be ready to tickle the back line closest to the wind. Walk backwards to tension the lines and the kite will start to feel the wind. As it wants to slide downwind on it's leading edge, tickle the line closest to the wind and it will sit on it's edge. If it does not sit up fully walk towards it slightly to encourage it to roll up. Let the wind do the work, do not pull on the line. It's a tickle not a yank. Once it sits up, turn it into the sky and you're away.

Hope that helps

Thanks guys,

I checked the lines at home last night and they seem fine.

I also pumped the kite up to check it for leaks or tears and it looked good as well.

I did notice I have a hole in the hose of the pump so whether that had some consequence on the pressure in the kite I don't know.

That is fixed now so the next time I'm out we'll see how it goes.

Thanks again for your invaluable advice.

Hope the winds are good to you this weekend.

cheers

Lorgra