Cinijar said...




Rear lines on a quad line foil are the brake and you steer with the font lines (with a small mix of rear), kinda the reverse of an inflatable. The small kites are quite sensitive to the brakes so by fully pulling the bar the kite completely collapses and falls out of the sky. The reason I built one, was I couldn't come at $150 for something that I'll only use a handful of times (and I knew I could easily make out of ronstan parts) it's based on the ozone turbo bar which I'm sure is very good if you are into land kiting. I'll only be swanning about in chest deep calm water 30m off the beach so not too worried about relaunch, I've only crashed it once so far. It reverses very easily, worst case I'll fish it out.

I've fashioned a quick release on the front lines so if I pull it they get released and the kite collapses. So no more deadly than a 'real' one. Though good to have I can't see a time I'll need it for what I'm doing (famous last words).

I intend to be on the real thing having lessons in a couple of weeks

Any tips for the big fella?

SaltySinus said..

Just got back from a mini session down the infamous St. K and I sort of did toe side twice...!

bigtone667 said..



Just to upset you Salty .... I can't pop and load, I can barely get air from a ramp, but I can do toe side in either direction!!!!!!!

SaltySinus said..



I HATE YOU! ;-)

Have you surfed or wakeboarded previous to kiting?

bigtone667 said..

But what really helped going goofy toeside was the dynabar V7 (string version of the bar works fine). Really really helps get you going.

SaltySinus said..



So your harness' hook slides around the harness? But,... isn't that cheating? ;-)

That said, I'm clearly not eating enough pies as my harness was sliding round when I was doing my massive 2m toeside tacks. On more than one occasion, I found that when I returned to heal side, I was subconsciously shifting the harness back to centre by grabbing the quick release (North Bar) and pushing it round and out!!!! Not far off the same action that would have caused it to fire!

Turns out I'm more lucky than stupid as both times, I just caught myself as the QR collar started to shift against it's return springs...

SaltySinus said...
Note to self, I feel I can *finally* do something which qualifies as 'going toeside'. No real secret to it, just try try try... and spend many hours getting funny looks from people, holding a toeside stance whilst using the rail round an oval as your pseudo bar!

bigtone667 said..



I did find it much easier doing it on a surfboard than TT. And I know you want to try a surfboard!!!!

Peterc150 said..

commit to the surfboard if you want to learn to ride it. Leave your twintip at home for 20 sessions. It's easier to learn on flat water. Once you can ride it you can then swap boards around depending on the session.

SaltySinus said..

Hey that's a great tip!

Okay, here's my setup notes:

This is the bit I always have to slow myself down on, as I just want to get into the water and make the most of the wind. Here are a few notes (not saying they're good, but they help me).

Kite:

1.?Get the kite out of the bag and move away from your bag and crap to make sure there's nothing behind/upwind of you for a few metres.
2.?Have only your pump and board to hand. Inflate the kite as usual. When you get some air in your kite, put the board over the leading edge to stop the kite blowing away.(upside down so there is a foot strap over the leading edge to keep the board stable)
3.?Once fully inflated and you've secured the valve things? remove the board and turn the kite over (remembering you're the boss, not the kite), once you've turned it over, before you put it down, walk backwards (up wind) so that lines on the kite remain down wind and easier to attach.
4.?Place the kite down and if you'd care to do so, put sand on it to weigh it down (at your own risk, especially if it's full of sharp shells and/or rocks etc.)
5.?Finally, go round to the rear of the kite and check all of the lines are untangled. Pull them all taught and check there is no fouling etc.

Lines:

Erk, lines? a real pain. The amount of time you spent putting these away will be deducted from the amount of time you have to spend now untangling them. If you were putting them away in a rush, chances are they'll be more tangled now. I personally set up with my lines downwind of the kite as I find it much easier. Here goes:

1.)?Get the lines out of the line bag and put the line bag somewhere safe (inside your main bag, perhaps).
2.)?Walk a metre downwind of the kite and start unravelling the lines in a straight line down wind (I put sand over the loose ends when I start to keep them in one place)
3.)?Once you get to the end, remember, red is usually in your left hand but as the kite is effectively upside down, it should be in your right.
4.)?Unravel all lines and make (slowly slowly catch a monkey, don't rush it). Once separated, go over them one last time to make sure they really are separated.
5.)?Attach the lines and give the looped end a good yank to make sure there is no slack.

Easy.

SetAdrift said..

Great topic here.

No big technical tips here but:

1. One thing I learned is to take LOTS of fluid to drink with you. Especially on the first few trips out where you are going to spend decent time drinking seawater, or just being manhandled by the kite a bit when you make mistakes. I now take a minimum of 2 ltrs in an old soft drink bottle of water with a bit of gaterade powder in it. I also have another drink in the car afterwards of something soft drink or juice etc.

2. The other big one for me was booties. Managed to impale myself on something under the water a week ago (sea urchin?) and a few of the spikes were a right pain to get out. Yes booties will make getting your feet into your twintip more of a pain, but vastly better than having to stay out of the water for a week and worry about infection.

Additional to 2. First aid kit nearby is great, with good tweezers inside.

Peterc150 said..

Salty, congrats on your backroll. Now on to kiteloops . . .

Peterc150 said..

I didn't haves a cast, the fibula isn't load bearing. I went kiting on Sunday. Great to be on the water but still a bit sore. . .

SaltySinus said..



Thanks Peter. I've managed a couple of downloops coupled with slide turns on my shiny 10m Dice (I can't speak highly enough about this kite... at least at the moment) and one V shaky downloop water start... They're a great way to check one's shoulders aren't susceptible to dislocation!

Have much more work to do to lock down the back roll on my strong side and weak side has yet to be attempted.

How long until your cast is off, 4-weeks?

kitcho207 said..



there a good way to start kiteloops. just dont over rotate. i think that's when you get punished the most.