jameseb

You can depower the Phantom by quite a lot, which is what I mean by sheet it in. I think that's the correct term. Sounds boaty to me. I would say get a 15m Phantom, then get a smaller one for winter. I'm buying a 9m Phantom as well tomorrow, that way I'm sorted for all winds. I hate getting somewhere and finding it's too windy for the 15m and too gusty for the 7.5m Frenzy. I bought my 15m a year or so back, and haven't regretted it at all. Superb kite. I quite fancy an 18m as well now...

Yeah, I was thinking about getting a smaller Phantom. The 15 covers a massive range, but when you sheet it right in you loose all feeling in the control lines, which isnt good. Recently it's been more down to gusts than wind speed causing me problems, so I sorta agree that a 9m probably wouldnt get much use. However on the days it's really howling it means you can still get out. Tough call between the 9 and 12, but one I'll have to make soon aswell...

Ah, yes, I've seen your vids on youtube. That looks awesome. I always just assumed you lob yourself off and glide yourself down, I didnt really consider keeping the kite up and having to redirect it to do so. Where is all that stuff filmed? My missus is from Swansea, so we're down that way quite a lot. Have to see if I can find some small hills to lob myself off (there's one site over near Swindon which could fit the bill) and see what happens. Top stuff. This is fuelling my lust for stupid things to do with a kite...

Hah, you're far too responsible Frakke. Some interesting points. I certainly wouldn't mind a play with a Scorpion, but I reckon the flysurfer aint my bag if it isnt as jellyfish like as the arcs. I still like the idea of an 18m Phantom though. The stupidly big size appeals to me...

I'll have to see if I can have a go on a Scorpion at some point. It does sound quite interesting. Although I like the softer power delivery of the Phantom, so it may not be for me. Blades and the like are just stupid, they try and rip your arms off. The Phantom is more like being attached to a truck or something -- lots of grunt. In the mean time I shall keep my eye out for an 18m Phantom. I know them and love them.

Hmmm, I quite like the look of the flysurfer. Bridled closed cell with lots of lift... sounds interesting. Although they dont have the same auto-zenith effect that the arcs have, do they? They use wing warping for steering, unlike the arcs. After using arcs I dont think I'd go back to bridled, although a closed cell bridled kite is interesting. Still soaks up the gusts and has more lift for the size.

Hmmm, the Scorpion has a lower aspect than the Phantom. I would have thought the Phantom would produce more lift. I'm pretty sure I've chatted with people who said the Phantom was their preference over the Scorpion as well. Plus an 18m kite looks far more impressive than 13m.

Yeah, slow doesnt bother me too much, I just want insane float! Plus as was mentioned earlier in the thread you can use shorter lines to speed it up a bit... I think I'm pretty sold on the idea now. The 15m doesnt scare me anymore. I need to be more scared...

Hah, you can never have enough float or lift! Right, on the look out for an 18m Phantom now.

Hah, quite a divide between the Phantom and Venom owners. I quite like the sound of an 18m Phantom now... The 15m is pretty controllable even in very high crazy-ass gusty winds, so the 18m is sounding quite attractive... You can never have too large a kite, I reckon.

Is it possible to keep redirecting the kite at the top of the window to get some more lift and float? I'm not going to be attempting any kite loops over land coz I've been dumped from a good height before and I dont like it, but it's the same sorta principal. The only thing is if it's possible to move the kite quick enough, my big old Phantom isnt the quickest thing in the sky. Any thoughts?

One thing I'd add is keep your weight back. I tend to take off for 360's from a pretty much crouching position with my weight well back on the board pulling against the kite so my ass is pretty much touching the floor. Then when you pop the jump keep your weight back and kick with your preferred foot (I find back easiest). I find this keeps you well balanced in the air and makes the spin feel a lot more controlled. This is what I mean: Another thing if you're not making the 360 is to keep your legs / board closer to your body as you will spin quicker. If you get a bigger jump than you were expecting you can also extend your legs to slow the spin and get the landing right. Or keep 'em tight and go for the 720. I would definitely practice without the board first and get that nailed first, then practice getting some nice slow big jumps (as someone else mentioned) then bring it all together. Once you land one you'll keep them coming...

Yeah, it got a bit mental just as you were packing away -- the wind changed direction and seemed to get really strong and gusty. I nearly came through your kit at some serious pace as I got lofted heading your way! I managed to get back to the ground and dig my heels in and missed your bags by about 10 foot. Top fun, though.

My first bit of video on the kite. I'm finally starting to look half competant after about a year of kiting!

The Phantom 15m is the dogs -- although I've not flown the Venom2, so cant compare the two. The Phantom has masses of lift and is very easy to control imo. Bought mine about a year back for about £250 off eBay and have had no regrets, only a massive grin whenever I fly! I think you're onto a winner whatever you get from V2 and Phantom. If you get a Phantom I'd go with the 15m, though, you can fly it in some pretty big winds. I'm about 12 stone and it hoiks me up and floats me down very nicely. Sometimes I think a bigger kite would be nice, but I dont fancy going much over 15 foot up over land...

"If you don't like the look of it, don't use it? " Ha, very true. I should have said that I'm looking to upgrade to a spinning safety as I'm getting tied in knots now I'm getting the hang of 360's. If you guys reckon it's ok, I'll have a hunt and see if I can track one down cheap-ish. I can always use the Zero4 if I dont like it anyways... ta! -- James

I've had a look at pics of how the Zero7 bar spinning safety works, and I dont like the look if it. How does it handle in practice? By the look of it, it depowers the kite when you pull the eject by releasing the power lines, then keeps you attached to the bar by one of the brake likes. To me, this sounds fairly nasty -- I can just see the kite spinning and producing quite a lot of power until it smacks into the floor. I'm used to the Zero4 safety, which is excellent, apart from the non-spinning aspect. Pull and the kite is killed instantly -- this has saved me from a nasty collision with a dry stone wall, which I dont reckon the Zero7 would have. Are there any better spinning safety systems for ARCs? I really dont like the look of this one! Although I cant really see how else it can be done... ta! -- James

Can I use a spinning safety system on the Phantom? Just getting into doing some spinny stuff in the air and it would be nice to not end up in knots as I seem to mainly be landing on my head spinning anticlockwise. ta! -- James

Got some decent wind today and managed to get some hands-free air with single handed setups and then moved on to doing 360's which I've not done before. W00t! Top afternoon.

Cheers, I shall see what you guys recommend next time I'm heading down to Swansea!

Thanks for the link for Pendine / Pembrey, I've filled out the form for that. Where is Broughton? I cant seem to see that on the map, although there is a beach north of Llangennith near Llanmadoc if that's the one. Doesn't look that flat from the aerial shot though.

I'll give it a go -- I really need to get down the Gower sometime soon, I think the lack of constant wind is causing me big problems in getting confident in doing more tricks at the moment...

What are the good spots for kiting around the Gower, and South Wales in general? Llangennith was open to kiters last time I was there. What's happened about Pendine now? Pembrey? Aberavon is also good so I hear. Anywhere else? Cheers! -- James

I'm trying to get into doing something other than holding onto the bar when I'm in the air, what do you guys do? I find setting the jump up with one hand isnt really happening. So I guess you set it up as normal, power it and then what? By the time I'm in the air I dont really have time to shift my hands to keep the kite powered and give myself a free hand. Any tips on this stuff much appreciated. Need to get down the coast really and get some proper practice in, riding inland is a pisser for constant winds and consistant jumps... ta! -- James

Has been waay too gusty recently. Last time I went up Cleeve the kite was in the air for about a minute before I had to take it down again. I think I may need a smaller kite for winter... but even then the gusts are still really bad. Havent had a good kite session in weeks now, getting frustrated. -- James