KiteKim

Could be done for a day trip, what's the beach like? Ideally I want something close by (travelling on a student budget!) for regular flying.

It's been ages since I last got a kite off the ground but I'm off to uni in a few weeks and want to get going again. I'm going to Loughborough so does anyone know of a legal flying spot nearby? I had a look on http://www.racekites.com/flying-locations/ and found Airboss Kite Park. Can't find too much about it that's recent though , does anyone know if it's still open?

I always rinse my sailing boots with fresh water then hang to dry in the garage overnight. After that they hang over the radiator in my room until I need them. Always dry (unless back to back racing) and when they start to smell they go in the washing machine at a low temp. Never had any problems for a year and a half now.

Untangling lines is sort of a rite of passage for kiting - you just have to put some music on, sit down and sort it. Afterwards you will never do it again. So sort it or be prepared for some more tangles!

No. Just finish the finish the leg and get ready for the start of the next one!

Might be fun to try and replicate it though! Great way for an old battered kite to die if it doesn't work.

Yeah the webbing pouch is pretty much bullet proof, there is a belt loop and the webbing handle on the knife has Velcro that sticks to the Velcro on the pouch to stop the knife falling out. A couple of spare blades come in a little plastic box so you don't have to worry about breaking them, although I imagine that would be pretty hard to do.

My mystic harness has a slot that is knife sized and re-enforcement around it, I guessed it was a knife slot. I got one of these (EezyCut | professional line cutting tools for Christmas by a sailing friend. It fits perfectly in my harness, is easy to grab and cuts 5mm line no probs ( I tested it on some spare sailing stuff). It's also incredibly hard to cut yourself on ( I tested it - joking). Will be taking it sailing and kiting this year, rather be safe than sorry.

Ahh the ebay special! Treat it like asbestos...

My cheap snowboard trousers from TK Maxx are awesome. Warm, comfy and at £30 it doesn't matter if I wreck 'em. I chuck my bike tights on underneath them (comfy and no rubbing) then when I'm done I can pop a spare pair of trousers over the top to go home in. The bike tights are ideal ecause you can get changed in a field or behind a car without looking to odd. I also have a cheap pair of winter boots from Lidl, that I got a while ago. Comfy to board in, warm and supportive - and again it doesn't matter if I trash those either. Bottom line, wear something warm underneath, with a top layer you don't mind getting dirty and can chck in the wash while you have a hot cup of coffee!

Having googled 'gumboots' I now get that and imagine that that would work perfectly (sorry plummet, I don't speak Kiwi!). I have worn my Dubarry's (leather and gore tex yachting boots) a few times and they were amazing. Wellies are definitely cheaper though!

Sealskinz do waterproof socks. Might be worth a go.SealSkinz waterproof socks, thermal socks & anti blister socks for men & women

WOW! I want a go now!!!!

So glad I'm not alone! I have a tree behind my house that is my weather station. Good to see see you got to fly your new toy though, flying kites in next to no wind either makes you look like a pro or a noob - seems you got it right!

Sweet. Is that a replacement for the flow?