Swooptopin

This is a wind up right? ok, I'll play.... Yep dead right mate, next time when its 25mph leave your 8m Blade at home and take out a peasley 4.9 instead.... much easier....... Whatever.... Seriously though, if this isn't a wind up, just be careful and build up to what you're trying to do in stages. Flying a Super 10 is not particularly relevant practice for putting up a Blade 4.9, let alone an 8m. Easy does it if you must take such a big step up in one go..... and have fun.

I don't suppose anyone else is watching "Casualty" tonight? One of the threads is a Kite Flyer who takes out a member of the public with his board. Both in hospital.... yada.. yada.. yada.... well, at least it shows Joe Public that its not good to go running towards a kite-flyer on a beach while his zipping along on his board. Our beloved Blade was well-featured..... Blue Skies, Big Winds, safe flying... John.

I'm clearly a member of what is obviously an informal "Blade 111 4.9 Appreciation Society". The 4.9 is my only 4 line kite and as a consequence in my completely biased opinion you won't go too far wrong in getting one. I weigh almost 16 stone, and having had my Blade 4.9 for just over a year, I'm finally daring to take it out in increasing winds..... with awsome results... and an increasing amount of time in the air. The B3 4.9 is the most awsome fantastic fun kite you can imagine. Have fun if you decide to get one. John.

God I'm so glad I don't buggy or board. Who's ever heard of paying to fly a kite?... sounds crazy.... Am I missing something? Obviously there may be issues of flying a kite when you're on a board or buggy, but surely if you're just static/recreational flying, you just go somewhere public, make sure its safe, and just fly... don't you? Or am I missing something? I've been flying for a couple of years now and have never found a beach, field, whatever that's banned kite flying.. though clearly there are some places out there that do..... but that's not common is it? Its a sad country when you've got to buy a field just so that you can fly a kite... Have fun, fly safe, wherever you happen to fly. John

I do think that this forum gets a little "up itself" at times. I don't personally believe that someone goes out and buys a big kite, without knowing that its a big kite. So for people on here to start saying that "you shouldn't be allowed to buy" a certain type of kite without first doing this, or that, is really a bit pretentious and quite honestly over the top. If someone wants to by a big kite and hasn't had much experience flying such a kite then so be it. He/she will learn how to fly it, or put it away and realise that its a bit beyond them. Its no more of an issue than buying a powerful bike that you've seen in a glossy, and then realising that it might be a bit too much for you. Such is life. You live and learn. I remember when I first came on here as someone who hadn't any experience of 4 line recreational kites, but wanted something to grow into and learn with. So many people advised me not to get a Blade 4.9 because of this or that, that I was genuinely scared of flying the thing by myself to start with. So much so in fact that I didn't learn anything but how to put it up in a light wind and I was quite disappointed with it... at first... Thank goodness there were some experienced people on here that just said "go for it" but be careful in the big winds and treat it with respect because it can hurt you. Any kind of rule that says you can't buy such and such kite until you can fly such and such or have done such and such really is taking on a Nanny-State approach and in my opinion does nothing but take some of the excitement out of flying. Lighten up a bit and live. If you want to fly a big kite, then go and do it. But be safe, keep it out of the way of others, respect the wind-speeds and gusts, wear Killers and some protection if need be, and have fun. As you push the window a little bit then sure you are going to take the odd hit and possibly hurt yourself everynowandagain. Such is kite flying. Its meant to be exciting, its built for pushing the limits a bit. Have fun, respect the elements, respect other people, respect where you're flying and what with and then push things a bit. Its such a great sport, it would be a shame to start imposing too many "can and can't do this" rules. John.

For us Kiters, its obviously quite understandable that you can be driving along somewhere, or sitting in your office and looking out of the window.. and you just get that urge..... to fly your kite..... You could be anywhere in fact, and the longer you haven't flown your kite for... and the more perfect the weather outside, the more you feel that you need to get your kite out and have that fix..... Almost like smoking addiction.... Does anyone else suffer from this strange need for a kite fix.. which can really crop out of no-where, and if so.. have you ever soothed your affliction by getting your kite out and flying when really, you know you shouldn't have done it, and officially shouldn't be there in that perfect wind looking up at your kite... and then suffered the consequences for doing so? (ie. Irate wife on honeymoon?..... Work Boss who just so happens to be driving past in his/her car and notices you sneaking a fly?.... I seem to get this Kite Urge from time to time.... and I always warn any girlfriends I might be getting into, that there will undoubtedly come a time when the "kite thing" might become something that gets "in the way".... and of course... it always does... eventually..... like when we were late driving to some friends BBQ.. and I had to stop and have 10 mins Blade-Time first... Like when I went on a romantic holiday to Crete.. and had to pack my 4.9, sacrificing come what may to fit it into the bag... We split up not long after.... The Consequences of having to Fly your Kite..... when really you shouldn't be there... really you shouldn't.... but you just have to get a flight in...... Has anyone really got themselves in trouble by fitting a "Addictive fix-flight" in? when everything logical says that flying really isn't the thing that you should be doing right at that time? God I love my kite. John

Tell you what.... I got pulled along once while I was hooked in on my blade.. there wasn't a lot I could do except laugh afterwards that I didn't get launched into the pond in front of me where there was a carp fishing competition going on... Seriously though, if the wind is like that.. don't hook yourself in and jump, or you may not be able to get out. I'd recommend that when the winds up big time, you only use your harness for resting the arms, and go with your arms and kite killers for the jumps. If its not too windy, but ok for jumping, then the harness will certainly give you a less arm pulling ride. Not saying that guy on the beach vid was hooked into a harness, but there must be a sensible reason he didn't just let go of his kite when he landed the first time? John.

Have found two sets of lights so far. Not sure if anyones used any of them or have any thoughts. Not even sure if its still possible to get them. Is there anyone out there that's actually using lights like these? http://www.bfk.com/kite/ki32002.htm http://www.bfk.com/kite/ki32001.htm

I'm going to have a go at flying my Blade 111 4.9 at night, and would like to put some LEDs or similar lighting effects into/onto the kite so that it looks the part when zipping about. Has anyone done anything similar and if so, what can you recommend for lighting up the kite. I'd prefer to use something of LED type (ie with small batteries) rather than crack and pop chemical plastic things which will prob only last 24 hrss before I have to buy new ones. Also, where is it best to put the LEDs in/on the Blade? Thanks, and a Very Happy Xmas to all!!! John

..... the only thing you remember after stupidly launching right up the middle of the window (to impress onlookers), is suddenly being face down in the mud, with the wind knocked out of you, not being able to breath, making a noise like "urrgrrrrgggghhhh....... urrgrrhhhhhhh.....", (knew that noise wouldn't come across too well, but am sure that there'll be others who know what I mean.....) but trying to pretend to now concerned onlookers that you are actually ok, and it'll just be a moment before you'll prove it. (meanwhile lungs still making "uuuurrrrrgggghhh, urrrrrrggggghhhh noises, and you're hoping that you'll be able to breath normally again soon).

Have finally found out what my Blade 111 4.9 is for. Took it out today in winds a bit closer to 15-20mph. Had lots of jumps 4 - 5ft along and 3ft high or do - all very good fun. Then it happened.... I took off, flew for about 20ft along and 5ft up. Very, very floaty, and lovely soft landing.... stook there for second... not quite believing that I'd just left the ground for anything more than a second or so, then the Blade was ripped out of my hands and Mummy Gust came through following her son.... needless to say, the kite killers came in very handy. God I love my Blade.

I went from 2 line Super 10 to Blade 111 4.9. Its awesome - I've hardly used my Super 10's or stack since. 10mph or less to start with. Once you get used to it (with Kite Killers) you can get a harness and take it out in a bit more. Flying in from the side of the window, not straight up from the deck in front of you (unless you want your arms ripped off). The best kit ever. Seriously worth starting a Blade 111 4.9 appreciation society. Bet there'd be loads of takers on here.

I was just wondering what's the longest lines anyone here has flown a kite on? In particular a 4 line like a Blade 4.9, but not necessarilly restricted to that. And also if anyone had any photos of them flying with the long lines and any issues they experienced. The longest I've seen so far via this site is a Blade 3m on 85m lines, a photo of which can be found here, c/o Craig Sparkes. http://www.kiteatb.co.uk/_gallery/craig/100_5033

Have you tried stacking them? http://www.ridgers.com/images/TrioBlade.jpg

Here you go: http://www.kiteworks.co.nz/

... and this http://www.ridgers.com/Lottery_Sub_Pages/kitestuff.htm

Oh my God! Reminds me of my first jump..... not. Glad he survived!!!!!!! Flux, I've changed the file link, cos the one you posted doesn't appear to work anymore. This is someone having a real problem while kiting - NEVER take those jumps for granted folks!!!!! http://www.ridgers.com/Lottery_Sub_Pages/kitestuff.htm

If anyone wants a nice pic of a Blade 111 4.9 being flown on the beach as their desktop background, this might be nice: http://www.ridgers.com/images/2004_0822_105155AA.JPG

Another useful link for you ref stacking Flexifoils, hope this helps. John. http://www.kites.org/jo/stacking.html

http://www.ridgers.com/images/KiteSig.jpg This is the link that didn't work in my first post. If it doesn't come through this time I'll give up. Flying a Super 10 and Proteam 8 stack in this today was Awesome. John

Hi Guys, I've just been out flying my Super 10 and Proteam 8 on a stack - the wind was a bit breezy for my continuing lessons on my new Blade 111 - before you call me a coward, look at the weather here today! http://www.ridgers.comimagesKiteSig.jpg Anyway, the stack was fantastic fun, really powerful - really, really powerful, and the speed of my scuds was awesome!!! I've seen a vid of a guy flying a double Super 10 stack using a Control Bar & Harness. It looked fantastic fun, and maybe, just maybe if that kind of a setup is workable, I'd like to fly my stack on a bar. Question : For those of you that fly Flexifoil stacks, what do you use (Control Bar or Grips), and what do you recommend, and why? Cheers Guys, stilll shaking after my fun today. John.

Its Crete again. Agency has just rung up and said no spaces in hotel in Corfu. Tell you what, can we just go for kiting in the Med? Any good places? John

Hi Guys, don't let me book your hols or you'd be off completely the wrong place. Its not Crete after-all, but CORFU! So..... let me start again.... has anyone been to Corfu, and if so, can anyone tell me what the chances of kite flying there on the beaches is like. Ta... John. ps, I'll let you know its not CORFU but I'm pretty sure this time.

Hi all, am going to Crete in about 3 weeks. Would love to take my kite(s) but not sure if there'll be the beaches for them. (Super 10 & 4.9 Blade). Has anyone been on hols to Crete and have an opinion on the beaches for kite flying / jumping? Cheers, John.