bryan taylor

I live in Bunrtisland and regularly fly down on Kinghorn beach (just down from pettycur bay caravan park) and wanted to hear from other kiters who fly there. I think it's possibly a very underrated kiting site, and would like to see it getting a bit busier with more kiters. I'd also like to meet and talk to other kiters and find out about their experiences, likes/dislikes etc. So come on down everybody! Kinghorn beach is where it's happ'nin!! Shamoan!! P.S. I'm not a psycho - honest. Just..............please!! It's soooooo lonely!!!

Thanks all. Bego 600 sounds real good. Any ideas on new or second hand prices?

I'm looking for a bit of a change. I have almost the full quiver 'o' blades and would like to get a kite with a similarly good build quility with loads of lift. I LOVE gettig air, it's what I live for. Probably something that would fit in between the 4.9 and the 6.6. Cost doesn't really come into it, I'm willing to put out for quality, so please.........only the best of the best!!

Yeah, that'd be fine. If you have loads go for the Blade 3.0 or 4.0, if your tight go for sumthin like the smaller PKD's.

Thamks "Rasga" and "The beest" will post a new thread once I get some decent research under my belt!!

First of all, thanks to everyone who replied with a positive and directly related input. It’s clear that obviously we all have very distinct and passionate views on our own and other individuals kiting. And I completely respect and understand everyone’s views on this worthwhile subject. It’s clear now that I can elaborate on what I think would be the way ahead for this idea, and it’s simple! Simple because what this idea needs to work are the very people who have replied on this thread. There are, utterly and completely obviously, so many variables in the sport that would at first appear to negate the possibility of some sort of guide ever working, and I can understand and empathise with peoples ideas on why it wouldn’t work. As an engineer, and as one with a keen interest in physics and aerodynamics however, I do know for a fact that it would be possible for some kind of fairly accurate guide to be generated and maintained/updated on an ongoing basis. It would require the input of the individuals responsible for the creation, maintenance and development of this website, and for the biggest part the input of the raw data from the subscribers to this forum. My original thread was posted with the specific intention of ascertaining the possible interest in such an idea being put forward and developed. And I think from the replies I’ve seen, there are a lot of experienced, intelligent and passionate people out there who could help to make it work and to make it of benefit for all levels of kiting abilities. To elaborate:- Columns for types of kite, wind speeds, temperature, season, abiltiy, types of recreation, weight of the individual etc. on and on. A system of taking the replies, and putting in the table the average of all the inputs to get a fair view of all the information available. What I’m saying is this; Of course it wouldn’t be easy, nothing gained in life that’s worthwhile is easily obtained. It would require development and communication in order to achieve. But I believe it could be done and would hopefully encourage kiters from other communities to view and input their views. All to the benefit of both the sponsors of this website and the people who use it. What about some positive action and feedback Flexifoil?

I feel the need to suggest this to all my fellow kiting fanatics, newbies and the people at flexifoil. We need to get together and build up a statistically accurate table that assists us all in determining as far as we reasonably can, safe wind speeds for the major brands of kites we all enjoy. For example:- The flexifoil documentation gives us some information on how to recognise wind speeds, and advises not to fly the kites above certain speeds. Fair enough, but the problem being it doesn't warn don't take your blade 10.5 out in anything more than 18 mph does it? I saw a thread posted recently where someone claimed they had flown their blade 6.6 in 30mph winds pah!!! no way, any experienced kiters will know for certain that you struggle with a 3 or 4m blade in those kind of winds. I'm not trying to put anybody down, or stand atop the moral high ground, or any of that kind of condascending rubbish but I'd like to think that if we all come together we can all populate some kind of table viewable on this site, that would give everyone a good indication by the law of averages the safe and enjoyable wind speeds of the kites that we all use. Whaddya think?

The catalogue sizes are correct. As is the tag that came with your blade giving details of all the other kites.

Just one further piece of advice if I may? With practice you will gain better upper body strength. The problem you are having at the moment is that the power of the kite is pulling your arms away from your body, increasing your centre of gravity, and thus making you feel as tho' you're tripping over. Just practice I'm afraid, until you get some big muscles

You will regret selling the 4.9 to get the 8.5 blade - simple. Don't do it. I have a 3m, 4.9m and the 8.5. Was out yesterday in winds ideal for the 4.9, but not 100% safe for the 8.5. The 8.5 in around 10 mph winds is great and managable. The 6.6 I can't vouch for cause I've never tried it, but I do know that there is a significant differance between the 4.9 and the 8.5 - which is what I think you want. Save for the 8.5 and build your collection. I even take out my 3m blade in 30 mph winds and get some superb air. Once you get 2 or 3 kites with different characteristics, there won't be a day you can't go out kiting!! P.S. If you do go for the 8.5 be very careful, it is a beast in winter conditions i.e. gusty/lumpy wind. When you can't keep yourself on the ground keeping the kite in the safest part of the window, you know your'e asking for trouble. Also I would recommend a harness to take some of the strain out your arms and let you go for longer without getting too tired.

Thanks for the advice. I must say tho that I am quite experienced already in flying my kites - don't get alot of hours in now, but from the beginning of the year I've been out at least 20 hrs a week. I feel confident and have been flying both my 3m and 4.9m in high winds 20-30 mph. The thing is tho, the 8.5 in anything above 10 mph can be scary and dangerous. The day the gust caught me, I'd been flying for at least an hour in winds that barely got my 4.9 of the ground. Anyway, a lesson learned.

Just got my blade 8.5 a few weeks back, already been taught a lesson. Was flying on the common near my home (no safety's and no harness) when a gust came from nowhere and took me up fifteen feet. I was just hanging there for a couple of seconds when another gust caught it and ripped it from my hands - I fell to the ground and have broken ribs and a knackered hand for my stupid and dangerous efforts. It was a kite on loan and that's why I didn't have the killers on (my new one has tho ) so I wasn't totally to blame!! I'd just like to get some advice from anyone on safer flying with the beast. I started early this year with the 3m, then got my 4.9 in june, now have the big boy and love it (oh so floaty). Any advice on any aspect of owning and flying this beast is appreciated.