High Wind Jumping

[garethpj]

Lying in bed the other night listening to the wind rattling the flue vent I thought back to the days when big kites were an expensive dream. Back in the day when just about the only big kite was a 5m Peel (in the end I bought one).

 

In those days I had a super ten. And the only way you could jump with one of those was in huge winds. Then I discovered stacking and bought another 10. Then me and a few mates started pooling our kites to build bigger stacks for bigger jumps.

 

These days I don't own a small kite, and I'm missing out on a lot of potential flying days. Sometimes it's just too windy for my smallest kite (an NPW9 LK200). So I'm thinking about buying something smaller.

 

Anybody got any suggestions? I'm looking for something that will fly well in higher winds, say 6 Bft or higher. I'd like something that flies well on a bar.

 

PS Just to avoid this turning into some sort of flame war can I make it clear I don't want to here from safety Nazi's telling me it's unsafe to jump in high winds. This is an extreme sport. If it wan't dangerous it wouldn't be fun.

[Newbie One]

Not knowing what size your smallest kite is, i'm guessing 2m????, you could go for a small Frenzy or one of the other de-powers. They can handle gusts well but if you mean REALLY windy then get a small 2m or 3m Blade or another manufacturers equivalent.

[Skullfish]

3m blades are fun in high winds, but sometimes the power and viciousness can get so relentless that it gets irritating. They are also by far the most lethal.

[spooky]

Depends on what you call jumping? lol

 

Jumping 6 feet on a small kite is fine as you can fall that far quite safely. Jumping 15+ feet on a 2/3m kite is different

 

Have fun,

Jon

(Safety Nasti)

[garethpj]

Not knowing what size your smallest kite is, i'm guessing 2m????, you could go for a small Frenzy or one of the other de-powers. They can handle gusts well but if you mean REALLY windy then get a small 2m or 3m Blade or another manufacturers equivalent.

 

The LK200 is 3.4m. And I do mean really windy

 

I was thinking about 2m. Trouble is I'm not sure whats what with small foils, but some of the smaller kites I've flown are a bit on the twitchy side.

 

I think in a high wind what you're looking for is stability and no sudden surprises. I used to fly a 2.5m Peel that was nice and steady in high winds, with predictable lift. Also I need something designed to fly on a bar. I have had the North Lizard recommended, as having the necessary qualitues. Trouble is I can't find a shop in the UK that sells them.

[spooky]

Hi if yor looking at the North Lizard, have a look at the Ozone Imp?

Both two line, Imp is very well made. Lizard aimed as a "trainer kite" for kitesurfers (never under stood the need??) where as the Imp is aimed at a fun kite, but performs fine, I've even boarded with my 2m?

A bar can be brought sepreate for it, basic on just like the Lizard, but you can buy them comlete with a bar in a special extendd stuff sac to fit bar in as well?

 

Price very good, alot cheape rthan a Lizard (or A slingshot B2, whch is teh same thing near enough).

 

Hope that helps, Jon

[adamb]

Another kite you may want to look at is a Skyfoil Windwing, really good stable kite:

 

http://www.windwing.com/2004Skyfoil

 

Just so happens I have a 220 (2.2m) complete bar inc leash and strop and lines that hardly ever comes out that would sell. Send me a PM if interested.

[garethpj]

The Imp does look interesting. You're looking at about £100 including the bar aren't you? I flew a 1m Imp a while back, seemed well made and predictable for the price.

 

Last time I saw a Lizard 1.8 it was £99 including bar, but I haven't seen one for about a year. My friend who owns the Lizard is going to bring it down for me to have a try.

 

Who's sells Skyfoils? I'd like to try everything I'm considering before I commit.

[Newbie One]

The Imp does look interesting. You're looking at about £100 including the bar aren't you? I flew a 1m Imp a while back, seemed well made and predictable for the price.

 

Last time I saw a Lizard 1.8 it was £99 including bar, but I haven't seen one for about a year. My friend who owns the Lizard is going to bring it down for me to have a try.

 

Who's sells Skyfoils? I'd like to try everything I'm considering before I commit.

I can definately recommend the Imp. Blowing a hoooley and I was buggying with the 1.5m Imp and it was excellent. Great fun, stable but it's damn quick :D.

[KiteDeck Dan]

yep imp a brill kite dont under-estermate the power of it its got some welly

[adamb]

The Imp is a cool little kite I have one of the originals, but it has little lift even in 40mph+ winds just plenty of pull (use mine to buggy with when its too much for a 1.4 or 2m Buster)

 

The Windwing isn't that lifty either but more so than my Imp (is quite a bit bigger though), not tried the new 2m Imp but don't think it will have a lot of lift either just more power....

 

Not sure who sells Windwings now, Airjam used too. They're not popular at all really so doubt you'll be able to find one to try (welcome to try mine but a bit far away!)

 

There aren't that many small lifty kites aimed at jumping in high winds as most people don't, you may be better off with a Blade II 2m but they are incredibly vicous kites in high wind and it'll drop you very quickly but they are VERY lifty!!

 

Other alternative is the originals you had - a stack of flexis - great for high winds and predictable too.

[AphexTwin]

The mac bego 200 maybe worth a look, never flown one myself. I have flown the 600 which is a great kite with a lot of lift.

[spooky]

The Imp does look interesting. You're looking at about £100 including the bar aren't you? I flew a 1m Imp a while back, seemed well made and predictable for the price.

 

Last time I saw a Lizard 1.8 it was £99 including bar, but I haven't seen one for about a year. My friend who owns the Lizard is going to bring it down for me to have a try.

 

Who's sells Skyfoils? I'd like to try everything I'm considering before I commit.

Hi, should be able to get it a tad cheaper, as brought sepreartle bar is £20 with the Imps ranging from £54-£75 for the 1-2m?

I know that you could by the Imp complete with bar in the long extended stuff sack, but will need to confirm if it is availabe in all sizes? Will do that tomorrow.

 

Windwings, nice Kite, V simular to theh Sligshot B Series, should be as think it is made by them

All the Bid LEI manufactures do a 1.8-2m size 2 line Foil as a "Trainer" kite, woudl not be suprised if they were all made in teh same fatory as they all look very much the same?

Lift is going to be minimal on such a small kite, just the fact that you are using it in strong winds will be the main reason you lift?

 

Reason I like my Imp are because they are very well made, I like the colours (nice simple design/pattern) quite stable for a small kite even in high winds. And I have the standard option (wrist straps) and it packs down very small so you can stuff it in your pocket for that "oppotunistic" fly

I even para pack it

Oh yes Price for what you get is great. Others you can be looking at £120+ Unless lucky to find something on special.

 

Hope that helps, Jon

I'll find out price/details of the complete bar option in the AM.

[spooky]

Hi Have found out teh details for you?

Imps 2 lin on wrist straps,

Small 1m £57

Medium 1.5m £67

Large 2m £78

NB Price is guide as cane be had £2/3 cheaper if you look about (but may loose on postage etc)

Bar cost £19.95 Modeled on the 04 Frenzy bar, ie Ali but in effect looks liek a small o5 bar. Safety is wrist by going to one leader, works fine due to way kite bridled so just allows kite to lay out flat. May flap aroud in teh sky but kills all power.

NB Not to others wishing to use bar on their 2 line kites (or 4 line on 2 line) CHECK the bridle lay out as may not work?

 

Can be had in all sizes WITH the bar instead of straps. No difference in price oer buying seperatly, but does come in a longer stuff sac (think it is meshed on one side/end) o that you can fit Kite and bar in.

 

Hope that helps,

If you need any more info please drop me a line?

 

Jon

P.s May be selling my stardard Imp 05 large? It's fun but to many toys means no time to use them all Need a new Kayak to

[Frakke1599968664]

Could always invest in a VX-39 officially the smallest parachute in the world to be landed. This is a 3.9m foil and the guy jumped outy of a plane with it and landed it from something like 2,000 feet - that's one hell of a jump.... :D:D:D

 

Frakke

[garethpj]

I really do like the idea of a stack of 10's, just like I used to fly, but It' the expense that puts me off. Given a price of over £100 per kite it would be quite expensive to build a stack. Having said that I've started thinking about a Samurai 2m and that would be about £200 including the bar.

 

Funny isn't it? I wanted a little second hand runabout for work, I ended up with a something with the letters GTI on the boot and a £480 insurance premium. I started thinking about a nice basic little kite for high winds and already I'm looking at spending £200. It's the internet you know. Back in the days before online shopping I'd have been a lot richer. I must stop looking before I find something even more expensive.

[hankster]

The mac bego 200 maybe worth a look, never flown one myself. I have flown the 600 which is a great kite with a lot of lift.

 

i've flown a bego 200 and believe me it aint what i'd call a low wind kite,it is for a bego but if you've flown the 600 you'll know what i mean.it flies in lower winds than you'd expect for a 2m kite,over 30mph and you'll find it hard to handle with the occasional lofting yes its lifty even for a 2m.rob at mac para buggied for something like 200 miles in africa with i'm sure he said 40 knot winds,that was with a 2m.

[Fawke]

I have a 3.2m U-turn Oxi Pro. Was flying it yesterday in 28mph winds and was far too much power, however stable.

 

Others were flying 2m Sami's, 2m Imps and some nutcase on a 6.6 blade?!

After yesterday I am considering investing in a 2m Oxigen Pro and couldnt recommend these enough....

More a buggy engine i know, but they do generate lift (not on the same scale as the blade) and are quality, stable kites....

 

Maybe worth a look... http://www.u-turn-kites.co.uk/oxigenpro.htm

[garethpj]

Where the fork did you find a 28mph blow yesterday? It was 0-1 Bft here.

 

I've done quite a bit of research on this and having set the budget at £140 ready to fly I reckon the best buy would be a Nova Skite 2.0m. Alright so it's a Boom, but since Nova own Boom I suppose they can call it Nova if they want.

 

I've considered everything I could find in the price range:

Peter Lynn Pepper

Ozone LD Stunt

HQ Beamer II

Ozone Fury

PKD Buster

Ozone Imp

 

Have I forgotten anything?

 

I must say I think the Fury might be a better bet. At their normal price they are outside my budget, but I've seen them reduced to within my budget. I won't have the money until next pay day. So if they're still reduced then I'll have a difficult choice to make.

[spooky]

Don't get any of the LEI maufactures "training" foils as they are way over priced!!

Paying extra for the "training" part, when in effect they are just a 2 line foil on a bar.

IMHO if wanting 2 line go for a fun kite, as cheaper and great for just that FUN

If going four line all of teh above will be good, none of them great jump kites as not designed for that (small kites of any type are not great jumpers), but that list is a pretty good selection.

 

Jon

[LichRich]

i've flown a bego 200 and believe me it aint what i'd call a low wind kite,it is for a bego but if you've flown the 600 you'll know what i mean.it flies in lower winds than you'd expect for a 2m kite,over 30mph and you'll find it hard to handle with the occasional lofting yes its lifty even for a 2m.rob at mac para buggied for something like 200 miles in africa with i'm sure he said 40 knot winds,that was with a 2m.

 

Airboss World are knocking out the 200's at £155 at the moment. I've got the 600 and the 400 and both are great. In fact the 400 is my favourite kite of all.

[hankster]

LichRich i have the bego 400 & 600 too and the 400 is my favourite kite,when you tell ppl the 400 gives me nice floaty jumps they don't believe you.

[garethpj]

Don't get any of the LEI maufactures "training" foils as they are way over priced!!

Paying extra for the "training" part, when in effect they are just a 2 line foil on a bar.

IMHO if wanting 2 line go for a fun kite, as cheaper and great for just that FUN

If going four line all of teh above will be good, none of them great jump kites as not designed for that (small kites of any type are not great jumpers), but that list is a pretty good selection.

 

Jon

 

Look at lot of these fun kites and you see wind ranges like 2-5 bft, they shouldn't be too much of a handful in a force six. It's more likely that they won't hold together in high winds, BTDT. I've managed to fatally damage a "fun" kite flying in high winds, it simply wasn't designed for it.

 

As for the two line thing: I prefer a bar for jumping but using a four line with the brakes attached to a wrist leash in high winds. Most, if not all, of the four liners listed come with handles. Which will do until I buy another bar. It's not that I think a 2m kite would pull me into orbit in a force 7, but using a killer would be preferable to losing the kite.

 

Take a look at the Nova Skite and you will see some really careful design has gone into making it a high wind kite. Such things as the reduced bridling for reduced drag, the velcro flaps in the trailing edge to allow pressure to blow off on a hard landing, high speed foil profile and so on. It's specifically designed as a high wind kite, unlike some of the smaller kites in other ranges which are just scaled down versions of the big ones. It's a very different beasty from the bigger Boom Skites which are depower kites on a bar. It's actually a high wind toy for paraglider pilots, hence the Nova branding, and it's on handles which would make more sense to a paraglider pilot. And in it's favour when you look at the usual Boom/Nova build quality is the price. A 4.5 Skite is close to £400, I've seen the 2m at £140.

 

Of course owning a Nova can at least make you feel as if you can afford a paraglider.