Here's a question for anyone who ever logged some long air time.
I was getting a last session on the ice today, trying to bid farewell to the winter in style. I was having fun with my Frenzy, and taking some air whenever I could. On my last jump, the kite was powered up and I was edging hard. I sensed the pull through the chicken loop and the last thing I felt from my harness was a power wedgy that blasts me into outer space. No big deal. I treat it like a regular jump. I find my landing spot and keep yanking on the front hand. Then I saw my landing spot pass under me and I still had half of my descent to go. At the same time, I noticed that the ground was gaining speed under my board. I was in the air so long that the kite started diving. Crap. My instincts were yelling at me to pull on the back hand. So I did. I tried to keep the kite above my head. My eyes were still riveted to the hard ice with thousands of sharp pieces pointing in my general direction, so I had to navigate the kite by feel. Some front... little back... lots of front again... Then I touched the ground with much more vertical speed than I would’ve liked. First my board hit, then my rear end. Quick check. Everything looks in place and no sharp pains. So then I started wondering how all of you do it? Launching 10-20 feet in the air and landing like a feather. Did I over-steer? Should I have kept a more gentle but constant pressure on the front hand? Was it a mistake to use my back hand?
My rear end will be thankful for any tips to avoid a hard ice landing again.
Denis
Air control
Moderator: MK
Great recap. The funny thing was..
I was playing with my daughter at the park on the east side of Calhoun. I noticed someone on the ice on the other side. A few minutes later I looked out and saw a Blue Frenzy rising skyward. When I saw the snowboard style and rail grabs I knew it was Denis. About 2 hours later I as biking around the lake, every once and a while checking out Denis. Anyway, we were nearer to him and I glanced out and saw Denis up in the air, come down a bit, and then stop. He then cruised horizontal for about 40 ft, about 10ft off the ice, then thud. Looked pretty sweet, the crunch not so good.
He packed it up after that.
So yeah it was a good floater. Easily noticable from about 1/2 mile away.
I'm just working on soft big boosts as well so take everything here with a rock of salt:
What you did happens, specially in gusty winds. How much you pull the kite in front of you depends upon how high you are, and how strong the winds are. If you go big you can leave the kite overhead with slight front hand bar pressure until you are within 10 ft of the ground. If you pull down too soon, you could land hard and fast. If you slow the kite down more than your movement through the air, you pentulum under the kite and stall the kite.
The tough part about gusty winds is that if a gusts hits your kite as you are holding it overhead and facing foward, it can surge into the window or to the front of the window.
In steady winds, I've found it was so much easier to read where the kite is by the pull in the bar and make adjustments.
When they work and you can land like a feather, there is nothing like it. When you're up there don't forget to look out, not just down. You can see forever.
\ Did I over-steer?
maybe or a gust sped the kite down into the window.
Should I have kept a more gentle but constant pressure on the front hand?
Yes. Enough to keep it in front of you and overhead
Was it a mistake to use my back hand?
Not cause if you handn't you may have really been in trouble. I've pulled off a full sine of the kite on the drop back to the water.. Keep it infront of you and you should be fine.
Hope some of this rambling is helpful.
Great jump. Weird coincidence that I glaced over just then.
I was playing with my daughter at the park on the east side of Calhoun. I noticed someone on the ice on the other side. A few minutes later I looked out and saw a Blue Frenzy rising skyward. When I saw the snowboard style and rail grabs I knew it was Denis. About 2 hours later I as biking around the lake, every once and a while checking out Denis. Anyway, we were nearer to him and I glanced out and saw Denis up in the air, come down a bit, and then stop. He then cruised horizontal for about 40 ft, about 10ft off the ice, then thud. Looked pretty sweet, the crunch not so good.
He packed it up after that.
So yeah it was a good floater. Easily noticable from about 1/2 mile away.
I'm just working on soft big boosts as well so take everything here with a rock of salt:
What you did happens, specially in gusty winds. How much you pull the kite in front of you depends upon how high you are, and how strong the winds are. If you go big you can leave the kite overhead with slight front hand bar pressure until you are within 10 ft of the ground. If you pull down too soon, you could land hard and fast. If you slow the kite down more than your movement through the air, you pentulum under the kite and stall the kite.
The tough part about gusty winds is that if a gusts hits your kite as you are holding it overhead and facing foward, it can surge into the window or to the front of the window.
In steady winds, I've found it was so much easier to read where the kite is by the pull in the bar and make adjustments.
When they work and you can land like a feather, there is nothing like it. When you're up there don't forget to look out, not just down. You can see forever.
\ Did I over-steer?
maybe or a gust sped the kite down into the window.
Should I have kept a more gentle but constant pressure on the front hand?
Yes. Enough to keep it in front of you and overhead
Was it a mistake to use my back hand?
Not cause if you handn't you may have really been in trouble. I've pulled off a full sine of the kite on the drop back to the water.. Keep it infront of you and you should be fine.
Hope some of this rambling is helpful.
Great jump. Weird coincidence that I glaced over just then.
Tighe
Denis.
You were getting lots of gawkers on Calhoun today. Any idea on ice thickness? Made me wish I was out there! Instead I rolled around you for a while on my blades....
While I wait for the ice to clear out and I warm up my steamer, I've got a question for y'all. How's calhoun for summer kiting? Seems like today wasn't too gusty with the wind coming from the south, and that beach launch area looks real nice. I'm definitely looking forward to some great afternoon sessions when I don't have time to get out to waconia.
About your question. Get in the habit of placing and keeping the kite neutral above you while you're in the air. Then when you spot your landing you'll dive the kite down. Sometimes you get boosted but it's all good as long as you keep the kite neutral until you spot the landing and then dive the kite. Much easier said than done (I'm terrible at kite control in the air), but it takes real practice. And learning this is much more forgiving in the summer. We're almost there!
You were getting lots of gawkers on Calhoun today. Any idea on ice thickness? Made me wish I was out there! Instead I rolled around you for a while on my blades....
While I wait for the ice to clear out and I warm up my steamer, I've got a question for y'all. How's calhoun for summer kiting? Seems like today wasn't too gusty with the wind coming from the south, and that beach launch area looks real nice. I'm definitely looking forward to some great afternoon sessions when I don't have time to get out to waconia.
About your question. Get in the habit of placing and keeping the kite neutral above you while you're in the air. Then when you spot your landing you'll dive the kite down. Sometimes you get boosted but it's all good as long as you keep the kite neutral until you spot the landing and then dive the kite. Much easier said than done (I'm terrible at kite control in the air), but it takes real practice. And learning this is much more forgiving in the summer. We're almost there!
Thanks for your input guys.
Concerning the ice thickness, I stuck my hand down some fishing holes before going out. There's about 1 foot of ice left. Pretty safe for now.
To tell you the truth, I was very nervous on Calhoun today. There was a lot of people and I didn't want anyone to get hurt with my kite. So I hiked in the middle, set my bag as a reference for my "trick radius" and made sure I had plenty of space downwind if I have to bail on the kite and hold the leash.
I don't think that kiting Calhoun is a good idea in the summer. Too many people, too small, too gusty. I have those visions of horrors that my kite will hit someone downwind.
Denis
Concerning the ice thickness, I stuck my hand down some fishing holes before going out. There's about 1 foot of ice left. Pretty safe for now.
To tell you the truth, I was very nervous on Calhoun today. There was a lot of people and I didn't want anyone to get hurt with my kite. So I hiked in the middle, set my bag as a reference for my "trick radius" and made sure I had plenty of space downwind if I have to bail on the kite and hold the leash.
I don't think that kiting Calhoun is a good idea in the summer. Too many people, too small, too gusty. I have those visions of horrors that my kite will hit someone downwind.
Denis
Jeff
To answer you question about Calhoun Summer Kiting. The community of kiters has decided to NOT to summer kite Calhoun. The winds are insanely gusty, the launches extremely crowded and unsafe, and the potential dangers if a kite were to get loose are too severe. Before we started this position, a windsurfer was knocked of their board, and I heard about a kiter that was pulled downwind, had their kite on shore while they were in the water and a mother with a stroller rolled over the lines. If any incident were to occur, we could jeapardize our kiting in Minnesota.
Even if you have limited time, make the drive to WBL or Waconia, even though you'll have less time on the water, I can guarantee it will be more enjoyable.
Please join us in this position.
To answer you question about Calhoun Summer Kiting. The community of kiters has decided to NOT to summer kite Calhoun. The winds are insanely gusty, the launches extremely crowded and unsafe, and the potential dangers if a kite were to get loose are too severe. Before we started this position, a windsurfer was knocked of their board, and I heard about a kiter that was pulled downwind, had their kite on shore while they were in the water and a mother with a stroller rolled over the lines. If any incident were to occur, we could jeapardize our kiting in Minnesota.
Even if you have limited time, make the drive to WBL or Waconia, even though you'll have less time on the water, I can guarantee it will be more enjoyable.
Please join us in this position.
Tighe
A few reasons:
Considerably less people around the lake, specially when it it blowing and we usually walk a hundred feet or so onto the ice before launching....And most of the kites are foils which completely depower when not attached to a kiter.
The winds are less gusty as well because the city isn't creating as many thermals as in the summer and the trees are leafless.
This isn't a matter of skill. Our two worst area kiting accidents, were by our areas best kiters. If either of them had happened in the summer on Calhoun, there could have been much worse consequences.
Again, please join us in this position.
Considerably less people around the lake, specially when it it blowing and we usually walk a hundred feet or so onto the ice before launching....And most of the kites are foils which completely depower when not attached to a kiter.
The winds are less gusty as well because the city isn't creating as many thermals as in the summer and the trees are leafless.
This isn't a matter of skill. Our two worst area kiting accidents, were by our areas best kiters. If either of them had happened in the summer on Calhoun, there could have been much worse consequences.
Again, please join us in this position.
Tighe
Hi Denis
Thought you'd appreciate this. I had a female high school student come running in my room this morning and asked if I was at Lake Calhoun yesterday (Sunday). I said no I had a honey list to do at home. Well she said, there was a guy out there on on kite with a "death wish". She said "I really think he was trying to hurt himself." "He kept flying in the air out of control, and then would do it again." Anyway she was impressed!
Thought you'd appreciate this. I had a female high school student come running in my room this morning and asked if I was at Lake Calhoun yesterday (Sunday). I said no I had a honey list to do at home. Well she said, there was a guy out there on on kite with a "death wish". She said "I really think he was trying to hurt himself." "He kept flying in the air out of control, and then would do it again." Anyway she was impressed!
Haha! Thanks Don.
Yeah, I'll have to agree with your student. My kiting skills are less than gracious.
I was hoping to get a couple of more weeks to work on my style, but the weather seems to want to differ.
So, a friend and I are thinking about taking a kiting road trip to South Padre and hit some lakes on the way.
Denis
Yeah, I'll have to agree with your student. My kiting skills are less than gracious.
I was hoping to get a couple of more weeks to work on my style, but the weather seems to want to differ.So, a friend and I are thinking about taking a kiting road trip to South Padre and hit some lakes on the way.
Denis
No one has ever said that that I know of. Calhoune only has one thing going for it... It's convenient to get to for folks that live in the cities.jeff wrote:Why do we say it's okay to kite on Calhoun in the winter?
Jeff, I don't know if you've been down at the lake in the summer on a weekend but it's the most crowded place you can imagine. There is a stream of humanity that circles the lake. The circle hosts little tots wobbling around to old crippled men in golf cart thingies and every method of locomotion inbetween.
There are NO launcing areas on Calhoun in the summer that don't have your lines crossing a bike path.
Calhoun is still a rotten place to kite even in the winter because of the gustiness but there are relitively no one on the paths and you can launch in the middle of the lake.
Don't be a fool and risk your, and the lives of others, on Calhoun in the summer. If there is a ban on kiting in Minnesota, it will come from one of these inner city lakes.
Please don't be the one that get's kiting banned in Minnesota!
Anyone try the river? or any other water in the city area? So much water I drive past to get out to Waconia. Certainly someone has already tried some of the other less crowded lakes/rivers and can make some suggestions.
You are right, Calhoun is crowded in the summer, but that doesn't negate the launch sites; you can walk your lines into the water.
Yes, loose kites ARE DANGEROUS to non-kiters who always try to grab kite lines instead of the kite! Something to consider at calhoun. Certianly no one should be kiting with large numbers of people all around. But, nevertheless, from my windsurfing days I know that the best windy days the crowds are small, even similar to winter crowds (typically just those running/blading).
Bottom line though is I'd like to find a place that isn't 1 hour from downtown minneapolis.
Jeff
You are right, Calhoun is crowded in the summer, but that doesn't negate the launch sites; you can walk your lines into the water.
Yes, loose kites ARE DANGEROUS to non-kiters who always try to grab kite lines instead of the kite! Something to consider at calhoun. Certianly no one should be kiting with large numbers of people all around. But, nevertheless, from my windsurfing days I know that the best windy days the crowds are small, even similar to winter crowds (typically just those running/blading).
Bottom line though is I'd like to find a place that isn't 1 hour from downtown minneapolis.
Jeff
"You are right, Calhoun is crowded in the summer, but that doesn't negate the launch sites; you can walk your lines into the water."
Specifically, what launches on Calhoun can you walk your lines out into the water over 100 ft?
I don't sail there often enough to know to be honest with you.
" from my windsurfing days I know that the best windy days the crowds are small, even similar to winter crowds (typically just those running/blading). "
Calhoun is exactly the WRONG place to be on a windy day with a kite in my experience, winter or summer. Crowds or not, you will have a better time the further North, East, West or South you go from Calhoun.
There must certainly be some bodies of water that are close to Mpls, St. Paul that are better. Anyone?
Thanks Jeff,
-eric
Specifically, what launches on Calhoun can you walk your lines out into the water over 100 ft?
I don't sail there often enough to know to be honest with you.
" from my windsurfing days I know that the best windy days the crowds are small, even similar to winter crowds (typically just those running/blading). "
Calhoun is exactly the WRONG place to be on a windy day with a kite in my experience, winter or summer. Crowds or not, you will have a better time the further North, East, West or South you go from Calhoun.
There must certainly be some bodies of water that are close to Mpls, St. Paul that are better. Anyone?
Thanks Jeff,
-eric
Yeah,
The kiting community in Houston has had some pretty terrible accidents, fortunately we don't ride near anyone. Almost all accidents are due to stupid people doing stupid things; like riding too close to shore, not wearing a kite leash, wearing a board leash without a helmet, not wearing a helmet.
Still, how about some good lakes besides Calhoun that is closer than Waconia.
Jeff
The kiting community in Houston has had some pretty terrible accidents, fortunately we don't ride near anyone. Almost all accidents are due to stupid people doing stupid things; like riding too close to shore, not wearing a kite leash, wearing a board leash without a helmet, not wearing a helmet.
Still, how about some good lakes besides Calhoun that is closer than Waconia.
Jeff
Hey Jeff.
I am one of those who's stuck in the cities. I am thinking of going to White Bear Lake in the summer to catch some afternoon sessions after work. Wanna car-pool? Traffic jam is gonna be horrible though.
Another option that I am considering is getting a new windsurf rig and jumping on my pole board on Calhoun instead. I can still enjoy the wind without spending hours in the car.
Denis
I am one of those who's stuck in the cities. I am thinking of going to White Bear Lake in the summer to catch some afternoon sessions after work. Wanna car-pool? Traffic jam is gonna be horrible though.
Another option that I am considering is getting a new windsurf rig and jumping on my pole board on Calhoun instead. I can still enjoy the wind without spending hours in the car.
Denis
Thanks for being open in your thinking Denis.
We've worked hard to share the lakes with boaters, swimmers, windsurfers, etc. Let's give Calhoun to them. The potential for danger is just too high.
Denis if you are heading to Padre, let me know. I know of some great lakes in Kansas that "go off".
April is good at Padre.
We've worked hard to share the lakes with boaters, swimmers, windsurfers, etc. Let's give Calhoun to them. The potential for danger is just too high.
Denis if you are heading to Padre, let me know. I know of some great lakes in Kansas that "go off".
April is good at Padre.
Tighe