Just remember if you go Liquid Force that the 12m Havoc's which is a very user friendly kite will pack the power of two kite sizes above it, so if you truly want a kitethat can cover you from lets say 7m high wind conditions to 14m lighter wind conditions they might be for you? I have the 2007 12m Havoc and the 2007 16m Assault if you would ever want to try it before you buy them just catch me on the lake I'll be the only one flying them more than likely this spring at least until some people wake up. The kite that really impresses me the most though is the 16m Assault's, these kites are so versitile it will really impress you, I have flown these kites in such high winds when everyone else is flying 9 and 10m bows to very light winds. They are a very stable kite and the relaunch is easy and like I have always said they DON'T INVERT, so safety wise it's a great beginner kite. One problem I see a lot of beginners do is go out with to small of a kite and they don't have the power to keep them up wind, remember just because you are a beginner does not always mean you need to power down, you need the power to learn, if your not somewhat juiced the learning process will be long and hard and frustrating.
Catch me at the lakes and just ask I'll give you a good demo of the Liquid Force kites and boards.
need a new kite. opinions welcome.
Moderator: MK
-
SCOTT RIDOUT
- Posts: 651
- Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2002 12:45 pm
- Location: CHAMPLIN, MINNESOTA
Hey Randy,
Good to here from you. I just asked my brother how you were doing last week. He did not know you had started kiting; Glad you did. With your boarding skills, you should be ripping in no time.
You are correct in that I intended to use Ed's beach as a launch. but given yours and others recommendations I'll wait till I'm beyond the beginner stage. From what I recall the lake traffic really does not pickup until after 10:00 AM, so maybe later in the year we can get some morning rides in.
For now, I guess i'll join the rest of you on Wac or Milly.
The first thing I need to do is get on Tighe's Calendar for some on water instruction after the water warms up a bit. No drysuit---Yet.
I made the puchase last night and did pick up the Liquid Force Assault 12M.
Next step, find a board. In addition to the ones I mentioned earlier I'm considering a Skywalker Dimitri Pro 135 x 47.5. anyone have experience with this; is it to much of a specilized light winder? how about the BEST SPARK, beginner board but is it big enough 139X40?
Thanks again to everyone for your input and those who offered to let me demo your kites. I will take you up on those offers after I get a liitle experience. Until then, I'll have no real frame of referrence for comparison and I dont want to slam your kites while I'm getting this sorted.
Good to here from you. I just asked my brother how you were doing last week. He did not know you had started kiting; Glad you did. With your boarding skills, you should be ripping in no time.
You are correct in that I intended to use Ed's beach as a launch. but given yours and others recommendations I'll wait till I'm beyond the beginner stage. From what I recall the lake traffic really does not pickup until after 10:00 AM, so maybe later in the year we can get some morning rides in.
For now, I guess i'll join the rest of you on Wac or Milly.
The first thing I need to do is get on Tighe's Calendar for some on water instruction after the water warms up a bit. No drysuit---Yet.
I made the puchase last night and did pick up the Liquid Force Assault 12M.
Next step, find a board. In addition to the ones I mentioned earlier I'm considering a Skywalker Dimitri Pro 135 x 47.5. anyone have experience with this; is it to much of a specilized light winder? how about the BEST SPARK, beginner board but is it big enough 139X40?
Thanks again to everyone for your input and those who offered to let me demo your kites. I will take you up on those offers after I get a liitle experience. Until then, I'll have no real frame of referrence for comparison and I dont want to slam your kites while I'm getting this sorted.
I think you'll be great on either if those boards, however I would guess that the dimitrii pro is a pretty stiff board, designed for big pop. It might get a little tireing to ride on our choppy water, especially if your beginning. Never underestimate the muscles you'll need to build up on your body to really get the best experience from this sport. No one is ready for that first really long session, you'll be feeling it for weeks. Gotta love it.
The best board would be a little more forgiving, flexing over the chop. If you plan on trying for serious pop soon, get the pro, otherweis the best might be better. It is probably cheaper.
The best board would be a little more forgiving, flexing over the chop. If you plan on trying for serious pop soon, get the pro, otherweis the best might be better. It is probably cheaper.
Eric
I'd also consider the crazyfly line for a board Numerous choices.
http://www.lakawa.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6786
http://www.lakawa.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6786
Kurt
Jeff,
I have a great beginner DVD for water. I watched it a couple of times before I took my lessons and I think it really helped me. If you want to borrow it before you hook up with Tighe let me know. I would definitely like to hit WBL from Ed's as soon as I get some more board time under my belt.
Randy
I have a great beginner DVD for water. I watched it a couple of times before I took my lessons and I think it really helped me. If you want to borrow it before you hook up with Tighe let me know. I would definitely like to hit WBL from Ed's as soon as I get some more board time under my belt.
Randy
If you can get a on trip to South Padre TX, go for it! You get tons of practice in great conditions with lots of wide open space!
You may have to hike back some, but you can also stand up in the water and this is a HUGE advantage when you are learning (esp. if you have limited kite flying time)! I just did the Padre trip and I can't imagine trying to learn without touching the bottom.
Tighe probably won't plug his own trips, but if you are serious about learning it is well worth the time and money! There are always MN people headed down there too.
Washington and Malmo are great around here because they are shallow also (and fewer items/people to hit too).
Rock on!
Mike N
You may have to hike back some, but you can also stand up in the water and this is a HUGE advantage when you are learning (esp. if you have limited kite flying time)! I just did the Padre trip and I can't imagine trying to learn without touching the bottom.
Tighe probably won't plug his own trips, but if you are serious about learning it is well worth the time and money! There are always MN people headed down there too.
Washington and Malmo are great around here because they are shallow also (and fewer items/people to hit too).
Rock on!
Mike N
Randy: I'd love to borrow your video. any help i can get. I have one video that came with my foil. "the way to fly" by Kittyhawk kites.
Mike: SPI would be great, but it is not going to happen for me any time soon. Baby at home and my wife hates to fly.
I've got some decent flying time under my belt about 36 sessions, 75 hours and about 150 miles according to my GPS since last January. But this is all with a foil and skis. (Gee... that only averages 2 miles an hour? could have sworn I was going faster than that...).
Mike: SPI would be great, but it is not going to happen for me any time soon. Baby at home and my wife hates to fly.
I've got some decent flying time under my belt about 36 sessions, 75 hours and about 150 miles according to my GPS since last January. But this is all with a foil and skis. (Gee... that only averages 2 miles an hour? could have sworn I was going faster than that...).