So I got a two part post for ya. Fist of all, how was Calhoun last night? Snow still holding in there? I saw probably around 7 kites at sunset. Looked like a blast.
I stopped by and watched for awhile after heading out to Wayzata bay and attempting to set up. I believe I had a couple of thing working against me there though. First off, the wind was just wiping in with some fairly strong gusts right from the south. Which meant I trudged about 200 yards out into the middle of the bay to get far away from shoreline. Then I yanked my 06 12M Waroo (read multi point inflation) out of the bag and after some fairly wild moments when the wind attempted to take my un-iflated kite away- I decided I was in over my head and packed it all back up.
Now I am assuming that I had picked the wrong bay to try to set up in with winds out of the south. Maybe Excelsior would have been better. Anyways, any pointers on setting up in strong wind? I am fairly new at this so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Nick
How was Calhoun and high wind set up.
Moderator: MK
sounds like you did a lot of correct things. Avoiding Calhoun on a really windy day is a good idea. It is normally gusty and on gusty days really really gusty. Looks like Wayazata bay should be pretty good on a South wind. It was going a bit SW yesterday though so that may have been affecting it. Generally you want the longest fetch (open area) upwind of where you'll be riding. In the winter this means find the side of the lake with onshore winds and you probably have the longest distance upwind. In the summer onshore winds are expert only since we're launching so close to the trees. (look for sideshore in the summer). The other "Right" thing you did was to walk out from shore. The buffer zone down wind should be at least 3 kite line lengths but I encourage students to increase this anytime you're doing anything new (eg. higher winds, trying new tricks, weather changing, etc).
If you don't have a sandbag, I'd suggest getting one. Any bag full of sand or cat litter or whatever will work. You can use this to weight down one end while the kite is drawn out end to end into the wind, as you pump your struts, then on the canopy just behind your LE as you inflate the LE (perpendicular to the wind). Once pumped up, flip your kite and put the bag on the backside of the canopy to hold it down while you attach your lines. I usually go downwind with my lines. Bar upside down kite upside down. Once everything is attached I walk/skate in a big semi circle around the kite into the wind. Keeping a little tension on the lines, keeps the kite rotating with me. I'm usually just holding the chicken loop not the bar (if the kite rolls and launches it will just race to the side of the window. Souse you could hook in the leash as well. I prefer not to be attached to the kite in any way until I've checked my lines. Eventually the kite will rotate into the wind, blow the bag off the backside and slide downwind ready for the standard launch.
One thing that some kites will tolerate is to put an ice screw in 90 degrees to the wind from the kite. Hook your chicken loop on it. then go to the kite and set the kite in the neutral zone on its wingtip, like you were doing an assisted launch. T2s, Cabrinhas and some others will sit there on their wingtips allowing you to go back to the ice screw and hook in. If it is really gusty this technique may not be ideal.
I may have over simplified things a bit but I wasn't sure how broad your question was.
If you don't have a sandbag, I'd suggest getting one. Any bag full of sand or cat litter or whatever will work. You can use this to weight down one end while the kite is drawn out end to end into the wind, as you pump your struts, then on the canopy just behind your LE as you inflate the LE (perpendicular to the wind). Once pumped up, flip your kite and put the bag on the backside of the canopy to hold it down while you attach your lines. I usually go downwind with my lines. Bar upside down kite upside down. Once everything is attached I walk/skate in a big semi circle around the kite into the wind. Keeping a little tension on the lines, keeps the kite rotating with me. I'm usually just holding the chicken loop not the bar (if the kite rolls and launches it will just race to the side of the window. Souse you could hook in the leash as well. I prefer not to be attached to the kite in any way until I've checked my lines. Eventually the kite will rotate into the wind, blow the bag off the backside and slide downwind ready for the standard launch.
One thing that some kites will tolerate is to put an ice screw in 90 degrees to the wind from the kite. Hook your chicken loop on it. then go to the kite and set the kite in the neutral zone on its wingtip, like you were doing an assisted launch. T2s, Cabrinhas and some others will sit there on their wingtips allowing you to go back to the ice screw and hook in. If it is really gusty this technique may not be ideal.
I may have over simplified things a bit but I wasn't sure how broad your question was.
Tighe
If you do get a sandbag be VERY careful when you set it down on the canopy once the kite is fully inflated. Some sandbags have sharp edges that will easily put a tear in your kite.
I opted to get the sandbag and then attach a line and carabiner to the bag. I then just hook the carabiner to the bridle of my kite on the leading edge rather than placing the sandbag on the canopy. Just an FYI - a lot of riders are doing this instead.
I opted to get the sandbag and then attach a line and carabiner to the bag. I then just hook the carabiner to the bridle of my kite on the leading edge rather than placing the sandbag on the canopy. Just an FYI - a lot of riders are doing this instead.
When the kite won't stay put 'cause it's to slick I've used the following method for a self launch with a bow/SLE kite:
1. Put in an ice screw attached to a bungie/carabiner
2. Roll out your lines straight downwind from your ice screw and attach your chicken loop to the carabiner.
3. Layout the kite and attach your lines so the kite will be LE down and in the reverse launch position. Check your lines!
4. Pump up your kite then push the LE down so it is resting nose (LE) down on the ice and in the reverse launch position.
5. Check and double check your lines again!
6. Hike back and hook in to your CL and reverse launch the kite.
Caveat: I only do this launch when the standard self launch the Tighe described will not work and because it too slick. Putting the sand bag I have on my kite is not an option. I'd end up with a good tear.
1. Put in an ice screw attached to a bungie/carabiner
2. Roll out your lines straight downwind from your ice screw and attach your chicken loop to the carabiner.
3. Layout the kite and attach your lines so the kite will be LE down and in the reverse launch position. Check your lines!
4. Pump up your kite then push the LE down so it is resting nose (LE) down on the ice and in the reverse launch position.
5. Check and double check your lines again!
6. Hike back and hook in to your CL and reverse launch the kite.
Caveat: I only do this launch when the standard self launch the Tighe described will not work and because it too slick. Putting the sand bag I have on my kite is not an option. I'd end up with a good tear.