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#1
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I second that. If you are riding either style kite in 8 knots and go down in deep water. Good luck on the relaunch. Add some inexperience to the mix, and its a recipe for disaster. Add some waves and current and well you get the idea. No bueno!!!!
Riding ultra light wind is all about keeping the kite in the air. Period. The main reason it makes it so tough to work with beginners in light conditions, IMO. One final thought......Don't choke up on your knots thinking you will get more power in light wind. In fact, you will likely get the opposite effect of oversheeting the kite and causing the kite to backstall. The Flysurfers live by this rule and actually get more powerful the less you pull the bar towards you. Here is another great video explaining the tuning of a bar and the effects of not having a properly tuned bar. The info in the video I think can be applied to any brand kite. There are so many folks out there that don't understand bar tuning, how its done, and the effects of a properly tuned bar vs. an improperly tuned bar.
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"kiteboarding for whatever reason, is the recipe for much of my happiness" |
#2
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I've experienced this first hand a few years ago when I first started riding. kite went down at honeymoon with a strong outgoing tide , couldn't relaunch and was getting dragged out to sea. got my first lesson in self rescue that day, I believe Craig was the only witness.
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#3
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Quote:
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#4
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That's actually the reason I stopped riding foils in light wind in the first place.
A very long swim off the beaches of Sorrysota about 8 years ago (only went 100 yards, but took 1 hour) with a fully soaked 12m JoJo was enough for me. I sold it within 5 minutes of hitting land to Rob Hassle and never considered placing myself in that position again. I realize most kites won't re-launch in really light wind. But at least an inflatable can do as it's name implies. I also realize that most ram-airs have sealed cells. So did the Jo-Jo. It won't matter after ten minutes of soaking, I don't think. :-? |
#5
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I should have clarified here what light wind means to me.
Less than solid 9 knots I would feel totally safe on any foil relaunching in solid ten or better. The problem (I found) is that some foils are so darn good in really light wind, that you don't realize just how little wind there is. Then, if your kite goes in the water, you suddenly realize... holy cow.. I was riding in THIS! Just wanted to clarify. I am talking wind so light that it might drop to 4 (easy to do if only 7 or 8) and you might have to swim in. |
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