Big kite weather

Looks like the kite season is all but over here. The wind dropped off just after easter and there hasn't been a decent kiteable day since then :-( Of course, it's 'round about now that I normally resort to dragging out the big guns (my 16M monster) when I get desperate enough to go for a kite. Oddly enough, as soon as I get on the water with it, I immediately remember why I invariably decide to never fly it again......until the next time I get desperate enough ;-)

Living in a place like this, it's easy to forget just how slow these big kites are in light wind. The biggest thing I've flown since I moved here at xmas time is my 12, although I could count the number of times I've had it out on one hand. The rest of the time, I've been on the 10 or the 8. Anyway, yesterday was one of those days when I got desperate enough to get the 16 out. Man oh man, talk about going from a Ferrari to a semi trailer......it's like everything happens in slow motion. But, at least I got out. Better than sitting on the couch or in front of the computer :-)

Kites ain't kites....

Just before Easter, I managed to get my hands on a Peter Lynn Venom2 kite to try (thanks to Lachy at Kiteworks, who kindly offered to send it to me) while I was off on holidays. I'd been keen to try the 'foil' style kites for ages, but no-one around here flies them and there's no kite shop here.
So, when Lachy offered me a 13M to demo for a while, I wasn't about to refuse :-) Man...what an awesome bit of gear! I did the highest jumps I've ever done, with huge hangtime and the most floaty landings ever. The first couple of really high ones (after I got the timing sorted out) were downright scary! It also made for big, floaty front-roll transitions with very little effort. It soaks up the gusts like a sponge and has fantastic wind range too.

There's only one drawback.....I had to give it back :-( I went out for a session on my own kites this afternoon and, well, they suck by comparison. I didn't realise just how bad they are (twitchy, poor gust handling and woeful depower) compared to the Venom2. I know what I'll be buying when I can afford to replace my kites now!

Yeah baby!

Holidays and already 3 solid days of kiting.......now that's what I'm talkin' about :-)