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The wind came but a semi kitemare day

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Created by Richoa > 9 months ago, 26 Apr 2017
Richoa
NSW, 478 posts
26 Apr 2017 8:36PM
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The wind kicked in today and mixed results with learned experience's

start the day with nnw aprx what I guess was solid 18 knots with expectation it would climb so rigged my 9,no one around so played power ratio on the safe side, I've been practicing drift launch so thought I would give it a go as gets me well away from shore. Everything done carefully all appeared to be going ok, then about 15 meters up the line a big hunk of weed was tying all my lines together. Pull release and walk All the way back in to sort out.
Whilst fixing lines on beach the wind swung to wsw and came in bit extra. Thought I might pack up and head to another location where I thought others maybe, arrived no one there but wind was coming in solid 25knots so took my time as a bit of a squall moved over, it dropped to about 20 knots and looked like storm moved north, I performed a successful water edge self launch and got going on my 9 sorta being the noob I am.. Then the wind turned back to nnw and squal turned back and absolutely newked, I maybe new to kiting but sailing has given me a fair idea of when it is fn windy and that box is well and truely ticked with water blowing up of the surface water and rain hitting sideways like razor cuts. I would say over 35 plus some. Friggen hell had de power on full, kite low up the eye of the wind walking in waist deep, it was surging hard and almost inverting at times. Too strong for me I decided, bailed and pulled the release. The kite depowered beautifully (phew). Wrapping lines for second time today, but kite although fully depowered and full tension on flag line whilst wrapping would blow up off the water 10 feet or so and resettle, quite an experience but I felt in control and performed self rescue wrap up pretty tidy so good outcome And test of my ability to perform what I have practiced in more docile conditions.

packing up and few guys I've recently met show up with the storm passed and wind settling, I decide to go out again on the 9, dam really need my 12!

sorry if my story too long but in the mood for reflecting and sharing a trying but still a great day all in all.

cheers

weebitbreezy
617 posts
26 Apr 2017 6:58PM
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Sounds like you did the correct things. Watching upwind of you for approaching weather fronts is something you get used to doing. The best place to watch storm fronts like that is from the beach (or the bar).

Sometimes you can dislodge weed by giving the lines a good shake. Best to land and sort it out if you can't.

Richoa
NSW, 478 posts
26 Apr 2017 9:12PM
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weebitbreezy said..
Sounds like you did the correct things. Watching upwind of you for approaching weather fronts is something you get used to doing. The best place to watch storm fronts like that is from the beach (or the bar).

Sometimes you can dislodge weed by giving the lines a good shake. Best to land and sort it out if you can't.


Yeah I took my eyes off it, but it had passed and turned back on me. But I was too busy trying to nail a run in the other direction.

on the weed I tried but the lines had knotted in the weed, would of been a big mistake to try a launch. I think my choice was good on that one.

Kajo
NSW, 333 posts
27 Apr 2017 10:27AM
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Yeah weed can be a bitch sometimes, it's happened to me before too. Most of the time I can shake it loose while the kite is flying. Failing that, pull the safety. So you obviously did the right things. Not much of a kite mare though, it can get a lot worse than that lol. I'm thinking gear failure whilst you're 2km out at sea...

kitepac81
NSW, 61 posts
27 Apr 2017 1:27PM
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Where were you kiting at richoa? Went out Sunday arvo and the wind was so on and off dropped my kite out of the sky right into the power zone then powered up when it hit the the ground went for the saftey but could not get it in time got dragged a little but learnt some lessons for sure like don't go out if the conditions are not suitable especially when still learning I really thought a 12m kite should have plenty of power in 12knt of wind ? Maybe a trim issue or maybe that's just the edge of its wind limit ??

kitepac81
NSW, 61 posts
27 Apr 2017 1:27PM
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Where were you kiting at richoa? Went out Sunday arvo and the wind was so on and off dropped my kite out of the sky right into the power zone then powered up when it hit the the ground went for the saftey but could not get it in time got dragged a little but learnt some lessons for sure like don't go out if the conditions are not suitable especially when still learning I really thought a 12m kite should have plenty of power in 12knt of wind ? Maybe a trim issue or maybe that's just the edge of its wind limit ??

Richoa
NSW, 478 posts
27 Apr 2017 1:42PM
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Kajo said..
. I'm thinking gear failure whilst you're 2km out at sea...


ha, for sure that's a kitemare, I did say semi kitemare. Just a good headline so people read and get some ZZZZ

Richoa
NSW, 478 posts
27 Apr 2017 1:47PM
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kitepac81 said..
Where were you kiting at richoa? Went out Sunday arvo and the wind was so on and off dropped my kite out of the sky right into the power zone then powered up when it hit the the ground went for the saftey but could not get it in time got dragged a little but learnt some lessons for sure like don't go out if the conditions are not suitable especially when still learning I really thought a 12m kite should have plenty of power in 12knt of wind ? Maybe a trim issue or maybe that's just the edge of its wind limit ??




Yeah I struggle to fly my 12m in 12knots, but I think larger issue is how patchy the breeze is this time of year. steady constant 12knots is doable but guessing my flying skills aren't moving it enough so that 5-10 second drop of wind below 10 knots equals stall.

Without a foil reality is I don't really want to kite in that low a breeze but keen for water time equals desperation at the moment!

ps, been out Canton, long jetty and Budgiwo so far, but live on border of central coast and Hunter so guess I will venture South and North as confidence grows. Sticking to the lake systems at the moment.

VRBones
130 posts
28 Apr 2017 5:12AM
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weebitbreezy said..
Watching upwind of you for approaching weather fronts is something you get used to doing. The best place to watch storm fronts like that is from the beach (or the bar).


Another thing to watch is the other riders. If there's a mass exodus of people to the shore, have a good long look around to see if there's a danger that they have spotted. Even if there's NO riders out (in this case), treat it as a big red warning sign. You're far more exposed to risk when kiting alone.

toppleover
QLD, 2033 posts
29 Apr 2017 9:39AM
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Thanks for sharing Richoa, kiting can be sketchy at times when learning & gaining experience.
Great to hear you still enjoyed your eventful day.

Kajo
NSW, 333 posts
1 May 2017 12:24PM
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VRBones said..

weebitbreezy said..
Watching upwind of you for approaching weather fronts is something you get used to doing. The best place to watch storm fronts like that is from the beach (or the bar).



Another thing to watch is the other riders. If there's a mass exodus of people to the shore, have a good long look around to see if there's a danger that they have spotted. Even if there's NO riders out (in this case), treat it as a big red warning sign. You're far more exposed to risk when kiting alone.



Spot on! Always watch what other kiters are doing, it's a very good telltale sign

daggy
WA, 527 posts
4 May 2017 5:51PM
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I liked your story.
Brings back memories of the good old learning days. For some reason everything that can go wrong does ,but only while learning it seems.
Sounds to me like you made all good choices to deal with your issues.
When those mega squalls come through I like to be a nice 200m off shore, with my kite low,low,low and my arse firmly planted in the water. They never last more than about 2 mins.



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"The wind came but a semi kitemare day" started by Richoa