Jones Beach 4/2/12

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I am Jonesing hard to fly a kite. Tomorrow looks dry in the afternoon, and Windfinder is showing baby blue in the Jones area tomorrow.

Any Jones wind experts out their think it would be kiteable tomorrow.

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

generally need a decent temperature difference between Astoria and Portland to get the wind going at Jones. What are the forecasted temps for the 2 tomorrow? Kochease is the true Jones expert for weather.

Didn't you just have your first couple of lessons up in Bellingham? If so - the addition of the strong spring Columbia currents are something you did not have to deal with in the bay. You would also probably be the only kiter out there this early in the season. All alone - strong Columbia currents - 3rd time kiting.........not a good mix of factors. I certainly appreciate the addiction to this sport. If you do head out - and you find you are the only one there - you may want to just fly your trainer kite out there.

I am only in my 2nd year of kiting - so others with more experience may have some other ideas. I have kited at Jones a fair number of times - take my advice for what its worth. I love the enthusiasm!

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 486 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

no jones this week. Still southerlies. Careful... going it alone with 2 lessons under yer belt is risky specially with the rippin river this time of year. REal easy to lose your board and not get it back, amongst other things. Get Kochease to show you the ropes.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I just want to fly my 6m on the shore and work on my sheeting.....the whole sheeting think makes me think a 2 or 3 line trainer kite is not that useful for practice, especially after flying it a dozen times, gotta sheet!

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I am actually going to fly a guys 2m LEI with a real bar that sheets.....I dont want folks worrying about me, I will save the 6 and bigger for the water.....definately not going to close my eyes and send it Surprised

Thanks to Decrepit for use of the 2m!

Plus up here in the hills where I live it rains literally twice as much as in the lowlands, and I am about to lose my mind or grow gills or something......I need some sun on my face Cool

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Dude a 2m trainer , wow thats small .
You had lessons ! Plural !
You should know the answers to some of your questions already . Read your book , sheeting .
trainers are great tools and can be flown for fun too .
After having some lessons , which you have , you want to fly your real ( trainers are real too ) kite and on !water! not land , unless your into buggies or a mountain board for kiting .!!! Only if you have experience !!!!!
Only problem is you need others around to keep six man . We all do , for safety. Don't let impatience hurt you .
Sheeting practice !? Fly your big kite on the water with a board under you and you will feel the need to sheet in our out as required by the forces of nature , lol .
Loop your trainer ! then loop a big kite , on water with light wind , ...... feel the difference ?!
JackZ

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

If you are new to kiting and you just want to practice flying your kite on the beach, I'd hit the coast. The wind will be cleaner and you won't have to deal with quads or fishermen. If the wind is strong enough to kite at jones, it can be funky on the beach.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

Woohoo I got my fix, I am higher than a marthafaulker on sunshine and kite. Good thing, because NOAA is showing chance of snow where I live for the next 4 days, and I might of lost my mind without today.

Much thanks to Dekrepitkiter for hanging out with me all day, and letting me fly his cute little 2m OceanRodeo LEI. The wind was up and down, the kite was twitchy, and progression was attained. No more land flying for me, its all water from now on, the ground hurts when you hit it. I got one or two more lessons later this week, and lookout their will be a new crazy cracker on the water.

2 line trainer kites are kinda useless, gotta have a 4 line to really learn something. IMHO.

Thanks for all the advice folks, but it is all over the map, not talking about just this thread. Today was super useful to me. I was diving the kite and pulling myself up from sitting on the ground. I was hot launching. I was regular launching. I was keeping the kite up, and saving it late. All things I did with my 3 line trainer, but like I said 4 line sheeting is a diferent animal to me. I am now ready to kill it on my third lesson.

See you all on the water real soon, I will be the handsome old dood with the Parks asking you to keep and eye on me cause I am a newb, and asking what size we flying today. Much respect to all you kooks that make it look so easy out their.

Anybody want to buy a HQ Hydra 350 trainer, I will make you a sweet deal?

MikeD Very Happy

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

mike don't get rid of the trainer yet.
you should be working on flying that kite with one hand while sitting on the ground. try working on grabbing your board and putting it on your feet while flying your trainer. this will help you understand how to fly with one hand while adding another dimension of putting your board on your feet.

however the best reason to keep a trainer kite in your quiver is when a hot chick wants to learn how to fly a kite. next thing you know, you're giving an impromptu lesson. Very Happy

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Sauvies 2007 on the B3! Thumb's Up

Nak · Tue Apr 03, 12 4:33 pm

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

@Stringy, I want to get a LEI trainer, something 4m or smaller I can use a 4 line bar with. I feel it is so much more effective than a 2 liner.

That way the cutie pie will be able to progress way quicker Razz

kiterbiker · Since 12 Jun 2010 65 Posts

B3 at Sauvies, Awesome. Ive been kiting on the water for a couple of years now, and still have my B3 and usually bust it out for parking lot sessions. Nothing like cruising around on a skate board with two lines when theres not enough wind to get on the water. Definitely not useless in my book!

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

You all are right I am going to keep my 3 line trainer, plus Stringy pointed out in 2011 the Naish Bolt comes in a 3m size; would make a nice little 4 line trainer, little spendy though.

Nak · Wed Apr 04, 12 8:00 am

Here's what I did with my wife and kids. I had them use a 7.5m or smaller kite in light winds. This was only after a lot of trainer time and only with supervision. Location is all important. Standing on the edge of the water in straight offshore winds ensures that you'll be pulled in to the water. There should be no hazards in the water, and it should be deep enough to prevent injury. Ideally the water would be waist deep far enough out that you can walk back after a misadventure. If not, you need a way to retrieve the learner, a Jetski is perfect, but there are other options.

IMHO, a teeny, tiny, 4 line trainer would not be worth it in your case. It'll be useless to you too quickly. Spend that money on another lesson. A 4.5m to 6m kite is a good step up from a trainer when you can handle it safely. It'll allow you to body drag and fly it on the edge of the water (above conditions) with less intimidation than a bigger kite. (Assuming light winds.) And later on, it'll be a great high wind kite for you.