Gusty wind + North hybrid kite = Kite Inversion

bandito · Since 07 May 2005 178 Posts Photographer

I was out a Rufus on Friday afternoon and witnessed Ken Winner experiencing a kite inversion first hand. He was riding the North Hybrid in some gusty conditions when his kite surged forward in a gust and then immediately inverted in the following lull. The kite dropped to the water and then Ken immediately released the kite. No leash, he just let it go. The kite flew downwind a couple hundred yards and landed nose into the wind and just sat in the current in one spot, so Ken jumped in and started swimming after it. About fifty yards into the swim Ken started to turn back and head for shore. At this time the other guy that was out riding the North kites with Ken launched his kite only to have it go into a dozen or more death spirals dragging him off the beach and a couple hundred yards down wind before he activated the fifth line and the kite fell to the water. Both Ken and his friend swam back to shore and recovered both kites. All ended well without any physical injuries, but I'm sure both of them felt the beating their pride took.
Be careful with those North kites, those things look dangerous.
Bandito

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

Come on, be nice. Shit happens. Kites invert.

I got yarded at secret spot this year when my Waroo went completely flat in the nuking wind, it recovered and then sent me dragging down the beach.

NateDogg · Sat Oct 07, 06 11:19 am

bamboo · Since 24 Jun 2005 165 Posts da 'chung; taiwan Stoked

bandito · Since 07 May 2005 178 Posts Photographer

Just reporting the facts.

bfar · Since 03 Oct 2006 25 Posts HR

Dude, was it a Rebel or a proto........I had Waroos and talk about inverting. I'm thinking of a Link or Rebel any ideas? Do C's invert? I'm a ROOKIE at the TEABAG stage. Confused

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

ALL FLAT KITES INVERT, THEY ARE FLAT!!!!!!! if you are going to ride flat kites, then at this point, you are going to have to deal with inversions. A fully inflated kite will help prevent inversions so make sure to pump your flat kites up to around 9 psi.

kiteboard117 · Since 02 Mar 2005 450 Posts PDX McLovin

you must learn to control the kite grasshopper. 5 line C kites dont do it as often but still every kite can invert. Sounds like if your still in the teabag stage getting some more practice will help the most.

Gorgo · Since 07 Oct 2006 1 Posts New Member

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

In strong winds all kites invert, including C kites, its just not easy to get them to do it.

When your kiting in 30+ winds you got to be ready for anything.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

a rebel is not flat, more like c with cut tips. I posted months ago before they were in production that the kite he was flying at the coast inverted several times and sucked him down wind all day. Ken rips, his kites are holding him back. I hope they are some tweeked out protos but he should fly them where he won't get flagged. He used to impress , now like this post, you wonder if they norths even work. sorry ken.

in many years of kiting I have never had a c kite invert in high wind or low. Only flip if a wave molests it before relaunch.

If I was a newb I would buy someused fuels (three) for the price of a new kite c or hypbrid.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

Also to the teabagger do not sheet all the way out if the back lines go totally slack you are asking for an inversion.