11 replies to this topic

[johnogden]

Ok here goes, I would welcome any answers to this question which I was unable to easily answer.

I have been a kite flier for many years, with a kite team called the Boop Troop and we flew mainly single line, Roks and display kites and also just for fun, two lines etc, but for various family reasons I stopped for a gap of about ten years and so recently decided that I would start again afresh and become a complete beginner in a new field so to speak and therefore I have just started Rev flying.


Ok I hope that you are all with me so far...

Now I gave away everything I had to do with kiting except my kite bag until last week when I was persuaded by my new partner to get back into the world of kiting which I loved.

She listened patiently about what kites were all about and then watched a few you tube videos with me as I tried to explain all about the fun people have with kites and what good times her and her young children could have too.


She agree to support me in my ventures and we bought a B series Rev 1.5 and for a few days before we both watched the demo DVD in bed (kite porn...hmm is that sad)

So we all went out to the park this weekend and I contacted my two older children and they brough a two line kite with them to play with.



A great time was had by all and although my partner never attempted to fly any kites this weekend, she has after a great deal of thought decided that she wants to start flying too.


Ok now here is the question she posed to me.

Darling, I want to fly kites and I really love what I have seen can be done with a Rev, however I do understand that there are differences in flying a two line and a four line kite.
especially as you said that you were having a few problems getting your head around fying four line, when you were used to flying two.

So as I have never flown anything before would it be better for me to just start on four line and not try two line first...?


I was a little stumped as I came from the school where you did some singe, then went to two line and did both and then also did four line so any answers would be gratefully recieved.

[bartman]

Always easier to go from flying 4 lines to 2 lines so I suggest starting with the Rev.

The flip side of the coin is that this IS a Rev forum so...

Bart

[stroke survivor]

If she's willing to learn quads, go for it!! Yeah they take a little bit to get going, but they offer so much!! Another thing is because they offer so much control, you can fly team - together!! Literally side by side!! So if your partner is game, go for a quad!!

My single line kites are all geared to fly indoors, my dualies are gathering dust!!

[RevWizard]

She nailed it. It is better to start out with a four-line kite first.
If you were to start out with two-line and then try the four-line, you would have to change several things in your flying style which might take time.

[SkyPuppet]

John Chilese puts it like this: There are different kites for different personalities.

The single line kite is laid back and cool to look at, easy to fly or challenging as the situation calls for. If she is very easy-going, and calm and relaxed, and not very athletic or willing to try for it, maybe a single line kite would suit her.
The dual line kite is for the person who goes with the flow, but who also wants to play around. They are very easy to pick up and learn to fly, but quite challenging to master the tricks (there are so many!), especially in the higher end. The dual line kites do the greatest range of tricks. If she would a bit more control over what's going on, and would like to experiment with flippy-floppy style tricks, maybe a dual line would be best for her. A dual line is great for folks who like to get up and move around, but might or might not want to put a lot of effort into flying

Ah! Now, the quad line stunt Revolution stunt kite. For the person who wants the ultimate control over their kite. For the social person. Natural born leaders. Usually smarter, better looking, faster, and nicer-smelling than the rest of the pack (um er ok so I'm biased ). I fly the Revolution because I'm determined to fly a kite, always. No matter where the location. No matter what the situation! I don't have the time to wait for Mother Nature to be kind with the winds....
IMHO, the Rev has a pretty steep learning curve, but then mastering the tricks is a little easier (the opposite of a dual line, IMO). Flying the Rev is a fairly involved ordeal, and requires a degree of concentration. If she has a never say die attitude, if she will stick with it, and is willing to be athletic and run around and really try (at first), the Rev is an experience that just keeps getting better with time. It really does require effort though, so if she gives up easily on challenging things, maybe the Rev isn't for her.

Let's hope she likes the Rev so you can have a team-flying partner handy

[Stephen]

Hi John,

As you are getting back into kiting and learning to fly Revs and your partner is getting into kites for the first time then I would suggest that Revs are the way to go.

There are several good tutorials available to get you both on your way and Rev fliers are generally a very social bunch. You will both will soon be able to fly together in a way that is not possible with two lines. It is a great experience to stand alongside other fliers and I am sure that learning together would be fun as you will not be alone and have the makings of a team..

If you are able to find other experienced Rev fliers to help you both along it might assist the learning curve, but you should be able to learn from each other. Flying Revs is nowhere near as hard as I thought it would be and the skills can be learnt in isolation. I would suggest looking at the tutorials as the are a great help.

Bottom line is I know kiters who have only flown Revs and nothing else so it can be done. Other than knowledge of the wind window there is little carry over from one to two to four lines. It is probably easier to start on four lines rather than unlearn two lines.

Cheers
Stephen

[johnogden]

Thank you all for your advice and help it looks like we will be buying another B series 1.5 very very soon then.
it was just a question that threw me a little as I had never really thought about someone who only flew quads from the start.

[Cath Shook]

Thank you all for your advice and help it looks like we will be buying another B series 1.5 very very soon then.
it was just a question that threw me a little as I had never really thought about someone who only flew quads from the start.

John,

Sounds like you've figured this out! Welcome to both of you!!

For the record, the way we handle this question in the store with wide-eyed fliers to be. We ask them if they want to fly a 1, 2 or 4 line kite. What?!? they say, never heard of the 2 or 4, is it hard. We answer that it is a personality choice. Single line flyers are usually more interested in color in the sky while they read/walk/hold a drink on the beach. (Big single lines are a whole 'nother personality ) Whereas, sport kite flyers like to do stuff - they are bored silly just sitting.

So this person wants a sport kite - likes the idea of movement, excercise, Tricks, etc. The next thing is ask them if they like the idea of a forward moving airplane/dualies OR a helicopter/quads.

Simple clear instruction on up and down, turns and careful with the lines (if they don't want a lesson) usually brings them back with confusion to be cleared up AND a huge Grin! We also have both quad and dual trainers for them to try.

We really are crazy about Revs on this forum. But must tell you I've flown 90% of the quads out there, and the Rev is truly the Gold Standard!!

Enjoy for the rest of your life!!

[Jim Foster]

Thank you all for your advice and help it looks like we will be buying another B series 1.5 very very soon then.
it was just a question that threw me a little as I had never really thought about someone who only flew quads from the start.

Lynn and I both started with Revs. So much fun to fly them together and with others. Yes, there is a learning curve, but there is with anything worthwhile. Go for it, you'll never be sorry.

Warning.........It can be extremely addictive, but that's OK, you will have all of the support you need here on this forum.

[pond44]

We read a lot of questions/stories like this on forums of different types, but never hear the outcome. It would be nice now-and-then to hear the rest of the story.

In this case did johnogden and his partner buy another Rev or did they decide on a dual line kite, either way how did they go and how well are they progressing.

Just a thought, I love movies with happy endings.

John

[makatakam]

You will not regret starting with quad line kites and all the knowledge gained in this endeavor is transferable to dual and single line kites. Go for it! Fly a kite!

 

P.S. -- Welcome to the dark side. Enjoy, and don't forget to grin a LOT. Seek out other fliers; there are many in the UK. They will be very pleased to help you learn.

[RevWizard]

johnogden has not logged on to the forum in about a year.

They probably developed some other interest.