28 replies to this topic

[MrDenny]

I would like to learn to fly one handed. I don’t need to do tricks or be a champ at it. I want to be able to hold a position with one hand long enough to take a picture with the other. I have extra handles right here by the computer so I can try what ever you one handed flyers can share with me. Right now I haven’t a clue. I can not move them in different directions while holding them in one hand. HELP!

[Kitelife]

Think chopsticks, sort of.

Index and middle fingers hold most of the pull, around the top of both handles...

Then I use my ring finger and pinky in-between the two handles, to keep them independent.

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Using my left hand:

Basically, I fly the right handle with my thumb, plus the ends of index and middle fingers.

The left handle is controlled using the main body of my hand, with the pinky and ring fingers.

Should have a decent amount of brake in your tuning, so turns are quicker and easier.

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Using this method in decent winds, I can perform 1/4 clockwork, side slides, bicycle rotations and much more.

It takes some getting used to, but do not get discouraged! The biggest problem will be the tendency to drop one of your handles.

Hovering is the easiest part to do.

I hope that helps!

[nobodyspecial]

kewl, thanks for the info John, looks like there might be a challange for smaller hands.. something else to try and learn.

[MrDenny]

OOooo, I think I see what was going wrong. I kept ending up with all my fingers over the left handle. I see when I keep it to 2 I have much more individual movement. It works in the living room which is a step up. I can’t wait to try it with the kites. Thanks John.
Once I get it down, I have to learn to take a picture with my left hand. The button is on the wrong side.

[Kitelife]

Odd thing is, I'm right handed... But can only fly Revs one-handed with my left.

[RevWizard]

Think chopsticks, sort of.

Index and middle fingers hold most of the pull, around the top of both handles...
snip...

I hope that helps!

Definitely a better technique then I have been using over the years.
I will try changing my technique right away.

[MrDenny]

Odd thing is, I'm right handed... But can only fly Revs one-handed with my left.

Sence I am just learning it I will try to learn it lefty.

[REVflyer]

my coach demanded I learn my weaker hand first,... been doing it now for like three years.

I place both handles directly next to each other, balanced across on my index finger.

I rotate my thumb from one handle to the other, to effect changes.

Like johnny B said,
a big dose of "down" in the tuning, so movements are small and crisp (the long throw handles really help with one-handing it)

Time to address all those snag-points on your handles, the metal triangles, the extra knots on the top leaders, even if the leaders are too thick. Everything is magnified when using only one hand.

Jeff Burka can fly one handed with either of his two hands and NOT LOOK AT THE KITE while he talks to you!

The first trick is always the hardest,... don't imagine you are flying one handed. Instead do a "toss" with shorter lines, notice how both handles are already in one hand? Probably your weaker hand too. At the end of the toss, just leave the handles in that one hand and hold the toss inverted & rock steady. now slowly walk backwards as you point the handles at the kite. Just a slight change in orientation is all that's necessary to backup inverted. This looks way cool in flight. You are jackin'-around doing your slack line crap, then jerk the kite out of the sky with a catch, then begin flying one handed after the throw.

I used to compete in experienced multi-line as a soul flier and loved it. One day a judge told me I had to move up, 'cause if you're flying one-handed in competitions you are a certainly master material! That was a sad day for me, everybody is really good in that group!

[Kitelife]

Due respect to different styles, but I find the longer handles more difficult as they require more leverage to operate in moderate to high winds.

If you apply enough brake, the longer handles aren't necessary... Although there are those that prefer them.

[REVflyer]

Agreed John,
We REV fliers outside of the Washington DC Metro area so seldom have middle or high wind speeds that I find using my regular length handles pretty much resigned to team flying at the beach. We only can use long lines locally on rare occasions. I generally teach lessons on 50 to 65 feet of length. So many folks want to squeeze the handles, that limits sensitivity. I try to get them to gently hold 'em, almost to the point where a stiff breeze will rip them from their grip.

Have you'll seen Steve Santos fly one-handed?, he coordinates both of the grips by manipulating his entire hand. It looks uncomfortable, but obviously he has mastered it 'cause he can fly 2 Decas at the same time INDOORS with great control!

The technique is less important than the practice necessary to master the effects and there's no correct single answer to the challenge either.

[Kitelife]

Santos is AWESOME with those Decas indoors... Saw that in Ocean City, the year he went out of bounds.

The technique is less important than the practice necessary to master the effects and there's no correct single answer to the challenge either.

Indeed... Ever watch a a whole bunch of people using chopsticks? 1/2 of 'em are holding them differently.

[Watty]

I tried using your method of one-handed flying today John B. It works quite well indoors! I was amazed at the thigs I was actually still able to do!

[Kitelife]

Without fail, it's been much easier for me to hold an inverted hover indoors with one hand as opposed to using two hands.

I think it has to do with the handles staying side by side, and using smaller movements.

Certainly, the Indoor Rev does not respond well to pulling with R or L, even less than with the outdoor versions.

One of my favorite tricks is to fly the kite in reverse, start an up and over (flying backwards), then jog around the room while keeping the kite overhead, still in reverse.

I also use a 6" to 7" extension on the top lines of my Indoor Rev... WAY more reverse than anyone I know, but I find the flatter sail generated way more lift (less work) once I got used to it.

[Watty]

I learned a couple thigs today for indoors today too. I was able to bounce the corner of the V on the botton of the kite off my forehead, then let it go back out and continue flying, and I played around with floating and ground pancakes a lot.

[antman]

it is pretty tough to learn and will kill your wrist by the the end of the day but it does drawl a crowd

[big bri]

How kewl is the one handed malarky,Tried it for five mins and after a little while started to get it quite OKish.


Cheers for the chopsticks tip John,

BRIAN...

[Wobbly]

As with most thing's involving a Rev there is more than one way to do anything, this method is particuarly useful if you want to warm a hand up in your pocket, also comes in handy if you want a bite to eat or drink a cup of coffee

[Aerochic]

Ha! I'll have to try that with my camera!

[Kitelife]

Ha, that's really funny Wobbly...

I've done the same thing, standing on one of my handles, or holding one in my teeth. <grin>

[Jeepster]

As with most thing's involving a Rev there is more than one way to do anything, this method is particuarly useful if you want to warm a hand up in your pocket, also comes in handy if you want a bite to eat or drink a cup of coffee

Looks like you've got your brake setting just perfect ... the handle balances about where your index finger would end up.

Cheers,
Tom