kwmf

I visited the post office yesterday for a slightly late present (and the first Pros for John Erasmus)

;-)

 

Even though I already own a number of Pros myself for some time now, every time I see a new Pro from Bazzer it's just jaw dropping ... that man makes a mighty fine product.

You guys are the best... I assure you that I will be back at some point. This year is not looking likely (unless you win that lotto Wayne), but you definitely ain't seen the last of me. I'm compensating by spreading some rev love out here, check out the AeroShark page in my signature (don't forget to click the like button).

Also, Team Free Agents is still going strong.

And I still carry the pin ;-)

Perhaps I like to keep the sand out of my expensive (thanks to the exchange rate) gear looked after, perhaps I just have narrow beaches where the surf spray reaches everywhere,  or perhaps I'm soft... I've just never liked the idea of a roll up bag since you have to open up everything to get something.

My duffel bag takes nine 1.5s, one Zen, three B2, two indoor revs and two Blasts along with five handle sets, about eight line sets and a bag of spares, stakes, spare frames etc. It takes all that with room to spare and I'm still on the smallest compression.

Everything is accessed by the main zip without exposing everything to the environment. Once I have what I want it's zipped closed and everything is safe.

I have a few of these, another one carries my duals, singles and miscellaneous kites. I have a spare one that I can pick from the main bags and load if I want a smaller load.

All very basic and simple, but works for me.

Next time...when it's raining, snowing, sleeting, gusting to 60mph...we should all go in the condo and have hot chocolate and a mini sleeving clinic!

 

I suggest anyone who is interested ... take the lady up on her offer !!!!

 

Most of my lines are from Theresa (except shorter lines I make to beat on) and I experience ZERO issue - but she IS very exacting about how her line sets are made.

 

I have made a number of short (up to 50' and one 80' set) line sets myself, and while they don't really give me any major issues, I do experience the odd snag or hiccup because they're not perfect like Theresa's.

 

Each to their own preference, so long as we all crossing good quality line so we can all have fun together, then whatever works for you.

 

Me personally - if I only need a shorter line set thats 'good enough' I could make my own ... If I want that line to be perfect and as problem free as possible, then I pay for Theresa to handle that problem

I've had them rained on before and they get washed (submerged) at home after a beach fly. So far I've not observed any running of colours. The first time one got wet (full vent, sudden downpour) I wiped it down when I got home with paper towels and saw there was a little colour on the towel. I've since switched to letting all my kites hang in the shower and air dry. With my Pro sails I've never observed any colour run or transfer under any condition I've experienced. I'm not sure if what I saw with the Polo was colour run or just some kind of residue from the print process, but with the bath wash and hang to dry method I am not seeing any problems so far. That said, I have not had to wash my Polo that often so I don't know the results longer term, so your mileage may vary.

I've done it (undoubtedly less than Watty) on a few occasions .... do not like.

 

Yes it flies, but it's not nice and ANY wind will load the sail hard and make it hard and twitchy to control like Spence said. I also wouldn't suggest doing it on the indoor handles since they're not designed to take any wind load.

 

The Zen ... I have a love/hate relationship with that kite. In it's very narrow wind range and design spec I love it ... when I try do what I want outside of it's intended purpose I hate it ... LOL.

 

For me I find the Zen works when you go to longer lines (80+ foot) with the intention of flying team, figures, precision, etc. Hooking it up to 50' (or 30') lines and going for solo/trick style flying I just don't click with it. I feel the extra mass (and 'oversteer' compared to the 1.5) and loading too much.

 

My preference at low wind is either a full sail (especially the Polo) or for single line gliders if it's THAT low or non existent.

 

Just my preference ... your mileage may vary

Maybe I didn't get my point as clearly across as I thought - I meant flying one handed - one Rev - or 2 at once, ie, Stevie D. or Bazzer!!  

 

Well I can (and do) fly my B2 set stack one handed

 

Now if anyone wants to donate a second B2 set to me I'll work on flying 2 stacks at once

You can also use a target kite if you find yourself flying without a partner.  Can be colorful fun just to play around. Just be careful not to get mixed up with line that may cut your rev lines. Never had that problem myself, but I suppose it could be a concern.

 

Did you mean something like this

put a single line kite in the sky and use it as a "Target". 

 

Hey Jim

 

I like that a lot ... I will remember this one as I (hopefully) bring more people onboard

Here follows the 3 most important things you need to know...

1. BREATHE !!!!! (trust me, you will forget)
2. Watch your own kite (trust me, you will mess it up when you watch the other guys kite)
3. Have fun (this is the point is it not...)

 

Don't worry so much, and don't be so driven to formalise it that it takes away from the experience. Just get used to standing next to each other and flying in the same air space as each other comfortably.

 

Basic stuff to mess with is either following each other around, doing the same pattern flanked (side by side) or hovering/moving around each other.

 

I'd say that key things to get down are speed control (this comes in everywhere - if you don't have it you will get it soon), figure 8's (this is curved flight practice and diagonal practice) and squares (this is hard corners and straight lines).

 

Have fun and mess with it ... if it's not fun then you'll stop doing it

30's and 50's are my favorite short line length

 

Altho there was that set of 35's .....

Own the B2's, indoor, full pro set, full Polo set, Zen, Blast (std and vented), Power Blast 2-4 and have previously owned the SLE and B sets.

 

Each has its own personality, strengths and weaknesses ... but I always come back to the Pro and that's what gets flown 90% of the time.

 

Don't get me wrong, there are times and reasons I will take a Polo or B2 (for example) over one of my Pros .... but if I had to give up everything except for one series I would keep the Pros - best all round system bar none that I have experienced.

Thanks guys (and girls)

 

Pity the banner is in 'reverse' here (it's a single sided print) ... but this is one of my favourite shots from the weekend.

 

I've been promised more photos from the weekend will be emailed to me today, so I will add more to the FaceBook page when I get them.

All my lines are sleeved ... even my indoor lines (which are 90# line) ... I've not had any issues due to sleeving.

 

Now snags due to handle position, leader knots, endcap bungees .... THAT's a different story.