WIND HARVEST ON FLATHEAD

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Mon, 06/07/2010 - 6:03pm
bad monkey
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After a morning of planting the garden I decided it was time to harvest some wind on the lake. I got down to the Bigfork launch at 2 and it was on. I rigged the 13 meter C4 and did a drift launch into the shallow waters. I got up wind easily and into some nice big waves. I spent most of the session heading up wind to my right and then ripping waves downwind to my left. The C4 goes downwind very well allowing a very turny downwind ride. I am really starting to love these kites. They have a playfull feeling compared to the Edge. It stayed windy into the evening and was on of the more powered up sessions of the season. A little gusty but the C4 really smooths out those big puffs. Hopefully tomorrow will be a repeat minus the the gardening.

Tony

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Tue, 06/08/2010 - 6:06am
#1
fstdude
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My Monday started with 5

My Monday started with 5 hours of fence building before heading to willow creek res to take advantage of these long days.

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Mon, 06/14/2010 - 5:41pm
#2
bad monkey
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Today was another excellent

Today was another excellent day on Flathead with the big Flysurfer. The water has warmed up enough to get away with using a shorty so that was a bonus. It felt like summer today with sunny skies, warm air, and a perfect steady breeze. I have been working on my back rolls and am landing them both directions. I love that kite for working on tricks because the hang time is so long and you don't need to be in super powered up conditions to get big jumps.

After an hour of that the wind picked up and i found myself a little overpowered. I pulled the depower strap and started sending that beast. Huge jumps with very powered up landings for another hour or so. Then in typical Flathead fashion it slowly shut off. Another great day.

Tony

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Mon, 06/14/2010 - 7:18pm
#3
fstdude
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That must be a great kite for

That must be a great kite for those conditions. I hope to get to try it someday.

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Tue, 06/15/2010 - 6:14am
#4
lewmt
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Any chance to compare the F/S

Any chance to compare the F/S to the Zephyr yet?

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Tue, 06/15/2010 - 7:13pm
#5
bad monkey
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I have flown them both but

I have flown them both but not really back to back in ideal conditions. I can tell you that the Flysurfer will get you out on the water sooner but the Zephyr can handle way more wind. The Flysurfer is still ultimate light wind machine in my mind, but the Zephyr has more range when the wind picks up and it certainly feels more like a standard inflatable kite. It is faster turning, and I'll just say a fruitier kite to fly. It is also 1000 dollars cheaper and it is still a sweet light wind kite. With a big board I'm sure the Zephyr's light wind performance would satisfy most kiters. Because I like flying foils and I kite alone often, I think I still prefer the Flysurfer. I can launch and land it safely and easily solo and it relaunches off the water with incredible ease. I doubt the Zephyr will relaunch as easily in light wind but I could be wrong. Neither one of these kites are magic like the Yakuza's are on snow, but they sure make it easier to live in the Flathead. Instead of slogging on a 13 I am nicely powered and jumping high.

Tony

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