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| KITE JUMPING |
Kite jumping uses the lift generated by a large power kite to lift the flyer into the air and then bring you down again.
| What Do You Need? You will require a large power kite in the region of 6 to 9 m² (65 to 100ft²), decent boots with good ankle protection, helmet (cycling helmet is fine) and elbow and knee pads are not a bad idea unless you want "war wounds" to show off. You will also need a decent flying site, free of people and other kites. Usually a beach with soft sand (not hard packed as this is like landing on concrete) and free of obstacles for at least 200m (220yds) downwind. The wind also needs to be free of turbulence so upwind of your flying site should be free of trees, buildings and hills. Turbulence is very dangerous and will causes the kite to behave unpredictably. It is usually best to have the wind coming off the sea or large body of water (at least 400m - 440yds - wide is usually enough to smooth out the wind). |
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How to Kite Jump
There are essentially two types of kite jumping. One way is to find a solid anchor point against which you can anchor yourself, such as a hole in the ground or sturdy log or boulder. It is important that your anchor point is smooth so you can be safely be dragged over it without injury.
Remember that the amount of power generated by power kites in strong wind is scary and you can get seriously injured, so take it easy and learn gradually getting used to the kite and its power.
What you do is brace yourself against your anchor point and bring your kite across the wind window (see here) at about 45 degrees above the ground. (This position changes with wind speed, in strong wind the kite needs to be more overhead.) As the kite nears the centre of the widow arch the kite upwards. As you feel the power increasing push backwards and upwards and you will be pulled vertically into the air. Ensure the kite flies directly overhead and you should land softly. If you jump too soon you will be pulled horizontally causing you to land hard and fast. The answer is to delay the jump until the kite is more overhead. With experience you will be able to judge the timing.
The other way to jump is to fly the kite horizontally across the wind window at about 50 degrees above the ground and at the same time run like mad in the same direction as the kite i.e. across the wind. You are trying to stop the kite from flying through the power zone and out the other side. When you feel the power starting to build turn the kite upwards and back the way its come. As you get lifted off the ground remember to turn the kite back again to its original flight path. See diagram below:
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The trick to this type of jump is timing. A very similar maneuver is performed when kitesurfing so it is worth practicing as it will also give you a better feel of where and how a kite generates power and how to use this power to your best advantage.
All types of power kiting has the potential to be extremely dangerous so be careful and remember that things can go wrong really, really fast!
Don't take chances and take your time learning the feel of the kite and your limitations. Good luck and have fun.