Rokkaku: Sweetie, Dance with Me

·  Shape: Rokkaku

·  Size: 140x110cm, 115cm packed

·  Weight: 300g

·  Rods: 4

·  Fix:  Easy

·  Bridle: Flexible

·  Tail Provision: Nil

·  Pull: Medium (not enough)

·  Test Launch Wind: 9.3 km/h

·  Launch: Hard (very long tow line)

Nice finishing with reinforcements

We're finally left alone to fly this kite imported from USA. Rokkaku is often used to showcase fine designs probably due to its large surface and perhaps the flying joy. So, it is always on my list of kite shapes to fly. Of course, this particular design won't qualify as a keep sake, if you've sampled what is out there. New designs are being hand painted daily. But beggars can't be choosers, right?

There's a line to bow the kite

The packaging is an improvement over the kites from CN but I'm not overwhelmed, for the price paid. The sail is well done, with zigzag sewing, reinforced pockets and trimmings, etc. and made of ripstop nylon. Sometimes I wonder what all these material names mean. Aren't these variations of the 170D/190D polyester used in umbrellas and banners? Similar confusion arise with the spars' material; carbon, aluminum and their composites?

Fixing is easy. The only thing to watch out for is to ensure that the tow lines are tied to the horizontal spars, 2 each. It can come undone during packaging, or tangled up. The sail will appear loose once the spars are fixed but that's okay.

Additionally, there are 2 sets of strings on the horizontal spars from each end. These are to help bow the kite. Bowed kites take off easier and stay in the air better. This is a feature in the traditional bamboo version as well. The modern interpretation makes life a lot simpler. Do the adjustment for low force 2 and below. You can also do this for more stable flight. The rule of "fist" applies - about 1 fist between the line and the vertical spar. It helps to launch the kite too. The owner seems to have a lot of "fun" doing these adjustments when it is better to sit down and sip beer.

Super long tow line

Like at graduation ball and you'll finally left alone with the girl you've been drooling over the whole year, I suddenly felt dumbfounded when faced with the tow line. The default bridle is so far away from the sail. Is this right? 4 lines are coming from the sail, joined at the bridle. It makes hand launch at the usual wind speed almost impossible. Some help will be needed though I do suspect that one can adjust the tow lines shorter. Anyone with experience in this? I mean, look, I've flew kites that are larger, and with fixed bridle to boot. Why do it need to be so long? No answer from the owner.

At low force 2 wind, the tow line will require that you launch with 2 persons on long lines. Quite embarrassing when I was launching this with the owner's kid.  Abandon all hope of launch at force 1. At the last test flight, high Force 2 wind is available, as is the case when rain is about to visit here, all you need to do is to throw is out and the sail will catch. Again, is this the tow line at play? Or is this just a big wind kite? Hey, a 4m delta needs less wind than this to get so excited. Hopefully, the owner will allow me to change it after reading this.

Once it is in the air, like in the case of the girl agreeing to dance at the graduation ball, all hell broke loose. This "girl" will swing you to the left, then right, at the initial 10-15m, catching you by surprise (isn't the library her favourite hangout?). Make sure you have plenty of space to launch. After the initial fright, the DJ will slow down the music and you'll be back in control, as usual.

Not yet time to rest. Its the first conversation with your dream girl. The line is out but the fish have not bite yet. You need to be witty, humorous, flirty,  like with all new girl you met. Lots of movement in flight in reaction to the wind; good wind, left and right, poor wind, up and down. You'll have to constantly monitor the flight, like you will with your conversation. It can drop off the air quite rapidly, though it will hang better when bowed.

At times, the new joke you just cracked can potentially ruin it. In the horizontal movements, the sail may rotate a little. It will look as if it's about to do the stunt kite flip. Move back and manage the line. Unlike the stunt kite, it won't go back up once the rotation is more than 90 degrees.

The movements actually add to the appeal of the rokkaku. The canvass is moving around the sky, dancing to the wind. Unfortunately, there are so few designs to choose from in SG that I've to gunpoint my sis to get one back from Japan in her holiday trip. Hopefully she does and I'll have more fun managing and admiring these beautiful art form, which what kites should be, not just easy to fly.