Chinese New Year Plans: Parafoil - introduction to sport kites

On the home front, the missus is beginning to complain about the mess I'm creating from the kite alterations, trains and stuff. The Chinese New Year is approaching (Feb 3) and customs dictate that the house be cleaned and proper to receive the New Year and visitors. Besides planning for the big feast on the eve, she has been bugging about new clothes, shoes and hair cut (yes, new year, new hair cut too). Little did she know that I'm planning for a different thing that will occur shortly after CNY: the end of the North-East Monsoon. You can't fly in those nice, new stuff you're wearing and with more visits to the all-so-distance relative or old neighbour, March will be upon us before you know it.

Historical Chart courtesy of National Environment Agency

Being so near to the equator, Singapore has a period where the wind is relatively quiet between the 2 monsoons. The earliest this will kick in is in March or so.  The Singapore Kite Association used to have their annual fly towards the end of Feb and stays relatively quiet until the wind rises again from the south some months later. Kite sellers tell me that other than the good quality "parachute" material deltas, not much will fly in the intervening period. I used to sit there waiting for the wind, with that big delta in hand, sulking. This year, I decided to change that. I mean, its kind of silly to try lifting big deltas into the air, hoping to catch a gust, only to see it falling down to earth minutes later. The alternative is to visit other Spring kite festivals. I don't have the means, given how much these CNY costs.

So, I've decided to take up sports kite, be it the duo or quads. I was told there are low wind versions of these that can even fly indoor, speaking of which flying "kite" in no-wind is a thought that disturb me. It borders on obsession. I know some skills are involved (I've tried it, honest) but it is what my wife would call "Wind Mad Man" (feng zi, wind and madness having the same sound in mandarin). Classroom demonstration is great, but.........What the SG Urban Kiters are doing is great, as in anything that channels youthful energy positively. But it would be kind of silly for an old man doing the same in a big field, right? I rather join the kids at the wading pool. 

The sports kites provide more purpose, to both the flyers and watchers. While the wind is insufficient to launch kites, hopefully, these will help pass the time at the very least. I owned a cheap duo line and took it out to fly all but once. I was an absolute idiot not only with the number of crashes but actually broke that poor thing into parts. Thankfully, it was a cheap piece. I thought of none it until I was reminded of the end of this wonderful wind period (just wished it wasn't so wet) and the introduction to parafoil (or would you prefer power kites).

Unlike its cousins, this version of sports kites (if I may call it) is seldom flown here as it do need certain amount of wind to fly (forget about those crazy drags or jumps you see in YouTube. You'll be lucky to have that kind of gust). It is essentially a soft kite on 2 short lines (25-60m). Hence, there is nothing to break less you rip the sail on a tree branch or have your line cut. Given the prevailing conditions, it is a better introduction  to sport kites than anything cheap you can find for duos and quads. 

Because of its soft form, the launch is different from its framed cousins. You need to lay it out on the ground (which can be hard in big wind and no sand), with the lines facing up. With experience, you can also launch it the other way. Lots of walking up and down the line, trust me. I'm not going to give instructions; most sellers would have them on the site and I'm not experienced enough to say much. The usual launch rules apply, though. And, you'll need a clearing of about 30m (depending on your lines) clearing left, right and front EACH to fly this baby. Choose an isolated spot in your first attempts, please. 

Once you pull on the line simultaneously, the foil will lift up. Adjustments needed if the launch is not vertical. Like riding a bike, pull left to turn left and so on. The controls are similar to the duos and quads. You should go through the pull, push and combination drills first before attempting other tricks. I'm often confused direction-wise when I turn it upside down or do loops. Do do a mental mapping prior to attempting. Also, build up your sense for the Wind Window, essential for advanced tricks and save you the trouble of walking up and down the line. 

As there is nothing to break, you don't have to worry about crashes. Do try some of those stunts you see on YouTube, by all means. The controls and tricks you learnt is applicable to the other sports kites, including the power. 

Unlike 1-liners, you need to move around a bit to control the kite, not just the pull from the sail. You have to do constant adjustment with the wind. There is no more line to give so the parafoil can pull you forward (and Up). Be prepared for the Power Rush (my girl freaked out the first hotspot she met). Also, the ache in your shoulder and back muscles after.

If possible, choose the quad line parafoils if you can. You can then fly it as both a duo and a quad. For the former, lark head the break lines (the bottom 2 lines) to the bridle of the control lines to avoid tangles (I was told you can actually leave them alone but it seems to get in the way in spins). Do note that it could be very hard to stall a 2-line parafoil, vertically, though. Think soft kite. I've seen a 2-line 360 (almost) so, perhaps, you can try a horizontal stall (I would imagine you need to really run like hell). The 4-line version introduces the break elements, similar to quads. It saves you the trouble of resetting for launch often too. In either case, a controlled landing should be in your arsenal, readying yourself for the breakable frames and save you the trouble of walking up and down (30m x 2 each time you don't land well is a lot of distance covered per hour). Note: the recorded high speeds come from the 2-line parafoils. 

And here you are, an unbreakable sports kites and you're on the way to flying the low winds duo and quads in the "dry" season. Believe me, learning this way is much cheaper, not counting the low wind versions being more expensive. It gets you ready for the higher speed of duos and the barrage of tricks of quads without burning your pocket.

But be safe, to yourself and others. Let go of the handle when in doubt, ALWAYS.  This action immediately slackens the line. Without tension, the foil will collapse and fall to the ground, like your shirt would. Some plays parafoil for the rush of the wind power. Other kites may appear in your window. Some kids are running by. These and other situations are good time for you to throw the line. The power generated in the foil and lines can hurt/kill. Not to mention kevlar lines (it works well for sports kites, cheaper than dyneema but can cut through skins). Not to worry about entanglement. Usually only the sail will stay on the other kite line and it is easily removed, compared to your 1-liner doing loops. 

Enjoy the wind while you can but don't forget your shopping / to-do list too. Be safe, the new year is upon us.