Twinskin kites - why are there so few in the water

The current wave champ uses them so why aren't more people getting into the action on Twinskin kites? I've just purchased a 2007 Venom 2 and it absolutely rips - is stable, has good constant pull, jumps big and floats for ages.
Is there some sort of inflatable conspiracy out there?

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Originally posted by philipellis

The current wave champ uses them so why aren't more people getting into the action on Twinskin kites? I've just purchased a 2007 Venom 2 and it absolutely rips - is stable, has good constant pull, jumps big and floats for ages.
Is there some sort of inflatable conspiracy out there?

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"Attention foil haters. You are required on stage in 5 minutes."

I absolutely loved the 13M V2 that I demo'd earlier this year. So much so that I've decided to become a dealer for them! I think all it needs is for people to get a decent ride on them for themselves, instead of relying on second hand (and not necessarily accurate) info on the 'net etc.

They are the "Apple's" of the kite market....their day will come.

i rode one a couple of months back in really gusty conditions and it was really comfortable. But i still don't understand how they are supposed to be easy to relaunch. can anyone put some light on the subject for me?

i just purchased a venom 2 13m after riding my phantom 9m, one great thing the twinskins have going for them is their extreme stability and auto-zenith. for this reason newcastle beaches are filled with many venoms and other twinskin kites, i just think that anyone can ride any kite and have fun on it, which kite is just their personal preference

i've got to try that one, thats sounds awesome
Cheers and great winds.

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Originally posted by fver

Xtortya,

I fly Flysurfer kites.

If they crash trailing edge down, nothing to do, they will just take off.

If they crash leading edge down:
1 - pull both back lines to fly the kite backwards;
2- release one of the back line in order to pivote the kite; and
3- release the other back line so that the kite fly forward to the edge of the wind window.

Easy relaunching has always been a strong quality of Flysurfers.

Summer's nearly here!!! See you All on the water!!!

Fred

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thats how they do the emergency depower i do believe

Twinskin kites- why are there so few in the water?

cause there all on the land/snow etc.
Ian Young teaches on them, dont knock what you dont know.
everything has its place, if you know the basics of foils and you are a half decent kiter, good fun.

I teach some lessons on a Peter Lynn Vortex 14m.

On the first lesson, especially in light winds, a foil is ideal. the auto zenith properties make the kite very difficult to crash. The student really has to stuff up for the kite to hit the ground.

Teaching nervous students on a foil is good too. The "intimidation factor" is minimised because they are so easy to fly.

As for relaunch- I have found that the PL kites relaunch faster tham my blow ups! especially in the surf.

However, despite kiting regularly alongside AJ and some other excellent wave riders on foils, I choose to ride my blow ups. I just don't feel cool on a foil!!

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Originally posted by Bigwavedave

I just don't feel cool on a foil!!

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Why is that though? When I'm on the water, it's all about me! I couldn't care less if someone else thinks I look cool or not. I refuse to allow my kiting to be restricted by what's considered 'cool' by other people. I can't imagine what a PITA that must be......

Preparation for the session: "Uh oh....better remember to put my 'boots' on my board. Can't be seen riding straps in public..... trés uncool! Also better remember to wear my waist harness, even though my back's fkd and a seat is far more appropriate. Better remember to check the current opinion poll on whether boardies over the wettie is approved by the fashionista at the moment too. Whoa....better brush up on the names of all the moves from skateboarding, wakeboarding, snowboarding, roller blading, ten pin bowling and croquet....don't wanna accidentally claim something that looks remotely similar to something from one of those!"

Actual session: "Damn....better make sure I'm not getting more than 3 feet above the surface of the water....don't wanna be labelled a 'dangler'! Oh noes!! My kite went above 45 degrees.....oh the shame!! I can't wait for this wakestyle phase to move on, so I can get back to the big air that I really like. Jeez it's gusty....wish I'd put my V2 up instead of this far more socially acceptable LEI...I wonder when they'll get auto-zenith to work in these. Uh oh! Someone's watching me! Better unhook quick!!"

I have taught with almost every type of kite that has come on the market but have stuck with FlySurfer kites primarily to give my students get better value for money because:

• even people that have never flown a kite in their life before can relaunch unassisted after 10 minutes instruction
• the depower, safety and ability to reverse the kite onto it's TE then relaunch immediately when desired enables me to reposition students on the water very quickly with my jetski
• students get more effective flying time

I teach because I enjoy being around people who:

• choose to be there
• come away on a natural high after their lessons

I fly FlySurfers myself for all the reasons listed at http://members.iinet.net.au/~ianyoung/Flysurfer.html
I import FlySurfers because I like them and that's the only way I could get hold of them. Even though the German engineering of FlySurfer kites is not cheap, I do not make much money out of them so you can forget that argument being my motivation.

For years people used to bag me out for riding a directional board too LOL, how things change. The foils day will come ... but then again I've been wrong before: 10 years ago I thought reel bars would be a big thing

But one thing I have learned in life - it's too short not to enjoy it - other people can't tell you what you will or will not enjoy, you need to discover that for yourself.

Ian Young
WinDesigns Australia
www.flysurf.com.au
Australia's First Kite Surfing School (Since 1998)

Personally,I don't like foils.

The last time I saw someone local using them,two of them,they both crashed and could not relaunch !

However,if people like them and fly them,thats good ,for them,nothing else matters.

But,why,oh,why,do they have a problem with everyone else riding inflatos ????
Let US ride what we like!

People like what ever they fly, there are some dog kites on the market that some people love. Most of you foil lovers (Note: most) have not really put your gear to the test. You enjoy cruising in and out and maybe going for a few jumps. If there was a person in the PKRA or a stand out freestyle rider that rode foils then I might take notice. Foils are great for our weekend rider that goes out for a cruise, they fly an inflatible that might be a little bit less user friendly for cruising and all of a sudden they think they are on to a winner.

The riders ability determines how much you can get out of a kite, I bet half the people posting about floaty jumps on here can't really jump that high anyway. Theres a technique for jumping any sort of kite. I'm not anti-foil ride whjat ever you like, if your ripping your ripping no matter what.

I just don't think that it helps that majority of the foil users are in the intermediate bracket of skill level and they think that they can tell people what the best kite to use is. A more experienced person (Such as Ian) has far more weight to his arguement because he has put them more to a test.

If Peter Lynn or Flysurfer were serious contenders why don't they try an sponsor some PKRA ripper, to show that the same thing can be done on foils...

Point is (rambling on) that everyone likes what they fly, and different kites do different things better. A kite that suits one person may not suit the next.

Foils generally relauch better in the surf than inflatables because they do not get caught by the wave...they tend to float over it due to being light and having no rigid structure. The wave acctually helps relauch PLK's. I prefer to use the PL's in the surf for that reason as well as a few others....basically ride what you want..and find what works for you.

Hey Dave...you need more than pump ups to make you cool....lol..

Cheers,

Barrie

How can the foil float over a 6ft wave that just broke on it? that doesn't make any sense? Smaller surf, perhaps.

So the reason foils aren't used more is because of the fear factor? I thought they were superior when it came to safety, now its becuase they are scary? that also makes no sense.

And finally, ford v holden? the winner is subaru, yes SUBARU, the car that can go around corners without impersonating a fish.

BTW have flown foils, didn't like the spongey feel, much like driving a ford/holden. Actually thats a lie, i was scared stiff when the kite auto-zenithed.

Now i get it TOBEs, was feeling thick.

What you are guys mean is why does everyone just buy what sells the most, but isn't neccessarily the best? gotcha.

Would explain why i fly the ERA.