Revolution Fun 1 - The Catch

This is where you fly the Revolution to the top of the wind window then pull it out of the sky and catch it one handed. Done well this looks very good indeed. Done badly you look very silly.....

How to....

1. You need short lines on the Revolution - I use a maximum of 13m lines for this any more and it just doesn't work. The shorter the better.
2. Fly the Revolution to the top of the wind window (so it's above your head) with the leading edge upwards. Keep the kite as level and as still as you can.
3. Transfer both handles into one hand. I'm right handed so I put both handles in my left hand.
4. Quickly take hold of the top two lines with your free hand (for me that's my right hand) about an arms length away from you and pull firmly and smoothly. You need to be quick transferring the handles and pulling otherwise the kite starts turning. Only continue if the kite is horizontal.
5. The kite will now begin to fall, leading edge down towards you (all 4 lines are now totally slack by the way).
6. Again with your free hand aim to catch the kite on it's leading edge. I find it goes better if you aim for the centre of the leading edge. You may have to walk/run to catch the kite - however the idea is that you don't move from your spot - the kite comes to you.
7. Finally put a smug smile on your face and turn around to see who noticed you. Which, if it went well is nobody, otherwise loads of people will have noticed....

Download either the large or small version of the Near-zero wind flying video (Windows Media only) and at 0:53 there is an example of Dave (not me flying - I was filming) doing a variation of the catch.

Things to be aware of....

1. Clear area : once you pull the lines down you cannot control the kite's decent. Therefore look around before doing this. Make sure no one is near the kite or you (including behind you). Especially be careful of kite bags and pegs behind you if you end up running backwards - the number of times I have fallen or nearly fallen by tripping over my stuff.....
2. Short lines : with long lines (and by long I mean more than 20m) the kite seems to fall quite a distance from you - which means you have to run forward to catch it. Short lines (less than 15m, but the shorter the better) makes it much much easier, with less to go wrong on the kites decent!
3. Wind strength : a strong wind causes the kite to be blown away from you during it fall after you have pulled on it's top lines. Therefore I find light to moderate winds the best to attempt this in. Event a vented kite doesn't help much in strong winds....
4. Wind quality : a gusty wind tends to knock the kite off course during it's fall so instead of falling straight down it goes off to the left or right (or sometimes even behind you). A smooth onshore wind is, of course as always, the best!
5. How hard to pull : experiment on how hard you pull the lines - too much and the kite falls quickly, or even behind you. Not enough and it falls in front of you.
6. Location of the kite : if the kite falls behind you (and you end up having to run backwards) try stopping the kite and pulling before it reaches the top of the window.
7. Be careful : needless to say a falling kite will hurt if you miss the catch so if it looks like it's going to hit you just let it fall. I would be very surprised if the kite will take any harm, but even if it does better let the kite take the harm rather than you. So far I haven't been hurt by trying this.

Variations

1. Use the Catch to get out of trouble and to land the kite quickly. This could be useful if a dog is intent on attacking your kite, a storm has appeared, imminent collision, etc. On long lines you may not be able to catch the kite, but it's closer to you than it was.
2. When zero wind flying on very short lines why not pull the kite from in front of you down behind you. So instead of catching the kite run forward and basically change places - you end up where the kite was, the kite where you were. Very hard to do this without the kite crashing ......
3. Something else for very light/zero wind: when the kite is landed, leading edge upwards put both handles in one hand then pull gently on both lines with your free hand. When the kite starts to tip over towards you (and is nearly horizontal with the ground) yank the top two lines then catch the kite with your free hand. I do find this harder than the normal catch, but it is possible.