Flexifoil Strike 2 Instruction And Safety Manual

Instructions and Safety Manual

Thank you for purchasing your new Flexifoil Strike 2. Before flying your kite, you
should take time to read and understand these instructions and safety warnings.

You can download this manual and any updates from www.flexifoil.com/downloads

2.1 Contents

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Strike series kites have been designed for
kiteboarding and other water use only. They are not
recommended for land-based activities.

Kiteboarding is an extreme sport that can be
both exhilarating and dangerous. You must read
and abide by the following instructions and
safety warnings to ensure that you have a great
kiteboarding experience.

This information is for your own safety and
protection. If you do not agree with these
instructions and warnings, do not use this
product. Please return this product in perfect
condition to the point of purchase and you will
receive a full refund.

ESSENTIAL DO’S AND DON’TS

If operated and looked after properly, your new Strike
will serve you well. To ensure that your kite lives a
long and happy life, you must follow this advice.

NEVER kiteboard in conditions that are too extreme
or winds that are too strong for your skill level or your
equipment.

DO NOT over inflate your kite.

DO NOT push the valves into your kite after inflating
the bladders.

NEVER store your kite wet.

ALWAYS dry your kite before storing for long
periods.

When packing away your Strike kite, DO NOT
scrunch up, fold or crease the kite. ALWAYS roll it up
carefully from one end to the other.

DO NOT leave your kite fully inflated for long periods,
especially in hot conditions.

If in doubt about which size of kite to take on to the
water, ALWAYS start with a smaller kite and work up,
as necessary. NEVER start with a larger kite.

Flexifoil strongly recommend that you take lessons
from a fully qualified instructor before kiteboarding
with your Strike kite.

Flexifoil strongly recommend that you take out
third party civil liability insurance before you start
kiteboarding and abide by all safety guidelines and
conduct yourself in a safe manner.

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2.2 Safety First

Flexifoil strongly recommend that you abide by ALL safety guidelines and conduct yourself in a safe manner at all times

2.1 Contents

2.2 Safety First

3.1 Bag Contents

3.2 Strike 2 Overview

4.1 Wind Window

4.2 Wind Speed Table

4.3 Kite Size Information

5.1 The Lark’s-Head Knot

5.2 Strike 2 Setup

6 Strike 2 Setup (Continued)

7.1 Pre-Launch Preparations

7.2 Launching the Kite (Assisted)

7.3 Launching the Kite (Solo)

8.1 Landing the Kite (Assisted)

8.2 Landing the Kite (Solo)

8.3 Water Re-launching

9.1 Packing and Storing the Kite

9.2 Bladder Repair

10 Bladder Repair (Continued)

11 Bladder Repair (Continued)

12.1 Care and Maintenance

12.2 Repairs Service

12.3 Warranty

GENERAL

Use extreme caution when using kiteboarding
equipment. Improper, incorrect or careless use of this
equipment can cause serious injury or death.

Strike kites are not parachutes, paragliders or
personal flotation devices and are not to be used as
such.

A kiteboarder must be fit, healthy, be able to swim
and be over 18 years of age (under 18’s should have
parental permission and adult supervision).

A kiteboarder should know and abide by the rules of
the sea, navigation laws, Coast Guard requirements
and local rules and regulations.

Do not fly under the influence of alcohol or mind
altering drugs.

LEARNING

Always learn to fly with a smaller traction kite, such
as a Flexifoil Bullet, before attempting to fly a kite
intended for kiteboarding.

Do not attempt to kiteboard until you have
completely mastered control of the Strike kite on
land.

Instruction should be taken from an officially
recognised kiteboarding instructor when going out
onto the water for the first time.

Beginners should learn to kiteboard in lighter winds.

Practise water launching/ landing procedures and
self-rescue techniques before going out onto the
water for the first time.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

NEVER kiteboard in an offshore wind.

NEVER kiteboard in conditions that are too extreme
or winds that are too strong for your skill level or your
equipment.

NEVER kiteboard if you cannot safely handle the
power of the kite (you are overpowered). Use a
smaller kite or wait for a lighter wind.

DO NOT fly in thunderstorms, electrical storms or at
night.

LOCATION

DO NOT fly your kite near overhead power cables,
roads, airports, cars, railways, people or animals.

ALWAYS select safe launching and landing areas free
of people and obstacles. Stay away from unsecured
kites and lines on the ground as a kite can re-launch
itself at any time. Disable kite and lines on the
ground when not in use.

NEVER kiteboard so far away from the shore, that
you cannot swim back in an emergency.

ALWAYS maintain plenty of clear space around you
in all directions when flying on land and in the water,
especially downwind. A kite can pull you downwind
for a considerable distance.

NEVER kiteboard in congested areas with swimmers,
boats, watercraft, solid obstacles or other water
users.

NEVER kiteboard alone or without a rescue craft on
hand. Always have someone watching out for you.

EQUIPMENT

YOU MUST always check all your equipment for
wear and tear before going out onto the water.
Do not fly with damaged or worn flying lines or
equipment. Repair or replace equipment accordingly.

ALWAYS kiteboard with appropriate safety
equipment - helmet, knife to cut flying lines, officially
approved buoyancy aid, waterproof flares, protective
eyewear, gloves and kite retaining leash. Never
attach yourself permanently to the kite.

Kite lines and bridles under tension can cut like a
knife and can cause serious injury or death. Always
keep your kite lines away from people, animals and
crafts, both on the water and on land.

NEVER allow inexperienced kiteboarders to use your
equipment.

REMEMBER, you are always responsible for the safe
operation of your kite, boards and equipment. Use
common sense.

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3.1 Bag Contents

3.2 Strike 2 Overview

Left to Right: Strike Bag, Strike 2 Kite, Kite Instructions, Heavy Duty Pump, 2 x Sail Repair Sheets, Bladder Repair Kit, Registration Card, Flexifoil Stickers

Inflatable ribs

Dacron leading edge strip

Leading edge tube

Leading edge valve

Rib valve

Front toggle point

Multiple rear toggle points

Wingtip deflation valve

4.1 The Wind Window

4.2 Wind Speed Table

Weather conditions can be unpredictable and can change very quickly. ALWAYS be vigilant and respect the power of the wind

Ripples with no appearance of

scales; no foam crests

<1

1-5

6-11

12-19

20-29

30-38

39-50

51-61

62-74

75-86

87-101

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

<1

1-3

4-7

8-12

13-18

19-24

25-31

32-38

39-46

47-54

55-63

<1

1-3

4-6

7-10

11-16

17-21

22-27

28-33

34-40

41-47

48-55

Cal m

Lig ht Air

Lig ht Breeze

Gen tle Wi nd

Mod era te

Win d

Fre sh Wind

Str ong Wind

Nea r Gale

Gal e

Str ong Gale

Sto rm

Smooth as glass

Not enough wind to fly kite

Small wavelets; crests of

glassy appearance

Large wavelets; crests begin

to break, scattered whitecaps

1-4ft waves;

numerous whitecaps

4-8ft waves; many whitecaps;

some spray

8-13ft waves forming whitecaps

everywhere; more spray

13-20ft waves; white foam

blown in streaks

13-20ft waves; edges of crests

beginning to break;

foam in streaks

20ft waves; sea begins to roll;

dense streaks of foam

20-30ft waves; white churning

sea; rolling is heavy;

reduced visibility

DescriptionForce MPH Knots KPH At Sea

0-0.2

0.3-1.5

1.6-3.3

3.4-5.4

5.5-7.9

8.0-10.7

10.8-13.8

13.9-17.1

17.2-20.7

20.8-24.4

24.5-28.4

Metres/sec

The Flying Experience

Difficult to fly kite - very low wind

Good conditions for

large kites or beginners

Ideal flying conditions

Ideal flying conditions

Good conditions for smaller kites

or experienced flyers

Experienced flyers

Very small kites or very

experienced flyers

Dangerous winds

Do not fly

Do not fly

Smoke drift indicates wind

direction; vanes do not move

Calm; smoke rises vertically

Wind felt on face; leaves rustle;

vanes begin to move

Leaves & small twigs in

motion; light flags extended

Leaves & loose paper raised up;

flags flap; small branches move

Small trees begin to sway;

flags flap & ripple

Large branches in motion;

whistling heard in wires

Whole trees in motion; resistance

felt in walking against wind

Whole trees in motion;

resistance felt in walking

against wind (again)

Slight structural damage occurs;

shingles blow from roofs

Trees broken/uprooted;

considerable structural

damage occurs

On Land

Before going out on the water it is important that you have a basic understanding of the wind as well as the terminology used in describing the different
conditions. You will find that these terms are frequently referred to in warnings and instructions, so please take some time to familiarise yourself with them.

4.3 Kite Size Information

Which size of kite should you use for which wind conditions?

Generally speaking, you should use smaller kites in stronger winds and larger kites
in lighter winds. You must not fly large kites in strong winds!

IMPORTANT: If in doubt about which size of kite to take on to the water,
always start with a smaller kite and work up, as necessary. Never start with
a larger kite.

Tip: In stronger winds, the smaller kites will re-launch easily as the wind will easily

lift the kite out of the water.

In lighter winds, more skill is required to re-launch the kite as sometimes the
wind alone is not strong enough to launch the kite from the water. Technique and
practice are required.

Flexifoil strongly recommend you take lessons from a fully qualified
instructor before kiteboarding with your Strike 2 kite. You should be skilled at

flying a traction kite on land before you take a kite on to the water. You should be
able to launch from the edge of the wind window and be able to fully control the
kite through the power zone of the wind window.

Wind strength numbers do not allow for gusts and lulls, but refer to average
wind speeds at a height of 2 metres from the water.

Wind and water conditions can change quickly and even the smallest kites
can cause serious injury or death. Make sure you watch the wind and weather

carefully. If the wind increases or conditions become stormy, stop kiteboarding.
Exchange your kite for a smaller one or, if conditions become too extreme for
your skill level or your equipment, it’s time to pack up and go home. All kite flyers
should fully understand that kiteboarding can be a dangerous sport.

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Minnimum power

Maximum power�
DOWNWIND

Wind direction

OFF WIND
LEFT

OFF WIND
RIGHT

Kite Flyer

Minnimum power

Minnimum power

W

ater

Land

On-shore wind

Off-shore wind

Cross-on wind

Side-shore wind

Wind direction

Upwind

Upwind

Reach

Reach

Downwind

Downwind

The Wind Window Terminology Conditions