Date: Tue, 9 Aug 1994 11:36:27 -1000 From: greg@sys.uea.ac.uk (Greg Newton-Ingham) Message-Id: Organization: School of Information Systems, UEA, Norwich, UK Subject: Power Kiting Suggestions ? Hi, I am looking for suggestions as to what Kite I need to *REALLY* drag me about on the beach. I fancy skudding and jumping. What are the suggestions for rigs ? Thanks, Greg Newton-Ingham = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 9 Aug 1994 13:02:44 -1000 From: gaffer@ibmpcug.co.uk (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organiszation Subject: Re: Power Kiting Suggestions ? Greg Newton-Ingham wrote: > I am looking for suggestions as to what Kite I need to *REALLY* drag me >about on the beach. I fancy skudding and jumping. What are the suggestions >for rigs ? The traditional starting point for skidding as a stack of flexies (the original power kite). They have the advantage that you can just keep going back to the store and buying more of them :-) Other things to try include Peels, big Quads and other stuff from the ever widening selection of power kites. If all you want to do is to go down wind, try something more silly and more sociable, like a big play sail or a big arch - loads of fun. Bear in mind that just skidding down-wind will get boring after a while, expect to get bitten by the buggy-thing before long. A couple of notes: Don't use wrist straps of any description - they bugger your wrists and take too long to let go of. If you want to get air-bourne, buy a hangglider. Andrew -- This is not the account that I usually Email from. Please continue to use my usual addresses, thankyou: Work, computer stuff, demands for payment -> gaffer@rec.com Play, kite stuff, party invites, offers of Pizza -> andrew@tug.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 15 Aug 1994 02:29:56 -1000 From: lynnrg@elec.canterbury.ac.nz (R.G. Lynn) Message-Id: <32nn44$7l0@cantua.canterbury.ac.nz> Organization: Electrical Engineering, University of Canterbury, New Zealand Subject: Re: Power Kiting Suggestions ? In article , greg@sys.uea.ac.uk (Greg Newton-Ingham) writes: > Hi, > I am looking for suggestions as to what Kite I need to *REALLY* drag me > about on the beach. I fancy skudding and jumping. What are the suggestions > for rigs ? > > Thanks, Greg Newton-Ingham How about some good quality leg knee and ankle braces for a start? Add to this some body armour and a helmet and maybe a neck brace and you're ready to start leaping off buildings (which will probably give the same end result). Jumping is fun but fucks more knees than the IRA. Kite levitation is dangerous because it's so deceptive, you can be 30 feet in the air and the take off won't have felt much different to a 3 foot hop. You can have just about the same amount of fun dragging yourself through water including the air time (just make sure you're ludicrously overpowered and wear a box to prevent ... ahem) the only down side is that you need someone to rescue you if you dump the kite in the water. This is a definite must try but is easier with something that reacts slowly and that you don't need to give your full attention ie use a Peel rather than a Flexi (unless it`s a big un) and probably steer clear of four liners as nuances of control are more difficult when you're casually impersonating a torpedo. Even a big parafoil will work for this sport but then to stop you have to let go which holds it's own dangers and in this case a recovery boat is a must. For skudding you need a harness system unless you have gorilla arms. Overpowered as you are you need a safety system with the harness to disentangle you when you get in trouble. Quick release handles are almost a must have. As to the kite, well I don't think that I`m capable of pealing away my prejudices to make a completely unbiased recommendation. There are others here who will advise you much more evenhandedly. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 16 Aug 1994 14:47:47 -1000 From: pbc@ufl.edu (Philip Chase) Message-Id: Organization: CIRCA, University of Florida Subject: Re: Power Kiting Suggestions ? In article <32nn44$7l0@cantua.canterbury.ac.nz> lynnrg@elec.canterbury.ac.nz (R.G. Lynn) writes: >From: lynnrg@elec.canterbury.ac.nz (R.G. Lynn) >Subject: Re: Power Kiting Suggestions ? >Date: 15 Aug 1994 12:29:56 GMT >You can have just about the same amount of fun dragging yourself >through water including the air time (just make sure you're >ludicrously overpowered and wear a box to prevent ... ahem) the only >down side is that you need someone to rescue you if you dump the >kite in the water. This is a definite must try but is easier with >something that reacts slowly and that you don't need to give your >full attention ie use a Peel rather than a Flexi (unless it`s a big >un) and probably steer clear of four liners as nuances of control are >more difficult when you're casually impersonating a torpedo. It gets odd with quad line kites. The lower lines start draging in the water and turning the kite. It is aggravating to say the least. You should expect to lose sight of the kite from time to time as you roll in the water. I also recommend Peels for this on long lines so that figure eights are easy. I tried it on my usual short lines (75 ft) on my 10 m2 Peel and it was difficult. At 150' it was fine. At 200'-300' it would be wonderful :-) >For skudding you need a harness system unless you have gorilla arms. >Overpowered as you are you need a safety system with the harness to >disentangle you when you get in trouble. Quick release handles are >almost a must have. The skidding is great until you pitch forward. Then you will wish that you had jeans, closed shoes, socks, gloves and a heavy shirt on. I have pitched forward--you will be abraded without protective clothing. Not that it isn't lot of fun. I still prefer water dragging when the conditions are right and, of course, buggying whenever possible. :) Philip = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 16 Aug 1994 20:52:00 -1000 From: Daniel_Tepas@du.maus.de (Daniel Tepas) Message-Id: <199408170852.a8296@du.maus.de> Subject: Re: Power Kiting Suggestions ? Hi there, I think we sure need the dictionary for kite related words. The different question is to collect the words "worthy" to be mentioned. Maybe one of the native english speaking pilots could colelct the words he thinks should be in the dictinary. I could write a list of german words (and try to give the english, too ;-). For a start, could anyne explain RL>skudding to me? I almost _have_ gorilla arms (not so strong, buit so hairy and stinky ;-) 'cause I'm flying a 5 sqm Quadrifoil without a harness, if a harness is something to fix the kite on your body. I tell you, 2 weeks and you feel like Popeye. Ciao, Daniel. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 19 Aug 1994 09:25:43 -1000 From: gaffer@ibmpcug.co.uk (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organiszation Subject: Re: Power Kiting Suggestions ? Daniel Tepas wrote: >For a start, could anyne explain SKUDDING to me? I don't have a dictionary definition for you, and at first I'd have said that skudding is just slang for skidding, but to me, skidding is more of a slick, smooth movement, where skudding is more slipping, gripping, falling, sliding, slipping again as you try to retain control, in particular the rapid slip/grip/slip of your shoes as you get dragged across some surfaces. You owe the Kite Oracle a Patriot Missile Andrew -- This is not the account that I usually Email from. Please continue to use my usual addresses, thankyou: Work -> gaffer@rec.com Play -> andrew@tug.com The Kite FAQs are at ftp.hawaii.edu:/pub/rec/kites/faq/* "Kite Jumping fucks more knees than the IRA" (Lynn) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =