Buffomarinus

Just curious... I've got an old B line two person glass kayak with a built in rudder. Anybody have any suggestions for combining this with my 3.0 Sam2? In order to get a foil to pull this rig, would it be necessary to fit a keel or sideboard to keep from being pulled sideways? I thought it might be possible to put the kite pilot up front with another bod in the back cockpit working the rudder. Anybody else try this?

Unreal kite...

Real kite...

The fact is, I have used handles+strop/pulley/quick release setup with my Sam2 (3.0mt). I like the fact that the handles allow you the choice of the two methods of turning either by pulling on the individual power lines or using the brakes (like steering a tractor). The handles definitely give me a finer touch when it comes to control, but it seems they also demand more eyeball to kite concentration then the bar. I've also found that when you want to bring the kite down in high winds, it seems a heck of a lot easier with a control bar then the same manoeuvre with handles. Also the handles are position specific, you can steer with one hand, but you have to be damned careful where you position your hands on the handle. The bar, on the other hand, feels a bit like steering a push bike. You can grab the control bar in any position and with only one hand or even a finger. And like a push bike, after a while the effort seems more mental then physical (Look Ma, no hands!!!). Anyhow, I'm only a new kid on the block, so any and all advice, comments and suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Finally got the chance to have go at a control bar after only having past experience with wrist straps and handles. Wow, what a difference! It's a bit like riding a push bike. The load is almost totally transferred to the waist harness. You can literally steer with one hand and not have to exert so much energy or concentration on the kite. I bought a completely rigged spare bar in excellent condition from Baggsy at a very low price (thanks Graeme!). I connected the brake lines on my Sam2 3.0m to the outer bar lines and the two control lines to the centre bar line. The kite flew beautifully the first go. Several people mentioned that flying on a bar would give you a 20% power loss, but I have to say that I really didn't notice any power loss myself. I'm still a bit confused on the finer details of flying with a control bar. The way it's rigged now, when I pull the bar towards my body the kite "brakes" and lands... is this correct? How far should the arms be extended when the bar is at the outer stop or in the flying position? I notice that the kite surfers here at Pallerenda (Townsville) seem to work their rigs with the bar in a midway postion between the two stops. What's the story with the Ozone bar that is sold for the Sam series where the lines are reversed from my set up? That is, the steering lines are on the outside and the two brake lines on the common centre line? Sorry for all the questions. Roberto

Getting even more off topic, here's the place for kites at Pallerenda on Rowe's Bay, Townsville. I found the place the first day I arrived here. As you can see by the photos, it's hard to miss on a gusty weekend. Graeme, did you get that ten meter snow foil up again? The next day the winds were a suicidal 20+ knots.

Peter wrote: "the strand is a NO KITING zone, has been for a long time." Glad you told me, I put my two meter Imp up during an excellent night time gust last week. Nobody came over and told me I was busted. Obviously there wasn't a soul on the beach otherwise I wouldn't have put the Imp up. Is there some sort of unwritten rule, or do they actually post it?

The Strand in Townsville has some excellent flood lights on a couple of beaches. Just watch out for the sea gulls!

Steve, Feeling better. The problem seems mainly to be a couple of pulled muscles rather then a pinched nerve. Thanks for the exercise info, it's helping already. Hell, the missus' won't go near my kites and she has even decided to try those back building moves! The Sam's a real beauty. I'm glad I started out with the 3.0. I think anything larger would have been too much for a "newbie." I'm in Townsville at present. There's some excellent winds and fantastic beaches around these parts. I'll put up another video on "You Tube" as soon as I can get my camera person out with me. Pallerenda, a few clicks north of Townsville at Rowe's Bay, is kite heaven. thercman, Got that Black Diamond climbing harness, good recommendation... thanks. Provides a much better setup then the old safety belt. It's also a lot more comfortable.

Baggsy, Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I'm in Townsville helping a mate out with radiation treatment. I'm definitely interested in the bar. What's the best way to get the $55 dollars to you?

Steve, Not only have you sold me a couple of excellent kites (the 3.0 Sam2 is a ripper!), but now you've provided me with some really good advice. I suspected that something might be going on in the spinal department that could be aggrevated by my recent foray into "beach skiing." The worst pain followed a couple of hours of action on the beach at Pallerenda (Townsville, Qld.). I wasn't sure whether it was caused by spinal compression or just over use of the lower back musles. I love the handles, but one problem I have with them is that even though I'm hooked up to a belt, I tend to mainly rely on my shoulder and back muscles for support and rarely lean back in the harness. A good side effect is that I am increasing my upper body strength, but I'm afraid the old lower back (or spine) is a bit slow to catch up. Would a bar improve the situation by tranferring more of the pull to the belt or harness? I've never used a bar. Thanks also for that URL, it has some sound advice for improving the situation. Rob.

The Missus' just put up a short video she made of our foray to Etty Bay (North Queensland) last weekend: 3JTqBqS8POU The winds rip around the two points of land in the backround. It was a real challenge to keep the Sam from turning into an airbourne bag of laundry at the edges of the wind window with the gusty breezes. All in all it was a real challenge and a great learning experience... really enjoyed myself! Roberto FarOutNorthQueensland,Oz

Baggsy, I'm using handles at present and I'd like to try a bar. Would your spare Naish work with my 3.0 Sam2? I'm currantly staying in Townsville, but my home is up on the Atherton Tablelands ("mailing wise"). If the rig is suitable, what's the best way to get the "kanga" ($) to 'ya? Roberto FarOutNorthQueensland,Oz. www.grantmandolins.com

thercman, what sort of climbing harness are you using (brand/model)? A climbing harness would probably be a bit more in my budget. There are also a few "adventure shops" locally that carry a selection of harnesses.

Wow, thanks folks! This is just the sort of advice I needed. I'll check on the seat harness as soon as I get back home. Roberto

Thanks for the response Joel. A friend mentioned that the pain could be caused by arching the back while pulling on the control handles and leaning back on the belt. Here's a shot of the action last week...

Any fossil flyers out there (like me) with lower back problems possibly caused by flyin' a kite? Put up my 3.0 Sam2 in some nice Townsville beach winds last week. I'm using a safety belt type harness that can move from the waist to just below the shoulder blades depending on how tight I cinch it. Ok, here's the problem. I'm developing some heavy after flight pain in my lower back which can last for days. I'm not sure whether it's the kite causin' the problem or just plain old age (58). Anybody else run into this sort of thing? Any suggestions besides taking up bowls and knitting? Roberto

Thanks for that Peter. That's just the sort of "hint" I was looking for.

I took the 3.0 sam2 out to my fly zone near the local lake today. The winds were gusting with a range of 15 t0 20 knots. As usual the kite attracted the live, feathered, native variety of kite. I was busily playing friendly "sky games" with the live item in the upper portion of the wind window when a particularly heavy gust gave me a definite feeling of lift. I pulled hard on both handles, bent both knees and for a split second I got my first taste of being held aloft by a kite. It only lasted a very short time, but it was a real buzz. I imagine this sort of experience would be easier with that 5mt Ozone Haka.

Nice kite. What sort of wind speeds have you tried so far? I reckon my little 3mt Sam2 can drag my 'arse around with the light gusty stuff we've had of late. It boggles my mind to consider what that 5mt beauty could do. I do think I'd be lookin' for heavier boots or something well embedded in the ground to lash myself to! Got some sunblock on that dome?

The Yank greenback conversion and postage will cause a bit of pain, but it still seems a reasonable price with our kanga above the $.80 mark. So how does the Wichard open in comparison to the Ronstan (any photos?)?