Free Lander

As everyone has said, the Tramontane is a regular constant wind down in the South of France. It comes off the back end of the Massif Central mountain range, and lasts 3, 6 or 9 days. If you live in the region (like I do) and you aren´t kiting, its a real nuisance. Its not unusual to have average speeds over 6 days periods of 30knots. However, if your hobby is kiting, its utopia. La Franqui is my nearest beach, south of Beziers (RyanAir fly from Bristol from April 2008), Carcassonne (RyanAir), and Girona (RyanAir) Everything kicks off there properly from the week after the big kite festival in April (Mondial du Vent). I was there last week and you needed to wrap up. The beach is just fantastic for buggys and boarders - 4 miles long and pan flat hard sand. Anyone wanting any more info - let me know...... Harvey

We dont have a whole lot of decent areas in Plymouth itself to board or buggy, but most of the club tend to meet at a local playing field (about 8 pitch size) which is inland and on top of a hill. Tends to be gusty which is a shame as its only a mile from where I live! Alternatively, we have a few nice beaches with only moderate restrictions within a reasonable drive - Bantham, Whitsands, Gwithian and Westward Ho! Having seen your signature and now realising where you are, dont think my bar option was relevant. You'll need handles as I guess you'll need to be moving the kite up and down the dunes?? Sounds like real fun - let us know how you get on with the kite-share.

Hi Dave This is my first post on FlexiForum so cut me some slack!! I bought a second hand Oxi 7.8 Standard (although it was coloured both sides?) not that long ago, and I love it. I paid £150 but it wasnt RTF. Reckon c£200 is a fair price. Its not a racing kite, although a higher aspect than the Helium. I use mine on a flexi bar more from choice, but also because it doesnt need to be worked as much as a Blade. As others have said, launching does take a bit of getting used to, its a knack, but once up it'll stay exactly where you park it. Brilliant upwind, and best performance around 12-15mph. Mine has never overflown. Setting up on handles will make the turning quicker, but its a cruising engine for me so long beaches are the order of the day! It copes with inland gusts really well too, although putting it up in gustier conditions than those mentioned above will cause you problems. I would recommend any of U-Turn's kites - they're fabulously made, good value and look great too!