Horse

A mate of mine is rapidly approaching the big 40 and his more sensible half wants to get him something special to mark the event. I immediately thought of a Buggy as he has often mentioned having a go, I prefer standing on a board but he's a lazy git and prefers to sit down He has no problem with flying a traction kite, he has a Firebee 3m and uses my Blade II 4m no problem. Thing is I know little or nowt about Buggies and as with most things there seems quite a range and of course prices to match. He is a big lad, well over 6ft and about 13.5 stone. He we go this route then he needs something flexible to ride across both field and beach and something he can grow into. My thoughts were either the folding job from P Lynn or maybe a Flexifoil Freestyle, good calls or heap or you know what? Any other suggestions. And finally any recommendations where he can get lessons on the basics somewhere in the Midlands or should we just wing it like I did on the land board? Thanks in advance.

If the Blade is putting you off then use (buy or borrow) a smaller kite for the higher winds. You will learn the techniques have a lot of fun and there is much less chance of being overpowered. All in all it will breed confidence.

Took mine out of the bag connected lines and had lift off no problems. At first it didn't seem to go high or wide in the window. A little experimentation with the position of knots and lines for the brakes soon cured that. (I don't use power rings). As HD462 said great little kite will do everything from a fun stunt kite to pulling on a mountain board with very quick action. Love the little thing.

We use a field out the back of where I live, until the farmer chases us off We also use the local playing field in the village, just have to keep off the cricket square You could try Burton Dasset just off the M40 at Gaydon although I believe that there is a place near Hinkley that might be nearer to you.

Guess I'll have to go to a few kite shops and have test fly a whole variety of toys before I decide, shame eh!

Exactly, I like the power, speed of handling and price of the Firebee 3 but if I move up the price bracket what then comes into view?

Just back from a week on Newgale beach building sandcastles, eating ice cream, being chased with seaweed and evenings spent out with the kites. All fun and made all the better by at last mastering the basic joys of using a mountain board with a kite, laugh a minute. In a good wind my Firebee 2m was fine and in lighter conditions the Blade II 4m was also fine but.... ... I found that I seemed to either lack oomph with the Firebee or be having rather hair raising (although fun) experiences with the Blade for much of the time. It occurs to me that for many conditions I might need something half way twix the two. So suggestions please for something of a half way house?

Well I weigh 11 stone and have the same kite. I can get to jump in some quite light winds, no idea of the speed but I find that if the things takes off and goes up to the top of the window without working it I can jump. I would guess this is between 5 & 10mph. Bit frustrating at first as there is a bit of a technique to it especially in getting the timing right for take off. Try and get use to it in really low winds doing little "hops" and build up to the big uns, believe me the kite has lots of oomph!!

Well they are here cos I have seen them, I was in a main dealers yesterday and saw a whole load being despatched. So there should be some very happy people around over the next day or so. Enjoy

I live over near warwick and don't know of anything as such, but then not much into buggying. But you could try: http://www.powerkiteshop.com/ They have a field and run courses so might know of a club. Probably not that far from you if you have transport, quick trip round a few of the local motorways should see you there in about an hour or less.

Well I went from a stacker 6 to a Blade 2 4m in one step. I'm just over 11 stone and after a couple of interesting flights in winds that were too high I went away and learnt to fly and control (I'll repeat that Control) the beasty in light winds. Time well spent the thing is bloody marvellous in most situations I would want to put the thing in the air. If you take your time to learn, and it doesn't take that long, I can't see a problem with a 4m as a first kite.

How about a smaller (2m) Firebee, flew one at the weekend with the idea of using it to compliment my 4m Blade. Seemed to fit the bill and personally I preferred it to the Little Devil I flew the week before. And cheap to boot. You pay you money.....

Are you serious, of course it is. If you need to ask I suggest that you stick to light winds to start with the thing will pull and lift you into next week if you are not careful. Great kite though!

According to the Flexifoil book of power kites the record is 208 set in 1993. Still 134 is a good effort, who was holding this little lot then?