Keeping the wind in the kite

[howie]

I have been trying to buggy lately (thanks Dan ok for the loan of your buggy) and having a bit of a play by myself not like that. I understand about the wind window and can keep the kite in the air when I'm static flying. However when I get in the buggy I seem to have problems with keeping the wind in the correct direction. I end up flying out of the wind window then the kite drops from the sky:blush:.

It is more of a problem when the wind starts to change directions and I don't take notice soon enough. It's making my sessions some what frustrating.

Any help will be good thanks.

[Luke]

When you are starting, keep the kite more to the top of the wind window, if you turn downwind, your kite must go downwind also, I think the problem you are having is gaining ground towards your kite, the strings are going loose and its falling.

Its like having a dance partner, you have to move as one.

Keep the kite higher in the window to start with, it takes some practice but you will get it.

Try and get out with some guys like nigel and joel and keep going with dan and the others, watch what they do, ask lots of questions.

you should also get a copy of the powerkiting DVD, that is a very comprehensive DVD and will get you jumping in no time

Rocket

[howie]

Yep I have heard all about the dancing medaphor before need more dancing lessons. The lines do go lose and the kite drops from the sky. I find it hard when the wind is changing directions I think that I need a flag or should look at the trees for an idea of wind direction.

I did see a copy of the powerkiting dvd for sale on here early this week. I was thinking about getting it I was unsure if it was any good "not sure if it has sold yet"

[Luke]

Most kite shops have the DVD, trust me its good, it will take you from beginner to two wheeling to buggy boosting. I highly recommend it.

Picking wind direction and strength on land is one of the hardest things to do. Get yourself a flag of some sort, like a banner flag a few meters tall.

My gay pride ones work a treat.

[howie]

Thanks Rocket will have to have a look for the DVD, you can keep your gay pride flags. (are they pink)

[Luke]

no they are rainbow colours

[howie]

Pretty Colours

[Luke]

told you!

[Pete]

I think that perhaps your main problem is that you are travelling towards the kite. The kite normally sits at an angle from your direction of travel, otherwise you will cause the lines to slacken. Try steering away from the kite a little bit.

Another good trick is to travel perpendicular to the wind direction. This will naturally force you to steer away from the kite as it will always want to sit downwind. As Rocket suggests, keep the kite relatively high to start with, keeping your buggy speed low whilst trying to maintain line pressure. As you get more comfortable with it, track perpendicular to the wind and drop the kite to about 60 degrees elevation to start with. The more power you get, the faster your buggy speed and the easier it is to 'overshoot' your kite in the buggy if you are travelling towards the kite. So practice keeping the lines tensioned at slower speeds with higher kite elevation (ie. less power)

I hope this helps a little.

Cheers

Pete

[howie]

Thanks Pete I'm going/trying to go perpendicukar to the wind as you stated. I think that one of the problems is that I do over shoot the kite and get to much speed but the speed is fun.

However I suppose that when you go fast and have the kite fall out of the sky and lines get all tangled it tends to spoil the fun in a hurry.

Think that I need to find more time to get out and buggy more ( Note to self, By wife flowers)

[Gog]

A suggestion howie. Try and get some landmarks to work off. When you roll up to your buggying location stand with your back to the wind with your arms out and feel for the wind direction. You should be able to point out some landmarks with your outstreched hands. Then each time you tack head straight towards your selected landmark.

If the lines start to go slack steer upwind. If you start to slow down too much, steer downwind.

Steer upwind = slow down, Steer downwind = accelerate, Steer downwind too much = Lines go slack & kite luffs.

Hope this helps a bit.

Gog.

[nigel]

Good post Gog, you beat me to it!

Land marks are great to keep an eye on, goal posts, buildings, rubbish bins?

Sounds like your getting too much speed and heading off down wind and/or not turning tight enough.

Keep the kite above your head and just travel at jogging pace.

No need to go faster.

Steer a little bit upwind to slow down, steer a little down wind to go faster.

When you turn, slow a little bit first (turn up wind), then when at jogging/walking pace turn the buggy 180 degrees.

Do this turn quite quickly, there is no need to turn in a huge circle.

Turning in a huge circle will have you moving down wind and the kite can then luff.

The trick is to keep tension on the lines at all times, no tension = luff.

It can also help to keep the kite moving, the wind window can shrink a little bit due to being on a moving buggy.

Happy to give a basic lesson and some pointers if you want.

[Peter]

yes you can use landmarks, if there are any, i use witches hats (thanks to the local council for a lend of 10)

you can set and move them as needed, they are soft so hitting them is painless.

you can also use then to practice turning around, rather than turning where you want to, try turning where you have too.

changes in wind direction are hard to overcome with out some form of tell tail like a flag, even a ribbon tied to something is a big help.

[BillyMac]

Another good one I used when buggying is just try and follow the tracks in the sand from a fellow buggy rider (THANKS PETER)

[Baggsy]

one point that no one has mentioned ...keep a bit of tension on the rear line (brake lines) when you are close the the edge of the window this will help stop it from over flying the window...

[lickedysplit_au]

Everything covered here, thought something was missed then Baggsy picked it up nicely at the end

Tweaking your brakes will slow your kite down if it begins to accelerate past you into the front edge of the wind window.

Ie. If you head down wind too far or the kite drops behind you into the rear of the wind window pull the front lines to accelerate the kite into the power zone and steer away (as has been tremenously explained)

OR

If you head upwind too far or the kite begins to get ahead of you into the front edge of the window apply some pressure to the brake lines to bring the kite back into the powerzone and maintain your course.

One thing though is you have to think ahead and make your changes before your kite stalls when it is still full of power.

OK now that I have just about covered everything that has already been posted, I'll get back to things I should be doing

Troy

[howie]

Thanks all for the advice:thankyou2: using the brake lines is a good point I have not thought about that before @ Nigel it would be good to catch up and get some tips.

Having a bit of trouble finding time to get out but let me know a day or so before hand and I will see what I can do I finish work at about 2:30 in Dandenong during the week (Thanks). The only way that I turn at the moment is by snapping the buggy around 180 degrees (sliding the back out).

I think that the last few time I have been out the conditions have been less than average wind changing direction heaps.

Thanks again

[Frakke]

You could actually try "flying the kite" as well ..... as opposed to the "park and ride" approach

if you keep the kite moving i.e. fig of 8 type flying then it is less likely to deflate and fall...

to practice this you can deliberately go out underpowered and then you will almost always have to "work the kite" to generate motion.....

another thing if you've got the basic skills set it to set a slightly upwind line i.e. turn away from the kite to keep the lines taught... obviously if you go too far you'll set off sideways then backwards so its a balance really but with a little practice you'll do it like second nature and then if the wind is picking up tack to a slight downwind line (long reach) to pick up speed...

actually as some of your mates have mentioned go out and try and follow then up and down the beach.. closely watching their kite position and buggy direction.. buggy direction is easy if you follow exactly which means that you can concentrate more on the kite position...

most of us learn by copy cat anyway it's natural so go chase yer mates :D:D

and most of all have fun

Fly safe

F

F

[jdhot]

Hi guys, only new to kite buggying myself, I thank you for your tips and great advice, I'll have to try and remember it all when I have another go tomorrow, must say thou I had doubts if I could ever get the buggy to move until I went out in the wind today just as the southerly hit, wasn't to bad to start with estimate 15-20knot winds but didn't take long to hit 30-35knots when the buggy took off like a rocket and at that stage I thought you must be crazy:goofy:, more than likely my own lack of experience didn't help but it was a blast, luv going fast, go-karts, cars, mountain bikes, now wind power, you can almost feel your ass burning being that low to the ground. Although the whole session only lasted about 20mins, couldn't keep a hold of the kite in the gusts, it was certainly a wild intro to it all.

Thanks again for all the tips

Cheers John

[Pete]

Although the whole session only lasted about 20mins, couldn't keep a hold of the kite in the gusts, it was certainly a wild intro to it all.

Thanks again for all the tips

Cheers John

I assume you are not yet using a harness.... which is sensible while you are learning, but you will find that once you start harnessing in, that holding on is not the issue.... getting airborne starts coming into play;)

Cheers

[jdhot]

Hi Pete,

Yer I was given some advice when I brought the buggy just a short while ago, not to use a harness to start with as I should be prepared to be flipped, rolled and then dragged out from under the buggy till I get used to the whole thing, so I stocked up on crash gear, helmet, elbow pads and I own a pair of steel cap joggers, it all in the name of fun they tell me, I am looking forward to the days when I'm good enough to do the high flying acrobatics, but all good things take time.

[Luke]

Hi Pete,

I am looking forward to the days when I'm good enough to do the high flying acrobatics, but all good things take time.

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."

..... send it behind you...... waaaay behind you