Air time on buggies - How is it done??????

[Peter]

i was wondering how the hell do that get them buggies off the ground?????

how are thay attached to the buggy????

anyone got any detailed pics please?

not that i want to try and get off the ground, i'm quite happy stayin down here. (at this stage of my learning)

[SHEPPO3930]

seat belt, send kite back, you're flying.. simple.. good way to get hurt i rekon, but fun none the less.

[Peter]

funny that, i've been ripped outta the seat a few times by flying the kite back when getting distracted.

i dont think i'll strap myself in the buggy yet.

i didn't think it would be that simple.

[SHEPPO3930]

oh getting airborne is the easy part, landing will sort you out tho

once u have a few big OBE's you become more cautious when sending the kite back or accross in an aggresive gybe.

[sinbad]

I'm new to all this finally got my first ride in my buggy on saturday . What i would like to know is how do you NOT jump the kite what do you need to look out for.

[Pete]

That I can answer.... Do NOT let the kite rise up high in the wind window! Think of the zenith as your enemy unless you approach it very cautiously.

When turning, go to the edge of the window, flip kite 180 degrees, turn buggy after commencing kite turn, use a little brake & ease the kite back into the power.... this is all done at no more than about 45 degrees kite angle. This method works fine for me.... :wink:

[SHEPPO3930]

i just send the kite the other way.. when it goes to rip me the new direction i hit full lock, slide around, pull the bar in, and take off.

other than that method i slow the kite by taking it to the edge of the window, thenup to the zenith with the bar out, gybe/tack around, then dive the kite with the bar in for power.

i think u have to learn whats best for you and what works with your kite.

[Peter]

now if i was to come accross an AIRUSH LIFT 16, what sort of performance and air time would i expect????

this kite i mention is depowerable, now i have no idea what that meens, can the kite be setup at like 50% power, like i say i have no idea what depowerable meens.

UMMM, PLEASE EXPLAIN.....

[sinbad]

Hey Peter

I'm a newbie to buggys, but i do kite surf and have an 8,12,15 and a 19M kite but forget them for buggy riding. From what i understand the LEi are not as safe as the foils we use, you will need help launching and landing. But you would get plenty of lift from the 16m but don't use it in over about 16 to 18 kn thats about max if your heavy.

I would not use my LEI's for buggy riding plus they would get a lot more of a hammering hitting the dirt, water seems to absorb a little bit.

Good luck but be very careful the 16 lift is completely diferent to your foils.

[Peter]

yeah sinbad, i know where your coming from.

it will have some lift i'm sure. i plan to get into kitesurfing also, and found this kite cheap as chips.

if i ever use it on the buggy, it would be on a very very low wind day.

for the price i'm paying, i couldn't say no.

its in near new condition, used for promo photos, only used 6 times by professionals only, so its been looked after.

was too cheap to pass up.

but hay thanks for the advise.

[SHEPPO3930]

if you want to kitesurf and buggy, you cant go past the peter lynn ARCs

justin (shultzie) got me onto them, and a heap of other kiters now use them. you can kitesurf and buggy on the same kite and they are perfect for cross over ppl like myself, justin, wayne (robbo), and anyone else i forget.

look into them.

[Peter]

yeah there are lots of kits i'd like to get hold of

BUT

$$$$$$$$$

[Luke]

Ill cover myself from scrutiny and start this post with Jumping can be dangerous!

Its all in the float, so for starters a nice big kite, that is fast enough to redirect. Big isn't always necessarily the best, it has to be quick through the air and responsive in change of direction, especially in a buggy, as you have no imput from the waist down most of the time. Much easier to boost on a landboard.

Learn to buggy in a seatbelt first and do all your ground work, forwards, backwards 180's 360's n so on.

Make sure you are powered up, and never jump in gusty conditions, you will search for the constant wind when jumping so it is predictable as you have enough to focus on without worry bout falling from the sky.

Head in one direction, edge up high in the wind window, settle the kite about 11 o'clock the kite must still feel powered up, even that high towards the zenith. The amount of times I have been ready to boost and the pressure in the kite dies away, you just have to abort and go for another approach.

Send the kite behind you (move from 11 o'clock') to one o'clock to begin with, the crucial transition part is as SOON as the wheels leave the ground, redirect the kite forwards straight away to create the float (hopefully)

Try and get your front wheel down first, its got less impact, and ride away.

A nice easy way to start would be a mound of some sort, ride up to the top of it, put the kite at the zenith, the ground will dissapear from under you and you will gain a bit of airtime as you come back down on the other side.

Its all timing, there is no room for error, and you must stay committed in the air till you land or you will end up inserious trouble.

photo below is the second half of the jump (the important part) getting ready to land, if you notice my hands I was up there a while and starting to come in fast foward so i started redirecting the kite again back to the zenith to slow and soften the landing.

thats my 2 cents worth anways!

ps. the powerkiting dvd, is a great way to learn it!

[Peter]

wow rocket, that was nearly a year ago, and what a great reply, well worth the wait!!

I've got a V-Max, so not the best for a lap strap, hence my 3 point linkage set up, kite directly attached to the buggy.

Last Sunday, after being spured on by Joel (i was actually trying to do a wheelie, fly one rear tyre but failing this i went all out), i did my best to get the buggy even inches off the ground, i tried and bloody tried, and all i could get was the front wheel up about two feet, with the back still on the ground. Reason i think is in part due to the imbalance of my ass end (not my big butt), with having these extra large wheels and tyres, the back end is way heavier. Solution: i have gone back to the standard plastic wheels and midi tyres that the buggy came with, and i have small extensions to the side rails that i think will balance the buggy a little better.

i've been working up to getting some air, not massive, but just small jumps, and have been getting much more comfortable using the 3 point set up as a means of a lap strap, now all i have to do is progress to the ARC1120 (from sundays effort with a 7m century & 5.5m brooza), and i should be able to lift off with ease (fingers crossed) when i want to. It was a pitty the wind died off when i was getting so confidant, or maybe that was a good thing.

But, a big thanks for the input , any chance you can make your explanation a bit clearer, or would some of you other air catching junkies want to give your explanation of how its done.

[.Joel]

Peter,

It's not that hard really, going up is easy. Landing softly is the hard part.

Easiest and simplest explanation I can give you is this...

You are travelling forwards with the buggy, kite parked facing the direction you are traveling at 10 or 11 o'clock. As you are travelling forwards send the kite back so it is facing away from you. Do this agressively, at 12 o'clock the kite should be facing the opposite direction you are taking. Once it hits 12 o'clock pull it as fast as you can to bring it facing your direction again. By this time you are in the air

The best video for this (without purchasing) is Richy Stones Second Law. I've uploaded a copy to the gallery.

Link: Richy Stones Second Law Video

There's a few on cam shots where you get a picture of the kite. If we get a good session in again soon i'll get someone to film upwards so you can see what the kite is doing.

Otherwise if you haven't grabbed that how to powerkite dvd, it really is awsome for learning anything from ground to air based.

Regards,

.Joel

[Frakke]

I've just dropped the latest input from marman video on your section too so have a look what we were messing with last weekend... god it was the best for ages... I actually thought that I was losing the edge till I was back on the beach... it has been a while but I am now well happy with my capability...

I did get double foot out, one handed, aeriel 360, kiteloop very nicely in the end on an 8.5m Biv ..but it wasn't on the vid unfortunately as I was away practising for ages till it was right... then there was no camera..still jumps are jumps I was boosting all day just because I could and I was really lovin' it 6+ hours on a beach with 154 - 20 mph... 8.5m Biv = awesome

F

[Luke]

Sorry peter for a 1 year old thread, still scratchin my head bout it, yesterday when i looked at it, it was at the most recent thread used, so thought I would ad to it.

You are in excellent hands with Joel and Frakke adding their imput. I leart from them

Rocket

[Peter]

it might actually be a good thing that its taken a year for a decent reply in this thread as i was not any where near leaving the ground a year ago. But as they say, practice, practice and when you think you are ready, practice some more. I've gotten a lot more confident in my own ability, and am now ready to start pushing the limits further, while feeling very secure in my own judgement and ability.

i have seen the powerkite dvd, but i cant stand the voice overs, just reminds me of my mother-in-law!!

also, kit makes a bit differance to air ability, having the right kite to get air safely is most important, i have an ARC1120 that i have only used a few times, and i need to get more time flying it in stronger contitions before i attempt anything away from the ground with it.

my 7.5m Brooza II would fit the bill, but its too slow to turn.

How would i go with a 7.5m century???, high aspect, flys fast and turns very sharp, is it suitable for buggy jumping???

maybe if i'm gonna get seroius about buggy jumping i should look at getting a kite designed for jumping.

[Luke]

I cannot comment on a 7.5 century as I have no idea what you are talking about sorry ha ha ha!

Putting it simply, if you want to get serious bout jumping, get a serious kite that has a reputation for just that.

Without wanting to put myself on the same level as my peers, but the kite Joel, zenon, frakke and me all use is Blade IV's for jumping, the 6.5 is the most epic of all in that range(close to your 7.5 meter century thingy in size)

If you want to be silly and get into the air, buy the best money can buy to lessen your chances of dying... worst case scenerio..... you will die looking cool with your blade

Rocket

[Peter]

Maybe next time Philzgood is up here i can unattach him from his blade and give it a blast. then i bet the hunt will be on.

i have been toying with the idea of a 9.5 sabre, better keep saving pennies, and get a bigger jar to store them in.

Did that manta turn up yet?

[Luke]

Peter, ...... not setting myself up for another ear chew session.

Events will unfold very soon. Grab some popcorn!

Regards

Luke

[Peter]

get on the and at em!!

maybe we'll get some more (.)(.) to perve at

[Frakke]

Hi Peter..

I think your Century is a race kite (isn't it ???) usually designed for going very fast and quite responsive kite for 7.5m... I don't think it is ideally suited to jumping but that doesn't mean that you won't get air from it either... I've only ever tried a 5m ish cerntury and it was at an inland site which wasnt ideal and I had a terrible time with it...at teh same time my BIII 6.6m was OK (in my slightly incapable hands )

Also if you choose to go to the manta/sabre route these are depower and exhibit a totally different aspect to buggy jumping.. there's the whole depower to contend with and having a bar in a buggy can sometimes be a bit cumbersome.. Now at the same time I say this there are people who can jump buggies quite happily on depower... APPO and PHAT DAN both on the ozone team are happily boosting manta's frenzy's and even the instinct on land. PHAT DAN is of course on he Strealth buggy too others on depower that I know over here even jump well on peter lynn phantoms and venoms however the trick base with these is a bit more limited (well it's big air but its a plain jump... rotations are more of an accident due to the size/speed of the twin skin....

Finally that leaves a fixed bridle kite (yeah like a blade) personally i've had air from a 4m radsail, a 5m crossfire, and blades 6.6m and 4.9m BIII and now the Biv's (all of em:D).. if you want to try an ozone kite have a look at the HAKA they are not a bad kite but are new on the market so could be prone to improvment tweaks in the near future as the foil / bridle is refined..

Personally I prefer blades but that was a choice I made early on and have got used to the way they work. Of course it was influence from close kiting friends too but I noticed that there were pockets of kiters who were influenced by those around them so sabres were being used in places sometimes ozone depower sometimes blades... IMO I think the "best" freestylers are on Blades that I know in no particular order ...richy stones, stupid dave, rob hills, mark everitt, craig sparkes,will mckean, junior(freddy), me, blader, docgreen, royster, sylenz, all fly blades, mad dog pete (who was on a sabre but thought it was holding him back)... Now in saying this we all meet at the same beach/fly in on a regular basis and have no issues with mixing it with the ozone boys or anyone else that might turn up were all freinds at the end of the day and all kiters (some just have bigger ego's that others )

anyway I hope this helps with choice of kite and if ou have to choose BLADE or HAKA try to fly the 4.9m Blade agasinst the 5.0m HAKA for direct comparison it may help..

F

[nigel]

Peter, the Century is a race kite, but that can't stop you from using it to jump.

I have jumped (static) with all sorts of kites, from your low aspect to high performance race kite.

Any kite given enough wind will give lift.

If you want to buggy jump, then you should be able to static jump.

With the kites you will be using for jumping, you will need to be at the top end of their wind range.

If you can't or don't understand how to jump static, then I would not even try it in a buggy.

The bigger the kite, the softer the landing, but, the slower the kite moves.

As such it looses it's "pop", you won't get good lift out of it, just a foot or two, and heaps of float.

A smaller kite also requires more wind, so faster and harder landings result.

Foils tend to feel more dirrect to the user, while the depowerables can seem vague to newer users and therefore lower your confidence.

Many kites to choose from, the two best fixed foils are currently Blade's and the Haka's.

As a begineer jumper, the Blade is more friendlier to fly of the two.

Having used the 6.5 and the 4.9 Blade IV, the 6.5 is my pick, great combo of size and speed.

Used the Haka 5m for a short time, not in a buggy though, good lift and touch more float than a Blade.

The 7m Haka might prove to be a better size, but there seems to be problems with them.

Half the problem is all the people who use them, have gone quiet.

They tout the 5m, but not the other sizes???

Too many depowers to pick from!!!

Remember: Don't fly like a bird, and land like a stone.

[Frakke]

^^^ I knew something was "not quite right" with the HAKA but I've seen a good performance from the 7.0m and the float was "as good as the 6.5m Biv if not better so it could be down to the rider... no disrespect intended but if for example Phat Dan helps design the HAKA it will be to suit his style as it will be built on his input... if you fly / learn from Dan then you will have a similar style and therefore be at one with the kite... if you're used to a totally different kite then it may be strange and this could be why those folks who chase the latest newest on the market (i.e. I got a CULT/HAKA/MANTA/Biv/sabre coz they're new ... not coz I like em or have had a good experience from them..)

5.0m is a "very nice size" for a kite look at how the 4.9mBIII has been lauded over the years ... it's still an awesome kite... and now Flexi have managed to get that speed into the 6.5m Biv the 6.5m is a good development.. so if the HAKA is at the 4.9m BIII standard then Ozone should have doen their homework well and produced a good kite

as for losing the "pop" in bigger kites I don't necessarliy agree there as it's about holding down the power... If you can edge hard with a low C of G then you can still hold the power and the pop is still there... well it was last night on the 8.5m Biv ... to the tune of approx 10 - 12 feet of air with a 540 rotation..... in 13mph wind

fly safe

F