airin - 4-10-2009 at 04:56 PM
This weekend I just had the most brilliant one on one buggy immersion weekend course thanks to Bladerunner!
BR and I had met this summer while I flew my Rev's and he blew by on his rollerblades down at Vanier Park, our home kite field. The idea of buggying
had long been in the back of my mind and when I mentioned it to BR, he immediately offered to loan me some four line foils so I could get the feel of
the power kites. What started out as an offer to test some foils turned into a momentous weekend for me.
Yesterday afternoon's winds at Vanier were perfect for flying the foils and Ken skillfully and safely taught me the ropes of the fixed bridle foil and
then we worked out way up to his 7 metre depower kite which he had me flying by the end of the day. I was pretty pumped with the experience of flying
the power kites but Saturday was tame compared to what was to follow.
On Sunday BR gave me a lift to Garry Point in Steveston where all the buggy gang collect to fly and ride. I got my first taste of buggying by having
a few very exciting tandem rides with a couple of the pro buggy boys at GP. The winds were moderately strong and quite gusty. It seemed a little
choppy for learning to buggy so BR and I decided to put up the nasa power wing for a little buggy appetizer. I had a blast as I moved solo on three
wheels under kite power for the first time in my life. The power wing was an rather interesting kite to maneuver and it its short lines and obedient
responses gave me confidence and allowed me to get a feel for steering the buggy around the park without too much risk to myself or the general
public.
As the day wore on, the park gradually got more crowded with other kite flyers and various and sundry weekend family packs strolling around under the
kite lines and in and out of the buggys. Winds remained gusty and the pull of a 3 metre PL Hornet would've been too much for me to handle static. So
BR unpacked a 2.5 metre kite and got me sorted, mostly out of harms way, on the buggy. Off I flew, a bit chaotic, this way and that as I tried to
keep in mind the kite, the buggy and the many moving targets...er, I mean, wandering family park goers. It was a huge thrill to race across the park
and actually be able to execute a turn and tear back again. What a incredible rush! Can you remember your first time?! Wasn't it great?!
The fun kept coming and, just to get it out of my system, I had my first OBE! Well I definitely learned what happens when you make a turn too fast
and too tight. OBE, who knew it would be a component of the 'weekend buggy course', an added extra I guess!
While buggying I was clearly not a picture of grace with my path of travel erratic and jerky at best. But I was doing it! I was actually buggying I
thought with delight as I traveled back and forth across the park in my clumsy beginner's fashion. With a filament of control, I brought the buggy to
a halt close to the buggy parking sport and jumped out with a huge grin on my face. BR and I high fived. I was so hooked, I knew it for sure, I was
definitely hooked on buggying! It was the culmination of a great weekend that was made possible thanks to the kindness and generosity of BR, a good
teacher and a wonderful new kite friend. Thanks Bladerunner! And a special thanks also to the buggy gang at GP who were so welcoming and
encouraging.
macboy - 4-10-2009 at 06:40 PM
And another one is born! Sounds like a fantastic weekend - your life will never be the same ; )
kitejumper - 4-10-2009 at 08:11 PM
haha--reminds me of yesterday i was helping erik (jovver) and he started rolling along in the buggy--it was slow, but he's making good progress --a
few more times and he'll be a pro and so will you.......
Kamikuza - 5-10-2009 at 12:15 AM
Sounds awesome, welcome to the funny farm 
BR the pusher ... or is that pimp? :puzzled:
Jolt - 5-10-2009 at 01:26 AM
Good job, keep at it...
Idk personally buggying has never been something I've looked forward to in this sport. I've always looked forward to the freestyling with an atb or a
snowboard.
But yeah, your thread and it seemed like you had a great time, cheers.
Bladerunner - 5-10-2009 at 05:43 AM
HA Ha,
You don't have to Pimp when you fly good gear ! The gear sells itself. My arc is a bit big. It was my 7m Pulse that she has taken home to learn
depower on. I just LOVE getting people started and spent a lot on lessons back when.
Airin is a kiter of my own heart. She relates to the wind . Her skillz on the Rev and understanding of the wind made her one of the most enjoyable
companions I have met. 1st day out she flew F.B. Nasa , and Depower like someone with months of experience ! Second day she managed the buggy in the
crowds of G.P. Some people take a year to get to this point. 
A Natural, and a JOY to fly with !
:bigok:
Kamikuza - 5-10-2009 at 07:28 AM
I meant pimpin' the sport - the gear is like the cooties, you just catch it and can't get it of it and keep paying for the 'treatments' :D
PS. I'm probably going to pull the trigger on a 16m Scorp :D
trancein1 - 5-10-2009 at 08:02 AM
Airin, sounds like you had a good time. I think your Little Devil should be coming in this week. Let me know what you think of it.
airin - 5-10-2009 at 05:15 PM
Thanks guys. I'm so stoked about this sport now....couldn't get my mind off of flying and buggying all day at work today..shesh, hope I didn't make
too many mistakes on the job! LOL