Quote:

Originally posted by kteguru Uhhhh,,,,Sam,,,,,, If that's the case we're all doomed

Helium between the ears promote softer landings... Momma said!

:wee:

ATB,
Sam

Sam I am guessing you are refering to the spectators running and grabbing at a kite fliing away. Never a good thing and they do not understand " Hey don't touch that kite"

Actually I have never had anyone offer to help me launch any foils. One group really wanted to help me launch a stunt kite. Even weighted and staked, I am not big on leaving any of my kites unattended. Little kids, wind shifts, a passing smoker flicking a butt.... apparently I shared a bunk with Murphy at summer camp.

Have had an older man veer out of his way and kick my stake. My friend and I both did a mental "WTF".

Have had an SUV goinh at a pretty good clip across the fields at CSP nearly run over a kite bag full of framed kites :o because they didn't want to walk their picnic stuff to the tables (the field was actually pretty crowded).

The tripping over/running over (with wheeled cooler) brightly colored lined still boggles the mind. Sometimes yelling "LINES!!!" at no one in particular works. Sometimes other tactics are required.

The popularity of misanthropy is just way too easy to understand sometimes.

Was mulling it over the last week and I gotta say, in some small way, the fault doesn't entirely lay with the general public. But that's another topic.

ATB,
Sam

Quote:

Originally posted by Maven454 Not sure I know anyone at all that uses a strop (hooked in) and KKs at the same time.

I do as well but will look to moving the cuffs from my wrists to a bridle on the buggy in order to gain the freedom of movement of my hands for the GPS, water bottle, etc.

Bbrex has a hot-wire rig that is safe, convenient and effective and I might consider that, but that's another thread, I think.

I always wear KS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s...

I am often handing a kite to a stranger for a demo.
I want to demonstrate to a concerned public member that I am thinking about safety.

Safer for the pilot? I think so - knowing that you can just let go of the kite and not lose it tends to relax the death-grip on the handles, resulting in less hanging on when the cause is lost ...
Most important use of KKs is protecting those and that which is downwind. Simple.

I'd be interested in the other thread you guys have spoke of. A better, maybe safer way to rig things.
Especially with the bug.

My worst nightmare almost came true at JIBE when a KK hung on the spreader bar. I looked down to see what was wrong and the kite was diving at some peeps heads with their back turned. Close call.

You need alot of experience before you should try a "hotwire rig". HR search for QR under BBrex username ,that should take you to it

Sam after some guy tried launching my 4m in 15mph wind while staked with breaks on? I yelled at him he just smiled and did it anyway. A friend Maggie Envall said to carry a whistle. If some one is near your kite blow it. And I tell you it works. Scares the hell out of them just long enough to get there!!

Quote:

Originally posted by WELDNGOD You need alot of experience before you should try a "hotwire rig".

If I understand you correctly "hotwired " means with a stroop?

I have to disagree with you on this. When I teach somone how to buggy they do it "Hotwired" from the first minute. You would be supprised how fast the can learn to buggy using this methode. When not using a stroop the center of gravity is way high and you whole body is working like a prybar to pull your butt out of the seat. When using a stroop everything is much lower and the buggy has way more of a tendance of drifting instead of yanking you out. I have very few OBE's using this methode. Sure it still happend, but normally because the kite got behind them or they shot it straight up top and got lifted out.
When some one gets pulled out backwards it is way better to have it done from the hips than extended arms above thier head. Same with gitting lifted out , whith a stroop you have a chance to land on you feet or you butt, with out everything is possible.
IMO:
Kite killers should never be used in a buggy,
never combined with a stroop (way dangerous),
and latest after the first hour in a buggy get a harness on and use a stroop you will learn much faster.
Chris

Krohn, hotwired means attaching the kite to the buggy, not being hooked in with a strop/harness.

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamikuza Safer for the pilot? I think so - knowing that you can just let go of the kite and not lose it tends to relax the death-grip on the handles, resulting in less hanging on when the cause is lost ... Most important use of KKs is protecting those and that which is downwind. Simple.

If you are hooked in you should have no need for a " Death Grip " .
If you gave a DG you have NO CHI !

Be one with your kite ! KNOW HOW to kill power without letting go.

Simple !

Not knocking kite killers . They have their place. Better to find Chi with your kites.

Ask Corey Lama ! ;-)

I assumed we weren't talking about hooked in ...

Quote:

Originally posted by Maven454 Krohn, hotwired means attaching the kite to the buggy, not being hooked in with a strop/harness.

Holy Crap That is even worse!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

Most important use of KKs is protecting those and that which is downwind. Simple. If you are hooked in you should have no need for a " Death Grip " . If you gave a DG you have NO CHI ! Be one with your kite ! KNOW HOW to kill power without letting go. Simple ! Not knocking kite killers . They have their place. Better to find Chi with your kites.

There's a lot of wisdom in BR's comment. KK are useful if used properly in the right conditions but eventually making your way towards finding balance between you and your kite is so much more rewarding. There's an enourmous difference between 'flying your kite' and 'flying with your kite'. Moving from the 2nd stage of knowingly controling your kite to the 3rd stage of flying in snychronistic harmony with your kite so that your buggy/board moves simultaniously, seamlessly with the kite,,,,,,,, both working together in harmonious precision getting us to the all illusive buggy nirvana

I head the tea shops in NH were under investigation by the DEA :o

ATB,
Sam

Quote:

I head the tea shops in NH were under investigation by the DEA :o ATB, Sam

Shhhh

Someone needs to post a picture of a Buddha flying a kite

Someone needs to get you a new tea mug....

ATB,
Sam

Thanks WG.

Also

Hotwired has a new meaning. I've always thought of doing this on the boat if it was broken down.

But no way Jose will I do it to a bug.

It is all good , But you gotta have the right equip. or it is highly dangerous. It is NOT FOR EVERYONE. It allows my 169lb azz to not get yanked out of the #@%$#!pit. I don't like faceplants on the beach(see avatar). I can fly a bigger kite than I can physically hold down. This is my equalizer.

If you want to see my hotwire rig it is posted in the pic above

Yea I see what you got now. But Thats a few years out for me.

It took me about 5 yrs before I felt comfy w/ it. It is not for the faint of heart, cause you're really committed to it . But you do have a Quick release in case it gets ugly like it did the other day when I lost a wheel. It worked a charm.
I was unhurt , the kite was unhurt. The buggy was just sanded a little on tha one side.
The system I use releases the kite, handles,pulley,and wichard.. So KS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s are needed so ya don't brain someone w/ all that hardware.