Sounds like you had some lessons well learned. Getting spanked is always in the cards and how we react to it is key, and it sounds like you reacted appropriately! I was telling my wife recently about how several people had griped about the "How much does that cost?" question on the "this year's best questions" thread, and she replied something to the effect of "Just make sure if someone asks YOU that question, to add in several thousand dollars in ER visits, Insurance Deductibles and time off work.

We do learn important lessons from our mistakes, and I know I have more fun in the buggy now then ever before my major spanking... the proof is in the pudding... just check my last vid posted recently (One of the best sessions I've ever had!) http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=32189

Good on you Blitz.

getting spank is part of the deal...no way around it
corporal punishment is what needs to be avoided at all costs

Nice write up Blitz! You have a good talent with the written word. While I only have about a year of mobile kiting experience under my belt I feel much more in control of things then when I first started out. Been dragged, banged around, cut up, and bruised (both literally and figuratively). Glad to hear you are at least barely self aware enough to keep on the outside of the body bag.

Agreed that we could use more events. I await IBX 2017 with baited breath. Thinking about making a trip at some point out to those beautiful OR beaches of yours. From the forum it is obvious that there are fantastic people enjoying our sport up your way and the beaches are fantastic. Hopefully sooner than later.

I found interesting your discussion about going from DP to FB and the bit$?! slapping you promptly took. Been there, done that. I liken the feel in this transition to one you can get going from a loosely slung mountain bike to a steep angled racing road bike or going from a sea kayak to a racing shell; sort of a geared versus direct drive transition. Both obviously have merits. Personally I've opted to go the geared route with all DP for buggying, skating, and skiing, the three ways I enjoy this sport. I love the direct drive feel of FB but I don't feel as safe and for me safety is key, key, key.

Glad this sport is turning your crank Blitz!

Blitz you might really benefit and certainly enjoy some time to learn and ride with friends at Ivanpah. Registration is open and we had our first two registrants sign up last week. I've heard many times that you can learn more in a week at Ivanpah than in a year back at home. 2017 is planning up to be the best ever IBX.

Thanks for the kind words Windstruck. I do feel much more in control. I'm still not to the point of it being second nature. But I now feel confident in the fact that in time it will. I do still feel much safer strapped to a DP. But I'm no longer afraid of the FB. In fact I now enjoy both of them. I honestly believe that becoming a better FB pilot will serve to make me a better DP pilot. But I don't think it works in the other direction. I could be wrong.

Bob...I would love to make it to IBX next year. I really want to experience riding on a dry lake bed. In fact I'm planning a trip out to Alovard later this summer. I would love to come buggy with friends at IBX.

Abkayak...your absolutely right. Sometimes we need a good ass whooping for no other reason than to remind us that we can. I needed a cold hard reality check and that's exactly what I got!

If at anytime anyone wants to or does make it out to the Oregon Coast. Please hit me up. I am all to happy to have a play date with a fellow kiter. I also keep a ready supply of beer on hand and I just got a new smoker for Father's Day! No I'm not trying to bribe anyone. Or am I?

beers...i guess we should fly into Eugene.

When you are flying your FB hooked in try holding the handles parallel like a bar. Flying off the strop is similar to flying depower with the bar out. Adding brake only to do your turns is a bit like pulling one side to turn with a bar. Adding a bit of even brake is like pulling in the bar and will give you a noticeable power boost when cruising with the kite set on the edge.

In stronger winds I feel MUCH more comfortable on a depower than hooked in to a FB? In very strong winds I prefer unhooked and my 2.5m

I agree that FB will teach you a lot more about depower than depower teaches you FB.

Whatever you fly, becoming as one with what you have will be far more valuable than chasing different types of kites. Changing it up at the beginning to figure out what you like is good for you but when you do nothing will beat putting in time on that unit. I am still finding out how to get more out of kites I have flown for years.

Its been a long time since the first post. Its been a wonderful ride. This sport is like a fine wine. It only gets better with age. A short while back I got to experience a Playa for the first time. Lots of firsts in this sport for me. Thanks to my good friend Rick A.K.A. Wind_dog. I had an excellent time and cant wait to do it again. Here is a little clip from that trip

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwHvifRlXiKIdHQyZnl4QklhSn...

I hope to see everyone soon at SOBB!

Quote: Originally posted by Blitzhound

Its been a long time since the first post. Its been a wonderful ride. This sport is like a fine wine. It only gets better with age. A short while back I got to experience a Playa for the first time. Lots of firsts in this sport for me. Thanks to my good friend Rick A.K.A. Wind_dog. I had an excellent time and cant wait to do it again. Here is a little clip from that trip https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwHvifRlXiKIdHQyZnl4QklhSn... I hope to see everyone soon at SOBB!

Sweet powerslide! Glad you got some playa action in. Where was that? Once you have experienced smooth wind on a wide open playa, janky wind on a small grass field just is not the same anymore. I have yet to get a buggy run on an ocean beach. Yes, I know right where one is, and yes, I know right when you will all be there very soon. Maybe this Fall.

Jaw dropping location

Wow, nice blitz!