I got a buggy a few months ago. I have not had time or proper winds to try it out yet. I may get some beach time in a couple of weeks.

I have been reading about AQR's. The idea sounds great/smart but it also sounds like one more new thing to figure along with everything else.

I have a basic older quadrifoil harness and the ability to weld an attachment point under the buggy for the teather.

Should i get an aqr set up before my first trial run in my buggy.

I would just strong arm it unhooked for the first few times. Get a feel for the buggy and kite as one. Get some turns and tacks down. Experiment with different size kites and winds. You'll know when its time hook in.
In my humble opinion..

a helmet is a very good idea

Three words.. Helmet. .Helmet. .Helmet

I agree with 3shot.. go with just handles and fixed bridle at first and I'd add fly under-powered for a bit.. You'll know when to hook in.. (FWIW, I'm not ready to hook in.)

IF you're already flying depower then fly underpowered at first and work your comfort level to your flying ability..

Fully agree with both 3-shot and sand flea. I put knee pads and elbow pads to good use (often) when I was first learning. A forgiving surface such as sand or grass is a good call at first as well. Hard, dry surfaces like the playa at Lake Ivanpah or similar ancient dry lake beds are absolutely wonderful with some experience behind you but could be an unforgiving surface to have an OBE on. And yes, you will have OBEs.

Welcome to the fold!

Everybody has good, logical suggestions.

I have all fixed bridals on handles and have a variety of sizes of kites.

I'm just excited to get some clean, consistent winds to give it a try.

Show up at longbeach tomorrow and you can get some time in with the rest of us.
Then you can see what the AQR is all about. And we can see if your ready for the buggy.

Unfortunately this weekend won't happen for me. Next weekend i will be in both ocean shores and Westport.

The AQR is a smart idea but you seem to see the smart steps to progression. Go with what you know.

Don't worry about hooking in until you have your turns down and generally feel comfortable cruising the beach. Not likely the 1st day.

I hate even say the words because it is a touchy subject but the Old Skool safety system you may want to use is Kite Killers.
Having them on will allow you to feel more free to let go of the kite. The killers create their own batch of problems but if you are on your own and transitioning to buggy keeping the kite close may be wise?

Helmet For Sure!

bigkid u2u sent about Longbeach this weekend

Quote: Originally posted by Wind_dog

bigkid u2u sent about Longbeach this weekend

returned u2u, see you at the beach or the museum.
Eric, sure you cant get away for the day? hehe

Put what you already know to use and muscle thru your first few
If the winds clean you can hook in and park the kite...you will know if you should
Has anyone mentioned a helmet yet?

When I saw the title I thought the question was going to go towards the helmet & pads direction rather than the AQR.
I agree with everything said above about protection, start "Armstrong" and then graduate to stropped and the need/ desire for an AQR.
My thoughts on protection:
Helmet -all the time, start with a good skate helmet. I say skate because they are foam lined rather than polystyrene so are intended for multiple impacts rather than a single impact like a bike or motorbike helmet.
Elbow and knee pads -I started with both and soon stopped wearing the knees as I determined that from a seated position in a buggy your knees are virtually the last think to hit the ground in an OBE. There are two styles of elbow pads, those that protect the point of the elbow and those that protect the upper forearm. The upper forearms are better in my experience but I had issues with both types sliding off of the elbow
body armor -this is the point of the evolution that I am at, "plastic courage" as I call it. It makes me look like a Road Warrior but it gives me confidence to keep going in higher winds. I expect that motorcycle leathers would work as well but I like MX armor [Fox] built on a mesh jacket to reduce the heat. This solves the issue of the elbow pad sliding off of the elbow and softens the landing for an OBE. Even with the armor I still got road rash on an elbow at Ivanpah.
AQRs do wonders for preventing and reducing the OBEs that you suffer but as others have said your first best AQR is flying Armstong and letting go of the kite [or having it ripped out of your hands ] when things get to be too much for your skills.

Here is a link to a recent discussion on Kite Killers.
Canuck includes another link in it to an interesting old discussion worth reading.
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=31883