Was hoping to have my 3rd try at learning to buggy. Got out to my field and the tornado sirens went off.... I thought I was in for an "epic day". Turns out no tornados. Just a seriously weird day of wind.

It's damn hard to fly when the wind averages 15mph gusts to 25 and drops to 3mph and ramps right back to 20mph. I don't think there is a kite out there meant to fly in that. Tried several foiils. Had the 8m VII out and after 20 minutes in that wind I felt like a yo-yo..... trying to learn to buggy in that was comical to say the least...

So what happens when I get a 8.6m Reactor II and when I start out it is a manageable 8-10mph and all of a sudden out of no where I get smacked by a 20mph gust...can you say OBE!!!

Lots of kites in the quiver.... still searching for something to handle these crazy days....

Any tips or ideas greatly appreciated......

I've had a few days like that and unfortunately the best advice I can give you is this:

Pack it up for the day when conditions are like that. It's much better to live to fly another day especially when you are first learning to buggy. I've been injured a couple of times now while kiting an both times were in conditions much like what you had. When there is that large of a variation in wind, there is no kite (in my opinion) that is safe to fly. Wind picks up, grab a smaller kite, wind dies. Bummer. Grab a large kite. Yay! Huge gust. Oh *%#¥£!!!! That's when injuries come to visit. It sucks yes, but sometimes it's what we are faced with. Keep in mind this is all just my opinion and I personally tend to play it safe.

Yeah, plus one on the above. I get these hot gusty northerlies at home and they're useless for flying in. When you get a gust, the kite speeds forward gets to the edge of the window then you've all of a sudden got a shopping bag falling back into the power zone ready for the next gust. Even the old faithful Access XC's have been terrible in that wind. I don't even bother going out now if that's what the conditions are like. I look at a picture of a beach instead !

Plus another for packing it up for the day in those conditions! Man I hate saying that!

Many of kiters have been hurt flying in winds like that! Myself included. Mine equaled a 12 foot lofting and then the kite twisted up in itself when I got up there. When you weigh 200lbs and you straight drop from 12 foot up, nothing pretty! This was on a 5 meter kite and before I knew any better!

sounds like you need to stick with something that can handle gusts. Sorry to say but flying fixed bridle kites in wind like that most likely won't work out so well...at least when you are learning. Moving towards a closed foil kite will probably be a better deal. when you hit a lull all of the air won't be pushed out of your kite and you won't have to worry about getting popped. It is a pain in the but trying to learn in really gusty winds. Arcs are amazing kites even in gusty winds, but when it is gusting too much it is still difficult to learn...especially when you spend more time trying to reach your board or buggy because the gusts are making your run around like a mad man just to stay on your feet. Sorry for all of the frustration, but keep it up and one day you'll get cleaner winds and you have that day where it all clicks together nice and easy

Thanks all.... sound advice....But you know how it is when you get a new toy you gotta scratch that itch.....it seems like the day the buggy arrived I have had either no wind, 5-8mph wind or the kind of wind I had today........only had the buggy a couple of weeks or so..... That is why I am planning on adding the 8.6 Reactor II. Maybe I can get going on those stable low wind days and get this buggy thing figured out.

Pretty much been a winter flyer on foils for the last couple years. Lots more room to fly when there is snow on the ground and the lakes are frozen and the wind is much more stable. I am planning a ski mod for the buggy.

I am just getting into arcs and the apex is my first depower foil. All added in the last couple of months. A good share from beamerbobs arc quiver. So I am taking on a lot trying to learn depower, arcs and buggying. Just added a GI Flight for my son who has taken over the crossfire and wants a harness to start flying the arcs. Wish I was more up to speed to teach him.

I always wished one of you guys was closer so I could watch and learn. Work has cost me NABX the last 2 years in a row.

You should be good in 5-8 with that RII 8.6...I got going with an RI 8.3 in that...I feel your frustration bro, just play it safe and the wind will come

Quote:

Originally posted by g00fba11 It's damn hard to fly when the wind averages 15mph gusts to 25 and drops to 3mph and ramps right back to 20mph. I don't think there is a kite out there meant to fly in that. Lots of kites in the quiver.... still searching for something to handle these crazy days....

I struggled with this same problem yesterday and almost got hurt really bad trying to hold onto my 5m Flow to buggy. I was under powered with the 3m in the lulls so I broke out the 5m. I caught a 30+mph gust and looked down from about 10 feet of the deck. (Not what I was expecting) Very scary when I was not intending on being off the ground.

I see some depowers sized for buggying in my future.

Epic winds today. West winds 15 to 20mph with gusts to 40+ another perfect day for flying......


Txshooter38 : On a side not Chudalicious has a nice Access XT 4m she is selling for a great price. I wanted it but all I got are moths in my wallet right now.....