:wee::wee::wee::wee::wee::wee::wee::wee::wee::wee:

After 2 years in the buggy (off and on) I finally had my first BIG OBE. Conditions: 18-20ish Field was bumpy, obviously recently diven on (could see ruts), small field about 100 yards of run space.

Launched the Reactor I 4.9 without issue. Awesome kite by the way! A lot faster than any kite I have owned to date and surprisingly stable. Anywho...

Got a few fast runs (fast for the limited space) and decided to work on power slides. Was sliding pretty well. Noticed I was getting a bit too far downwind and there was a huge tree directly downwind from me so I decided to slide one more time and then start cutting upwind. Simple enough, or so I thought.

Started the slide, into an up turn, and right as I hit the peak of the up turn my rear tire caught a rut and mother nature decided to hit me with a gust that Fransheska said made the trees bend. Had to be 30+... Needless to say the buggy stayed put, I did not. First thought, "LET GO!!!!" I then realized I didn't have KKs on this kite and if I let go, the score would be tree: 1 kite: 0 (should have let go anyway) It's true what they say, ANY kite CAN lift. Felt like I was only a few feet up, hit the ground HARD, and rolled sideways for what seemed like 5-6 secs. I'm sure it was 2-3 but seemed longer. Grabbed the handles by the brakes, and signaled I was OK. (She looked like she had just seen a ghost)

Decided to downsize to the 2.9 when it started pouring rain. Oh well...

Fransheska kept asking, "are you sure you are ok? Are you sure????" I let her know I was fine and asked why she was so concerned. Her reply was a question. "Do you have any idea how high you were???" No. She pointed at a tree that was probably 20 feet tall and said "Honey, you were about half way up" :o:o:o:o:o

A little road rash, and soaking wet, but all in all, perfectly fine.

Lessons earned: ALWAYS use KKs, letting go is always better, 30+(ish) gusts are BAD with a Reactor 4.9

and YES...I was wearing a helmet!!!! (dang good thing I was!)

Glad you're ok! That first snatch out can be a real eye opener. My first one happend so fast I thought I was still in the buggy:wow: Then I realized what was really going on. Same thing, buggy hit something while I was slidding and a gust gave me a heathy punch at the same time.

Welcome to the OBE club, it was bound to happen! My worse one had my left tire hitting me in the helmet! Like you, thankfully I always wear my helmet!

Woohoooo!!!

Proud card carrying member of the OBE club!

I've had small ones, but hardly mentionable. This one was crazy! Is it odd that I drove home grinning ear to ear?

glad your okay ...

here comes the Rip Daskirtz reply:

KK - NO
Seatbelt - YES
Downsize??? what happened to jumping, the OBE was your first start.
Refer to your sponsor's logo, do that.

Oh jumping is in the future for me, just not in the XR+



Don't have a seat belt for the flexi yet

:P

THis is about the same deal I did last fall at WBB. But the Rat went over with me and landed on me hard. Weekend over and a couple weeks recovery. But sliding is fun:bigok:

Did I hear someone say "one more time"? Glad your ok!

Glad you're ok

... you could have let go with one hand only but I know from experience that can slip your mind - remember my vid? :D

Yes, any kite can lift - I've scared myself jumping with my 3.5m Cult :o

:dunno:

Blade?

Lol good times! Glad ur ok bro!

Quote:

Originally posted by snowspider Did I hear someone say "one more time"? Glad your ok!

ONE more??? LOTS more!!!

As CTB says, "If you aint crashin, you aint tryin!"

Just make sure if you are going to let go, you aren't too high when you do it. What I have learned is always redirect. Keep the kite above you to help slow your fall when you are higher than you want to be.

Oh yes...my old friend, the redirect! I learned that the hard way a long time ago


The trick is to get the redirect when I'm in the superman position

I find it funny that after a while u get scared pretty good and for some reason that re stokes the fire must be like living on the edge that gets the juices flowing

2 YEARS? MY first OBE was the 2nd time I went out. I must be doing something wrong

BigMikekites... same thing for me 2nd ride bucked off! For the 3nd ride i'll put elbow padding!

DUDE...................... Im glad your ok. I kinda know the feeling! Sure was a thrill wasn't it! I know it will happen to soon or later. ;-)