quote:
Originally posted by ianyoung
gasman - if your mate is the only other lofting incident that I am aware of in Perth with a FlySurfer then he is significantly lighter than me (85kg) and we all know that body weight is also part of the equation no matter what type of kite you fly.
I usually switch to my 5m Maniac at around 18 - 20 knots even though I can safely hang on to it up to 25 knots - I personally always prefer to leave more safety margin when it comes to wind strengths and downwind buffer zones.
It is a fact that foils are more efficient ie a 9m foil will generate the same lift as a 11-12m+ LEI but they also have more wind range - this should provide more safety margin if used sensibly.
To suggest that foils are any more dangerous than LEI is simply not based on fact. As has been pointed out by others - lofting can and has happened to many LEI riders as well - it is assessing the conditions that is the issue, not the type of kite you are flying.
Cheers,
Ian Young
www.flysurf.com.au
0414 716 812
You're right Ian, David's only about 70kg, mainly muscle (he'd tell you its all something else).
So here you've got a bloke, been windsurfing for 20 years, has one kite, and its blowing 12 kn.........lets go for a sail. But bugger, a gust of wind and he's in all sorts of ****.
I know YOU can hang onto your kite.........I don't know anyone that sails as well as you.........but here I come back to my point; a powerful foil is a dangerous tool as a first kite, and in particular an ONLY kite for an inexperienced kiter.
I'm only venting this because I saw David nearly get maimed, and when I found that this poor other bugger had such a narrow escape, I felt a social responsibility to voice my concerns.
I teach with them because the principles are the same no matter what kite you fly and it's easier, quicker and safer for students to gain skills and knowledge.
