Hey,

Anyone ever tried inflating a kite with a foot pump as opposed to the double action hand pumps?

http://www.waterskiersconnection.com.au/index.php?cPath=55
(refer "Bellow tube foot pump")

Does it take twice the amount of time of a regular pump?

Figure they probably wouldn't have the double action, not sure about the actual capacity of them; maybe less there too.. but looks a lot easier, and I can't believe I'm the only person who's ever thought of this.. also enables you to hold onto the kite, hose and valves while pumping, instead of letting kite fly off a string and doing the juggling act.. and then playing that lovely game where the nozzle shoots out and you try and chase it like a garden hose before you loose the last 5 minutes worth of pumping time..

of course it may just simply a case that nobody anywhere in existence has ever actually bought a pump because we've all got 16 spare hand pumps lined up at home because they seemingly get thrown in with everything you buy regardless of usefulness ("new harness? here, have a pump too").

but someone surely must have bought one... once...?

Maybe for 2010, one of the brands out there could produce a kite that:

"Jumps higher, turns faster, quicker relaunch, better upwind AND comes with a Pump that's easy on the arms and pumps up twice as fast..."

Sounds like a good way to complicate a very simple task.

If you're having problems pumping your kite try a Cabrinha. Their pumping system never comes apart and every part of it works well.

As was said, the pumping action is a good warmup.

sounds like your valves must be rooted if you lose "five minutes of pumping time" when the pump hose pops out. Mine just close off and patiently wait for me to swear a bit and push the hose back in.