Bumps and Harness

Llangenith again last Sunday. Wind was forecast to be 17mph East, so we headed off as usual. Although it seemed windy on the way there, on the beach when we arrived it was almost zero :-(

So we played with our flexifoil bullets for a while. I managed after a few attempts to use the kite with the Dirtsurfer. Thats a first. You need a bit more wind than there was, otherwise, as soon as you get moving you catch up with the kite and it drops out the sky. Anyhow, managed a few runs then the wind picked up. Whatnot tried his new 5.5 kitewing, but it was very gusty and variable by the dunes, being offshore. The beach was nearly useless everywhere else due to the "ploughed" effect. It seems that a couple of days of easterly wind create this effect. No chance of any speed runs in those conditions.

Down by the sea, the wind was much better, more consistent. So I did a few runs at the waters edge (and in the water) and that was quite fun. No speed attepts as it was very wet and ploughed.

Harness
I thought it would be a good chance to try the harness lines on the Kitewing. So I set it up (as best I knew), and it was actually much easier than I thought. NOt sure teh line positions were right, but using my old windsurfing (seat) harness, it was easy enough to hook in, and power up. You can still depower OK as the lines slide through the harness hook giving you a fair degree of freedom. When you get gusts, you can still depower OK. The thing to watch (as with windsurfing) is remember to unhook, when you turn or stop. Otherwise you end up on your face on the wing. (Yes I did)

Highlights
I can dirtsurf with a 3.5 flexifoil bullet for power.- need more practice.
Using the harness lines on the kitewing is much easier than I though and will afford far more power when doing runs.
GPS reading said I had covered 25.7 miles during the day (we were there for 6 hours!).