27/5/2006 - Kiting in the rain

Location: Gower
Wind: 14 mph West
Distance Travelled: 43 miles
Max Speed: 33 mph

Another good day. Wind was good and steady, but lots of rain. The beach was "ploughed field" again, appart from a stretch near the dunes. However, with westerly winds that was fine. plenty of space, not many others on the beach until the weather cleared in the afternoon.

Highlights?
Missile found a 2' deep hole at 25 mph and went flying. I saw him and thinking he had hurt himself, fell off during an emergency turn.
SWAT broke another mast tube on his kitewing by falling on it. He did manage to create a temporary splint with gaffa tape and spare wing tips. He could fly it but the aerodynanics were all wrong.
I did a fairly spectacular crash in the stream. The rain had turned the stream into a river and what normally is a simple process of crossing, became a 2 foot deep torrent. So my disrtsurfer stopped dead, and I went flying. Much to the amusement of onlookers. My dirtsurfer then started to wash away downstream, so I had to wade after it.

Anyhow, I brought SWAT's wing back and left him mine as he and missile were staying over. He texted me later to say 83 miles, which I assume is the distance he has travelled. Surely another record? I'm back tomorrow with a slightly better temporary fix on his wing. Forecast is 23mph NW, sunny. Should be a good day. Must crack those duck gybes.