Hey Peeps,

A guy comes into the store today wanting to know if the gear he has just picked up off of Gumtree is any good to learn to kitesurf. He has aspirations of learning on his new aquisition. We ask him to bring it in for us to have a look at and ascertain its suitability for learning and approximate value.

He brings in a 2001 Wipika Freeair 7.1 in pretty good condition. It's been rigged on the original bar as a 4-line but it also has the original bridle kit. He also got two "harnesses" with it. (The harnesses are Kayak seats). After explaining to him exactly what he had purchased he wasn't quite so happy with it. I offered to buy the kite off him as it was basically worthless to the average punter but has nostalgic value to me. He was pretty quick to unload it to mitigate his losses.

I'll convert it back into a 2-line and see how it flies. Check this out! I hope it inflates

I dare say there aren't many people would even know how to relaunch this kite anymore and few instructors who could teach you in any case.

Not sure if I'll actually fly it again as the last time I flew one of these I was surprised at how crap they actually are by todays standards, but, it is part of history for me and I think it may even be a good talking point in the shop.

DM

Please excuse the upside down images. Laurie, you really need to sort that out mate.

I had one of those ... so good to see it again.
Im not sure we could still kite with it or even go upwind.
Keen to try again whenyou are going out.

You will have to use the original pump. Big volume pump not allowed as this is the real deal.

Lol! Someone sold the poor bastard a kayak seat! that is hilarious

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wishy said..
Lol! Someone sold the poor bastard a kayak seat! that is hilarious

It's a seat harness.

yeh remember pumping them with the baloon pumps!
fun times. that one is in mint condition!

Wipika kitesurfing package on Gumtree http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/1158558362?utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=app_ios&utm_medium=social&utm_source=sms

unfortunately no kayak seats!

Maybe kites like that will be enshrined in future surf museums, just like the old Malibu classic D-fin boards they have now.
*sigh*
Nah... It will never happen.

you sure thats not a stunt belt?

I have a mint condition 2002 Cabrinha CO2 6.6m 2 line kite if you want to add to your nostalgia...

we could do a nostalgia kite event at the midwest windfest, complete with your blast from the past, blonde/grey mullet , shellsuit pants and dodgy music, my money is on DM taking out the prize

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Jono77 said..

wishy said..
Lol! Someone sold the poor bastard a kayak seat! that is hilarious

It's a seat harness.

its actually a shidt containment device, designed to protect other beach users as your crapping yourself getting skull dragged along the shoreline, comes standard with the wipikas

I think I will bring it to Windfest. Anyone who reckons kiting is a bit easy can have a crack on it. Maybe a prize for anyone who can relaunch it in under a minute.

But you HAVE to use the kayak seat harness