It still happens on the bridled kites... maybe not to the same extent. Surely you've noticed that it requires more input at the bar to make the same turn when the bar is pushed further out?

Hi Jimmyz,

Adfreetv is talking about the glory days of "real" c-kites. Before most riders of today got into the sport.

Back in the days of the Airush Lift 02, Cabrinha Blacktip 02, North Rhino 02, Naish X2, Wipika Airblast, Wipika Freeair etc.

This type of "C" kite had a maximum useable wind range and above that you got badly teabagged as there wasn't enough depower even when the back lines go fully slack. You handled gusts by edging and keeping the kite really low because as soon as your kite was above 45 degrees, you'd lose your edge and teabag off downwind.

Everyone talks up "C" kites and how cool it is to ride them, but about 5% of all kiters of today know what it is to ride the old true "C" kites.

To answer Adfreetv's question; No none of the kites of today will do that, they pretty much all have decent depower with possible exception of the Hadlow Pro which I hear has little to no depower (just what I hear).

harry potter said...

Adfreetv said...

Do you remember being overpowered on a C kite, digging in your rail for all your worth whilst pushing you bar out so that wouldn't head off down wind like an out of control express train and then you back lines would go slack!!! ? Now the kite was flying overpowered off the front lines with no steering and all you could do was wait and hold your edge until the gust backed off!

Nothing a severe BUTT CHECK couldnt fix though

although the thigh and butt bruising was the by product.

Don't forget the nut-slap that made you think "Oh, ****, I think I might be sterile or have nut cancer after that one" when you didn't quite hit the butt check right.

those were tha days. Riding on the edge never knowing when it would blow up and you'd be on a 150m downwind out of control run.

harry potter said...
Nothing a severe BUTT CHECK couldnt fix though

although the thigh and butt bruising was the by product.

not to mention that invigorating salt water enema

I never flew two line kites but the first 4 liners ((Airush Flow 2003 my mates) and Airush Flow 2004 my first kite). These were almost worse than two liners as you could always steer a two line kite but a four line with slack back lines was totally uncontrollable and seriously dangerous. Even my 2005 Fuel did this when over powered. When did it stop in "C"s or Fuels?