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From: Dave Flory <daflory_at_pacbell.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Kites and kayaks
Date: Tue, 09 May 2000 12:11:40 -0700
I have recently become aware of the sport of Kitesurfing. Has onyone on
PW experimented with traction kites and kayaks?
-- 
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   Dave Flory, San Jose, CA.             daflory_at_pacbell.net     
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  Speak softly and study Aikido, then you won't need a big stick.  ©2000
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From: Rick Kincaid <seapaddler_at_pipeline.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Kites and kayaks
Date: Tue, 9 May 2000 13:02:05 -0700
I have had an interest in Kitesurfing for some time.   I have a long list of
bookmarks for the mfgs. of many of the traction kites and boards.  One of
the best places to start is the Kitesurfing School.
http://tor-pw1.netcom.ca/~hungvu/kitesurfing.htm
Lots of good links and solid information.  South of SFO is a fairly popular
kitesurfing spot.
Rick Kincaid
Hollister, CA.
----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Flory <daflory_at_pacbell.net>
To: <PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Sent: Tuesday, 09 May, 2000 12:11 PM
Subject: [Paddlewise] Kites and kayaks


> I have recently become aware of the sport of Kitesurfing. Has onyone on
> PW experimented with traction kites and kayaks?
> --
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>    Dave Flory, San Jose, CA.             daflory_at_pacbell.net
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>   Speak softly and study Aikido, then you won't need a big stick.  ©2000
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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> PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and
not
> to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
> Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
>
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From: Ferdinand Soethe <F.SOETHE_at_oln.comlink.apc.org>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Kites and kayaks
Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 05:33:31 +0000
> I have recently become aware of the sport of Kitesurfing. Has onyone on
> PW experimented with traction kites and kayaks?

We have bought an older second hand wipica wing and tried it paddling along some 
caribeean islands. I can't say that we were too sucessfull. Some reasons:

- we stayed within a kilometer off-shore of the mountainous islands and most of 
the time had to deal with winds that changed their direction a lot. With a kite 
that was a major problem because each time the wind changes more than a few 
degrees, we had a problem keeping the kite in the air. 

- once it is up, even a small 2 square meter kite develops enourmous force that 
accelerated our fully loaded Nautiraid double to unknown speeds (better prepare 
to roll if you have anything then the stable nautiraid and a wind from the 
side). Unfortunately in doing so, our the kayak surpassed the kite whenever the 
wind slowed down a bit, effectively bringing it down. To get a  start, my friend 
in the back seat resorted to backpaddeling while starting the kite (and I'm sure 
she has done more miles that way then we ever paddeled forward on one day!).

- restarting from the water works only if you have really strongs winds. 
Otherwise you really have to place the kite exactly right which often means 
going there adjusting the kites layout on the surface, paddling back and trying 
again.

We finally found that holding the kite just above your head gives you better 
control and less trouble on a restart, but changing winds are still a bit of a 
problem. So a couple of times I was quite close to cutting that kite to pieces 
and make it into a nice sail. Btw: Packing and unpacking of the inflated kite is 
a nuissance in a kayak, because each time you want to paddle, you have to 
deflate it to squeeze it below deck.

Regards
Ferdinand

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                                    0       0       
Ferdinand Soethe                  o/    o__/        
Wollkaemmerei 8             -----</-----[\/------   
D-30519 Hannover     ´~~~~~~`----/-------/------´~~~~~~~~~`
            	   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ph +49-511-9845437  mobile +49-170-6362720  email f.soethe_at_apc.de 
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