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How To Buggy
For a complete list of buggy tricks click here
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list? Now with over
350 members. Why Four Line?
A four line kite gives you a measure of control
and convenience that it is very difficult to achieve with
two lines, especially when it comes to flying with others,
as in racing. A four line kite can be parked on the beach
and easily be launched and relaunched which will allow you
it take a breather, adjust stuff or whatever. Having said
this, usually the cheapest way to start in parakarting is
with a two line power kite. But, with the increase in popularity
of the sport more and more second hand kites and equipment
are becoming available which may make a quad line kite more
accessible.
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Power
To be in control of your buggy, you first have
to feel comfortable with the power that your kite is generating.
When you are in the beach check the speed of the wind and
set up a kite size accordingly. The table following sets out
a guide for soft foil kite sizes against wind strength. This
is just a guide, different kites can be more or less efficient.
Speed (MPH) Size (M²) 1
1-5
6-15
15-25
25-40
40 + 5+
4
3
2
< 2
When the kite is launched don't make any effort
to brace yourself against the pull, just slide forward until
the kite reaches its zenith. The length of this slide, when
you are properly powered up should be between six and twelve
feet. This will depend on how much power you feel comfortable
with.
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Position
The position you adopt in the buggy can radically
alter its handling. If you wish to slide your back out to
slow down or gybe quickly then lean a long way forward. If
you wish to dig the back wheels in to the sand for extra traction
when reaching across the wind then lean back over the upwind
back wheel.
Gybing beating.gif (7511 bytes)
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Reaching Fast
Straight Line
The easiest way to get familiar with the speed
and power of parakarting is to travel directly across the
wind in a straight line (reaching). This is the fastest direction
to travel. The kite will sit out to the side and be far enough
forward to give very little sideways pull. The kite should
be about 10 to 20 feet from the ground when travelling. If
you are using four lines, a slight pressure on the brake lines
can be used to increase speed and pull, useful for overtaking.
If the brakes are then released the kite will accelerate forward
again and give an extra tug of power. With a two line kite
a tight loop over the top and back under will allow the kite
to accelerate through and give a similar boost. When reaching,
a good learning technique is to turn the buggy in to the wind
gently to scrub off speed. If you continue turning you will
feel the pull of the kite increasing in a sideways direction
and your speed will fall. Eventually you will turn so far
into the wind that you will stop, while the kite will be trying
to pull you directly sideways. This will give you some idea
of the wind window in which you can operate. During a reach
the buggy will often start to slide out from the rear end
due to gusts of wind, this is perfectly normal. Try to steer
into the slide to recover and then regain a straight course.
Setting more weight on the back wheel by leaning back can
keep the kart going straighter, but if you have too much kite
up you will find the kart almost continually sliding; this
will slow you down, choose a smaller kite. Eventually the
need to turn a corner will arise, you may need to slow down
for this. There are two main techniques used to slow down.
One is to turn into the wind, useful if you are cruising.
The other is to slide the back end of the buggy out, useful
if you need to hit a turn quick or round a mark. To slide
the rear end out requires a quick flick of the front wheel
to the opposite side that you want to slide to. At the same
time shift your weight across and into the seat in the direction
you wish to turn. As the back begins to slide around use opposite
lock on the steering to steer into the slide. An opposite
shift of weight and turn of the wheel will straighten you
back out. If you are heading for a mark at full speed and
you wish to slow sufficiently to round it, then turn away
from the mark and slide a few feet. As you slide towards the
mark then flick the wheel towards the mark and round it, sliding
the back out slightly to keep up momentum.
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Steering Into A Turn
Turning
1. Top turn
A top turn is the easiest turn to master, in
this turn the kite is brought up to about half to two thirds
of its max. height. With an application of the brake on the
top half, the kite it is turned up and around 180°. The
most common mistake is to turn the buggy before the kite,
this will kill all pressure and speed in the kite and the
lines will go slack. Slack lines mean no control and the kite
will fold up and sink. Worse still you may run over your own
lines. Make sure you begin the turn of the kite one or two
seconds before you turn the kart, you will see and feel the
kite begin to turn, let it start to twist and then turn towards
and around it.
2. Down turn
The down turn is performed with the kite two
thirds or more towards its max. height. This time use the
lower brake to dive the kite around and through 180°.
This turn generates a lot of power but as before, let the
kite begin to turn before you do. The kite will pull hard
as it dives, use this power to catapult you around the mark
and off along the next reach. If you get it right this turn
is very fast!
3. Flat turn
A flat turn is the racers favourite, it is
fast and the power stays pretty constant all the way through,
allowing a smooth, consistent turn. Approach the corner as
normal with the kite at about 15 to 20ft high, use a slide
to slow down slightly. Now brake the kite with both lines
so that it stops, as your kart draws up level with the kite
use more top side brake to get the kite to start to turn.
Now turn the kart towards the kite and ease the bottom brake
off to allow the kite to complete its 180° spin as you
exit the turn. The kite should have not gained or lost any
altitude and your speed should have been pretty constant.
This turn is only possible with a four line kite. Some designs
of kite respond to this turn technique a lot better then others
the Spider Modulus excels at it, the Skytiger Hi40 needs more
coaxing.
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Running Slow
Running
When you are going directly down wind (running)
you are attempting the most difficult of all kite sailing
manoeuvres. The best technique for running is to zig zag the
kite and buggy in opposite directions, turning both simultaneously.
The kite should be flying in a figure of eight pattern. Try
adding a loop in at each side for extra speed.
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Beating Slow
Gybing
If you attempt to travel against the wind (beating)
you will need to turn your buggy into the wind as far as you
can whilst still retaining a degree of forward motion. If
your speed begins to drop off then turn slightly away from
the wind, pick up speed and then start to turn back in to
the wind. Eventually you will need to turn around by turning
your back to the wind and heading back the opposite direction.
(Gibing) When you execute a gybe turn the kite in a top turn
almost at its. apex. Follow the kite around with your front
wheel for 270° and then bring it down and move off up
wind again. Speed should be slow enough to negate the need
for a slowing down slide.
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Tacking
Turning the buggy into the wind when beating
is called tacking, it is difficult. Set the kite very high,
lean back and sling the buggy around. be prepared to be pulled
out of the back. The only way to master a tack is to practice,
high winds with a smaller than normal, under powered kite
is best.
beating.gif (7511 bytes)
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Racing
Britain is lucky in that it has a very active
racing scene, organised by the PKA (Para Kart Association).
They organize a full calendar of races; one and two day events,
orienteering, enduro, team enduro. If you would like to race,
and it is very good fun, then contact the PKA and find out
when the next race is and go and have a look.
To the top
Click here for another lesson on kite buggying. Confidence
Above all when buggying, the most important
aspect is to feel confident in your equipment and your abilities.
If the power of a kite scares you drop down a size, build
confidence and go bigger when you feel good about it. Learn
to stay in control in a slide, you will spend most of your
time doing it. If you want to race then practice turns when
reaching as often as you can and join PKA of course!
FUENTE: http://www.kitepower.com/buggying.html#racing
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Parakart: first lesson
The parakart remains a pastime and a technical
sport. One must control a powerful kite, and drive a vehicle
from which you can easily be ejected. Safely and priority
requirements, racing tactics, obligatory equipment etc. are
also needed. In short, lots of things which you could not
possibly imagine and which our parakart specialists offer
to teach you. Lesson one <<first go>> with Bruno
Legaignoux.
Site Selection
Drive Relaxed
Fly Before Riding
Automatic Transmission and ABS Braking
First Tack
Click here for more information on How To Buggy
The parakart is enticing, since you have just exhausted all
your savings in the purchase of a model and of the kite which
will propel it, unless you have constructed it yourself. You
have found a helmet, a pair of boots or sturdy outdoor shoes,
gloves and a pair of goggles. It's not a good idea to purchased
a harness ! Forget about it until you become familiar with
your new equipment. The harness is used strictly for comfort
and can be dangerous for the novice pilot.
For your first tack, make a trajectory strictly
perpendicular to the wind
For your first tack, make a trajectory strictly
perpendicular to the wind
THE SITE SELECTION
You're well equipped. You must now find the site where you
can begin. If you don't know any, enquire at the Parakart
Association they will be a pleased to send you the list of
clubs and sites favorable to the use of parakart In addition,
consult the AF2C Web (France), which is very well documented
for this kind of information, if available. Do not be obsessed
by beaches. Parakarting can be done on any cleared and approved
site, whether it is a field, a closed airstrip, a golf course
or an airfield. By the way, the buggymen sail and fly regularly
on about ten airfields around the UK. A permit is always required
for the use of those sites, wherever it may be. This avoids
creating any tension which could lead to a ban. Before riding,
carefully verify that a high tension wire does not cross the
site in question, and that it is not a path frequently used
by hikers or strollers. The key is that the ground be relatively
hard and smooth. Of course, beaches are the perfect choice,
but not all are compatible to parakarting. This is often due
to the sand being too light. The ideal riding condition is
firm sand, found at low tide, except when there are too many
puddles and pockets of water. You can count on 3 hours of
practice before and after the turn of the tide.
The first thing to do is to coordinate your
outings with the tide schedule.
Up
DRIVE RELAXED, MAX!
The second important point is the weather and wind forecast.
To begin with, it is preferable to have a moderate wind as
well as a moderate size of sail. The wind will determine the
length of your lines. To start, I recommend a maximum of 10
to 20m. 10m if the wind is rather strong, 20m if it is weak
but steady. If you have several sites accessible near where
you live, select the one which, at that instant, will be the
most suitable. Let's imagine a beach 20 km long and 100 m
large, positioned north/south, with a 30 m dune in the back,
which is generally the case on the Aquitaine coast. Ideally,
you want a west wind. However, you can make do with either
a northwester or a southwester. A north or a south wind will
be more difficult to deal with, forcing you to tack every
100 m. There is no need to budge if it is an East wind. This
is the worst condition for beginners as there is no surface
wind and an occasional whirlwind. Even if you succeed in lifting
your kite, an underestimated wind condition could give you
difficulties. It is important to always consider the force
of an easterly wind. In my opinion, the best rule of thumb
is: When standing on the site if you have occasional difficulties
in controlling your wing, you must abstain. Remember the so-called
pigeon adage which says: <<Clean site, clean wind, cool
ride>>.
Up
FLY BEFORE RIDING
Now, the length of your training will depend on your past
record in terms of mastering the wind. If you are familiar
with sailing or kite flying, then you will be ahead of those
who are novice to wind sports. If you practice sailing and
kiting, the a good part of your training is already completed.
Everyone must get to know their kite before getting started.
This is true for beginners as well as wind experts. Choose
a well cleared site where you will be able to make a few swerves
or go off the intended path, if necessary. It is preferable
to take your initial ride on a day where the wind conditions
are ideal and not too stressful. It is better for the moral
as well as ... for safety. I f need be, postpone your outing
by a few days if the best conditions are not met. Carefully
follow the instructions for handling the kite. As a general
rule, the instructions for traction kites are more comprehensive
and more explicit than those for acrobat kites. Confirm that
the lines are clear before taking off. In order to test the
wind and define the limits of the wind window, fly a few minutes
before sailing. Train yourself to move your kite from one
window edge to the other and to maintain it in a static position
a few meters from the ground. When you will be rolling, you
will have to maintain a static wing position at 20/30°
on both sides. The only manoeuvre that you will have to undertake
will consist of moving your kite from one edge to the other.
The neutral position will be when the kite is at to the top
of the window with the lines almost vertical, at its azimuth.
Get well trained in these two positions because they are the
basics for piloting. To stop, you will pass from the horizontal
traction position, to the <<neutral/vertical position.
Are you comfortable with your sail? Are you capable of piloting
without having your eyes riveted above? Yes? Good, because
we are now going to pass to serious matters.
Up
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND ABS BRAKING
First check where the wind is coming from. Trace this axe
in the sand.
Trace a perpendicular to this wind axe. You
must adhere to your prearranged out and home course. Going
off course during your first tacks will only lead to mishaps.
Select distant landmarks to help you (sailors call these seamarks).
Put your parakart on course. Your kite is in neutral, climb
into your parakart. To do this, get into the habit of' presenting
yourself under its Ice (<<under the leer>> = back
to the wind). You will have to walk backwards towards your
kart. It is a matter of safety. ! You are in position, feet
fixed on the steering rods. Can you easily turn the front
wheel ? Then everything is fine, roll on little bomb. .. Bring
the wing towards the desired direction. You should begin to
move. Then, there are only two things to do: maintain your
bearing and keep your wing on the side. It is now the time
to undertake this concept: your parakart also has an automatic
transmission and an ABS breaking system (incredible, no ?).
Here is the explanation: the closer your sail is to the horizontal,
the faster it will pull you. You will then be able to more
or less adjust your speed by pulling down your wing. If you
switch your sail quickly to the opposite side, when at a good
speed, you will stop immediately without skidding at all...
before rolling again in reverse. As soon as you have stopped,
try to pass quickly to the neutral position, otherwise ...
well you understand.
Up
FIRST TACK
You are now doing your first tack (how easy). However, the
playing field has its limits. One must think of turning and
coming back. Begin by slowing down and placing your kite in
a vertical position. While you are almost at a standstill,
you turn the wheel outright, but in which direction ? If you
turn the wheel <<into the win& then you are sure
to fail. The head wind turn is reserved for experts. Better
go before the wind (back to the wind)- The
kite always at its azimuth. This is commonly called a jibe.
Regain your course as quickly as possible, then slowly bring
your kite down on the side again. The main error is to start
the gibe while still rolling at a considerable speed and to
stay too long in the following wind. Your sail does not like
this at all and let's you know by dropping to the ground or
by becoming uncontrollable. What actually happened was that
by going in the direction of the wind, you have artificially
reduced the apparent wind and your wing reacted as if it was
no longer under pressure. It simply de-winded itself, even
though there was wind. This does not mean that it is impossible
to gibe at full speed. It is just the opposite. However, this
will be the theme of the next article. By this time, I feel
you will be sufficiently experienced. I have one last suggestion
for this first parakart lesson: <<if you should panic,
cut the contact or apply your break>>.
Translation:
1 - neutralize your wing, either by simply letting go of it,
or applying it's break if its a four liner;
2 - break with your feet (this is where the shoes mentioned
at the beginning come in handy.)
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