LIGHT WIND CHALLENGE 2011
There's a bit of debate currently about the BEST light wind kite.

Suggestion: Let's have a competition, +/- cash incentive, to test light wind performance.
Flysurfer reps, in particular, Teddy Bautista, seem obsessed about "challenging" people to duels e.g.
www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5374&start=0
www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=627526

SO LET'S BRING IT ON!

But let's test the whole spectrum of light-wind performance and kite attributes, ie:
1) Lowest wind strength capability (rider staying upwind, eg for 20 mins).
2) SELF RESCUE from 500m offshore in simulated wind dropouts AND line breakage.
3) STARTUP drift launches, launches in cross-offshore conditions, hot launches from promontories, and launches downwind from obstacles such as headlands or promontories.
4) Performance in VERY gusty conditions, eg 6 knots to 18 knots.
5) Performance riding on the leeside of headlands or promontories.
6) Measure time required for 5+ setup and packdowns, including after simulated line and bridle tangles.
7) Test ALL types of kites, eg Flysurfer, e.g. Zephyr, eg Dyno, eg old 20m inflatables eg Waroo 20m or Rhino 6 20m.

NB: Apart from anything else, this would be a great opportunity to demonstrate Flysurfer's lies about "staying upwind in 5 knots", problems in wind drop-outs, and 2h setups after bridle tangles.

Again? What brought this on - slow days at the office?

Y'know, 3 weeks back as I spent Sunday afternoon untangling my Cabrinha bar & lines after the Crossbow hindenburged in a lull and wouldn't relaunch, I was thinking about you and your issues with FSer bridles ... if you take all the occasions I've had bridle tangles and multiply it by 10, it'd still be less than tangles I've had with LEIs - 10 x 0 = 0 after all
Hell, if you multiply the total time in minutes I've spent untangling anything with the Speed2 (FDS landings, for example) by 10, you STILL wouldn't exceed the time I spent in a single session of untangling lines from an LEI failure to relaunch.

Just something for you to think about ...

Man...this would be the most boring competition in the world...LOL. However, if you want to come to Hunstanton during LifeStyles in July I'm sure you'll get the conditions and critical mass of kite surfers to make it happen. After all, there's nothing like organising a kiting competition to anger the wind gods. Having said that....as the gods tend to like f*£!)^& with our brains maybe organising a bunch of light wind competitions will bring on some steady 20-30 kt days for the duration. If so...I'm all for it. Rock on PMU.

Cool,

Just let me know when and where.

--
Gunnar

sounds fair! would be interesting for sure!

Ok, let's set it up.

The Southern Hemisphere summer is approaching, so let's have it somewhere in the SH... maybe Australia.

I want to maintain my anonymity, partly because of the threats of violence and retribution from Flysurfer rep's like Ted Bautista and partly because this whole thing is, actually, a bit *kooky*.
If an Oz organisation like AKSA or shop would be prepared to suggest a location, date/time, and objective judging, as well as a good turnout of participants (let's say >5) so that I can remain anonymous in the crowd, I'm up for it.

I'm prepared to wager $5000AUD on winning and will deposit it into a 3rd party trust account before the competition, as long as ram lovers do the same and as long as EACH of the criteria I've listed are part of the competition, e.g. self rescuing in a simulated wind dropout (zero knots) from 500m (would prefer 1000m, but if Flysurfer insist on 500m, I'll live with it). In addition, I want other factors (e.g. high tide lee-side promontory launches) written into the contract.

The criteria are quite specific but, I think, reasonable. So let's bring it on ram lovers... the great light-wind challenge of 2011!

I'm game.

But there is one problem I have with doing it in the southern Hem. Sharks. I am not swimming back 1000m or 500m in those waters. I have not problems swimming that distance, I just did it yesterday when the wind stopped, I just don't want to take a stupid risk and do it in Australia.

Please also just clarify what you mean with self rescue in simulated wind dropout. To me this means swimming back with the equipment, and not using the kite as a sail, right? Does that not negate one of your myths you are trying to prove?

I also think that part of the agreement should be the loss of you anonymity. Here at Flysurfer no one harbors any Ill will towards you, so you are safe.

Why not do it here on Fuerteventura. We have a lot of really light wind days, and we have boats and other rescue craft to keep things safe.

I would say the best time would be sometime in November. I should be back on the 12th.

Maybe someone at North or another brand wants to get involved and help me organize this.

So here would be my rules:

1) Safety comes first, so lets do it somewhere where that can be guaranteed

2) PMU gives up his anonymity and comes to the Event

3) Toby should be the 3rd Party to hold the money.

--
Gunnar

There you go again. Are you this time again going to chicken out and disappear from the forum during weeks like you did the previous times??? What's the point in throwing this kind of contest when you know you will not participate at all?

And what are those stupid test criterias?
1) Lowest wind strength capability (rider staying upwind, eg for 20 mins). Different kites, different boards, different riders in weight and skills. How can you compare something in those conditions?
2) [color=#FF4040]SELF RESCUE from 500m offshore in simulated wind dropouts AND line breakage.[/color] ok, fair
3) STARTUP drift launches, launches in cross-offshore conditions, hot launches from promontories, and launches downwind from obstacles such as headlands or promontories. Who in the world practice kitesurf with those launching conditions? Have you ever heard of safety and security during your kite lessons??? What's the point to test those conditions apart from trying to kill the kiters?
4) Performance in VERY gusty conditions, eg 6 knots to 18 knots. It may be a long wait till you get those exact conditions to validate that criteria...
5) Performance riding on the leeside of headlands or promontories. See answer for question 3 and go back to school!
6) Measure time required for 5+ setup and packdowns, including after simulated line and bridle tangles. What's the point? Whatever the gear you use and whatever the time it takes to set up and put back in its bag, if you get the fun when riding, this is a personnal choice and criteria to consider the setup/take down time of your gear. To y point of view, I always take a lot of time to set up my gear so I can check my lines from dangerous wearness or tangling. Doing it fast is the best way to make a mistake.
7) Test ALL types of kites, eg Flysurfer, e.g. Zephyr, eg Dyno, eg old 20m inflatables eg Waroo 20m or Rhino 6 20m. What do you want to prove once again? Fly your kite, enjoy it and leave others enjoy theirs!

Pump me up, you are as useless as this type of contest!

Happy to run it here in Brisbane.
Don't worry Gunnar, I haven't been killed by a shark for at least 2 years

We sell both pump ups and FS so I already know the answers but will be fun to do it all back to back.

No board criteria though???? What about performance with various boards etc?

Jason
http://www.briskites.com.au

What about the other variables that are probably more important than what brand of kite you fly. Like board selection and riders weight and skill level. Sounds more like a pissing contest.
What's wrong with a demo day of ALL light wind gear for all to try and compare including SUP if the wind dies. Maybe a barbeque too