downwinder ultrlight pack

[edt]

Doing more downwinders recently making an ultrlight pack, that means no pump, no water bottle no food, just the bare minimum to fix a few common problems. Bladder patches would be nice but no sense taking them if you don't have a pump.

These are for little 10 mile downwinders where you can swim back to shore, but if you have to slog it out past the swamp and mud, it is a giant hassle. Think planet of the apes in hattie if you have been there. So you want to repair if you can.

1) ultrasmall screwdriver. How often does your foot strap come out? Never when you are riding around, but when you are on a downwinder those start to come lose.

2) spare line hook knife and a fid. I think spare line can fix most common problems, even a broken chicken line as you can just use 4 or 5 strands of kite line instead of 1 that will give you the extra strength you need.

3) polyester thread, sewing needle and sail tape for small tears in the canopy

4) compact awl and awl line ((for fixing broken harnesses)

Is that it? I can't think of anything, remember this is for ultra light downwinding nothing bigger than a bannana.

[geron]

How about a compact air bottle to give the pressure after you inflate with lungs (bladder patches) and water bottle (for me).

[edt]

that fails the banana test. If my kite deflates I'm hiking out.

[or6]

Sandals or ultralight shoes? For the walk back?

Or do you wear booties?

[Bushflyr]

Camelbak with 2l bladder. Water is the #1 thing I'd carry. $20 in small bills and $2 in quarters for the bus and or beer. A little pair of those Japanese roll up shoes or booties so you don't shred your feet if you have to walk a few miles. A waterproof bag and your phone so you can call your friend to come share your beer.

10 miles is so short it's not really worth trying to fix things on the beach. Tighten your screws before you launch, check your lines and go. By the time you actually got whatever problem fixed you'd be better off packing down, buying a 6-pack of frosties, and your friend would be back with the car by the time you finished the first one.

[or6]

Ha ha, that's right, just call a mate!

Unless you're somewhere the road is like 12 km from the rocky coast....

Water, yes, I agree. And a phone and some money.

[edt]

bushfly $20 is a great idea. I'm not gonna bring any water. I'll let everyone else carry it water is heavy! Also a little piece of waterproof paper that has my friend's number on it (I don't have anyone's number memorized they are all on the cell phone), so if I meet someone at the beach I can get them to call my friend and let them know I've landed and not to call the coast guard when I'm late to the pickup.

[POACHER]

Had a buddy attempt a SW Salvo Day Use run to Pea Island in pretty light air. I bailed out on that and elected to just ride in front of the house until with wind crapped..............and it did while attempting the downwinder. He had to hike out of in bare feet. Didn't go well.


I bring booties, phone in a dry bag and $50 cash.*

*Liberty Mart beer fund.

[socommk23]

Foil kite! No need for a pump....ever.

[tomato]

Do you guys have phones if you kite alone? I have mobile phone in a waterproof bag, which I put into jogging phone case on my arm. Just in case I break a leg or something, and there is nobody on the beach.
Someone have better solution?