On 2002-09-19 15:05, andré wrote:
hi,
for my kites i only use cotton-wool kitebags, only blow them up with light warm air, have three different sunoils to prepare them for the sun and at the end of each kiteday i pull the four lines through my mouth to clean them from sand and salty water.
thats love!!
greetz andré
That's not love! This is love.
I arrive at the beach with my large truck which has a climate controlled enclosure on the back. The kites are permanently inflated, though the pressure is lessened when the kite is not in use. Each kite has a silk cover separating it from the other kites.
The silk cover is taken to the beach and the kite is placed on it with a sunshade erected to keep the prevailing sun at bay.
Four new lines are run out every time by four porters and the old lines are donated to poor, underpriveledged kiters after they have grovelled on the sand for a bit.
A 100% carbon bar with gold plated stainless steel fittings is attached and placed on a silk cushion ready for use.
A portable computerised weather station which was set up when I arrived is given a final consultation and the forecast for the afternoon is committed to memory.
I then launch the kite after the launching porter has manouvered the kite to the correct position without letting it contact the abrasive sand.
As I position myself and board in the water a rigid/inflatable boat is launched to follow the kite around and protect it from damage such as impact on the water but mainly from other kiters who may get too close. If they get too close they will be shot as I cannot risk damage due to a disruption of the laminar flow of air over the kite.
At the end of the session a landing porter catches the kite and gently places it on a new silk cover. Another porter massages a suitable anti UV emollient all over the kite, reduces the air pressure and then all porters carefully carry the kite back to the truck and put it carefully away.
I then mingle with other kiters, brag about the air I attained during my session and maybe give away some more used kite lines and used pigtails to the poor. I warn them also never to touch my kite or they will be shot.
Most Australian kiters who have any status are like this. Why Steve McCormack has an entourage like George Bush when he goes to the beach complete with all these guys with earpiece communicators, black mirror sunglasses and AK47's.
Thats love!!! Aussie style
Have fun, Dave (Dr Surf