Now now Edward.

As previously stated several times, the LIGHT WIND CHALLENGE tests all aspects of light-wind performance, ie.

1) Lowest wind strength capability (rider staying upwind, eg for 20 mins).
2) SELF RESCUE from 1000m 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.

I'm 100% confident that ram airs (including Flysurfer) will crash and burn if all of these criteria are tested.

Cheers,
Chumpy

Still curious as to how packing-up is connected to light-wind riding ...

I'm 100% confident that PMU will continue to refuse the facts even if he were hunted down, dragged to the beach, tied to a chair facing the water and his eyelids pried open during the entire demonstration.

Your thoughts on that, Pumpy ...?


Ah, I see! So what do we do?


Gotcha!

As with the ridiculous claims made by Flysurfer, the claims made by Dimitri Maramanedis, Epic, and other kite companies (e.g. North Dyno http://www.northkites.com/public/conten ... x_eng.html ) about their kites performing in 5.0 -7.0 knots are... bullshit.

It's time ALL kite companies stopped the bs and making ridiculous, unsubstantiated claims. NO KITE - ram or inflatable - can perform in 5.0-7.0 knots. It comes down to physics... wind blowing at 5.0 - 7.0 knots simply can't generate enough power.

The ONLY way to stop these sorts of LIES is to have a formal comp/demo day. So what about it kite companies (Epic, North, Flysurfer, etc)... how about a formalised LIGHT-WIND SHOWDOWN???

Cheers,

Chumpy

Jeez, I find myself agreeing with PMU. Need more coffee.

Actually, while we're on the topic...

It is RIDICULOUS that large and successful companies like North (and to a lesser extent, Epic) are making bs claims about the Dyno being able to perform in 5.0 - 7.0 knots.

It is DISAPPOINTING that a respected kite designer like Ken Winner is associated with a company that so blatantly misrepresents the capabilities of their kites. 5.0 - 7.0 knots .... just BULLSHIT.

So we're left the obvious conclusion, Pumpy - either they're full o' bull ... or you are

PMU you are showing signs of slowly and begrudgingly seeing the possibilities of light wind kiting.

Not long ago you said impossible in 8 knots and definitely impossible in 7 knots (does that mean 7-8 knots is kind of sort of somewhat more or less but really not quite definitely impossible?).

Now you are at least acknowledging the 7-8 range. You might even come around to accepting the 6-7 knot range one of these days when you see what others are doing with the right gear and skills. It's been going on all around the world for many years. Too bad you've not seen it yet.

Congratulations on your progress.

John

Hey that challenge looks pretty tough....at least to be able to stay awake.

On the other hand, when it's blowing in "impossible" light wind (<8 knot) or "definitely impossible" (6-7 knots) light wind I know I can stay upwind if the water is smooth and there is no significant current. Not only that, but some of my friends can do it a lot better than I can.

If the wind shuts down after 19 minutes I guess I would fail item 1.
If I'm 1000 meters offshore and haven't figured out how to get in I guess I shouldn't be out that far. But I do think that truly depending on a kite for self rescue is beyond stupid in the first place. I think self "rescue" as a convenience is a great teaching, but as a true safety strategy (instead of floatation equipment or judgment) is an irresponsible and dangerous teaching.
3 is pretty easy but I don't drift launch except on the rarest occasion
4? I don't kite in that crap anymore...not really all that enjoyable to me.
5? Don't enjoy that much either....but if I did ride in 6 knots on the lee side of a headland or promontory I would accept that there is likely to be a huge gradient and wouldn't make much of a light wind measurement.
6 is a joke but I do enjoy the humor. Simulated what? That's pretty funny.
7 would be very cool. It would be great to watch a real light wind riding comparison, although this happens all the time all over the place.

Glad you have finally discovered it's possible in 7-8 knots. That's great. My newest light wind kite is over 4 years old now and it does the job for me.

Have fun,

John

Would you now define a criteria/rules how to determine which one is the winner? Or do you do it on the run so that FS will lose anyway because you are determined..? Also please invite Spleene X-19 so foils have possibility to take first 2 places.

Do you get points on challenges? How many points for being the first or last? Points on time? Or if some kite fails challenge #1, is it DNF for rest of the compo? Extra points in jumping in low wind? What board to use as some might use anything up to SUP? On swimming rescue can you use olympic swimmer (to beat time)?

And last, PMU, you are willing to send people harms way. I insist that PMU is one competitor so we have a chance to get rid of you (in potential sharky waters and launching kites in "rotors")