New U-Turn Kites - Claw Design

New Design of the U-Turn claw on their 2009 kites. Looks similar now to their paraglider line. We talked about getting a new claw 2 years ago, because the other claw looked outdated. Nice work U-Turn.

Also pictured is the Xenon kite that they have been working on for the past year.

*review* Peter Lynn Scorpion 16m

Bladerunner and I recieved this kite to try while waiting for his Chargers. 2 weeks ago, we didnt have much wind and only prepared to set it up. This weekend was great, the winds were up and we finally got to launch in desent wind around 15 to 20 knots. We tigtened up the outside straps a little bit more and it turned nicer than the low wind setting (all straps loose). History of me:Im a handles boy, never like bars. I've been using a mtn board since 2001, and always using my fixed foils for kite groundboarding. the control feel seems nicer to me, however you do have one drawback when you bail hard, no depower and the foil sometimes luffs or tip wraps.

To the review:I really enjoyed flying the Arc style kites (ill try to talk more kite than brand), and even more so than LEI kites. The bar pressure felt good, a little on the light side for me, but its not my kite. Not so sure i like the Spinning Bar leash either, I'd probably remove that and go to the Pro Leash and attach that to my Chicken Loop. Having said that, its because I noticed when i bailed hard and i let go of the bar (still hooked in) the kite went to zenith with no power. thats where I think the adantage of the Arc design comes in. The Auto Zenith feature really works and works well each and everytime. Another accident I had today ... I was airborne and was close to other kitebuggier I flew into his lines, and he was actually trying to get his kite under me. (would have been cool if cleared over his lines just another 4 more feet) anyways I got into his lines, kicked the board off in mid air, and let go of the bar so i could deal with my landing hands forward. WOW, i just floated down, had it been a fixed foil and I went hands free i'd be dropping like a rock.

jumping with arcs, was great! less work more height. Instead of swing the kite from 3 to 12 o'clock I could turn the kite lightly built up speed and pull the bar in, and in mid air push and pull generated a little more float. its the same with LEI jumping basically.

solo launching, took some getting used to ... its odd how far off to the wind window you have to setup. I finally caught the concept after BR explained it. Those Self Launch Taps do come in handy too.

pre-launch, in the right wind setup is fast, and doesnt require fans/blowers etc. it sure beats getting out a pump and working before playing. I would probably keep the bar / lines attached to every arc i had since i'm old school with kites on all my FB foils.

kite size, even with the bigger size arc, it was still easy to manage and wasnt sluggish at all with the adjustments that can be made. If anything i believe the 16m can go way passed the suggested windrange, since the twinskin can bend to the gust and high winds. Its also just a matter for tigtening everything up to give it a more curve.

All and all I was very pleased with the arc kites, due to the small park we have, we're pretty limited with how much speed one can get and how much space to do freestyle tricks. Im not semi converted to bar just for the one handed moves and board grabs and not have to worry about the second handle should things go wrong. 100% sore but happy as a kid on christmas day.

Yes, Im a sponsored Peter Lynn Teamrider (on teh FB foil side) but this isnt the reason why I enjoyed the Scorpion. Review on teh Syn next than the Charger.

Our Friends from Holland

http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Album=QBJETKID

I'll be heading to Holland after NABX 2010 to meet up with Ozzy / Ruudje / Faster Arie / Robert / Maarten.

Wolkenstürmer Ventura

The All-rounder kite.
The Ventura is a kite built by pilots for pilots.
The well known Kitebuggy expert Jens Baxmeier subjected the Ventura to the hardest test courses and put it through its paces. He let his more than 12-years of experience as a kitebuggyer and main instructor of the GPA into the construction with this.
Numerous modification and fine tuning made thanks to his technical knowledge to make this kite do what it needs to - a real Allround that goes with its pilot through thick and thin and provides from the beginning for total enthusiasm in the entry of kitebuggying.

This is a very agile kite that moves fast when you let the brake lines out, and accerlates fast, and with adjusting the trim you can speed up or slow down the kite.

The Ventura was designed for either kitebuggying or cruising on a mountainboard.

The trim system can be tuned to individual conformity to the wind ratios/flight behavior.

Sizes: 1.8, 2.5, 3.5, 4.7, 6.5, and 9.0

Libre / Zebra Checka

A good-natured beginner Kite is the Zebra's CHECKA for the first steps with a 4-line traction kite.

- Clean and good-natured flight characteristics - soft and uniform pressure construction - high-value materials - all lines reinforcements at the sail and guarantee a long service life.

Sizes: 1.5, 2.5, 3.4, and 4.2

Zebra Buggy

Zebra / Libre introduces a new beginner buggy under the Zebra name. Currently available as for May 2009.

PKD Soulfly II

Perhaps this would have been the best kept secret for 2009, PKD are going to be releasing an update to the PKD Century Soulfly. Since the birth of the PKD Combat it was assumed that this was the successor to the PKD Soulfly, however as it seems PKD are now going to release the Soulfly II which will be placed between the PKD Brooza and PKD Combat. The new PKD Soulfly II looks like it has evolved from the original Soulfly with the graphics having a similar pattern.

The German PKD Team Riders have been testing prototypes of the kites which are due for availability in approximately August.

There seems to be a growing place for kites in the market between the Intermediate and Advanced level and manufacturers are starting to pay attention to this growing base of kite fliers. In this case the PKD Soulfly II will continue its trend of the Soulfly series to be a stable race kite. We can expect the difference between the Combat and the Soulfly will be the Combat having slightly more performance at the cost of stability, and the Soulfly suiting newer and more casual race kite pilots.

A translated quote from Hosi testing the new Soulfly II prototypes: "At this moment we are testing the latest prototypes of the Soulfy II, still without design, what is not nooded for the tests. The fly characteristics have made my mind go total crazy. U can create a lot of pressure with the brake lines. And the windrange is really big. I also have competed in races with the Soufly II and the kite can behave himself very good between the real race-kites. One of the biggest advantages is the stability which is really good for a kite in this class. The sizes are as next 2,4 / 2,8 / 3,5 / 4,5 / 6,0 / 8,0 / 10,0"

Pansh Kite Sponsorship

Pansh Kites have restarted their sponsorship again.

PANSH would like to offer sponsorship to individuals who are interested in taking part in kite sport competitions across the world through PANSH Sponsorship Program.PANSH Sponsorship Program aims to make contribution to the development of kite sport and encourage people who are interested in kite sport to take part in events or competitions. Pansh would like to offer the whole set of Sprint or whole set of ACE as the sponsored kites. If you would like to apply for PANSH Sponsorship, please email us at info(AT)panshkite.com for further information. Pansh Kite Inc. All rights reserved.

Peter Lynn Charger (Twinskin)

I had the pleasure to ride the Charger at NABX. wow!

Video of Gunnar (kiteloop)
http://www.kiteforum.tv/video/Peter_Lynn_Charger_Kiteloop.html

Due out Mid June 2009

Sizes: same as Synergy, 8m, 10m, 12m, 15m & 19m (and also but limited 6m and 24m)

Peter Lynn Reactor IIs

I first got to ride the prototype version at NABX 2009. They are great Advanced kites, that are perfect for people waiting to get into a semi racekite. They are fast, and super stable and offer a lot of performance that will help you go fast or win races. They are also part of the Pro Range from the Peter Lynn Series.

Access Range: Hornet / Viper / Twister II

Pro Range: Core / Reactor II / Vapor

The Reactor II are due out in Mid June, and the sizes available are: 2.2m, 2.8m, 3.5m, 4.4m, 5.5m, 6.9m, 8.6m & 10.8m

Pictures courtesy of Beachshop.be

U-Turn Kites - PPN Technology

U-Turn brings another innovation onto the paragliding- and kite-scene: PPNplus Technology provides unprecedented stability and excelling take-off and flying qualities. PPN stands for Precision Leading Edge. To be more specific, the leading edge is reinforced by small, synthetic rods. The small rods are sewn into the cell walls as well as across the center of the cell openings of the leading edge. Synthetic rods are established in paragliding construction for several years as far as they replace the so called nose-mylar in the cell walls. U-Turn now introduces this technology into the kite scene. And goes one step ahead by sewing the rods just across the cell opening. The synthetic rods in the leading edge sustain the stability of the leading edge, thereby optimizing the flow of wind along the edge. Even under extreme flying conditions the small rods of the PPNplus system keep the openings of the leading edge considerably wider open than the case has been up to this point. The inner pressure is maintained palpably longer and with it the stability of the edge. Since the material is not susceptible to bending, the leading edge virtually retains its exact design shape for a canopy-lifetime if handled carefully. Furthermore, this also ensures that U-Turn gliders and kites with PPNplus-Technology will still have excellent take-off qualities even after years of use. And if a rod does in fact bend or is damaged, a replacement can be easily managed. After having given up the Mylar reinforcements used until now, the gliders have become noticeably lighter. The handling benefits gained and the improvement of performance through reduced glider weight speak in PPNplus-technology’s favor.

Synthetic rods are established in paragliding construction for several years as far as they replace the so called nose-mylar in the cell walls. U-Turn now introduces this technology into the kite scene. And goes one step ahead by sewing the rods just across the cell opening. The synthetic rods in the leading edge sustain the stability of the leading edge, thereby optimizing the flow of wind along the edge. Even under extreme flying conditions the small rods of the PPNplus system keep the openings of the leading edge considerably wider open than the case has been up to this point. The inner pressure is maintained palpably longer and with it the stability of the edge.
Since the material is not susceptible to bending, the leading edge virtually retains its exact design shape for a canopy-lifetime if handled carefully. Furthermore, this also ensures that U-Turn gliders and kites with PPNplus-Technology will still have excellent take-off qualities even after years of use. And if a rod does in fact bend or is damaged, a replacement can be easily managed.

After having given up the Mylar reinforcements used until now, the gliders have become noticeably lighter. The handling benefits gained and the improvement of performance through reduced glider weight speak in PPNplus-technology’s favor.

The PPN Technology will first be introduced on the Oxigen Pro III. Also they will be using a new claw design on their kite sails similar to those on their paraglider canopies.

NABX 2009 - Videos

http://vimeo.com/4112143 (pictures)
http://vimeo.com/4112143 (nabx teaser)
http://vimeo.com/4161825 (dutch crew)
http://vimeo.com/4153713 (cooper kite team)

NABX 2009 - Thank you

I figure i should post this sooner than later. I need a vacation after this event. Its also going to take me a few weeks to get my article written and submitted and uploaded the 1000’s of pics to the NABX site.Thank you to:

Dean and the NABX Crew (Claxton, Blake, Scooter, etc etc) for the great times this year. It was the best year ever, with the food and all. No more McDonald runs when there’s wind.Dean for making me give a 5 min sponsor speech at the dinner event. Yes, you finally see im not the one in the avatar picture, as corey said we’ll still believe thats you. LOL.Slawek / Linka for all the wild videos taken over the years, it was enjoyable watching them all at the nightly party in room 433B.For helping me show the Dutch Crews a good time, and i couldn’t have done that without you guys. I will continue to bring more euro riders every year.

Faster Arie (Libre Factory Team Rider), you have set the bar that much higher and have taught me so much more about going faster (controllable). Also waking us all up so early in the morning because you saw wind in the morning.Ozzy / Ruudje (Team Xxtreme) for designing me the best custom buggy in the world. My buggy was fast last year but better than year. I enjoyed the Dutch lessons, the late nights, early mornings, drinks, laughs and good times. Memories to last until next year.

Maarten / Robert (Team Cooper) for bringing new kites to demo and play with. Robert for showing me how to flip an XXtreme XXRacer at 101 Km. =)Tell Carien (H81) to come next year, and I said HI!!!

Sthrasher / Dino – Dakitez / Screwy Jr / Screwy Sr / Elkiter (Norcal Crew) for the funny times.
Ken #4 (F5 Kites), get well soon and thx for all the beers at the bar, and being our buggy neighbour.

Kent (A Wind of Change) for taking care of receiving all the Dutch items shipped over. Sorry for the million cell phone calls and emails. Next year we’ll have more items to ship. Doh!
Bladerunner – Ken #2 / Mark / Ziggy / Ken #3 / Drifter / Markus (Canadian Crew), lots of good times!!!Dirtslide (Ken #1) you were missed but not forgotten, bro. I had 38 on my kites that helped me go faster, get well soon.

Sunset Jim, for taking my tires to NABX and taking home my BF Light tires in your already full trailer. Also being my riding partner again, good thing i didn’t need rescue this year. I hope those linesets last you longer at home than this year’s winds. See you at SOBB 2009
Eli, thank for helping me keep pace with the Dutch Crews. Jon Ellis (Kitebuggy Speed Shop) for the use of his buggies, and parking our buggies there at night. See you at SOBB 2009.
Fast Freddy, for changing all my blown tires.

Monty, letting me see that I can still buggy in my later years. Enjoy that World Record Buggy.
Im probably forgetting so many people (AJ, B Brex, Susan, Paul, Terry, etc etc) and all the people that I only see once a year and all the old / new faces. thank you!!!
My NABX 2009 sponsors, XXtreme Buggies / U-Turn Kites / Zebra Kites / Climax LinesPeter Lynn Products International / Vliegerop BV, for coming to the event to let us all see the new toys coming and demo them as well. Throwing in a PL Folding Buggy into the auction. Lastly for sponsoring me for the 2009 / 2010 season, and helping me achieve my new personal record at 108.2 Km on the Reactor II 2.2m Proto.

Greatest of all, Kitebuggy Mama (Maria – Wife) for help me get the Dutch in order and getting me organized for the event and setting up kites in those super high winds. Recording video and taking all those pictures and helping out in the tent.
see you at the next event or nabx 2010.

PS. Ozzy, Arie, Ruudje, Maarten, Robert, Gunner, Marjen ... see you in Holland in 2010 spring or summer.
Dutch Crew Video post ... more to follow: http://www.vliegerforum.nl/index.php?showtopic=40632&st=0&gopid=347111&#entry347111