2008 June 3 There's a lot you can do with a strong blow
During Britton Shaw's Endless Foot Drag near Fort Smith, AR, the wind
blew hard. It was steady for a Midwestern howl but nasty by beach or
Point of the Mountain standards. Importantly, it was steady enough to
play in. And so play I did.
Thanks to John DeFranco who recorded much of it smoothly on his
camera.
This was the first time I've ever "Flown" from the Enterprise (motorhome)
by pushing off, climbing then relanding on it. I did that first in
Mexico this past February (2008) on a wall.
The biggest risk of doing this is having the wing collapse and then
falling. As long as the wing stays inflated, you can get dragged over
the back and just keep kiting since the wing remains above the
motorhome's roof. That happened to me at least once and I just kited
around in front.
Too bad the motorhome wasn't a bit taller and longer--I could have
soared it.
Besides being fun on its own right, such kiting builds useful skills
that may help a pilot who is unexpectedly served up high winds.
Another fun amusement in high winds: kite sliding.
