Kite Buggying
This section of the sport involves being pulled around in a three wheeled specially designed buggy. This means this section of the sport can take place upon fields and beaches, kite buggying is a very popular part of the sport and has diversified into may different parts in its self,such as racing,freestyle trick riding and even buggy jumping.
Buggy Racing
Racing is very popular in the uk in fact world wide and takes place over a set course with a number of laps, these type of buggys tend to have a wide back axle and slung quite low to the ground, speeds in the region of 50mph are the norm on a good day, in fact the land speed record in something like 60-65mph!! Not bad for a kite??
Freestyle/Buggy Jumping
these buggys tend to be built short and strong, tricks such as 360 spins/wheelies/power slides and a host of other tricks can be performed! Even jumping with the buggy is now a growing part of the sport, this consists of being strapped into the buggy and being lifted by the upward pull produced by the kite!! and so into the air, pilot and buggy are thrust!! beware this takes GREAT skill, get this wrong and you are coming down strapped into a buggy which is more than likely to land on you!! NOT for the faint hearted!!
Getting Started
Position the kite into a neutral position. Point your buggy downwind ready. Sit into the buggy with feet on the steering pegs. When comfortable dip the kite into the power zone and in the direction you wish to travel generating enough power to get you going.
As soon as you start moving forward downwind in the buggy, steer the buggy away and into the direction you wish to travel across the wind. It is important that the lines remain taught, Keep the kite moving quickly and around the power zone, the faster the kite is flying the more lift will be generated and the faster you will buggy. Remember to keep the kite on the correct side of the window for direction. Avoid the lesser pulling areas of the wind window until you are ready to slow down, turn or stop. Imagine a line across the front of your shoulders and try and keep the kite in front of this line. If there is too much pull steer towards the kite. If there is too little pull make the kite work moving it around the power zone.
Position within the Buggy
Posture is everything in a buggy wherever you move affects balance - keep this in mind and use it to your advantage. Normal flying posture should be sitting upright, back straight with comfortable buggy settings.
Caution
It is advisable to always use a smaller kite when starting out or learning a new maneuver. Helmets are a minimum of protection and should always be worn even in the lightest of winds.
Insurance
It is also advisable that you obtain third party insurance - available from the British Buggy Club (BBC) or the British Kitesurfing Association (BKSA), Manx Power Kite Club will be only to happy to point you in the right direction, remember you could be traveling at great speed to this affect could cause great damage if you hit someone or something!!
