HQ Powerkites Beamer III Mode D'emploi page 10

Basics of kite sailing with
a buggy
Controlling the buggy
You steer the buggy using your feet and the
foot rests on the front wheel bracket. The foil
is used as a flexible sail in which the part of
the wind window located in the travel direction
is used for forward propulsion. You steer the
buggy on the desired course to the wind like in
other types of sailing sports. In doing this, the
pull build-up of the foil for propulsion is more
important for decisions when steering the buggy.
Starting and stopping
The foil must always be controlled in the
zenith when getting into the buggy. Based on
experience, it is often useful to practice
controlling the foil using simple maneuvers only
by feel without looking. This provides safety
Half wind
and you can prevent being pulled forward over
the buggy or backwards stumbling over the
buggy from an uncontrolled foil.
The buggy is aligned in the driving direction
cross to the wind (half wind course) and you sit
down while the foil is in the zenith.
To start moving, steer the foil in the driving
direction on the side of the wind window and
use the pull to set the buggy in motion.
To accelerate the buggy, gently steer the foil
this direction for the first meters and then
immediately switch back to the desired course.
If the buggy does not move or only moves slow-
ly, steer the foil from above through the wind
window to the edge of the wind window and
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then right back to the top to attain more
propulsion.
Caution: Do not fly the foil too far to the side
or back. Otherwise, the pull will be too great on
the side or the buggy will move backwards.
To yield to the pulling force of the foil, steer
the buggy a little in the pulling direction (with
the wind). Once travel begins, hold the
buggy at a half wind course. The foil is at the
edge of the wind window. Steer down more
to accelerate the kite or fly it up more to slow
it down.
To brake the foil, fly up and steer the buggy
on a course more against the wind. If you drive
this maneuver hard, the buggy will easily begin
to drift causing the buggy to quickly lose speed.
You may then introduce a neck turn (see this
section) by steering sharply with the wind,
causing the rear wheels to skid. Under certain
circumstances, you may need to countersteer
with the front wheel.
There are situations in which you must stop
the buggy quickly. In these scenarios, never
brake by putting your feet on the ground. You
could be hurt by doing this.
In the event that you find yourself in a ha-
zardous situation, let go of the foil to prevent
a collision or crash. A foil flying through the
air causes little damage. By contrast, tight lines
can cause cuts.