extreme optimist

Originally posted by Prince Buster moderately larger?!? the oppie sail at the mo is about 3.5msq!

i know i was being slightly sarcastic.

A good size (6-6.5) windsurfer rig might well work. This sounds like a good challenge on the way to a performance oppie, I'll think I'll have a go this summer and get my daughter to try it.

As for crash helmets, yes some of the Oppies now come with a crash hat and from what I've seen with complete beginers in the training, this is an excellent idea. At our club, we encourage all absolute beginners to wear these, but as soon as they are a bit more confident and aware of the boom, they are under no obligation.   

 

Has no one else noticed that wearing a helmet increases the size of the users head by a good inch all over?! This is likely to result in far more hits to the head than not wearing a helmet at all! A good hit to the head is likely to teach you that getting out the way is the best option and it shouldn't happen again 

its only done with beginners because they think that to turn the boat at all you need to use loads of rudder so they tend to either gybe a lot (bigger problem in oppi than other classes for some mad unknown reason), spin round in circles or get stuck head to wind. if they didn't do it they'd get people like this kid on a course i did in september who are so scared of the boom comming across and hitting them they lie down on the bottom of the boat and cry

 

Does anyone else find Kiteboy's sig ammusing or is it just my slightly suspect sense of humor?

Laser Radial 185598 (tranny squad...oh yeah) 3 and 7 and 14m kitesurfing kites

Edited by Isis