Casualty...

The only real casualty from my OBE/roll-over on Thursday...

After

My wind-direction-ometer thingy!

Before!

What's the best thing to do when you OBE?

Make sure you get it on video!

Yesterday started off fine I even checked the wind before getting the 10m Ozone Manta out, it was 8-10 knots and was forecast to drop. Hooked in and set off down the lake - all good.

This was my first outing with the Soloshot 2, after reading the instructions a few times (yes I am a man and yes I do read instructions!) I thought it might be a bit tricky to set up - but it was very straight forward and pretty simple to get it paired and calibrated.

I had some good runs with the Manta and the green LED on the front of the Soloshot 2 is really visible, even from a distance in bright sun - so you know it is tracking you. 

The wind did appear to be increasing as I was going sideways a fair bit and a gust flipped the buggy with me in it! Without the hotwire I think I would have been lofted a fair way and then dropped. The best thing was the Soloshot 2 recorded all this...

strewth mate..! from Mark Crook on Vimeo.

Only a couple of minor grazes and bruises!

Best of all I got it on video! 

Ended up playing on the Ozone Access 6m and as forecast the wind dropped! Not the best days kite buggying but a good test of the Soloshot 2.

I wasn't sure how the Soloshot 2 was going to work, I played around with the zoom levels and the positioning of the camera and the RAW footage is great. 

The only downside is my JVC camcorder isn't compatible with the auto-zoom function and the battery top up. But otherwise really happy - if not a little stiff and sore today!

my track

Ouch!

After my OBE, about a week and a half a go, the graze on my left arm has been healing nicely...

the original Injury!

There has been a lump that has been a bit irritating and I was feeling around it this morning in the car (not picking) when I pulled this out...

A little bit of Lake Walyungup!

In case of emergency...

PULL HERE!

I forgot while I was being dragged across Lake Walyungup by a very over-powered 10m Ozone Manta!

Yes I had an OBE! And after a few seconds I did remember to pull it and the kite floated gently to the ground nicely de-powered...

Despite wearing elbow pads I still got a couple of scrapes and grazes!

Then out came the 4m Method until the wind, once again, dropped a bit and I got the Manta out again...

And guess what?

I left the GoPro at home!

Stacking it...

Not all me! but a couple of videos from Extreme Kites...

OBE - the Vapor bites!

It was an interesting morning and a good day for OBE's it seems! Yes I did it again, and I was joined by Bones who also decided to fly today!

The wind went from nothing to 30kph + with stronger gusts within about half an hour.

The 2.7m vapor took some work to start with but I was determined to stick with it. As the wind strength increased I realized the huge power that this kite can deliver. And a stupid mistake when trying to untwist my lines lead to me leaving the buggy...

Only a few bruises and scrapes and was lucky to get away with just that. Decided with the wind blowing as it was that discression is the better part of valour and went home! Have to say up to that point I was absolutely loving the vapor and thinking I need more of these kites...