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Buggy Characters fontsize : [ ++ ] [ -- ]

As kite buggying becomes more established in the UK you will meet a wide range of unusual characters some of who's only thing in common is a kite and a kite buggy.

The categories set out below are not intended to be definitive and the dividing lines are frequently blurred. There will be some people who will recognise themselves in here and others who will be blind to their own eccentricities. So take a stroll down to your local buggy site.

The first person you will meet will be:

The "Enthusiast"
This guy has built his own buggy from scratch, or will have something slightly esoteric, like a Predator. He will also have a couple of home-made foils and at least one Peter Lynn kite (a Peel probably). Has a web site with lots of very erudite information about kiting. May even run a kite shop. Is completely devoted to the sport. Can and does talk for hours about kites and buggies. Will be the first person to speak to New Guy and will realign the bridle on New Guy's Blade and make it fly without pulling his arms out of his sockets. Can buggy in virtually any conditions and makes it look deceptively easy; as comfortable going backwards as forwards in a buggy.

Generally flies: Home Made kites
Preferred Buggy: Something home made, esoteric and rare or highly modified production model with bits that he has made and welded on himself.
The Look: Gardening clothes or Old Timer
Most Likely to say: "Adjusting the brake lines completely alters the angle of attack in high winds"
Time spent actually buggying: 55%; rest of time spent making, repairing and modifying.

Standing not far from the Enthusiast and frequently next to him, as they have been chatting about kites they have known and loved, will be:

The "Old Timer"
In a sport that is so young that the guy who invented it is still around, it is odd to speak of anyone actually having the time to grow old as a kite buggier; but being an Old Timer is not necessarily a function of age - it is more state of mind. At any age he is the grandfather of the sport. Most likely over 40 and has been around kites most of his life and got into kite buggying early on. He loves to buggy and loves to chat - not clear which he loves more. Will quite often not get a kite out for at least an hour after arrival and may well not get one out at all. This character knows everyone and most everything about buggying and kites and was actually at Berrow. He is the only person that Racers will talk to or drink with as he at least has a vague idea of what they are talking about. Will absolutely never walk back - and will spend hours at the other end of the field in a howling gale patiently tacking back and forward to avoid walking.
Generally flies: something that he has the greatest pleasure telling you he got for about 30% less than you paid for it; Airea or PKD's.
Preferred Buggy: Libre V-Max
The Look: anything by Fat Face, comfortable sweats and a couple of T-Shirts from the Berrow Buggy Blast in 1872 (ahem!).
Most Likely to say: "The Showers at Hoylake are always cold; but at least they've got showers"
Time spent actually buggying: 30% - likes the social side and back is playing up a bit.

Sitting on the floor chipping in the odd comment but generally in the middle of a huge amount of "stuff" will be:

The "Gadget Boy"
Has got everything: speedos, tandem kits, wind meters, 3 different sets of tyres, most kites in the range and buggy that but for a roof and an engine would be a car; can talk enthusiastically about latest acquisition and how essential it is to good kiting. Tends to lose a lot of kit. Most other peoples' kite bag has at least one item that Gadget Boy has left behind - does not notice or mind as always on to the next best thing. Spends ages setting up as he has endless bits and pieces that need to be assembled or "tuned". Usually the butt of endless jokes, but as he always has something new to show off is tolerated as mostly harmless.
Generally flies: Ozone (they are the newest!)
Preferred Buggy: Parastorm or Libre with every accessory going. Will generally always have suspension.
The Look: lots of Gore Tex and any other hi-tech fabrics.
Most Likely to say: "Active suspension is definitely the way forward"
Time Spent actually buggying: 20%; rest of time spent fiddling

Buggying nearby:

The "Girl"
Yes they do exist and kite surfing has not nabbed all the cool chicks; generally got into the sport out of love (initially, not for kites but errant boy friend). Only way to keep up with him was to get involved - now flies kite and buggy better that boy friend, which is beginning to cause a bit of friction. Slightly irritating to have a girlfriend who can fly a kite better than you! Always flies within herself, chooses correct kite and observes rules. Will have interesting discussions with boyfriend about kite skills usually ending in a blazing row. Relationship frequently doomed as a result but she will go on buggying.
Generally flies: something sensible: SkyTiger, Little Devil, smaller Blades
Preferred Buggy: Peter Lynn competition - usually Gadget Boy hand me down.
The Look: Avril Lavigne
Time Spent actually buggying: 50% - well organised and practical

Also buggying or nursing injury will be:

The "Psycho"
Adrenaline junky and all round lunatic. Has snapped more tendons than you have kites. Trousers are generally filthy and stained green from being dragged down field, hill or beach behind huge kite. Reason he has been dragged so far is that he uses a captive harnessing system with no quick release (in fact no release at all). This guy cannot go fast enough in a buggy; tends to have accidents as a result of not stopping or trying to pull a 360 at 35 mph. When turning up to buggy site will avoid the crowd and set up about 50 yards away. Will generally be flying a bigger kite than everyone else (even the Racers) and will strap himself into his buggy. Is not actively rude but will buggy like no one else in around. Will kite jump when bored (which is often) and will hurt himself.
Generally flies: Anything two metres bigger than the wind actually merits
Preferred Buggy: Old Flexifoil/Peter Lynn which looks like it has been caught under a speeding juggernaut and dragged up the M40 for 15 miles.
The Look: Grungey; old jeans, tee shirt over tatty sweat shirt, wrap around shades (very expensive); hair generally very short or dreadlocks.
Most Like to say: almost nothing communicates in moody stares and grunts.
Time Spent actually buggying: 60%; rest of time spent in hospital

If you have gone to a big beach a large buggy and large kite will whip by with:

The "Racer"
When you think you are going incredibly fast and flying a kite that is a bit too big for the wind this guy will go past you like you were standing still flying a kite that is a much bigger than yours. Easily identified by huge rear axle, big tyres and v. low PKA number. Very serious kind of guy which can make him just a tad boring and a bit obsessed by what he does. Not rude, but will have nothing useful to say to you as you will not understand him. Will buggy every available moment of his life in any kind of weather. Usually unmarried and only hangs around with other Racers and Old Timers.
Generally flies: Whatever his sponsors make
Preferred Buggy: Pagonia, Chameleon - something that weighs a lot - disc wheels and/or big foots
The Look: Very rarely out of buggy kit; spray suit/dry suit.
Most Likely to say: "Want to buy last seasons kites - smaller ones hardly used"
Time spent actually buggying: there is not enough time...!

Trying and failing dismally to emulate The Racer will be:

The "New Guy"
So keen makes you exhausted just talking to him. Has the fervour of a Fedayeen fighter. Contributes at least 12 times a day to every single thread on the news group. Has a half baked opinion on every single kiting topic there is. This is notwithstanding the fact that he has been in the sport for less than a year. Makes rapid progress by dint of the fact that he is never off the site. Always missing key equipment therefore he generally has: cold hands (no gloves), sore leges (from running after kites that have been pegged out with plastic stake), sore arms (has a harness but bit too scared to use it) and empty stomach (has not brought jaffa cakes or flask of coffee).
Generally flies: Blade, Bullet (anything by Flexifoil)
Preferred Buggy: New Flexifoil or V Max
The Look: Bicycle Helmet and inane grin
Most Likely to say: "I'm buying a 7.2 next week"
Time spent actually buggying: More than necessary.

Wincing as New Guy cuts across everyone will be:

The "Veteran"
Has been buggying for three years plus. Has done most things in a buggy and loves, but is not obsessed by, the sport. Totally superior and considers everyone else to be a New Guy. Looks down on Racers as deluded fools who do not understand that buggying, like surfing, is a source. Spiritual involvement is the thing and stares at the sky a lot. Dispenses wisdom and kite lore to New Guys in slightly patronising way. Veteran is generally a trainee Old Timer. Has carefully accumulated buggy and kites over many years: kites are all selected for excellence in particular winds/conditions and looked after; flies carefully and precisely with minimum of effort; does not jump or do anything very foolish.
Generally flies: Airea, Predator III
Preferred Buggy: Battered Libre Full Race - Big Foots
The Look: surgically implanted cigarette (!) and large van
Time spent actually buggying: 70%

And you..well, some people are neither one thing nor the other, but I imagine you will think that you are one thing but share characteristics with the one you laugh at the most.

Me... confirmed and hopeless Gadget Boy.

Will

author : William James