Klik de link voor ook wat litewave pics
Greg K. and the Globerider/Lightwave Designs booth. Greg has teamed up with Lightwave Dave in putting
together a booth at Surf Expo for a couple of years.
Some Expo goers posing with the GK Lift 3 Globeriders high aspect kite for 2005. The Curl is a lower aspect,
deep draft kite for wave riding and tricks from Globerider for 2005.
The GK Lift 3 in flight. All water photo credit to Globerider
CJ thinking about a powered up kiting session?
Globerider has introduced the innovative flexible strut which was described to me to perform in the following way. The trailing edge is curved up when in the static mode with no to light pressure on the control bar (when "sheeted out"). The kite delivers minimal force when in static mode as the trailing edge is dumping or spilling wind upward. I believe it works in a similar fashion to a spoiler on a race car. It forces the rear portion of the kite downward. The rear lines can be drooping at this point and the kite will be in stable flight in part by not allowing the leading edge to drop. When you pull in the bar or "sheet in" the dumping of wind off the trailing edge ceases changing to a smoother laminar flow off the back of the kite. This results in the kite assuming a cleaner, more powerful foil shape. Another benefit of static mode is that say you are offshore and the kite is overhead and you are hit by a moderate gust, the leading edge will lift up, the kite will fall back in the window. Once the gust passes the kite will fly back forward in the window but will NOT Hindenberg or stall and fall with NO bar input whatsoever throughout.
Kite is "sheeted in" out of Static Mode and is powered up!
Globerider photo of the reverse KPO in Static Mode. Note the strut curvature. The "Reverse KPO" (KPO = Kite Power Optimizer), is an adjustable attachment point for the line on which the leading edge line connection pulley rides upon.
Globerider photo of the reverse KPO under tension. The strut has straightened out and the trailing edge has curved downward.
The corner of the end batten also has a flexible joint. This softer, flexible joint protects the bladder from damage such as can happen in folding the wing tip over for self launching.
The original KPO system is shown above and can be ordered in lieu of the reverse KPO upon request. You can control the readiness to stall of the kite during turns causing the kite to whip around or pivot through a turn very rapidly. This feature was developed to facilitate kite loops and wave riding. Globerider has focused on delivering a wide range of flexibilty and diversity to the Curl and Lift 3 this year.
The various KPO attachment points.
Mat Pendle, the Globerider innovator out having fun with his designs in Marturius. Mat is using the reverse KPO in this photo, note the amount of trailing edge twist and curvature along the back of the kite.
Greg , Dimitri and Luco checkout the Lift3. Globerider has added a dacron trailing edge to reduce deterioration due to strumming in sustained wind while on the beach.
The leading edge diameter has been reduced and a fifth line attachment point included.
The leading edge seam is quite smooth to facilitate clean air flow over the section and to improve ease of repair. This resembles the leading edge construction on my hang glider!
The GK bar for 2005
Looping Lift 3, looks like fun!
grk ook aan de pitspoezen _/-\o_
mmh die strut....grappig concept...benieuwt of het goed werkt :)
RobbyNitroz had een 5 sterren sessie in Zandvoort met maar liefst 15 - 20 knots op zijn SlingShot Wave SST (2017)
waveman had een 4 sterren sessie in Ameland, Noordzee met maar liefst 14 - 20 knots op zijn North Vegas (2006)
johndoe had een 5 sterren sessie in Kijkduin met maar liefst 16 - 21 knots op zijn Best Bularoo (2010)
-DAVE- had een 5 sterren sessie in Wijk aan Zee met maar liefst 16 - 23 knots op zijn SlingShot Fuel (2006)
-DAVE- had een 5 sterren sessie in Wijk aan Zee met maar liefst 16 - 23 knots op zijn SlingShot Fuel (2006)
Fokke had een 5 sterren sessie in Kijkduin met maar liefst 10 - 14 knots op zijn Takoon Furia LTD (2010)
Fokke had een 5 sterren sessie in Kijkduin met maar liefst 10 - 14 knots op zijn Takoon Furia LTD (2010)
Fokke had een 5 sterren sessie in Kijkduin met maar liefst 10 - 14 knots op zijn Takoon Furia LTD (2010)