SPI Kite Round-Up Slider Building

airpadre · Since 15 Apr 2009 25 Posts

Here are some photos of the slider building going on down here in South Padre....

http://www.spikiteroundup.com/news.php?article=south-padre-island-sliders

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Apr 26, 10 1:01 pm

how are you keeping that ramp from tipping on its side when its floated?

forrest · Mon Apr 26, 10 1:02 pm

Sick! What's the sliding surface?

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

sliding surface is of unknown origin, discovered by an old dirt farmer in the South Texas desert in 50's after some unexplainable flashes in the night sky and cattle mutilations. it was promptly stolen from him by NASA and the Airforce, then sold back to his grandson in 1993 after a lengthy states rights lawsuit. grandson then started home depot with nothing but the mysterious product and a billion dollars from the settlement, and now has the fiberglass reinforced bathboard market cornered.

the booter does tip over, but at a consistent rate (2.76354 rpm). you just have to time it right.

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Awesome explanation DownStream LOL
They look SICK !
So make the approach from appr. 45* SE at about 19knts and I should be able to carve off the face of that booter as shes goin over eh ?!
Soon to try
Jack

Sol-flyer · Tue Apr 27, 10 6:45 am

Ah Yea! Looks like the sliders are in full effect. This weekend looks nice in SPI, Sunny, Windy & WARM!. See Y'all down there

forrest · Tue Apr 27, 10 8:21 am

Nice, if it's the same stuff that was on the four sided pyramid last year, it worked fantastic!

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

its not the same. las years stuff was actually way too soft, and more expensive (a type of pvc sheeting, slippery, but not recommended) this is better - stronger, cheaper, easier to work with. (and definitely slippery)

Fiberglass reinforced bathboard - home depot, 35 / sheet. glue it on with FRP liquid nails (other construction glue will melt the fiberglass)

for those concerned about the angle of the kick (scoop people): back out 16 screws, lower back 2 vertical braces, change your angle. no cutting, no big deal. it is at max boot right now.

Chooch · Tue Apr 27, 10 5:04 pm

Yeah the kicker looked like a knee killer

forrest · Tue Apr 27, 10 6:03 pm

It all looks fabulous Brett! Way to go dude! Katie, Madison and I can't make it this year but you can count on us being there next year.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Looks great Brett! Have fun on the new toys. Sorry I can't make it down this year but I'm sure you guys will represent.

Would it be feasible to throw on some protective sides for some of the sliders? Not sure how you'd do it without adding a bunch of weight, but it'd definitely make it safer for the crashes.

pd kite · Since 18 Nov 2008 5 Posts Kook

forrest · Wed Apr 28, 10 9:05 am

Or just orienting them so they're at the right angle to the wind so that if you crash upwind of it you don't get yanked into the legs.

Another option is just need to make sure everyone rigs their kites to flag out to a fifth line or a front line.

Either way, sliders aren't nearly as dangerous as people make them out to be. They're way more fun and add a really cool aspect to kiting.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Sol-flyer · Wed Apr 28, 10 4:07 pm

dont be a puss Razz

Chooch · Wed Apr 28, 10 4:19 pm

I agree with Gene on this one....all I can think of when I see those 2x4 legs is the Davey Blair wipeout on Catalyst. A bit of protection isn't going to hurt.

http://gallery.cabrinhakites.com/video/45/bonus-2-wipeouts

Sol-flyer · Wed Apr 28, 10 6:29 pm

hey i didnt know cabrinha had a website,..LMAO

did any of those kites actually "Flag Out"?

Yea CHOOCH!!!! Its sunny and windy down here!