The WIPIKA Products
1) Body Advantages
Characteristics
SizeThe Wipika wings are available in the following sizes: 3.5mē, 5mē and 8.5mē. The optimum size of wing varies with each sport. As a general rule:
Wind rangeThe wings fly from 3 to 35 knots of wind. However you are alone responsible in deciding if your
skills allow you to use your Wipika.
Example: 15 to 30 knots instead of 15 to 25 knots. Line length to be usedBy properly choosing the line length between you and your kite, you will increase its wind range and your pleasure.
The shortest lines are used in the strongest winds of the Wind range board. The longest lines are used in the lightest winds. If you use a 4 line Wipika, deduct 5 to
10 meters to the average line lengths. EfficiencyEven though made for water, the wings shows great promise in buggy/parakart races against parakites and stunt kites. Wipika Wings have placed well in most French and European level races for the last 3 years. A Wipika wing placed 2nd in the first of the three national series in November, 1997. Available coloursThe inflatable struts and the sail tips are white. The sails are made in one single color: white, purple, yellow, orange, dark blue. Let us know what colours you prefer: We will try to satisfy you! IncludedThe wings are delivered with a hand pump, a bridle, a bag, a small tube of glue, a user book and a video guide in English or French. Control systemThe wing is controlled by two lines, and works like any dual line kite. The bridle is a lot simpler than the ones used on parakites, which proves to be a good thing for beginners. On the other hand it requires less pull to steer compared to other kites of similar size. Any type of control device can be used: handles, Libra device, etc. In any case, one should use a reliable quick release system to guarantee safety.
4 LINE CONTROL SYSTEMAdvantages:
Disadvantage
All the Wipika wings delivered since July, 1997 can easily be converted to 4 line control. How to proceed? It is possible to fit the wing out without modifying it. This equipment will soon be available, but if you are in a hurry, make it now and let us know how you feel your "new wing". 1/ Fully remove the 2 line bridle by disconnecting the gliding knots, except the four short 3 knot lines attached to the kite webbings 2/ Make 2 V with the thin line as shown here and place a small
pulley inside each V. 3/ Prepare four Spectra/Dyneema lines. The recommended line strength is 200kg for the front lines and 150/200kg for the back lines (the Wipika extension lines can be used). 4/ Connect 2 lines to the front edge webbing and 2 lines to the pulleys.
What control device in your hands ? Several possibilities : choose here-under or find a new one. 1/ Handles : attach the 2 front lines to your harness and put soft handles at the end of the back lines. 2/ A straight bar with the back lines at its ends - the front lines
are attached to the harness. Attach each front line to a 3ml sleeved line. Attach the sleeved
line to a 1ml rope and the rope to your harness. If you loosen your bar, you will easily reach it again by : This system is simple and works very well but one can't de-hook in
the manoeuvers and jumps. 3/ A special bended bar with the 4 lines attached on, shaped as bicycle handlebars and placed on the same side. The front lines are attached to a 1ml rope attached to the middle of
the bar. Caution : For your safety, always put a quick release to stop your wing after a sailing or in a case of emergency. At the beach, you also can stop your wing alone by depowering then quickly pulling on one of the 2 front lines. Set up You will just have to adjust the front/back lines length. - ask for an assistant to hold the wing by the leading edge strut
middle, wear your harness, tighten the lines then adjust the lengths so that you can
easily power and de-power the wing. When you pull the bar, the power increases. A method consists in asking someone for catching the leading edge. If it is not possible : - depower the wing when above your head Pulling the 2 back lines, as the parakites do, gives very bad results with a Wipika. Don't try it !
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