Hitch Your Buggy to a Kite

Hitch Your Buggy to a Kite

Is there life after bungee jumping? The latest thrill blowing in the wind

If you're ready to tackle a new high-speed sport, consider the newest activity for thrill-seekers: kite buggying. In this sport, a large kite is used to propel a low-to-the-ground tricycle. The buggy's pilot flies a rip-stop nylon kite with his hands while steering the buggy with his feet. The result: the wind's force pulls the pilot and his gear across an open area (usually a beach) at speeds of up to 50 mph.

Humans have used wind-powered transportation for centuries, but the most recent kite-propulsion craze was born with the lightweight, durable kites of the 1970s. Creative kite flyers experimented  with a variety of kite-propelled vehicles – from incline skates to ice carts. Then Peter Lynn, a designer from New Zealand, built the steel tricycle that today is the vehicle of choice.

The sport claims some 1000 enthusiasts nationally, according to the American Kite-flyers Association's power committee. The first North American kite buggyracing championships took place in September 1995, and then the sport exploded in popularity as more novice kite flyers discovered it. In an effort to educate those flyers, the AKA publishes the Powerflying Manual, a 16-page booklet of safety and instructional information.

Keep in mind that tkite buggying can be dangerous and is not recommended for those with no kite-flying experience. Experts at the AKA say inexperienced kite-flyers should learn how to fly a two- or four-line soft kite before they try kite buggying. Even after mastering from an experienced teacher. A local kite specialty store can help you find one.

A forest as seen from the sky. Photo by Elena.

Guaranteed to Get the Blood Flowing

A sampler of popular and only seemingly death-defying diversions

Ballooning: An hour flight, depending on the wind, can take you from under a mile to over 10, reaching an average height of 500 feet. No training is necessary – the pilot takes care of everything.

Skydiving: Many options. Tandem ride: is attached to instructor's harness – requires minimal ground training. Static line: chute is deployed automatically. Accelerated free fall: instructors hold you until chute opens.

Waterskiing: Ski school can teach you everything from slaloming, kneeboarding, and jumping, and jumping to barefoot waterskiing. Cos depends on how many events you want to learn.

Hang Gliding: Lookout Mountain in Rising Farm, Ga., a top-rated flight school, one day or more classes, one day class include five flights off a gently sloped hill.

Bungee Jumping: Jumper usually must weigh at least 80 pounds. States may have age regulations. Rebounds make one jump feel like three.