Trouble pumping up your kite?

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

OK, so I have a lady friend who is having a hard time pumping up her kite because it takes too much strength. We have experimented with different pumps, but so far nothing is working.

So, my question is - is there a pump out there that is more suitable to kiters who don't have a lot of strength? Or are there some other suggestions on how to handle this situation.

Bettyboarder · Mon Jul 02, 07 8:46 am

She just needs to do it more often, take break between pumping the struts and the leading edge that helps. I also found that pumping up before putting my wetsuit on kind of helps.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Old pumps make it hard too (shaft starts getting sticky in the top seal, and I haven't found anything to fix it)... It's nice using everyone's brand new '07s! Electrics are easier too. Wink

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

sounds like they are tring to use their arms too much and not their legs/body to pump. Keep your arms more stiff, and do leg squats.

Also helps if you do quick/short pumps than a slow/long pump

Mark · Mon Jul 02, 07 9:36 am

Thigh master! Laughing

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

mack · Since 08 Aug 2006 29 Posts Hood River, OR

ummmm if she cant properly pump up her own kite, then do you think she could manage a self rescue? or a long swim ? hope you find a sutiable solution asap.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Nak · Mon Jul 02, 07 10:31 am

Take the top seal out of the pump so it only pumps on the down stroke. This is actually better for everybody; your back is not designed for pulling up on the upstroke. When I use a manual pump, I can pump up my kite quite a bit faster with a modified pump.

The whole double action thing is a holdover from pumping up rafts, which use a much lower inflation pressure. It just doesnt work as well as single action once the pressure exceeds 1 psi. You may need a pipe wrench to take the top off the pump the first time. then just pull out the whole shaft and remove the top seal. (Save it in a Ziploc bag in case the other seal ever tears.) Reassemble the pump. Your friend will have a MUCH easier time pumping up her kite, and I'd be surprised if you didn't prefer the single action as well...

Have fun!
Nak

markeemark · Since 30 Jun 2007 3 Posts New Member

That a brilliant idea nak, Ive always wondered how good that upstroke is for my back! The downstroke just uses your bodywieght, and virtually no muscle. How much longer does it take to pump a kite though?

Nak · Mon Jul 02, 07 2:29 pm

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

i somehow ended up with a pump which has a switch valve to turn it to one way or two way instantly. i liked one way for the final pumps, because it seemed like it would be less likely to break the pump. after awhile the switch started to leak though and now the whole pump has a slow leak.

two way is definitely much faster overall.

marina c · Mon Jul 02, 07 2:51 pm

Have you ever seen Mira from SS pump up her kite (she's tiny!)? I used to laugh at her but tried her method myself (I'm quite a bit bigger) and must say it was much easier on my back, etc. She just needs to do squats on the down pump. It will be good for her butt and abs too:-)