VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK • What is Grunt? / Flap around? and low end power?
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What is Grunt? / Flap around? and low end power?

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:38 am
by Teabag
I am reading different kite review and don’t understand when they say:

-"lack of grunt" or
-"it is not as grunty as some kites" or
-"but still has grunt if you let it fly and don't choke it" or
Etc....

I look at the definition of grunt in the dictionary and I can't relate it to kite boarding at all. (a sound of some sort made by animals, an unskilled soldier, etc...)
(English is not my first language)

The other one I would like to know is about flapping around:

-"all of the $%#% flap and then I hear this con: "wing tips flapping""

-"the older ones used to flap and invert easily"

What do they mean when they say that a kite FLAP
Is it when the kite close on itself like it wasn’t inflated enough although it is inflated enough?

And the last one is about low end power:
Is this the power the kite generates when it is flown with minimum wind?

I know these might seem beginner/stupid questions but English is not my first language and I am still a beginner at kite boarding, we all have to start somewhere :)
Knowing the meaning of these will help me a lot with the purchase of my next kite.
Thanks in advance, Ian

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:12 am
by MartyD
Grunt is just sheer power :twisted: C kites are really grunty. You dont have to work the kite as much if its grunty.
Flap is when the kite flutters like a flag in the wind.
You are correct with low end power.
This is just what I have picked up over the last year... I have been known the be wrong.

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:43 am
by Mattdog
Grunt means the "torque" you get with lower aspect (fat shape) kites. It pulls you towards the kite rather than in the direction you are travelling. Less grunty kites need more apparent wind to generate lift so you have to fly them around and get your board speed going faster. Grunty kites are good for wakestyle are stable and jump lower than non-grunty kites. Usually the beginner kites are more grunty because they are lower aspect ...

Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:01 am
by winddoctor
"Grunt" is the sound you make when trying to pull a pair of boardshorts over a wetsuit. "Flap around" is what you do when you realize you've arrived at the beach without them. :lol:

Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:44 am
by KUS
yeh, Doc does a fair bit of flappin' around the beach on that vid clip fer sure :lol:

Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:27 pm
by downwind dave
i keep reading "What is Gunt flapping around" and its creeping me out. :lol: :shock:

GUNT

Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:23 pm
by GWIND
My mind can't go there D.D.