Minigem

  

When I started looking for a higher wind kite, the only kites I considered where the Flexifoil Psycho and the Prism Alien. After talking to other flyers about them both, most comments where about spars breaking on the Psycho and after having a go of one, I  didn't like the way it flew and decided that that the Alien would be my next investment. As the weeks passed, I heard about the Minigem from Dave at Whaam Lakeside, which he saw Andy Wardley flying at Brighton. A few post on rec.kites, it seemed that this was not going into production for some time, but within days, the net was buzzing with all the posting. I think some of this banter may brought forward their release date. Finally they arrived at the Whaam stores on the 30th Nov 2K and I rushed to see them that afternoon. Beautiful and it comes with instructions! I decided I just had to have the Rubin's Red/White/dark gray one! Unfortunately I just didn't have the cash to spare. Simon, the owner of the Whaam stores, said "that's yours!" he said "that's yours for all the work you have done on the Whaam website, " I didn't know what to say, thank you was a good start. The weather wasn't good the first couple of days, so we planned to go to Blackheath on the Sunday for its maiden fight. Winds where variable during the day 4 mph up to 15+ mph at times. It was hard work with the lighter winds but from 8+ mph it was a pure pleasure. Axles would have to be stopped to do one but you could do 2, 3 of 4 turns with one pump and very flat. After a few hours of flying I was doing flic-flac roll ups and downs. The fade position was a little shakey but practice has improved this. Backspins are made easy, pump lightly every other turn. Keep one hand tight when doing a backspin on the side of the window and it barrel rolls to the centre of the window. If you was unfortunate to make a mistake, they where almost hidden from the untrained eye and it recovered better than my Gemini. Its quick, smooth and forgiving, a masterpiece from Tim and Andy. I was so happy with Gemini and what it taught me, that it stood to reason that Minigem would be just as good, and it is.

Specifications Name: Manufacturer: Designer: Dimensions: Sail: Frame: Spines: Stand off: Weight: Bridle: Wind range: Rec. lines: Price: Minigem Benson Kites Tim Benson/Andy Wardley 186 x 110 cm Icarex PC31 (+ Mylar) , 5 panels 5.5mm Structil carbon 2 5 x 3mm carbon rods 230g ( 8.25 oz) Active crossover 9-40 kph (6 - 25 mph) 30-75' / 80-150lbs £120

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