Best stopped putting them in the leading edge in 2008 - but continues to use them on the trailing edge of some of their kites.

They have not proven to be a problem on the trailing edge as I've not had any trailing edge battens break, and I've seen many, many, many student (tomahowk) kite crashes.

Your Bularoo will fly without the leading edge battens. Not sure how much of a difference it will make, you might experience some flutter when you transition and if you sheet out during the overloop. But if it will make you feel better, when I taught on 2007 Waroos we always removed the leading edge...

STORMBIRD: Thanks for the kind words. If being built like a tank means a fat middle and narrow edges, then call me a tank. I'll be 71 just about the time this thing is healed. Can't wait to get back to splatting in on my backrolls. I gave up fixing bladders for fixing students. Found out that that i...

Thanks for the responses. It's good to know that other kiters who have had this injury have rehabbed and been able to ride again. I'm taking all of the supplements mentioned (but not ibuprofen). I also take Arginine/Citrulline which is supposed to aid the healing process for bone injuries as well as...

I broke mine on April 14th. Was on crutches for about a month and a half, then on one crutch for about two weeks. I was lucky and didn't have to have it screwed and plated The break was real clean and vertical on the medial side of my left knee). I was in a brace for about 2 months. Been off the cru...

Congrats Bill!

From your oldest and slowest Windwing team rider.

Bill Gehring

mobettah has it right. Just work your hands from the center of the leading edge to the wingtips. Here's another litttle tip that will help decrease the chance of a twist. When you reinstall the bladder, use a ruler/tape measure taped to the bladder wing tip to pull the bladder back in to position. I...

I've lost my board at twice in the surf at South Padre Island and both times it's been returned to me. Here's what I did: I typed a small 2 inch by 2 inch message on my computer that says: Reward if found Please return to My Name My cell phone # Then I cut a piece of Tear Aid type A patch tape and p...

We use Spleene Doors and Litewave Wings. Both work very well. The Door is flatter and lighter. The Wing has more rocker. Many of our beginning students purchase one or the other after they get up riding.

Send it down to Jeff Hoxtell at AirPadre at South Padre Island. He is a Best dealer and will definitely do a good repair job for you, and the turnaround time is fairly quick. You're only 5 or 6 hours away.

Without seeing the kite, it sounds like the leading edge seam gave out.