PTW Maloo Custom Parakart

Designed by Steve Warren and built by Carl, AKA Popeyethewelder this parakart or kite buggy is all stainless steel to deal with the corrosive nature of the beach. The seat and padding was again designed by Steve and made by Buggybags.

Parakart's are powered by kites that are in turn powered by the wind. Virtually silent on a smooth beach they will reach speeds of 50mph with ease, sometimes even more. World record speeds are now reaching 80+ mph

The Maloo, weighs in at just over 60kg and has all oversize tubing with extra thickness to increase the weight. The reason for the weight is that it allows the pilot to use a larger kite.

All the kites Steve uses are made by Ozone and are referred to as De-power kites. De-power kits allow the pilot to use this in a wider wind range and they are more suited for cruising and gusty conditions.

The areas that Steve pilots his buggy is at Hoylake, Middleton, Bolton-le-Sands and Mablethorpe but Steve does use other beaches from time to time. Large beaches are important due to the speed and the complete lack of brakes.

The Maloo is quite a special buggy being a total one off. It also sports leading link suspension on the front forks to remove some of the impact and help keep Steve's feet on the pegs, which is how a parakart is steered.

Safety equipment is very important due to the nature of the sport and the speeds. Injury can be severe. So far Steve has broken a finger, had several nasty cuts from the kite lines, broken several ribs and a collar bone and bruised, sprained and torn ligaments in his ankle. Bruising is common.

The sport of parakarting however is very social and exciting, with groups often meeting up on a beach early in the morning and spending the whole day parakarting, chatting and generally just having a laugh. Parakart's can cover many miles in a day, its not uncommon to do 100 miles in a day up and down a beach.

www.FlyingBunnyStudio.com is powered by mountains and wind.
Everything is copyright 2010 by Steven J. Warren. Don't Steal.