downwind flying suit

[55NSup]

Had this wacko idea.

[robon]

Sky divers have been using these suits for awhile now, but you really need the mobility for DW, and I'm not sure how well it would work with the legs being attached. Really windy conditions would be very sketchy imo.

[stoneaxe]

LOL...I actually had the same whacky idea awhile ago. That and a single line parafoil that would store in a paddle handle/shaft...kinda defeats the purpose though. It's about working to catch bumps not wind and i figure I already make a pretty good sail.

[Celeste]

Maybe you can just dig those Hammer pants out of the back of the closet

[blueplanetsurf]

I have thought about this but came to the conclusion that it would not work well.
The idea is to catch the swells created by the wind which will often make you go faster than the wind.  This kind of suit could actually slow you down unless the wind is really cranking in which case you could get blown right off the board in unexpected gusts.

[DavidJohn]

It is wacko .. 

DJ

[Argosi]

A friend of mine made a downwind suit just like that and used it on a downwinder. We did the downwinder together about 3 years ago when we first started doing them. Problem was that we were clueless on downwind technique so it wasn't really a good test. He didn't end up going much faster than me that day. He never used the suit a second time. I can imagine that in certain conditions with a skilled downwind paddler, it would help you go faster and catch bumps more easily. I won't be rushing out to try my friend's suit though.

[PonoBill]

File this among the many attempts to solve the grievous problem of going downwind. Oh, wait, that isn't a problem.

[mik911]

Hmmmmmm.....

[balance_fit]

Could it be made using a non-water-absorbing mesh of some kind on the wings, flexible enough not to hinder movement, so that it can "catch" some wind, enough to give the paddler a little push...without becoming a nuisance?
I think the mesh between the legs will work best on a parallel stance, which will make it feasible from a low center of gravity perspective, but very sketchy to surf a runner standing like that. But then, on lighter breezes it could help catch a runner, then, as the paddler surfs in parallel stance, "turn off" due to not being at an optimal angle to the wind to produce push....
The mesh between the arms would be a bit more difficult to deal with, because of a higher c.o.g..
Maybe the paddler will need a new set of abilities to work this out....

[EasternShorePaddler]

Its going to blow you off your board?

[spookini]

Those pants are already commercially available...
Stoneaxe is just hoping they'll come back in vogue 

[Chilly]

No thanks; I don't need any more help flying off my board.   

[shankfoo]

_{double post again.. stupid fat fingers.}

[shankfoo]

Seriously maybe the leg thing would work if it didn't get in the way, but your arms are in front of you when you're paddling... they would only catch cross winds, unless you're in the "jesus christ pose"