Blokarting close to the wind

After a few nervous moments, MEGAN SINGLETON sails through a trial run in a land yacht.

"I don't slip and slide for anybody," I announced when friends tried to convince me to go for a spin on their land yacht. An acute need to be in control of my mobility means this mantra is uttered about most activities not involving a ball. Even skating and skiing are in the no-go arena because of childhood disasters and moments of excruciating embarrassment.

But peer pressure has a way of making you gulp back the fear and do it anyway. So with a taste of terror in the back of my throat, I found myself sitting in the hammock-like seat of a Blokart under a towering 3m sail trying to figure out the safety belt.

Gone are the days of needing a trailer behind the car. These dinky yachts weigh 26kg and pack down to the size of a foldaway chair.

No skill is required - just a sense of adventure, a bit of breeze and a hankering for fun.

Designer Paul Beckett's No 8 wire ingenuity in his Mt Maunganui garage saw the release of the Blokart in 2000. He has thought of everything from an easy, five-minute assembly to clever connecting parts without the need of a toolbox.

These compact karts have received awards in top trade shows in Europe and are now sold all over the world.

"They're so easy," my friend enthused as I tugged the belt just to make sure it was secure. "Just pull the sail tight with this hand and steer with your other hand. If you flip over don't put your hands out or you'll shred them."

Flip over shredded hands.

"And if you want to slow down just let the sail out and point directly into the wind," he shouted as he gave me a huge push and I roared off into the distance.

Even the Louis Vuitton Cup organisers would have cancelled racing in this weather. The wind was gusting upwards of 30 knots straight off the sea so we had to choose another venue from the safety of a soft, sandy beach.

The speedway carpark at Bay Park was where the Blokart club was meeting so we piled over there and joined the competition.

The initial acceleration from that almighty push didn't last long and I found myself poodling along, willing the yacht to go faster. But the calmer conditions allowed time to figure out the dynamics of sail tension, wind direction and speed, and once I realised I could control my motility (and my mortality) I set my sights on breakneck speed.

Forget slipping and sliding, pretty soon I was fairly screaming along, heading for the first mark on our triangular course. With a quick turn of the handle bar, the sail flipped over above my head.

I pulled it tight and tore back up the course to the next mark with the wind in my hair, shrieking hysterically (partly in fear and partly in delight) to notify other riders that I was roaring up behind them.

Even the most nervous can have fun on a blokart. The concrete and grass course was not only faster than the beach, but meant we whizzed along without sand whipping into our faces.

When the breeze died only those who had mastered the sails kept crawling around the track. Then a gust would come and off we'd all hurtle.

Some skidded around the corners (not always deliberately) and more than a few flipped over. But the safety belt held them off the ground while friends ran over to pick them up and set them on their way again.

But any daring exploits I undertake usually end in tears. During one smart-alec manoeuvre to cut inside someone, a massive gust lifted me over on to two wheels for what seemed like 15 minutes while I frantically tried to right the cart.

I kept my hands in, as instructed, but my left knee was another story. Let's just say using your knee as a brake creates a graze of proportions not seen since primary school.

But at least I had something to take away from my thrilling afternoon. And who knows, maybe I'll even pull on some skates this summer.

Case notes

There are almost 40 retailers in New Zealand selling Blokarts for about $2995 each.

Races are held for adrenalin-seekers to compete in b-racing.

* Clubs

Some clubs have karts for newcomers to try, and most encourage the whole family to come along.

Mt Maunganui

Ph: (07) 544 3399

Hamilton

Ph: (07) 847 1136

Waipukurau, Central Hawkes Bay

Ph: (06) 857 8847

Hastings

Ph: (06) 876 6549

Blokart