The last version
of the SEASMIK Kite was designed by Antoine Carretero.
The birth place of
this kite, in its last version was Frontignam/France. Frontignam is very
close to Leucate. The high wind area so well known to most of us here in
Europe.
The SEASMIK was kite made to fly , where it was born. The kite was at its
best in strong and gusty winds. Even in the most extreme conditions of
Leucate the rider was at ease.
The depower was "massive" making the kite
loose instantly 95% of it's power, by simply letting the bar go "sheet out"
and the kite was still under the control of the rider. It was the kite
chosen by some kitesurf schools from the area. Instructors were at
ease, as beginners,
were never at risk, even in strong winds under which the kite lessons were
given.
Kiterelaunch was easy and simple. I saw several times kites under the
hammering of Guincho demolishing shorebreak, relaunch undamaged.
The
materials were the same as present day kites, except for the mylar panels.
These panels were responsible for keeping the shape of the kite "intact" so
that relaunch was not affected.
Although an inflatable kite the SEASMIK was not under the patent of Legaignoux.
When the SEASMIK ALPHA came into the market, Wipika Air Blast was blasting
everything..... The SEASMIK had it's drawbacks, expensive, heavy, bulky and
needed lots of wind to start pulling you
In Portugal around 30 kites were sold, and some are still in use in a few kite
schools.
