VSD Glisse 06/2001

Bruno Legaignoux, a kite pioneer in the DR

Born in Rennes, Bruno Legaignoux is an obstinate; since 1984, along with his brother Dominique, they have explored the concept of “traction by kite”. Bitten by the bug of sailing 10 years ago, then Sailing French champions, they deviated towards surfing, windsurfing and sailboats, before finding themselves in a world tour. Bruno and his wife Patricia on one side, Dominique and a friend on the other, they found themselves in Senegal some time later and began experimenting on the possibilities offered by a kite.
Once transposed to a windsurf board, the small kites used by the brothers seemed to be more efficient with water skis – the ancestor of kite surfing was born. Intimately persuaded by the potential of their invention, Bruno and Dominique sold their boats and returned to France to devote their time on the development of their wing in the shape of an arc with an inflatable structure and also to apply for a patent, which they did end 1984.
Today, almost 17 years later, the brothers now live in the Dominican Republic and the name Legaignoux has come to be associated with a brand of wings for kite surfing, the actual world leader: Wipika
What pushed you to get interested in a kite ?

We have always been attracted by speed sailing in general. We were aware of the excellent results obtained by kites on certain speed categories but the only thing we really knew was that two English men held the world record in their category: they had taken off the mast of a Tornado and tied a stack of Flexifoil (a brand of kites) in its place.
After applying for the patent end 1984, we clocked our first speed on skis in the beginning of 1985 and commercialised a first product in 1993: the Wipicat (small inflatable catamaran and kite).
Why “Wipika” ?

? Wipicat, stands for: WIng Powered Inflatable CATamaran. At that moment, we had sold around a hundred catamarans and around two hundred wings, but we finally closed the production in France as it was too expensive. We found that the name sounded good and on top of it, it was already well known amongst our first clients; so in 1997, when we finally found a manufacturer in China and we managed to restart the kite production at full speed, we changed the name as little as possible… which gave us Wipika.
Flysurf or Kitesurf ?

Kiteboard. We say snowboard, wakeboard, skateboard… it seems obvious to me. In France, at first, I was opposed to “kite” because in people’s minds, it’s more of a beach game. So, I was keen on using the term “wing”, thus “Flysurf”.

LA SAGA WIPIKA Planchemag 11/2000

Interview with a brilliant inventor

THE WIPIKA SAGA BRUNO AND DOMINIQUE LEGAIGNOUX HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF CRAZY IDEAS TO FINALLY END UP WITH WIPIKA.

Obvious, the marine kite ? Not really. On skis, on a boat, on a catamaran, but with how many kites? The relaunching remains till today the biggest difficulty for the manufacturers. There is no secret, these brothers did not hesitate to sweat it out, to be able to advance ignoring the mocking of the people with narrow ideas. A bet won by Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux. And why not a mini-catamaran to assure stability ?

PM : How did you get the idea of Traction wings ?

I had bought a sailboat to make a world trip. My brother too, he left with a friend, and I with my wife. We did a good trip till Dakar, and we began thinking about sails. Jacob’s Ladder had the world record in 1983-84; he went fas=ter than the others on his Tornado pulled by kites, even without foils. We knew that we could go up-wind, but we had never flown a kite before.

PM : And you threw yourself into the manufacture of wings…

We made a prototype, just to learn the theory and then several wings. We slowly got interested in the structure; it wasn’t too complicated. We made a stack of kites (several, one behind the other). We tried out a tender and then a windsurf board but it was incontrollable. We made a second stack of kites, instead of 12 wings of 1/2 m² each; we used 3 of 2 m² each, made rigid by carbon battens. We made water skis, it seemed simpler in the beginning, but the wings couldn’t re-launched. In the autumn of 1984, the solution was clearer; we needed just one kite! In large size, a rigid wing is too heavy and thus can’t re-launch, so we went towards an inflatable structure. We couldn’t make one in Senegal, so we went back to France end 1984 to get a patent.

PM : What are the terms of the patent ?

It’s a wing with a frame that is inflatable, adapted to nautical use thanks to its shape. Naish has bought a license. They prepare a design program to generate plans more easily. It’s the same principle for the windsurfing sails: we find the same resemblances. When the concept works, we work on the profile, the materials…
THE WINDSURFING FRATERNITY WAS PRETTY CLOSED AT THAT TIME (84-85), AS IT WAS WORKING FINE.

PM : What do you think about the evolution of flysurfing ?

It’s the boom, that’s good. Of course, there are opportunists, but as a whole there’s awareness on the problem of security, especially with the riders, so it’s pretty good. And regarding the race in high techs, I always say the same thing: be careful of not going the windsurf way!

Exactly, how can we improve security ?

That’s our permanent worry. That’s why we created Wipika Club International, a concept of affiliated schools that has begun to work well. People are realizing that it’s better to learn through a school. Our instructors automatically obtain the FFVL equivalence if they want to teach in France. There are other ways: the 4-line kite, but they do not concern the debutants (yet), more the intermediate riders. We will be releasing our 4 lines bar soon. The short lines also need to be developed. We are developing the VARC: Variable Aspect Ratio Concept. Each wing has an aspect ratio which gives it the appropriate speed depending on wind speed. It’ll be the end of the large wings that are too slow and the small ones that are too fast and thus dangerous.

PM : Could the flysurf become a sport as popular as windsurf, or is it reserved to a certain elite ?

The question that I ask myself is that: will it become more popular? It has the potential; it interests quite a large number of people, and a bigger market too. We still need to democratise it and make it more accessible. If we can’t, the market will be relatively limited, I agree. How to get there? For me, we need to make high buoyancy boards, as the water start is not easy for everyone. Moreover that’s the only way to decrease drastically the length of the lines, an essential parameter to practice the sport on the beaches in summer.

Last essential element: the prices need to decrease sufficiently and we are actually testing some promising solutions. There will remain one obstacle: the divide between the average Joe and the elite. There shouldn’t be a qualification of the riders from the general public as “buffoons” by either the media or the public, as was the case in Windsurfing. It’s a risk if the gear is very different in terms of look and performance.

Origin of the name Wipika: The small inflatable catamaran was called WIPICAT for “WIng Propelled Inflatable CATamaran”, we just took the first letters to get Wipika.

Ingenious brothers attracted by the sea.

First symptoms:
Dominique was more into surfing, Bruno more into windsurf.
1979 ! Bruno French junior champion in 420.
Autumn 1984: the solution comes : just a single kite, and not several ones in a stack.
March 1985: a run at 17 knots on skis, at the Brest speed week. Prize for Ingeniousness
1986; equipped with a wing of 17m2, they are faster than windsurfers in light wind, with a run at 15 knots, when the windsurfers were reaching 10 knots.
1993-1994; first commercialisation of a kite with a small inflatable catamaran for the general public. A flop, before success.

A Challenge in Patagonia | VSD 01/1996

A Challenge in Patagonia
A 7th edition under the usual sign of hardship, with moments of pure esthetical emotion as on the lake Nahuel Huapi, where with a kite, Florence Arthaud, a Princess in the kingdom of slide sports, managed to make a sail.

FLORENCE ARTHAUD, PHILLIPE JEANTOT, LAURENT FIGNON, THESE STARS SUFFERED ALONG SIDE INTERNATIONAL RIDERS AT THE “RAID GAULOISES”

It’s the tradition of Gérard Fusil’s ‘Raid Gauloises’ : we change the continent every year. But we are always sure of finding hell again. This time, down south, in Patagonia, they had to cross ice-cold lakes, climb a total of 11000 m, ride horses and drag themselves just to get there. Grandiose, said the stars taking part, who brushed shoulders with paratroopers, commandos, marines and other action crazy people that this raid keeps attracting. It was a challenge! Our reporter, Thierry Rannou, accepted it and did it.

Bateaux 05/1996

Dynamical to survive

Type : Aile profilée à bord d’attaque épais et profil gonflable partiel, simple surface.

Pilotage : 2 lignes.

Surfaces : 6,50 m2. 8 m2.

Niveau : Un léger temps d’adaptation aux commandes inversées, Passé ce stade : tous niveaux.

Caractéristiques : Concept très différent et totalement marin.

Structure à vessies gonflables. Qualité de fabrication irréprochable en spi mylarisé. Deux systèmes de brides disponibles. Commandes inversées, Visa CVP : Voile très mature qui a derrière elle 10 ans de conception et d’évolution, Finesse étudiée pour correspondre aux utilisations du Buggy, nage tractée, embarcation. Evolution en milieu marin. Dans les campagnes avec les broussailles, les épineux, etc. attention à la fragilité des vessies. La réparation est cependant aisée. Voile très pondérée dans ses réactions, peu violente, mais puissante, et qui donne toujours l’impression de pouvoir accélérer.

Conseils de pilotage : Voile à laisser voler. Ne pas hésiter à la placer devant soi. Attention au décollage et à la pose (perçage des vessies). Très facile à faire redécoller quand elle est posée sur l’eau.

Conviviale de Quend-Plage

“Quelques chiffres: le compteur de Julian Wolfe Patrick qui affichait 80km/h et la plus grande vitesse enregistrée, 76km/h, réalisée par Bruno Legaignoux et son exceptionnelle voile Wipika.”

“Bruno Legaignoux a littéralement atomisé tous les participants avec la dernière évolution de sa voile Wipika. Le bridage a été simplifié et son usage est désormais plus aisé. Quand le vent n’était pas suffisant pour faire gonfler les voiles et tracter les chars, le trio Legaignoux-Zeph-Wipika sillonnait la plage en tous sens, exploitant le moindre souffle.”

“Il y a dix ans, Flexifoil sortait son concept de cerf-volant souple. Un appareil désigné comme “Power Kite”, qui ouvrait la voie au cerf-volant de traction.
En même temps, les frères Legaignoux démarraient le programme Wipika, dont sortirait la voile qui est aujourd’hui considérée comme l’une, sinon la meilleure du moment. Un concept très différent de tous les autres.”

CV Passion 05/1994

Type : Profiled wing with a thick leading edge and partial inflatable body and a simple surface – WIPIKA

Control : 2 lines.

Size : 6,50 m2. 8 m2.

Level : Some time to get adapted to the inverted commands. Once past this stage: all levels.

Characteristics : A very different concept and for marine use. Structure of inflatable tubes. Fabrication quality is irreproachable and in mylarized spinnaker. Two braking systems available. Inverted controls.

Visa CVP : A very mature wing that has evolved during the past 10 years since its conception. A studied finesse so that it can be adapted to be used for Buggying, body dragging, and any kind of boat. Evolution in the marine environment. In the countryside, caution needed with bushes, thorns etc due to the fragile inflatable tubes. Their reparation is however easy. The wing is very measured in its reactions, not violent, but powerful, and always gives the impression that it can accelerate even more.

Riding advices : Let the wing fly. Don’t hesitate to place it in front of you. Be careful with take offs and landings (puncture of inflatable tubes). Very easy to take off when it’s in the water.
Conviviale de Quend-Plage

“Some numbers: the speedometer of Julian Wolfe Patrick showed a speed of 80km/h and the fastest speed recorded was 76km/h by Bruno Legaignoux and his exceptional Wipika wing.”

“Bruno Legaignoux literally blew away the rest of the participants with the latest evolution of his Wipika wing. The braking has been simplified and its use is now easier. When the wind was not strong enough to inflate the foils and pull the sand buggies, the Legaignoux-Zeph-Wipika trio scoured the beach in all directions and managed to exploit the slightest of breezes.”

“Ten years ago, Flexifoil invented the concept of soft kites. Designed as a “Power Kite”, it opened the doors for kite propulsion.

At the same time the Legaignoux brothers were beginning the Wipika program, from which was born today’s wing that is considered as one of best, if not, the best at the moment. A concept totally different from the others.”

cv passion 05/1995

We had the chance to see the confirmation of the net superiority of the French kite Wipika, the only to fly and pull efficiently even when wind wasn’t too strong. Bruno Legaignoux enjoyed himself while showing us why his inflatable profile was the best adapted to all kinds of seas and plays to the falls in the water.

Bateaux 12/1994

The Wipika kite can now be quickly assembled onto a small foiler.

Canoe Kayack 11/1994

DID YOU KNOW THE WIND-KAYAK ?

Good news for the kayakists who want to overcome the wind so as to improve their performance. The wind-kayak will facilitate their exploits. Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux, from the company Wipika, have invented an original flying wing. Unsinkable thanks to a leading edge and five transversal inflatable ribs, it weighs only 600 gm and is linked to the kayak by two cords 6 m long. Its from this wing that the company “Kayak Littoral Atlantique” has managed to create a system which allows one or more kayaks to be towed one behind the other or a couple as in a catamaran.

The Wipika wing is easy to put into action and takes very little space. The centre of gravity of the kayak, which is actually situated at water level, is slightly modified. The wing is fixed on the deck and the traction point can be moved by a system of come and go which allows the kayak to navigate crosswind, downwind and even upwind without rudder nor oar.

The ideal wind force for using the wing is from 3 to 7 Beaufort. Some security rules are to be respected: never go alone, equip the wing with a security snap hook that opens under pressure and that is linked to the skirt of the kayak, have a knife with you…just in case. If you would like to try out the wind-kayak, contact the company “Kayak Littoral Atlantique” who can help you discover the sport on all water bodies and beaches in France as well as in other countries. For further info: Kayak Littoral Atlantique, 29 rue du rosmeur, 29100 Douarnenez, tel/fax: 98 92 16 94.
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Telegramme 06/1994

For a new approach towards the sea a catamaran pulled by a Flying Wing

Saturday, 2 pm onwards, in front of the Mousterlin beach in Fouesnant, the presentation and use of a totally new craft will take place. A catamaran pulled by a flying wing.

This cratf baptised the Wipi Cat was invented by two brothers from Quimper, Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux. They were both adepts of Windsurfing and were French Champions in 1979 and were in the junior French team in the 420 class. Speed freaks, they have been developing since 1985 a flying wing that can take off from water without any help from the outside, and can pull a water skier and can attain speeds up to 24 knots
An invention that earned them the Prize for Ingeniousness at the Speed week in Brest.

Simplicity

From their first experience the two brothers have created the Wipi-Cat, an inflatable catamaran pulled by a wing. A simple machine, light and original for having fun in the wind.
The catamaran, the inflatable wing, the harness and a pair of oars weight just 10 kg, and fit into a bag. But the wing can also pull a dinghy, a sea kayak and talk about including it in lifeboats that lack a system of propulsion.
But the wing can also pull a dinghy, a sea kayak and talk about including it in lifeboats that lack a system of propulsion.

All directions

Using it is very easy. The wing allows, like an ordinary sail to sail in different directions.
The wing, attached to the pilot by means of a harness in the wind axis, stays inflated in a vertical position to the catamaran. To accelerate and choose a speed, you just need to manually action one of the knobs, left or right. The wing as in a dinghy allows going upwind, till around 45° of the wind and can attain maximum speeds in the open sea (cross winds).
In Douarnenez, KLA instructor, Bernard Moulin already uses the wings with sea kayaks. Last weekend, from Douarnenez he managed to reach the Sein Island without using the oars at all.
This wing can also be used on land, on the beach to pull karts or roller skates (2 inflatable wheels). Another new sport that can be discovered Sunday from 10 am onwards on the long beach of Sainte Anne La Palud.
A company

This invention has allowed the two brothers to create in Quimper, on the Keradennec Avenue, a small company with three employees that has already made 70 catamarans and around a hundred wings. Students who take care of the demonstrations increase the work force during the vacation.

François Salvert

Kitelines 04/1994

Among all the kites made for traction over the past few years, have any been specifically designed for use over water?

Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux, two young French sailors and inventors, have come up with a safe and reliable sailing kite, very easy to relaunch without assistance even after it has fallen in the water.
Since their first prototypes, which were actually developed for waterskiing and reached the size of 20 square meters (about 215 square feet), nine years of quiet research and development elapsed. It was only last summer that the Legaignoux brothers began production. They are now looking for partner companies to help in distribution on a larger scale.

The WIPICAT System applies not only to catamarans (as seen on cover) but to sea kayaks, opposite. Applications on sand, ice and snow are also being explored. This page, right, paired hulls shoot high at take-off. The inflated frame and shape of the wing permit relaunching from water.

Although it can suit other boats and already has been adopted by dozens of kayakers, this innovative kite is normally meant to be used with a 3.2-meter-long (10½-foot-long) inflatable catamaran purposely designed by the two brothers.
This kite-propelled catamaran known as “WIPI-CAT” (WInd Propelled Inflatable CATamaran) has all the features to make it a popular new beach sport.
It is easy to handle and it is extremely safe for the user as well as for nearby swimmers because neither the boat nor the kite can sink or hurt thanks to their inflatable structures.
Furthermore, the boat, the kite and all their accessories can fit into a small bag, 60 x 32 x 32 cm, (about 2 ft x 13 in. x 13 in.) for transport, the total weighing no more than 10kg (about 22 lbs). The kite itself is interesting in design because of its unique (and patented) features. Surprisingly, the Legaignoux brothers have had very few contacts with the kite community. They come from a sailing back-ground – both of them were French junior champions in the 70’s. This may explain why their kite is so innovative, and escapes the influence of other already marketed designs.

The six-square-meter (about 65-square-foot) single-layer sail is made from light laminated polyester ripstop cloth and its shape maintained by six custom-made inflatable ribs: a long one of arch form along the leading edge, and five others which give shape to the profile. They are made of a special (secret) light and elastic material and slid inside cloth sleeves. You just blow them up, put the valves back in place and the kite is ready. It will not sink nor fill up with water like other wind-inflated wings. In case of a puncture, which is very unlikely to happen on water, the kite can still fly with one or even two ribs deflated. The ribs are easy to repair or replace.

Seen from the front, the kite has a half circle shape. One immediately notices the absence of any complex bridling; only two fairly short (six-meter (about 20-foot) polypropylene lines, which float on water, come from each end of the arch and are attached with a safe quick-release system to the harness of the pilot, who doesn’t have to bear the pull through his arms.

Inflation and transport of the WIPICAT system is streamlined: Right, the wing waits in the green bag while the catamaran under-goes inflation. Inset, ail the equipment in the bag weighs only 10 kilos (22 Ibs).

Directional control of the kite is achieved by pulling on the small knobs attached at the ends of two smaller lines, running through the main ones, coming out just one foot (about 30cm ) before the kite and attached a little higher to its leading edge. Pulling the right knob will lean the kite to the left, and vice versa. (The controls are the “opposite” of what they are on regular stunt kites.) In light winds, pulling both knobs will give an extra kick to the kite. Of course, the WIPICAT System is not meant for acrobaties in the sky. The kite is designed in such a way that it can be steered with only one hand.

These features along with the ability to move the towing point relative to the boat provide full directional control: turns on the spot, quick stops, reverse drives, and windward courses up to 60°. When it falls on the water, the kite tumbles, pushed by the wind, and soon gets into the proper position for a relaunch. Windspeeds over Force 2 to 3 (4 to 12 mph) are required to make this maneuver possible. Through the many tests they did, the Legaignoux brothers have reached speeds of 15 knots (17mph) with their catamaran. Many other uses of this kite are soon to be explored, particularly in the field of failing safety. Perhaps this unsinkable kite would become a regular feature on every lifeboat.

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