Power Kite Forum

Crissy Field - 4/26 - trying something stupid

oldtdevil - 26-4-2010 at 07:09 AM

Has anyone ever tried to scud on grass with a snowboard? I don't know why this seems like a fun idea, but I'm going to try it tonight. Crissy Field, SF, 6 PM. Bring your camera and a first aid kit.

It's a beat-up board, so I'm not worried about wrecking it.

If you've done this, please chime in with tips. Should I wax the board? Change the foot positions? Avoid at all costs?

bobalooie57 - 26-4-2010 at 07:14 AM

Wear padding, take video!:duh:

PHREERIDER - 26-4-2010 at 07:26 AM

not smart enough to try it ...the slip.. grip.. and catch sequence in my mind makes my bones ache.

keep the kite high, to lighten vertical load. that's the best suggestion but its a distance second to "that board works best for snow"

bobalooie57 - 26-4-2010 at 07:35 AM

I keep thinking on how easy it is for me to get pulled face first on my snowboard in the snow, and then try to imagine what that would be like on land! Don't forget how to bail!(not sure what kite you'll be using) yeah that avoid at all costs option is looking better and better!

rocfighter - 26-4-2010 at 07:55 AM

Did your folks pay for braces when you were younger?
Like Bob said. Lots of pads. And always wear your bucket. Maybe a full face one would be best!!:lol:
Best of luck and do take videos. And before and after shots of your cloths and the board!!:wee:

thanson2001ok - 26-4-2010 at 08:21 AM

Hose the surface down first. That's what I would do. Or maybe rub graphite on the board? Anything to reduce friction.

BeamerBob - 26-4-2010 at 08:24 AM

And after you get past all those things, you are just going to get dragged downwind and then have to unbuckle to walk back and start over. I don't see the positive unless you are auditioning for the next "Jackass" movie. I say that with endearing humor btw. :Ange09:

thanson2001ok - 26-4-2010 at 08:34 AM

Ahhh, but if he can cut upwind in the turf, imagine the rooster tail!:bouncy:

thanson2001ok - 26-4-2010 at 08:36 AM

Regarding the graphite, consider smearing liberally on yourself.

bobalooie57 - 26-4-2010 at 08:47 AM

Man, I just thought of sofa king, from last fall's Wildwood bash! He was using a snow sled, wham-o type with a slick bottom/foam top, wedging his bare feet in the handle straps and launching his 5M Beamer, what a sight! Scudded across the sand downwind like crazy, but needed more kite control.:D

erratic winds - 26-4-2010 at 03:48 PM

Do not do this.

DO NOT DO THIS.

You're going to #@%$#! up the field beyond belief and get banned from the field.



I am honestly VERY surprised that "responsible" kiters are giving you ideas instead of telling you it's a damn dumb idea and you should not do it.

DAKITEZ - 26-4-2010 at 04:15 PM

Take it to Ocean Beach and try it in the sand. They have banned all wheels from the beach there, but you will have no wheels :thumbup:

oldtdevil - 26-4-2010 at 05:11 PM

Ah the voices of reason. Well, it would have been grand, but I was wondering if it would tear up the grass too much. Is it wrong that I'm worried more about the grass than my own safety?

Perhaps will try it on Ocean Beach this Wednesday. Anyone wanna be there to call 911 for me?

flexiblade - 26-4-2010 at 06:20 PM

Crissy Field is a tricky place to try and fly static - the Golden Gate and the Presidio are huge wind shadows that create a very gusty and hectic environment. Only the most experienced kitesurfers launch from the beach nearby. Ocean Beach would be a much better idea. My guess is that you may start seeing lifeguards about mid May - this is when the really big crowds start showing up down there.

BeamerBob - 26-4-2010 at 09:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by erratic winds
Do not do this.

DO NOT DO THIS.

You're going to #@%$#! up the field beyond belief and get banned from the field.



I am honestly VERY surprised that "responsible" kiters are giving you ideas instead of telling you it's a damn dumb idea and you should not do it.


I thought my "Jackass audition" was pretty good at summing up what a bad idea it was.

these are from the other posts before that were "ideas".
1. Wear padding
2. makes my bones ache (from Phreerider that just rode his 15m Charger in 35 mph winds.
3.yeah that avoid at all costs option is looking better and better!
4. And always wear your bucket. Maybe a full face one would be best!!
5. ok there was one that didn't say don't do it.

I think we were very discouraging. And yes, that's a good thing in this case.

erratic winds - 26-4-2010 at 09:22 PM

I honestly can read the same text you're quoting there and I'm not seeing anything besides y'all encouraging this guy to wear protection while he's doing something dumb.

Frankly, when someone presents me with a bad idea that will ruin property and possibly hurt themselves, I don't muss with humor and eventually get around to "that's a bad idea"....but I'm redefining "blunt" everyday. I'm a gol-darn bushwhacker with the way I avoid beating around it.

I'm glad to see that y'all ain't just doing the joking encouraging anymore and have gotten around to "that's a bad idea" and "perhaps you should try instead"

BeamerBob - 26-4-2010 at 09:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by erratic winds
I honestly can read the same text you're quoting there and I'm not seeing anything besides y'all encouraging this guy to wear protection while he's doing something dumb.

Frankly, when someone presents me with a bad idea that will ruin property and possibly hurt themselves, I don't muss with humor and eventually get around to "that's a bad idea"....but I'm redefining "blunt" everyday. I'm a gol-darn bushwhacker with the way I avoid beating around it.


and you're right to be blunt on this one.

erratic winds - 26-4-2010 at 09:25 PM

Yeah, but I certainly don't mean to try and shout you guys down, nearly all of you are more experienced than my years ;D

I have just been unlucky and grew up with too many people who got a ride in an ambulance after having a bright idea like this one.

I want us all to have the best time, but also to be able to have the best time tomorrow& the day after, y'know?

macboy - 26-4-2010 at 10:08 PM

Okay, let me semi-hijack here then.....on the way up the coast through the dunes I could hardly keep myself from stopping to check out the sand board rental places. The question is could you kite on a sandboard or is there way too much friction or do the same safety considerations apply? I never did stop and check 'em out but the curiosity lingers.

flexiblade - 26-4-2010 at 10:43 PM

What most likely will happen out at Ocean Beach (rather than Crissy field) is that the board would not get going very easily - the kiter would be pulled over before any good lateral movement begins. You'd be better off with ski's in really dry sand. Hopefully the bindings would give before you break your ankles. If the lifeguards saw anyone doing this they would probably tell them to stop in fear of their personal safety, and liability.

As far as a sand board goes, same as skiing, sailing, or any activity with a kite, you need to grab an edge and be able to divert downwind power (parallel to wind direction) to perpendicular movement. Unless the sand board has a tiny fin running the length of it or you can actually carve with one of those things I don't think it's going to do too much.

oldtdevil - 27-4-2010 at 10:21 AM

Thanks for all the tips and heeded warnings! I think I will try out Ocean Beach. Good to know about the lifeguards. I'll probably do it late on a weekday, less crowds. I don't think I'll go that fast, which is probably for the best. It's more of a curiousity.

SCREWYFITS - 27-4-2010 at 05:04 PM

Link MAYBE THIS LINK WILL HELP SOME, ITS NOT THE SAME BUT CLOSE... GOOD LUCK...:wee:

flexiblade - 27-4-2010 at 09:08 PM

That's totally cheating with a flysurfer. Flysurfers = Huge Air. Looks like he has it setup with some kind of custom paragliding control riging.

erratic winds - 27-4-2010 at 09:14 PM

Flexi- yeah, that is one of the flysurfer team guys and his custom parakite setup

rocfighter - 28-4-2010 at 03:47 AM

Those guys can have that stuff. I want my feet on the ground :crazy:

oldtdevil - 3-5-2010 at 09:51 AM

UPDATE:

I took the snowboard out to Ocean Beach this weekend. Winds were 17-22 MPH. I was using my 2M trainer and as soon as it took off, I'd loose balance and land on my butt. I realized three things:

1) I don't have nearly the balance required for a snowboard.
2) That much wind means I don't need any help scudding.
3) I'd be better off with a board where I can face forwards instead of sideways. I'd have to severly modify the binding positions on the snowboard to make it work.

Thanks again for all the discouragement!

newtokiting - 3-5-2010 at 11:44 AM

why dont you just get some good scudding shoes? i always buy this same pair from walmart--theyre only 20-25 bucks and they last a long time, and ive found them to be phenomenal for fast and long scuds........