AD72 - 22-6-2011 at 09:36 PM
I had my second attempt at landboarding today. This time with a bit more consistent windpower and a 15M Synergy. I am just getting used to the feel a
bit by bit going downwind. What are the similarities and differences with kiteboarding with stance and weight? I noticed quickly I can't edge. If I
put weight over my heels the board turns upwind. I found I do want to sit back with weight on the harness and bend the knees. When I was doing
boardstarts I was putting more weight over the backfoot just like on a kiteboard. I also noticed I do not want to have the kite low in the window.
Since there is no edging I get pulled over the board. I am on a schoolyard grass field - not soccer field short (it is the best spot in town for the
cleanest wind).
PHREERIDER - 23-6-2011 at 11:00 AM
a good starting point. keep the kite high in the wind, use tiny small kite movement to get moving SLOWLY then allow the kite to settle and just
cruise with good speed control.
if you want to slow , just stop moving the kite keep it at 12 till the roll speed reduces, once an effective stop point arrives do it in the other
direction. just stay balanced and center with just enough kite balance to keep everything tight. repeat til speed control is dominated by the kite
and your EASY small movement control. if you start to lean back more the kite will start to surge into power, WHICH WILL BUILD SPEED AND PULL.
the "sit down" points are in the transitions ....your cruising and ready to change back directions as the kite is directed more to 12 start to sit
down and return the pressure through hips and legs (push through the board some may even break loose) and as things peak at 12, LOOK the new
direction please remain seated til power pulls through and now go back to speed control with kite . the less movement with the kite its easier to
compensate with powerslides and board control . about 10 mph wind gives manageable timing. tedious kite control !! tiny movements and speed control
AD72 - 23-6-2011 at 11:05 AM
Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for.
shaggs2riches - 23-6-2011 at 04:37 PM
Awesome points there Pree!!!! One of the biggest mistakes I was making in the beginning, was diving the kite too deep off the get go. You end up
outrunning the kite, and/or getting tossed over the board. As you get more comfortable with the power, you learn to absorb the power fast enough to
pull off fast take-offs. Learning to transition seems a real patience thing (for me anyway). The timing seems easier when the kite is more powered
than underpowered. One thing that has been really helping me, is to ride my board on a hill to practice board control. Learning to ride switch, and
control speed wobble. Even popping from heelside to toeside is nice to practice without the kite to worry about. Phree pretty much looked after
everything in his post though, just a few things that have been helping me along.
PHREERIDER - 24-6-2011 at 05:28 AM
10-12mph wind is good learning the pull overs aren't so violent and timing is within reach with too many bobbles. plus you step out and run a step
and scud if the moment arrives.
trust kite power to return pressure and just lay back and push through, need to be comfortable idling the kite high for "all stop" but remain on the
board.
and YES SHAggs some actual board riding skills are going to make things progress esp. when kite control is totally wired and your ready to switch at
speed and flow through down wind runs when kite pressure is absent, and hotter landings straight down wind.
the difference.... just riding down hill your ON TOP and balanced , with the kite you r not most of the time. power management and speed control
need return pressure through the board. and as speed picks up everything can get stretched out, kite is deep, you r WAY on it, focus on good
point of sail and bleed power by grip/slide roll. control line of sail, try and remain in a cross wind orientation , its easy to manage and will
help position control.
the air time comes as speed and wind pick up with a little send and hop, and later full bore speed, maniac backloops and full leg/hip jump pops.
be patience! the "air"starts and take off may come easy but the finish as you will realize mid air can be messy if you don't have some basic stuff at
reflex level. an average session for good progress about 200 transitions . the first time i did 10 in a row without foul was great feeling it did
not take long to do, but you need stop on the positive so you return!
as you add speed control needs to be solid, NO DOUBT whats gonna happen. you'll know!
Success!
AD72 - 27-6-2011 at 09:57 PM
Third time was the charm. I was out in 10mph avg with the Phantom 18. I got in a good steady transition back and forth across wind. The Phantom has
nice solid pull. With a wide bar I was able to whip it around to generate power or go in the opposite direction. I found the best boarstart is very
similar to the water with less weight over the front of the board, back leg bent front leg more straight, downwind for a few feet but keep tension in
the lines with a turn upwind. It helped to tighten the trucks. I did some sitting back in the harness in change of direction. Psyched! Only had one
bad crash where my ankle somehow got stuck between the wheel, truck and board. Love the autozenith and stability of the Phantom while I detached the
board from my ankle. Hillbilly pads work as advertised. I need to get some good old hitop sneakers.
PHREERIDER - 28-6-2011 at 05:05 AM
nice