I was wanting to know some techniques for keeping my course While landboarding. I know I need to start the with the board pointing down wind and lean against the kite (edging?) so the tension stays on the lines. But when I do that I always find myself pointing horizontal to the wind and if the wind were to pick up I'd face plant would tightening the trucks help me edge against the kite but keep the board from turning? And if so how tight should they be?

Peter,
Assuming you are harnessed in, you should be "holding" the tension of the kite in your harness not your feet. when i started i thought tight trucks were important as well- not really the case. i use a medium to soft setting for turning now. Ankles are for turning the board not your body weight. Also with "looser" trucks you can give up ground by turning into the wind should a gust come up to avod the face plant not as easy with really tght trucks. hope this helps a little just remember you need to turn the board with your ankles not your a55.
Scott

To avoid going over the top scrunch down and push out with your feet. The harder the pull the lower you must get your body.

I found myself thinking " up on toes and down on butt " when starting out. By this I mean lean back on my butt as I dive the kite. Holding ground or powering upwind. When the kite is on the up part of the ~ sine wave and power is low I tranfer weight to my toes and coast or go a bit downwind. Dive the kite change weight to my butt side ( + lower body ) again as I lean against the power.

If the wind is strong you don't need to point downwind as much, don't have to dive the kite as much . It is actually easier to learn. Trick is small motions ( and a big set ) in stronger winds.

Did it take you guys long to get your balance when turning?

Peter- Absolutely. It's very important to have quite stiff trucks. Do you have skateboard style trucks or do you have the upgraded MBS Matrix or GI Bionics? It can be difficult to have "skateboard" style trucks appropriately tight. I had to replace the bushings on both of mine with much harder bushings to have appropriate stiffness. But the cost of new bushings is only $5.

I have the most basic board known to man lol they are the skate board style trucks.

When I first started I thought the same thing about needing to tighten the skate trucks. I was putting too much heel pressure on the board causing me to turn instead of going straight. I was leaning back and/or squatting too much. Once I stood more upright I was able to steer the board using either heel or ball pressure. My experience so far is with fixed bridle so I am not sure how that differs with depower.

Fly guy I took your advice an It went well thanks!

Awesome- always glad to hear about others "gettin it" on a board. It just keeps getting easier and easier like riding a bike. Just remember armor up and dont be afraid to fall- I am really good at that. bigger the kite softer the landing
Scott

Like many other things in this sport.... I believe truck type and tightness is all personal preference. I love my stock MBS skate trucks and HATE GI boards and their cube thing. Just me. Keep trying new things and you'll figure out what you like. And remember, as Karl says, if you ain't fallin, you ain't tryin!