Hi Guys,
i've only been into static kiting in the past,owning 3 and 5m fixed bridle kites.But i would really like to get into Landboarding but have no clue where to start!????
I've done some research and 'Scrub' Freestyle boards seem the way to go for the beginner? But its the kites i'm not sure of,when starting out do you use a Depower or regular fixed bridle? Handles or a bar??
Cheers Guys.

I am also in the same sort of situation and would like to know about harness to i do alot of static flying and some jumping with my blade v but am wanting to progress in to some boardin

If ya want to do the air thing then de-power. If ya want to just cruise and carve the sand,then FBs. About 50% of the time I use a harness. Has alot to do with the nature of the wind that day. If it is dirty,lumpy wind,I won't hook in.

Good to hear from you again Steve.

All I have is 2 cents:

If you are boarding on low rolling resistance surfaces like hardpack beach or low-cut fields, then your 3 and 5 meter kites should work just fine. You should just be able to hop on the board and start cutting across the wind.

If you're riding on a surface that is a little softer and not as easy to roll on, then you may want to consider either stropping in or getting into depower. Either way, you'll need to pick up a harness. I haven't had the guts to strop in to my harness yet, but I also rarely have nice and smooth beach winds to fly in. I'd also vote for handles with fixed bridle, just for the extra control they afford.

Hi Pongnut,
good to speak with you again mate,i guess its been a while...lol
Many thanks for your info,you really have me thinking now!
I couldn't help noticing,but i'm VERY jealous as i see you have the kite i've been wanting for AGES.........clue is its Fourth in your list...lol
I must save my pennies:frog:
Cheers mate.

Go with what you know.

If you are comfortable with the fixed bridles you have then they will work for you. If you want to progress to jumping then depower is a good way to go.

I find it is easier to learn to ride if you are well powered . When well powered you hardly have to dip the kite to get moving.

I am big on harnesses. Having a harness allows you to rest up while still flying. Increasing your fly time per session and so speeding up the learning curve. Even with static flying. Just use it to rst up / walk upwind at 1st. You will slowly remain hooked in more and more. Unhook any time you are pushing it.

Quote:

Originally posted by steve5767 ...I couldn't help noticing,but i'm VERY jealous as i see you have the kite i've been wanting for AGES.........clue is its Fourth in your list...lol I must save my pennies:frog: Cheers mate.

Check the classifieds, upandaway has one with your name on it...

It's best to start out w/ what u know...fly what you already have the most time on.. doesn’t matter bar/handles..it's probably gonna change down the line anyway. You will want a harness but dont need it to get started and then initially just to rest your arms..I love working a small kite to get going, love all that flying and feel im in controll...I’ll go DP usually after my first sesh or when i feel i want to try for some air... but when its blowing nice and i'm hooked in FB leaning back hard w/ some speed........damn i love that

As most have already stated, your fixed bridle kites will work perfect for you on a board. Just get yourself a board and start learning. Depending on the surface you are riding on, the 3 or 5 will be enough power for you. You do want to have a little more power when riding than you normally have while flying static, the reason is that while riding your kite is closer to the edge of the window nearly all the time and rarely directly downwind from you. The further out on the edge, the less power you will generate so having a little more is usually a good thing.

You can fly straight from your bar or handles and this is usually the best way to do this while learning. Once you get the board figured out and start to get comfortable, a harness is a huge benefit and you will definitely want one, but it is not necessary right now to ride.

Be sure to get a helmet and knee/elbow pads - and probably some good gloves with some palm padding.

Hi Fella's,
Thank you all so much for the great info,i was totally clueless as to my next move,but not now,cheers.
Hey Pongnut!
I see the Guy selling that wonderful Twister,5.6 like yours,the Guy also lives in the next County to me!
But unfortunately,at the moment my funds aren't great and if i brought that lovely Twister,my Mrs would have my balls for Ear-rings...lol

I recommend learning to fly with a harness now. If you wait for a while learning to board, you'll have to change your stance, and many flying tricks that would seem natural and intuitive will take a while to learn. I'd say learn to fly hooked in and then with a board.

In my opinion you will be able to ATB with your 3/5m fixed bridals (exactly what I did). But soon be wanting more. Soon you'll be wanting depower. Dun dun dun ! Perhaps not, that's what happened to me though. I recently sold my mountain boards, I hardly used them since starting to buggy.

Where abouts on the east coast are you Steve ? I'm in Norfolk, 10 mins from Hunstanton where I fly.
There are locals with a lot more knowledge, and a lot better equiptment than me but i'm happy to help you out if you want (although i'm not great on the board anymore), or you can have a play with some of my kit (including a harness if your trying to decide).
Let me know if you're local and wanna meet.

Also check out Kitecrowd, that's a more uk based forum. You'll have more luck buying equiptment there.

Tim

Hi Tim,
thanks for the reply mate,10 Mins from Hunstanton!....lucky bugger...lol....That great stretch of beach,not to mention Brancaster Beach!....beautiful place.
Well,i'm not exactly 'on' the East coast as you are,i'm in March Cambridgeshire,you know of it Tim? it's an Hour drive to Hunstanton,not to far atall though.
Really is very nice of you to offer me a go of your gear,especially the harness,totally unknown territory to me!
At the moment i just fly static,i have a Ozone Flow 3m and a Radsail Pro 5m.
Would be great to meet up. I don't know anyone else who's into Power kiting....If you wanna give me a bell for a chat my no. is 01354 658740
Cheers Tim. Mind you,i'm no Teenager...lol...my d.o.b is after my name.