any one use a front pad on their surf board when kiting?

Im finding hard to get hold of a front pad locally, was wondering if i could just use another tail pad but turn it round? and then maybe some wax inbetween?

heres the arch bar set up i like, i just had to get away from the wax, since i put these on i have not added any wax.

a cut down tail pad is a way to go as well, there are pads sets out there, but for 20$ this Zarchbar i cut in half and done... about as simple and grippy as it gets

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its actually a skim board element if you are looking for hybrid crossover stuff.

There's adhesive sheets you can get for the job -- has a bit of a pebbled texture, but grips perfectly without wearing your feet or boots out and doesn't melt all over your car like wax. It's thinner than regular deck pads so you don't notice it, and almost clear so you can enjoy the graphics.

Naturally, I can't remember the name...

I find regular deck pads a nuisance as they're always un gluing from themselves eg. top grip layer from the padding, or the different colors in the design separating. Can't really get away from them for the back foot though...


Nice board Phree -- what model?

They make rubber grip tape for swimming pools. Or would that stuff not be grippy enough?

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/rubber-grip-tape

Quote: Originally posted by Kamikuza

There's adhesive sheets you can get for the job -- has a bit of a pebbled texture, but grips perfectly without wearing your feet or boots out and doesn't melt all over your car like wax. It's thinner than regular deck pads so you don't notice it, and almost clear so you can enjoy the graphics. Naturally, I can't remember the name... I find regular deck pads a nuisance as they're always un gluing from themselves eg. top grip layer from the padding, or the different colors in the design separating. Can't really get away from them for the back foot though... Nice board Phree -- what model?

Sweet potato FireWire 6' . I have not had any ungluing, and it is a turn off! This is so much better thAn the wax!

i like the idea of the swimming pool grip tape - its cheap enough... something like this

http://www.duratex.co.uk/anti-slip-tape/84-anti-slip-floor-t...

there is a heavy duty one which might be a bit too rough - will have to check out my local swimming pool...

Too narrow, the tape, surely...?

VersaTraction is the name brand stuff -- http://www.woodsurfboardsupply.com/VersaTraction.html

On the Versa homepage they do all kinds of tail pads and color traction pads... They're more expensive there than on the link I posted; and eBay has Chinese knock-offs no doubt too.

Quote: Originally posted by PHREERIDER

Quote: Originally posted by Kamikuza   There's adhesive sheets you can get for the job -- has a bit of a pebbled texture, but grips perfectly without wearing your feet or boots out and doesn't melt all over your car like wax. It's thinner than regular deck pads so you don't notice it, and almost clear so you can enjoy the graphics. Naturally, I can't remember the name... I find regular deck pads a nuisance as they're always un gluing from themselves eg. top grip layer from the padding, or the different colors in the design separating. Can't really get away from them for the back foot though... Nice board Phree -- what model? Sweet potato FireWire 6' . I have not had any ungluing, and it is a turn off! This is so much better thAn the wax!

The tail pad on my Dialer is always in need of regluing.

Nice board! I'd love to try some of their stuff, especially the Evo.

its a fun board at my level of skill, i could put alot time on it and improve more, BUT my issue its takes almost the same breeze as TT , maybe 1-2knots earlier, with flat water certainly less.

i feel like more rocker would beter but still <10% of my ride time ...got a couple successfull duck tacks in so , it motivates me to work toward foilboard to get real light wind access .

my style riding will have to lighten considerably to improve on this board , when it all flows man it feels nice. and as soon as i commit with powered FULL session rather than weak margin stuff like start /finish or wind/current check laps

never had the unglue issue with this , finn boxes started leaking this season so i'll be looking for something else, maybe lib tech

I had the same question last year. Needed a pad, was advised an adhesive clear grip tape (non-abrasive). Check out how it ended. (There's also a link to the store in that thread)
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=29051#pid27...

Quote: Originally posted by PHREERIDER

its a fun board at my level of skill, i could put alot time on it and improve more, BUT my issue its takes almost the same breeze as TT , maybe 1-2knots earlier, with flat water certainly less. i feel like more rocker would beter but still <10% of my ride time ...got a couple successfull duck tacks in so , it motivates me to work toward foilboard to get real light wind access . my style riding will have to lighten considerably to improve on this board , when it all flows man it feels nice. and as soon as i commit with powered FULL session rather than weak margin stuff like start /finish or wind/current check laps never had the unglue issue with this , finn boxes started leaking this season so i'll be looking for something else, maybe lib tech

I got mine thinking it'd be a light wind session saver, but my Flydoor goes just as early. Good for getting out with smaller kites when the wind is up, and it's a fun change of pace. I just got a OR Mako Duke, so that should smooth out the bumpy ride through the chop...

Got to play on a V2 Slayer in Thailand - much better low wind board but it's so wide, when you carve a turn it's like doing squats! So much resistance... but if a handful when the wind gets up too.

I think I'll end up with a foil too, but it'll be some time away yet.

Tail pads a re easy to get, I shouldn't moan but I like to keep my stuff OEM, you know? :D

I've always thought about reversing a tail pad...once you get your foot placement established...and you could even use the raised (what would be the now-nose) of the pad to get some forward "push" against.