I FINALLY was able to go in motion today for the first time! Had my NS3 4m on the street kite bar and my trusty old skateboard that ive had for about 25 yrs or so, lol. Had a blast! Only travelled downwind to get a feel for it and thankfully it was a relatively small parking lot to walk back to my starting point. Hopefully ill be able to get out again soon!

Congrats. I know the feeling of finally getting the wheels in motion. Sure it's one way, but I've made a few turns almost good. From another newbie point of view my sincere congratulations.
Not sure if some guys here can remember looking behind you and saying wow when the first short ride is over.

Its a great feeling! A county sheriff parked on the road and watched a couple of my passes and told me that was pretty neat to watch before taking off. He was probably dying of laugher watching me swerve all over the place when id first get rolling, lol.

Woo Hoo!

So happy you just decided to enjoy the ride and accept the walk. I am certain you learned a LOT more this way than stressing about getting upwind 1st thing.

I hope that Sherriff sees you ripping it up soon!

Congrats. That's pretty much how I started out as well. At first downwind only, then little by little got the hang of it and progressed to going both directions. Nice to have Police protection as well. (I've seem them from time to time as well while riding my ATB. Always worried they would give me a ticket for impersonating a kiteboarder.)

I did get going upwind once for about 30ft, wind was outta the SW and i was in a narrow N-S lot so i took what i got, lol. Was also my first time flying the NS3 4m, lol. Gonna have to get some new wheels and bearings for my board though, its only been used for pulling transmissions, moving snowmobiles and various other items for the last 10 yrs or so, lol. Today was the first ive ridden it in 10 yrs, lol. I do have an ATB, just didnt feel like using it today, lol.

That's great man! I really like using longboard or skateboard and prefer it to landboard on grass. I didn't like having my feet strapped in. Skateboard on pavement provides a nice low resistance surface to learn the ropes of kiting in motion and making turns. I you feel comfortable on your board, you'll get it down quickly. Also, what type of skateboard (length, double kick etc)?? I have a few different boards that I use. I have 2 favorites. An s9 drop through longboard with sidewinder trucks (very carry and quick turning). The other is a standard double kick skateboard 8 3/4" wide with standard skate trucks on 1/4" risers and 60 mm wheels. That's a very fun ride as well. The s9 has 72mm wheels and handles cracks and pebbles better. I literally never have to look at the kite and my focus is almost entirely on the surface and what's ahead of me. Are you running no lines or short lines? 2-5 meter lines will make life easier if you have the space.

Quote: Originally posted by Randy

(I've seem them from time to time as well while riding my ATB. Always worried they would give me a ticket for impersonating a kiteboarder.)

LOVE IT !

You wouldn't believe how often I am " accused of impersonating a kiteboarder " by the general public around here!

Or at least " learning " to be a kiteboarder. :duh:

and the 4m is the absolute best size. I use it primarily in anything 8-15. Too much wind and will have a hard time holding a line without slipping and you fight the kite. this is with 5m lines. You can expand it's wind range a little on the higher side by running no lines. Conversely, 8 mph won't be enough with no lines

Hello my name is Blitzhound and I'm an addict. Welcome to the addiction.

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

Quote: Originally posted by Randy   (I've seem them from time to time as well while riding my ATB. Always worried they would give me a ticket for impersonating a kiteboarder.) LOVE IT ! You wouldn't believe how often I am " accused of impersonating a kiteboarder " by the general public around here! Or at least " learning " to be a kiteboarder. :duh:

I've found its easier to explain things by saying "I'm trying to learn to kitesurf." I even had a guy tell me once - "Now take that kite and get a big surfboard and get out on the water*!!!"




* My usual ATB spot is a parking lot at the local lake.

Always great to read about a first ride! When I was new to traction kiting I was struggling on a mountain board on thick grass and getting nowhere. Got into a buggy (PL folding) dropped a 12m Peak2 down through the wind window and off I went! I was whooping out loud and couldn't believe it. I still grin like a kid. Never loose the feeling.

motion....i really don't think you can forget the first time you get going

Good for you Adam!... glad one of my NASAs got you moving!... waning to do exactly what you are do with the NASAs was my only hang up about selling them... but one of these days I'm going to be able to get back out in the buggy... blasted kitchen reno

Yep...I remember my first time. What a great feeling! Have fun and wear a helmet!

To answer an earlier question, i used a 1980's whale tail (single tail, wide deck that i got from a police auction when i was 9 i think, lol). I flew directly off the street kite bar that i got from Windstruck (made for this sort of thing by Born). I do have some 3m lines that Jeff made for me but i didnt use em as i initially was going to try on the street infront of my house. Spencer, i am sorry to report that the white stripe is no longer clean... stupid asphalt, lol. It flew quite nicely though! Got the hang of one hand operation pretty quick, lol. Gonna have to get some new wheels and bearings for my other board as well ("modern" double tail), forgot that one was cracked from the final time i actually used it at the skate park by my house, lol.
At least my rollerblades dont need a thing other than my feet, lol.

Quote: Originally posted by adambweird

I flew directly off the street kite bar that i got from Windstruck

Makes my day to know this! That bar sat in my garage for the better part of a year waiting for a day like this. So glad it played a small role in your maiden voyage. :karate:

It worked great! Gonna start keeping that bar, kite and some kinda wheels in my truck for when opportunity strikes, lol. I already warned the president of the company i work for that he'll be seeing me street kiting on lunch break before much longer, lol. He wants to see it, but he also says ill have to make up my hrs if i dont make it back from lunch, no PTO allowed for lunch kiting mishaps, lol.

Got out again today for a couple of hours. Put my 3m lines on and used my ATB instead of the skateboard. Probably wouldve had more continual motion with the full length line set but eh, lol. Learned a bunch on controlling the kite and even got going upwind pretty good a few times. Bad thing was, each upwind ride always ended the same way, going all fours to the ground, lol. Thank god for knee pads, once i remembered they were in the truck, lol.

I'd look into wrist guards if you don't already have them. I never do longboard or ATB w/o them.

I have em, but theyre the kind for after youve messed up, lol. When i still skated i used to wear some, but they never helped me so i quit wearing em and worked on making my wrists stronger and got really good with my rehab and falling technique, lol.