So first day out with my board, my quiver of kites is hurting a little and so is my pocket. might have to see if anyone wants to trade my Crossfire 2.4 anyways it was really windy for my taste 18mph first i set up the 2.4 and got on the board. found my self struggling alot cause it was in the air like a little fly all over the place so i couldn't really get ON the board for more than 2 secs. then i built up confidence a little and got my Montana 2 7.0. the night before it rained alot here so the grass was muddy and very slippery. i got the guy in the air and swooooooshhhh i slide right passed my kite. i do this a couple times and the kite falls out of the sky everytime.Bowtieing and falling over (seems to do that better than fly) then i try do this at the edge of the window it works few times. but wind still high for my taste and just don't have patience to play with trim strap and kite just keeps falling out of sky. LOL I gotta admit i am feeling a little discouraged at this point. On my drive home debating on whether i should sell or trade the Crossfire 2.4 for a lower aspect ratio kite so i can practice on maybe like a Beamer 4.0 0r higher or something. right now my Montana just has too much to do here and there adjust this or that. some days i have no prob and the kite is a dream, other days the kite is just a nightmare to get into the sky constantly falling over. ...I know i ain't doing something right LOL.......should i give up on Depower and just stick to fixed???????? any advice out there??

Just stick to it. Regardless of how it looks in the videos, landboarding is tough and there is a large learning curve to master. The more you do it, the better you'll be. Smooth 12-15mph winds would help too. You want to be powered but not fighting the kite.

"Drill 1" is a great landboarding DVD....I have about 25 copies left if you need one give me a call....Takes practice and patience, sounds like you are learing a ton already....

good luck.....

Practice the kite and KGB seperately until you know what they are going to do without thinking about or looking at it too much. Then put them together. I am no expert on the KGB (ATB) but the first time I jumped on one with a kite in my hands I realized I needed to ride it a lot first without the kite or I was surely going to break something.
The de-powers will behave a LOT better and more true to form once they are put into motion, and the best way to do that is practice on the 'board frist so you are not learning two things at once.

You need right equipment for the conditions and your skill level. You need to have the equipment configured correctly for the conditions as well. Underlying assumption in all this is that prevailing conditions are conducive to the experience you want to have.

1. How are your ATB skills?

ATB takes some learning. Easiest way to learn is to take your ATB to a small hill and do downhill runs. Learn to balance yourself on the board. Practise toe-side and heel-side turns until you are comfortable balancing yourself and controlling the board.

2. How are your kiting skills?

Do you have your kite in control at all times? Can you keep the kite up in the air in different wind conditions. If not, what do you think is hampering your experience? Is your kite too difficult to control/fly? If yes, move to simpler/easier to fly kite. If not, do you need more practice control the kite? If yes, learn to control the kite first. The most important thing is to keep the kite up and have air-time. If you are fighting your equipment, you are wasting your time. So, either practice and improve your skills or get a better/easier to fly kite. All in all, maximize your air time and make the kite do what you want it to do.

3. Conditions

How are the flying conditions? Wind too high or gusty? Wind speed too low? Do you have the right equipment for the conditions? Are you applying correct tactics for the prevailing conditions? Be mindful of what's possible in the conditions. Don't fight nature. You can't fly a kite if wind speed is too low.

When all is said and done, most important thing is to have fun. If you can't ride an ATB while flying a kite, then just fly a kite well and have fun. Take your ATB to a hill and do some downhill runs. Keep having fun and keep combing or separating activities wherever you can.

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Originally posted by KiteProject You need right equipment for the conditions and your skill level. You need to have the equipment configured correctly for the conditions as well. Underlying assumption in all this is that prevailing conditions are conducive to the experience you want to have. 1. How are your ATB skills? ATB takes some learning. Easiest way to learn is to take your ATB to a small hill and do downhill runs. Learn to balance yourself on the board. Practise toe-side and heel-side turns until you are comfortable balancing yourself and controlling the board. 2. How are your kiting skills? Do you have your kite in control at all times? Can you keep the kite up in the air in different wind conditions. If not, what do you think is hampering your experience? Is your kite too difficult to control/fly? If yes, move to simpler/easier to fly kite. If not, do you need more practice control the kite? If yes, learn to control the kite first. The most important thing is to keep the kite up and have air-time. If you are fighting your equipment, you are wasting your time. So, either practice and improve your skills or get a better/easier to fly kite. All in all, maximize your air time and make the kite do what you want it to do. 3. Conditions How are the flying conditions? Wind too high or gusty? Wind speed too low? Do you have the right equipment for the conditions? Are you applying correct tactics for the prevailing conditions? Be mindful of what's possible in the conditions. Don't fight nature. You can't fly a kite if wind speed is too low. When all is said and done, most important thing is to have fun. If you can't ride an ATB while flying a kite, then just fly a kite well and have fun. Take your ATB to a hill and do some downhill runs. Keep having fun and keep combing or separating activities wherever you can.

Thanks Alot I greatly appreciate any feedback. M ok with the Montana, still learning the trim strap stuff but when it behaves properly in right wind conditions, i barley have to look at her. I think today was just a day that was too windy wet and gusty. I just need to practice more and more. I actually packed the kite up and did some downhill runs at the park with the board. since it was too windy for my level
. so i did practice that some

Awesome!

dont worry its taking me for ever to get the hang of kgb. i even have big experience with downhill longboarding and snowboarding so board control is nothing but mixing the kite with the board is so hard to get the hang of. you'll get it just keep on practicing.

Ya gotta learn to trust the kite, that is where smooth wind come into play.It's easier to trust smooth wind,so when you get some , lean back against the pull of the kite.Then get the board out there in front of you and put the kite in the zone. ditto what angus said

I cut my teeth on skis and gained a good deal of confidence in the snow this winter despite some hardships but have found now trying to get the hang of the ATB I'm back "reacquainting myself" with the kites - especially because the wind is different in the field compared to the middle of the lake but more importantly the ground is much harder than the snow pack.

I figure if we keep at it in a couple seasons we'll be boosting big airs wondering what to do while we wait to come down ; )

good, consistent wind 8-12mph. warm up with the kite know the sweet spot, know how to idle the kite without really looking. work ACROSS the wind. point the board a little down wind, step up from the heelside, dip the kite into the sweet spot bending your knees heavier heel pressure on the back foot trusting the pull from the kite. LOOK where you are going.. if your are struggling with the balance and power get your body closer to the board by bending your knees alot and lean back, push the power through the board like scudding... now your powersliding want to stop? fly the kite in the opposite direction going through the zenith (slowly) slide at first then trick it out as you do it more like 500 times ...easy right!

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Originally posted by goldendmd good, consistent wind 8-12mph. warm up with the kite know the sweet spot, know how to idle the kite without really looking. work ACROSS the wind. point the board a little down wind, step up from the heelside, dip the kite into the sweet spot bending your knees heavier heel pressure on the back foot trusting the pull from the kite. LOOK where you are going.. if your are struggling with the balance and power get your body closer to the board by bending your knees alot and lean back, push the power through the board like scudding... now your powersliding want to stop? fly the kite in the opposite direction going through the zenith (slowly) slide at first then trick it out as you do it more like 500 times ...easy right!

I had it out today in 10mph winds and actually moved a little down the park and stuff. I tried my best to keep my best balance. falling off more than moving but at least i wasn't discouraged. first go out was just too windy. and this time out was not windy enough. but perfect enough for some idea. like you said i was just looking for that sweet spot and kept getting yanked off. but at least i am having some some at the moment just moving haha

Hey Eli sent you U2U.

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Originally posted by USA_Eli_A "Drill 1" is a great landboarding DVD....I have about 25 copies left if you need one give me a call....Takes practice and patience, sounds like you are learing a ton already.... good luck.....

Is anyone sitting on a copy of "Drill 1" that they don't want/need that they want to sell?

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Is anyone sitting on a copy of "Drill 1" that they don't want/need that they want to sell?

Or maybe a pass the Drill 1 program :wink2: