the skate were originally rockville leapskates but i found them too long and bulky, so i took off the large wheels and replaced them with atb wheels
and also shortened the wheel base. i also got rid of the original binding system and replaced them with inline skate boots.
the technique is alot differant to boarding. id say its like buggying but stood up!!
ive got the going in a straight line sorted but the turns are abit sketchy. i dont like the idear of step turning so the sooner i learn to jump the
better.
Problem I found on the hockey skates is they turn downwind so quick the kite just collapses ... still trying to get that sussed. Maybe more wind would
make it easier but skates and concrete gets me scary fast in a baby's fart breeze hate to think what real wind would do to me ...!
Can't wait for my Trailskates to arrive and try it out on a slower surface ... grnn Canada Post
This is exactly how I got going. I would still go out that way but my lot is developed. Try to cut upwind harder before turning, slow down more with
the kite high and then turn faster ?
I hit my head HARD a couple of times on tarmac Each time I wasn't really
traveling along. My feet flew out from under me and a fell backward smacking the back of my head. ( and elbows ) Tarmac is very unforgiving and I
would have paid heavy if I didn't have a lid on. Please consider a helmet and elbow pads !
I've never hit my head, even playing roller-hockey ... elbows and knees though I
do have a helmet but haven't put it in the car yet - I will though :thumbup
Cheers for the tips too!
In each case my feet slipped forward. I flipped back as my feet flew up. I stuck my arms back to slow my fall but just banged and scraped my elbows as
I hit my back of my head. Crazy how both times I wasn't exactly even kiting or for that matter moving much.
Most pads are optional but the helmet is almost a must on tarmac ? Or am I just getting old ?
In each case my feet slipped forward. I flipped back as my feet flew up. I stuck my arms back to slow my fall but just banged and scraped my elbows as
I hit my back of my head. Crazy how both times I wasn't exactly even kiting or for that matter moving much.
Most pads are optional but the helmet is almost a must on tarmac ? Or am I just getting old ?
Yeah we call that dance the "Newbie Slam" you get used to rolling on your
side if you fall backwards but preferably get your knees over your toes and lean forwards ... newbies tend to stand bolt upright and lean back cos
they're afraid of falling forwards. And if they fall forwards they put their hands out and fall over like a tree - broken wrists! If you trust your
pads you get in the habit of just sort of collapsing down rather than falling over ...
All the time I've played hockey I've only seen one guy hit his head on the ground - and that was cos he bounced off me I felt real bad about that eh! Playing competitively we wore helmets but that was
mostly to stop puck impacts.
Street skating, vert ramps, hockey - never hit my head :dunno:
Fell over with the Kitewing a month or so back - like you, at a standstill but I let the nose drop into the wind and it dived, slammed into me and
pushed me backwards ... landed on my outside knee/shin and elbow - lots of blood all over the place but didn't hit my head!
The Newbie Slam is the perfect name for the move !
I don't remember learning to skate. I have just always done it. I pretty much never fall unless I'm pushing it. Other than those 2 N.S. specials have
never bit it on tarmac. Slipping up that way was amazing even to me. Just sharing my experience !
![[*]](images/perspective/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
what skates - DIY? 
hate to think what real wind would do to me ...!
Each time I wasn't really
traveling along. My feet flew out from under me and a fell backward smacking the back of my head. ( and elbows ) Tarmac is very unforgiving and I
would have paid heavy if I didn't have a lid on. Please consider a helmet and elbow pads !
I
do have a helmet but haven't put it in the car yet - I will though :thumbup