Hey,
I know a few of you landboard with handles, and I have a few questions.

Short background story:
I have been mountainboarding and kiting for quite a while
and I want to put the two together.
All my kites are 4 lines with handles and currently don't
have access to a bar(which seems like an easier way to start).
I saw this video on these forums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqGNySRdf84
I know the guy is exceptional, but the video did bring forth a few questions.

Questions:
-Does he just have a rope between his handles that goes through his spreader bar(I think that's what it's called)?
.....-How is it all attached?
..........-Any special knots?

-How is he able to ride with just holding on to one handle?
......-I have never used a harness so I can't really imagine
.......letting go of my handles. Though it would seem that
.......the kite would turn and crash on the ground.
...........-Is there some kind of technique(is it difficult?), or is the kite just
............generally stable and is able to stay up with a harness?

-Is it a good idea to start landboarding without a harness?
.....-Since I'm on a tight budget, is this a good substitute
......for a harness?
http://www.dakitez.com/servlet/the-388/Peter-Lynn-Backstrap/...
.....-Or is it a better idea to just wait and save up for a real harness?
..........-Are there any cheap ones that would work fairly well?

-Anything else I should know?
BONUS: Anyone know how to indent?

Thanks a lot for reading, and any help would be greatly appreciated.

- It's called a "strop" by most manufacturers and some sell them separately ... you could make one but I'd ask the experts about line strength.
-- Depends on handles
--- Maybe

- Strop and harness
-- There may be a pulley or it could even just be sliding on the hook - you'll only need on hand on if you're hooked into a harness
--- You'll still have to balance it on the handles, but I've found (with a back strap) a tweak on the brake line sorts it out.

- So long as you got a safety release of some kind. It'll extend the time you can ride!
-- Well I think so I got one for the Reb when I bought it but now, cos my riding area is small, I don't use it. You just gotta make sure when you 'release' you don't have a helmet on or anything else to catch on. Gotta have the right kind of handles too or at least attachments ...
--- I'd vote real harness like the Ozone one cos it's more flexible
---- You could make your own I guess, it's just a strap with a loop of line at either end to LarS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s Head onto the handles.

- Yup tons ...
-- Don't think so

The easiest way to indent is to use nested lists (second button from the right, next to the TV/YouTube icon).

That was you could have questions with sub-questions (which at least in this case seems to be your intent). So it might look like this:
Questions:

• Does he just have a rope between his handles that goes through his spreader bar(I think that's what it's called)?
  
  • How is it all attached?
  • Any special knots?
  
  
• How is he able to ride with just holding on to one handle?
  
  • I have never used a harness so I can't really imagine letting go of my handles. Though it would seem that the kite would turn and crash on the ground.
    
    • Is there some kind of technique(is it difficult?), or is the kite just generally stable and is able to stay up with a harness?
      

Embrace your inner geek

OK... Sam needs to step away from the coffee now.

ATB,
Sam

Nice Video ! He IS good!

Search for a used harness. The back strap could be trouble ?

Yes , search " strop " and " spreader bar " on here for tons of info about riding handles hooked in. I like a simple hook spreader.

The Rope goes on that tab behind your top lines so when you let go you are flying on the front lines. The power is sent in to the harness.

FWIW: The Ozone strop which is a nice coated Dyneema line with each of the ends backspliced to form a loop/eye is around 7 bucks.

ATB,
Sam

Thank all you guys for your replies!
A strop seems just what I need.
I think I may just hold off until I
can afford a harness.

I took a look at strops,
and since I have Prolinks
I think this might be a better alternative
than the Ozone one:
http://www.coastalwindsports.com/servlet/the-500/Harness-Rop...
Thoughts?

Also, what size should it be(55cm, 65cm, 75cm)?

It site says "The correct strop length for you will depend
on personal preference and whether you are buggying
or landboarding." but it doesn't specify what is actually
recommended for landboarding.

Also Kamikuza, what Ozone harness are you referring to?
(the AccessXC Harness?)

Any other harnesses I should be taking a look at?

• Anything I should look for in a harness?
  
• Anything non-obtrusive since a lot of them look rather uncomfortable?
  

Thanks again for the responses.
(And thanks Indigo for the tip!)

Quote:

Originally posted by Americaskate I took a look at strops, and since I have Prolinks I think this might be a better alternative than the Ozone one:

True enough. The Pro-Links have a very unique strop attachment. The notch in the back of the handle is very narrow and might not accept the Ozone strop. As the Flexifoil strop is pretty much made for those handles.... Sorry, didn't realize you were running ProLinks.

Quote:

Originally posted by Americaskate Also, what size should it be(55cm, 65cm, 75cm)?

Call Angus at CoastalWindSports, he'll get you sorted.

Quote:

Originally posted by Americaskate what Ozone harness are you referring to? (the AccessXC Harness?)

Ozone only makes one harness (two flavors, but one harness). Access XC in 2009. 2010 model is Access SB/Access XB

ATB,
Sam

Yes that's the one ...

You could also step it up and get the Ocean Rodeo harness, if you want to get on the water eventually ...

The Flexifoil strops are hard to use on anything except their own Prolink handles because the eye at the ends is so small and meant to go around the steel pines of the pro-links. I have had a few customers undo the knots on the leaders coming off the back of the handle tops, run them through the eye of the flexifoil Strop, the re-tie a figure-eight stopper knot to retain the strop.

Honestly I just go the Marine store and buy some good braided running line about 5/16" or 7mm. Amsteel is nice but expensive and the other stuff is cheap enough to replace more often.

Length depends on body size, arm length and the length of the rig that holds the strop. For example if you add a pulley block and a quick release, it puts the strop connection farther out. Then if you have too long a strop you cannot reach the handles comfortably.

Thank all you guys for your help!

acampbell - I have the prolinks. but I hate the fact that you have
to use a flat head to put on and remove the strop. I am thinking of using
2 short ropes with a loop and a knot at the other end and put them in where the strop ends should be. This would make my handles look like your picture and make it easy for removing and putting on a strop on the prolinks.
(Let me know if that make any sense.)

Either way.
Short update.

I ended up buying a harness and a strop at a local kite shop.
I had absolutely no idea what I was missing out on.
I could kite for hours without my arms being too tired.

But now I have a few more questions.
How often should the strop be in the spreader?
...I found the strop slipping out a lot when maneuvering the kite.
...Is this normal? Should I make it shorter? How long/short should it be?
...Is it normal to slide the strop into the spreader only when needed
...and maneuver the kite sometimes with the strop not up in the spreader.

I was told not to use kite killers with a harness. But I am afraid
I will let go of the kite thinking the strop is hooked into the spreader
when it isnt. Any comments regarding this?

If anyone can help me with this that would be great!

Your idea for the ProLinks makes perfect sense.

Make the strop as long or short as is comfortable. No rules as long as you and reach the handles and have enough maneuvering room.

Pop in and out of the hook all you want. I will hook in when going up wind when the kite wants to pull my arms of, then un-hook going down wind when the kite is feather-light in my hands and I appreciate the added freedom of movement.

There are those that will tell you that using KS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s will lead to the End of Days, but no worry and use with a harness all you want. The two have nothing to do with each other and will not interfere.

I am not going all anti kite killer but there is one thing to watch out for combining your killers and a harness.

If you are too used to just letting go you may do so BEFORE you have pushed out of your spreader. Odds are that you will be a bit overpowered and pushing out under load can be hard / slower or impossible. If you forget and let go you are now attached to but not in control of a powered up kite !

I installed little quick releases on my strop so I have a plan "B" if I end up in a similar situation.

thanks Ken, that's worth mentioning about un-hooking first...

I found the back strap best to park & ride with ... it got annoying sliding around my back when 'maneuvering' the kite so I stopped playing with it and just set it in the wind, tweaking the brake lines to keep it in position. I imagine you'd do the same with a 'proper' harness