I had a really good sesh on the beach today, I'm getting much more comfortable on the Land-board, i cant wait for my new (for me) G2a air-deck to arrive I think i can start to get away calling myself a Land boarder, as a pose to a power kiter, who has a land board.

The main limiting factor stopping my progressing at the moment is my inability to travel in more than one direction. I currently travel in a downwind direction, whatever that may be, then walk the kite upwind and repeat. it can be quite tedious, and frustrating at times ! walking the kite backwards is also more physically demanding than cruising on the board !
I don't know, and cant work out how to travel in more than that one direction..

Can someone please explain, or direct me to a video or something that will help me do this properly !?

Another question i have is about the kite loosing power when I'm boarding. i know you have to work the kite when you board, and i do do that ( ~~~~~ ).
however sometimes the kite will loose power, and i will almost stop moving, until i manage to pull up or down straight through the power zone. I guess it could just be cause i'm flying in fairly low winds (10ish mph, flying an ozone sami II 5m).

Is there any other possible reason the kite may be doing this? and how i can avoid it ?

Thanks in advance !

Tim

ok... I’m a 4 month atber so maybe I’m getting this wrong but you really don’t go up wind.. the winds have to be coming in perpendicular to the beach you are riding for you to go both ways on your board..... usually there is a easier direction to go cause it's not a dead on 90d wind your dealing with to your direction of travel.... I think you are doing dead on downwiders w/ what you are saying with a lite wind that would also explain the kite loosing some of its power......but yes you are a Landboarder! now go get some upwind rides

hey Tim,

the 2 questions are connected...going downwind means less apparent wind for the kite to use...so going downwind can require lots of kite movement to keep the power in it.

- don't forget to lean somewhat against the kite (maybe not so easy on a FB on a landboard?)
- if its relatively windy, when you get moving don't move the kite into the power window too much so you don't get yanked hard downwind

Something to try....get moving and then push on the board quite hard against the grass to force the kite to the edge of the window enough that you slow down and actually stop...if you can do this...it is just a matter of not edging so hard, and you'll keep moving and you'll be going upwind, or at least not going downwind.

all the best,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wH5_PRcvs4&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri9Ix6-cfJs&feature=plcp

Don't beat yourself up. You are moving and not falling. It sounds like a lot of your problem is exactly what you suspect. Not enough wind for the kite.
It's much easier to learn well powered. If you are well powered you can " park and ride ". One good wind day and I bet it will all click!

I turn your body in the direction you want to go. Work upwind while you have power in the stroke. Slack off between dives. Your tracks will also look like a ~ as you work the available power.

Carl's videos are great!

Once you get moving just weight your heels and the board will turn upwind. once you have a couple of sessions trying this you will learn the balance betwwen enough heelside edge to stay upwind and not so much that you are putting on the brakes.

This will also teach you to slide and to stop with varying amounts of heelside edge (by edging i mean applying weight to one edge of the board or the other)

Find a gentle slope and ride the board down it without the kite to get used to steering by edging with your heels and toes.

You should be mostly riding accross the wind in both diections but will find you can eventually gain ground upwind as you refine your edging skills. Its generally easier in one direction than the other on any given day.

It sounds from your description that you are allowing the kite to pull you directly downwind which is why you can't go the other way and why the kite sometimes stalls as you catch up to it a bit.

Think about riding accross the wind and gaining ground upwind will come automatically with practice. Staying upwind is easier in stronger winds as others have mentioned.

Hey all,

Thanks for all your help and advice.

Those videos are good carl, i had a look at your vids, and subbed to your channel

Ill bear all of the stuff in mind and try and implement it when i'm out next!

I was really pissed off after yesterdays session. I felt like such an idiot. There was more wind than i expected, and could barely manage 100 odd feet on my board. the kite spend 95% of the time in the zenith, i didnt dare, move it about much.. I should have used my 3m, that probably would have been fine..

Today there was very light wind. I spent some time on the board, but not much, and the sand was feeling a bit too soft. my
board gets dreadful speed wobble, even though I don't go that fast. I'm looking forward for my new one

Do you think its worth asking on the UK based forum im on if there is anyone who can spend some time with me on the beach, and give me some practical help ? im not sure if people would be willing to do it, but may be worth a try I guess ?

Tim

Unlike most old fishermen (kidding - no offense to anyone) the kiters that I’ve met tend to help put you on the right path... best thing you can do is be where they are... 2nd best thing you can do is not be in the way...... after that things kind of sort them self out and some proper advice will come your way.... I’ve had so many keep me from hurting myself and so many more help me progress... good bunch.

Fat Sands make a DVD called Introduction to Landboarding - very helpful, if you can find it. You'll probably recognize the locations - they're in the UK

This post has really helped me figure out what I was doing wrong on the field today, especially the videos. thanks to all.

Quote:

Originally posted by MikeMT This post has really helped me figure out what I was doing wrong on the field today, especially the videos. thanks to all.

Glad it helped you ! I no longer board, I buggy now, and have sold my boards.

This forum is a wealth of information. And if you cant already find what you're looking for be sure to ask. Guys here have always been helpful and knowledgeable.

Tim