Hey guys, My problem is this. I have all my gear and have had a lesson. In the lesson i got up on the board ect. Now I dont like the idea of loosing my board, and not keen on a board leash. Im worried if i go out by myself ill loose my board i just spent 850 on.

I have a few kite friends, but lately i havent been able to venture out with them. I have the option of the beach (with waves) or a salt water river (that wont really be good to kite in until later this year)

Should i just wait for the right day with a fellow kiter to watch over me? Or Just attack it. I feel confident that i will do well with board riding. Just the turning around ect, i dont want to come stuck and get into trouble!

i say you should go for it.

when i was learning on the open beaches i never lost a board. but about 1 month ago, into my second year of kiting, i lost 1 in the river mouth. i guess this shows you dont need to be a total noob to lose a board.

it can happen to anyone.

thanks for replys guys. NJ- I dont have much trouble relaunching my kite, only one when the bridle got tangled around the wing tip. In regards to body dragging, I can go up-wind but need more practice. Do you recomend going out in surf for body dragging?, Im not talking big surf just a few feet.

Im thinking next cross shore, cross on shore wind ill go out and just body drag like a mofo, Get going up wind down pat, then ill take the board out.

thanks H20fly, Im so pumped to get out there and start kitesurfing!!, But Nice and slow and learning all the essentials until its 2nd nature is more important! Ill let you guys know how i go!

but what if you loose your tennis ball .. dude there like $2.50 each!!

When your starting out just stay away from areas that have strong currents like tidal river mouths, dolls point etc etc.

That way you shouldn't lose your board. Surfs ok cause generally your board will wash in to the beach.

But listen to the advice of the guys on the forum - practice heaps of body dragging and you will be right.

Hey menox, I'm a beginner too, and I don't worry about it at all - the main reason is that if you obey one of the most important rules in kiting (certainly vital for a beginner), that being never go out in an off-shore breeze, then your board should always wash back to shore.

Of course as others have said its great practice for body dragging upwind, but its a great fallback option when all else fails.

Good luck!

Hey mennox, I had a sick kite up near my work yesterday because I was running too late to make it down there, but you should keep checking the beach because I know 3 other kiters that were out there yesterday arvo.

They are friendly blokes and are almost always there in a NE. Just introduce yourself to them and tell them you live around the corner and that your learning and they'll keep an eye out for you. - Just keep away from the swimmers. Best to walk way upwind near the golf course rather than downwind because the wind is really dodgy south of the surf club. We should still get a few NE before winter. hopefully we'll get out soon

hey sink cut, Yeah i seen some blokes out, One guy i always see on a green North kite, and another on the red ozone. Hopefully we get a few NE's soon. Ill be out there next time going for a drag with a tennis ball lol! Once i do that and if you are with me ill give the board a crack! See ya soon dude!

menox said...

hey sink cut, Yeah i seen some blokes out, One guy i always see on a green North kite, and another on the red ozone. Hopefully we get a few NE's soon. Ill be out there next time going for a drag with a tennis ball lol! Once i do that and if you are with me ill give the board a crack! See ya soon dude!

Yeah ditto that Menox go an intoduce yourself to those guys they are very friendly and will keep an eye out for you.
Getting back to the board is easy, you don't need to practice it heaps, because you will get to practice it in real time once you start with the board.
And anyway, most times the board will wash in where you are.

The key to body dragging is the angle you keep the kite at, not too low and not too high, say around 10 oclock if that make sense?
And don't be choking the kite pulling the bar in too much, just a bit of pressure on the bar. Hold you breath and charge upwind with the arm on the sand side of your body extended and you back arched a bit and feet extended.

And yeah, pump the kite up firm, those waroos like a bit of pressure and can handle it. The pump will be quite hard to operate when you have reached the right pressure.
It is very unusual to get a rear line bridle tangled on a tip on those kites, and once its there you have to flag unless you have plenty of room and can yank on that snagged line when the kite is crashd on the water.

Cya and

Goodwinds

steve

Thanks Steve for advice, I did find going slow and holding the ktie as u said at 10 o
clock helps heaps. I will indeed pump up the kite abit firmer and see how that travels! Just need some wind now! Steve i brought an underground flx32 from you about 3 weeks ago, still have yet to try it! its killing me!!!