I'm very new to kiteboarding. Have been learning for about 8 weeks here at Brighton Beach in Sydney. Ive got a problem I'd like some advice on please. I'm 52 years old - 185cm tall and weigh 98kg - no fat. I'm using an Airush 12m Flow and a 200cm directional board. Ive been up on the board for about a week now getting some reasonable runs of about 700 to 800m at a time. The winds have been very sparce over here so about once a week is all the kite time I get. I have to work the kite pretty hard to keep going - a big day is 15 knots. My problem is this - I'm from the bush originally so the most water I ever saw was in the dams - Ive never done any board sports and therefore have no idea other than what I've learned todate about the technique required to ride the board effectively. I seem to be tensing my legs and tend to feel I'm always trying to balance on the board. This makes the ride a bit uncomfortable and not at all relaxing as I know it can be after talking to other kiters . Can anyone please help me with advice. This has got to be the best sport and I intend to kite until I drop of the perch ( which hopefully won't be for another 50 years at least ).
PS. Laurie - thanks for a terrific site - Ive learn't so much about winds and weather since i first looked at SEABREEZE. I also want to say a big thankyou to Sean Phillips and Mike Anderson of Botany Bay Kiteboarding - you blokes have got to be the most persistent teachers of alltime to get an old bloke like me up and flying - and you've become great mates - thanks fellas.
kindest regards
Tully
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CJ Packer

The cable ski park is a good place to get used to your board ( not sure if they will let you use the directional ). You only have to think about board controle and the water is calm . If they make you ride one of thier boards grab a wake board and get used to that . Getting back on to the directional will be a lot easier .
If you have a boat or know someone even better .
Good luck , it gets easier very quickly compared to other sports .

Change to a twin tip will spend more time on the baord than in the water

kevin

Tully,
Try shortening your chicken loop to about 6 inches, this will stop you leaning forward and put more pressure on your heels. It will also give you more power coz your not depowering as much when riding with a longer chicken loop.

Marklar