IanR said...
I also like the idea of a free choice in strapless board style comp
But I think if you choose the right location with the right winds you don't need to put obstacles in the water
You can use waves as kickers and slide the crest of almost breaking waves (as I've seen rich do may times)

Fair call Ian and you're right that the waves open up those possibilities you just don't get in flat water. Personally though kickers and sliders are a totally different thing to a breaking wave, not better or worse just something that opens up different opportunities and skill sets.
Ideally a round in waves and a round in flats with slider and kicker optional I think would be a good compromise.
My favourite thing at the moment is probably a small rail with a skate, as it's something different and challenging. It's just hard to find good spots to do it.

Oh, so i wasn't gunna bother posting this but…

Keahi: I think its all about personal preference. If you ride better unhooked or just prefer riding unhooked then go for it but for me personally, I’d rather ride hooked in as it makes more sense most of the time. If you unhook you might be able to hit one section really well but you’re not making any use of the depower that kites offer these days and you’ll generally miss sections from going too fast down the line. In conditions like we have here it is definitely more limiting than beneficial with the slightly side-off wind. When you’re hooked in you can control your power much better. You can go into a section faster, hit it then depower the kite to come out of the turn rather then get dragged through it sometimes. People used to complain that riding hooked in made it a little stiff when riding waves but I think with how much kites have improved these days this has changed. I still like to unhook for certain turns or maneuvers but for the most part riding hooked in works better in a much wider range of conditions.

Jedibrad said..
Oh, so i wasn't gunna bother posting this but…

Keahi: I still like to unhook for certain turns or maneuvers but for the most part riding hooked in works better in a much wider range of conditions.

@Jedibrad, not sure if you were directing Keahis quote at me to say he disagrees with what I said or not, but his last sentence (above) is 100% in line with what I said and also in line with my own feelings on the subject. I never said Un-Hooking is the solution to everything or the only way to ride I just said it was progressive.

As a side note some of the best turns and manoeuvres I've seen Keahi do have been un-hooked (was the same when I watched Airton kite at mambo). Un-Hooking is not as consistent or pre-dictable as hooked-in that's for sure, but it adds another couple of elements that I think makes it worth while. (Some may dissagree I'm sure, but this same argument could also be made for freestyle).

In a similar manner you could actually place a pretty good argument for people not doing airs in surfing at all and just sticking to turns, as airs don't usually flow that well and surfers often waste a whole wave racing or pumping to get speed to try and hit one single manoeuvre end section... a few people can put it all together sometimes, but it's not that often. Un-hooking vs hooked on a kite is a very similar thing in my opinion and it's that extra effort and time involved with it that makes it all the more worthwhile to some.

I think it's pointless to try and argue which is better, but I find it funny when people who ride unstrapped can't work out the reason why you would want to un-hook at all as both these principles involve basically the same logic.

Strapless Freestyle is too boring. It doesn't really describe the most important aspect of the genre. You need to call it "Hairstyle."

True. But look at the promo videos. Now tell me that hair is not the ultimate factor.

Septic said..
You have to admit it: Hairstyle is the best definition of this genre. Ian A's man-bun. Patty's rich-kid trustafarian dreads. It's Hairstyle.

You're a hard man to argue with based on facts. I now have this overwhelming desire to go out and get a perm. But to be fair seeing Rich and Leo, with or without fashionable hair, doing their stuff is inspiring. Not many people ride as well as them.

It's just the way they present it. Hair. Nice hair!

Wow. This place is entertaining.

I would be super keen for a strapless riding event! Maybe not so much a comp as there is allot of diferent styles, but just a weekend thing somewhere windy that has a pub im sure would work fine!

Yeah reaal keen mate! would be good to go for a session with some other strapless riders. merimbula isnt a bad in between spot for east coasters. Marlo could be even better for setting up some toys in the flat stuff!