I have been kiting since Nov las year and have been progressing fairly well. I know how to boost and try to ride toe side where I can, one way much better than the other.
I am now saving for surf board (kiting) as that's the reason for getting into the sport, the surfing side.
My question is what should I be practicing more whilst still in the tt, should it be riding unhooked (haven't done yet) or riding toe side comfortably both ways, or anything else?
I'm looking at the Naish Skater, Cabrinha Skillit or Slingshot Celeritas. Any thoughts on these?
BTW I have been surfing for 14 years or so and ride a Lost Subdriver 6' and I'm 85kgs
Riding toe side both ways would help but I reckon learning to gybe is quicker to learn and get comfortable at, I'd suggest grabbing and old surfboard and trying that out and then splurging out and getting a good one when you've got the basics down pat. If you've been surfing for 14 years you shouldn't have much trouble.
I've never tried to ride unhooked on a surfboard and I don't see any of the locals doing it either, but might give it ago one day.
Hi Phil
Very few people are able to ride well toeside both directions. People are usely either goofy or natural.
Quite a few surfers only ride with one particular foot forward and therefore ride one tack healside and the other toeside.
You should though be able to ride both direction almost as well heelside
Being able to do confidant/quick turns and being able to do little board pops to climb white water are useful skills
+1 Brohan
def get an old PU board, maybe the one you already have, and you will love the feel of it if you are a surfer, none of the epoxy kiteboards come close imo (no flex & too bouncy), don't put straps on whatever you do bc then you will always need them. Gybing a lot easier to learn with no straps.
PS. I have a skillit and I hardly ever use it except in really strong winds where my surfboard would otherwise fly away
Thanks for advice..
I have a battered old 6'6 which I should try first, pretty big tho. My 6' lost is my only useable surfboard so gotta keep that in good nick..how does the Skillit go? Looks fun
So riding unhooked is not such a big deal in surf? Is it a case of trying to keep the kite depowered (12 o clock) and letting it drift?
Why even ride unhooked? More freedom?
Something I struggle with riding toeside is the harness feels awkward (feels like it wants to twist) is there something I can do like wearing it loose or is that a bad idea
I started on a 6'3" now on a 6'2" my skillit is 5'6" so prob a bit small for me (I am 183cm) goes all right when wind is cranking but for lighter winds a PU goes better, it does wreck your board (lots of depressions on deck) and don't use FCS as the fins break easily, glassed in fins best imo. you can pick up good used PU boards for $100 these days.. compare that with $600-$700 for a kite surfboard.
a loose harness is fine so that you can easily go toeside otherwise get a dynabar or similar
as for unhooked, supposed to give you freedom in hip movement, never tried it, maybe practice on your twinnie as its hard work holding on to the kite, so you want to keep it low in the window
heaps of stuff in these forums about all this esp from WA crew...
Select to expand quotebigtone667 said...
A dynabar may help stop the harness from twisting.
Get a dedicated surf harness, made to slide around a bit. Makes a big difference.....
Get the Naish Skater 5ft 2, you will not regret it. Super easy to ride, early planing, solid construction and turns really well. Only thing is bit pricy. 5ft 2 will suit most people. I am 186 cm and 82kg.
Well I never knew that! Dyna bar and the Mystic wave harness look great (not sure on some of the other dodgy homemaders that just came up on google!)..Dynabar the cheaper option perhaps. Good stuff.
The Skater does look awesome, the 2015 lineup is pretty small, is the 5'2 not too small? Edging towards this board tho. Have seen a couple of older models up but they are a bit longer at 5'4 (2014)
Go to one of the popular wave kite spots in your area and ask a few of the crew there to get good local advice. You'll find a lot of guys who really know their **** aren't on seebreeze.
Regarding harnesses dyno is good because it attaches to the harness you already have and don't have to fork out for a dedicated wave harness. Don't want to product bash but I had issues with the mystic wave regarding last ability but that was the first year it was out so may of improved
I think, the most important skill to have before you move onto waves is to be able to fly the kite blind in most circumstances, i.e. without looking at it. I would add learn to jump also blind.
Then get a surfboard (I was not impressed with the new truncated boards like the skater, but it is worth demoing) and learn to jybe confidently. That's important in Perth's mash. Then you will rip it in no time.... patience pays off
Tomo works for Firewire's and did some kinda deal with them so anyone else mass making this shape are paying those guys off.
Firewire Tomo's are now the original, best and latest shapes to come out of Tomo's brain. He is the man & these boards shred with
much lower volumes than any other shape. I rode the Nano 5'9" and was blown away, how does a board with a big square tail
go so smooth and turn sweet? F*Nose? The vanguards turn faster. Haven't tried the Vader but that's looking like my one.
Dynabars rock.
