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help with board - straps

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Created by suface2air > 9 months ago, 17 Nov 2009
suface2air
QLD, 701 posts
17 Nov 2009 12:10PM
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Out giveing it heaps yesterday but having problems when edgeing hard waves kept
ripping feet out of board . Could this be helped buy moving feet straps or do i put up with hitting waves head on then go back too edging on back of wave till next wave comes . waves are only little like 2 feet high . Crazy flight alrounder board , wind 15 or so onshore , kite carbrina revolver 11 . Or should i go too different board i am only 58 kgs and i still class myself as a nooby . i also got heaps of spray in my face off front of board .

Flying High
NSW, 217 posts
18 Nov 2009 11:21AM
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It sounds like you are burying the board under the wave, and hence it is ripped off your feet.
The straps most likely will be okay and it comes down to technique.
Basically everyone has similar problems initially.
I would suggest to start out slowly until you have developed the technque.
Slow down as the wave approaches (so dont edge too hard) have the kite about 45 degrees, and raise your front foot/nose of the board and pull your kite up to 60 degrees (not to high as you want pull throught the wave). This helps get the front of the board up and over the initial part of the wave.
With the front of the board going up the wave pull the kite down towards 45 degrees and neutralise your weight on the board until the kites power pulls you over the wave. Then ride away and start edgeing again.
If the wave is too big and is going to break in front of you either:
Turn away, wait until the wave has broken and then turn towards it and use the above technique, or
Just slow down sit in the water with the board underneath (tuck your knees up and dont let the board get away from you) try face the wave and keep the kite at 45 degrees, let the wave go over the top of you and use the power of the kite to pull you through keeping your legs tucked and the board close to your body. Once the wave has passed just power up and ride away.
When you start getting confidence you can hit the small waves at speed, having the kite 45-60 degrees and using the lift from the kite just tuck your knees up and skim over the wave.
I am sure there are plenty of other techniques but having only progressed past your stage 18 months ago this is what worked best for me. I hope this helps



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