Tzwengali

Some discussions about Skims was going on here (how do you quote other threads properly?): Problem with the cheap skims is that they are too small to give enough planing area. The main reason why skims start at lower wind than BiDis is that they have a larger area. Floatation does not matter much at all IMO.

While I have not ridden a plywood skim with a kite myself, I can not see any reason why this would not work to have fun on the water on a low wind day. IMO (If you do not want to win a skimboard wave contest): Board Area! is the key important factor, if its large enough, you will get going and have fun. Floatation? nah! not so important, even the foam skim I was riding would not hold more than a few pints of beer above water. Fins? nah! part of the fun of a skim is that it is twisty and can be shuffled around underneath your feet. To go upwind you use the rail which is easy to push on a wide board. Straps? no way! defies the whole spirit and purpose of skimboarding! Put a good layer of wax on the board (or on a cheap plywood board, give it a clear varnish and sprinkle salt or sugar on it while the farnish is still wet)

Skimboard on the beach is a differnt story - I got quite a few bruises as well when doing that from the board suddenly stopping or slipping away under my feet. However, out on the deep water with a kite it is an amazing feeling...

What to do if you want to be on the water as much as possible depends on your wallet, skills and/or willingness to learn new stuff 1) Can't be bothered to learn new stuff and have money to spend: Get a large kite and a door (fat and long BiDi board) 2) Windsurfing, Surfing background, limited money, large car Get a long directional - I fall into this category and ride an 7.2ft Flexifoil directional with a 13m Flysurfer if the wind is between 8-12mph and LOVE IT riding a board over the rear fin(s) is tons of fun and brings back nice memories. 3) Keen to learn new stuff, small car Get a skimboard, because they are so wide, they start planing as early as directionals. Must be willing to learn riding unstrapped and potentially jibing, which will have down after 2-3 sessions. Also good option if you fly on kiting holidays alot, as the skimboard can easily be packed. 4) Keen to learn new stuff, large car Get a surfboard (~6ft Fish design seems to be the recent trend) and learn riding unstrapped. The board can also be used on pure surfing holidays.

if you fly with Monarch Airline than you are sorted! Take your big bag and pack board into centre between soft stuff. Monarch has been my best experience WRT sports luggage. No fussing about at all. I took them a few times to Gibraltar when going to Tarifa rather than flying Ryanair to Jerez.

http://www.kitebeaches.com

Did you check your luggage allowance? I have a Dakine coffin bag which on its own weights nearly 5kg (1/4 of the typical allowance!). So I only use it on car trips but not when flying. For flights I got a padded surfboard bag which I shortend by cutting of one end and sewing it close. (weights close to nothing and gives nice protection) I pack it: Soft stuff on one side (wetsuit, towel etc.) board in the centre (fins, straps off) 2 kites on top makes a nice safe parcel....

I am having trouble with my ears when cold and/or dirty water gets in, they tend to infect easily. After trying many different styles of ear-plugs more or less successfully, I am now following my GPs recommendation and am using Blue-Tack (was mentioned in this thread earlier already) - works perfectly and can be molded nicely to protect the inner ear. The lack of audio input needs gettting used to, though.

If you wear it over, make sure you buy it large enough. Tight rash vest over tight neopren you might look like out of a rubber fetish movie....

You will be fine with 2 fins - as long as they are on the heel side, which I assume they are? In fact it might even be easier, as you will not run risk catching the front toe side fin in choppy water. The toe-side fins are really mainly used when riding toe-side, you might find 2 second-hand fins somewhere to put on your board before you attemp flipping or carving into toeside, but for the time being you are all set - ENJOY!!

Have been riding a skateboard helmet (on land and water) for 3 years, and replaced it with a Gath last autumn. Have to say I liked the skateboard helmet better. In my experience Gath helmets need a lot of adjusting to fit properly and now the adjusting pads keep falling out and need to be re-glued. Also, I am sweating under it like a pig if I wear it on land. The skateboard lid might look a little big, but is super compfy, never slips, nice ventilation and if the pads are fixed with velcro (typically they are) you can take them out in winter when wearing more head gear.

While I agree that Tarifa is better avoided during the summer month, I can recommend it for a winter kitesurf break. Resonably easy to get to, you are pretty much guaranteed to have wind, apart from the day when the wind switches from Poniente to Levante, and warm enough to camp. When the wanna-be-surf-dudes are not in town its a great spot to hang out, and met legendary shapers and riders. I usually stay at a campground betwen Tarifa and Las Dunas, which I loved every time I went there. Go just after full moon and you can ride the one foot deep lagoon for miles!!! Absolutely fantastic.

I try to rinse them on my Flysurfer after each session to remove all sand etc. When launching in the dry, any sand that was picked up on the beach should just fall out - as its dry. I only started rigorous pulley rinsing after I had one disaster where the line actualy got stuck between pulley and pulley frame (because the wheel had worn down so much) and have had no visible wear problems since.

Flat on the inside, to remove all doubts, just look at thruster fins on a surfboard, they are curved on the outside and flat on the inside. I am quite surprised to hear that there are these type of asymetric standard fins around - which brand are they? The only asymetric ones I have seen so far are the wave fins from TFC.

In case you are flexible with your traveling times, there is the Freestyle World Cup, Round 1 at lake Como, might be interesting to check out: Sunday, 27 May 2007 - Monday, 04 June 2007 Lake Como, , Italy Organised by: Kiteboard Pro World Tour (KPWT)