kite_poseur

http://www.advance-kites.com/news/upload/800-545-137946468.jpg

True, but it also acts as an anchor, often creating so much pressure it can break the attachment points, or if it does come free it will fire back at you even faster/harder. The best leash solution is a reel leash from oceanus, its like a retractable dog leash only MUCH stronger. You can attach it to the end of your board, when you come off it just reels out, then slowly reels back in bringing your board back to you. It almost acts as a shock absorber, totally stopping the slingshot scenario. The other advantage is that the leash is straight from your harness to the board when you're riding, so there's nothing flapping around to get tangled round your fins/legs etc. The only disadvantage I found was as you get better and can hold down more power, you are lower in the water and the leash can then drag out, acting like a brake! But methinks you are a little away from that point......

Surely just another example of natural selection, be a shame to ruin the kiting at Hunstanton however.

Back in the good old days sonny, we used an old quilt, some cat gut and a park bench...... It worked for me.....its just too easy for you youngsters these days.... .....i wish i still had me own teeth....... ................................brussel sprouts........................................................................................................................armadillo............................................bicycle clip.................................

Here's the thing buddy, one of my mates started kitesurfing about 6 months after me (nearly 3 yrs ago now). He was real concerned about getting the right kit. He tried one one board for a few weeks, didnt get on with it and changed it. Tried another board, didnt get on with that & changed it. Then he thought maybe its the kite, tried another brand, didnt get on with it changed again. Then we gave him a serious talking to and broke down the elements of kitesurfing step by step, then bingo it worked for him. All the stuff he tried worked fine - he just didnt have the suss of it, you get my drift.......?

Full power, everything should be parallel Oversheet & the tips flare Setup is a little bit of personal preference, my kit is set up so that when I have full power I have about 1" distance between chicken loop and bar. Sometimes you may want to over sheet slightly, when jumping or wave riding as it drops the kite back in the window, also it can give a little more grunt if you want to set your kite in steady wind. If you are over sheeting when sining/working the kite then yes it is not working efficiently. if you are pulling on the bar so hard that it is permanently over sheeting I would say that you need a bigger kite for those conditions - the ideal is setting your kite rather than sining it.

You can kitesurf with them, you can kitesurf with a nasa wing if you really want to (i have but only for a laugh). BUT the reason you dont see people using them is: a) they are now very old technology and hard work b) there is now so much better/easier to use new & 2nd hand stuff on the market Seriously the CO2 is a GOOD BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE KITE, do not listen to anybody who tells you different, if you dont believe me then ask the question on kiteforum.com or the BKSA message board. If you really want to learn using foils then try FS warriors, but you already got a good kite - get it sorted & get on the water!!

Dude, the 2002 CO2 is one of the best mid aspect kites of last year. They are mega stable, do not overfly and relaunch very easily. I've got various kites X2's, AB's etc. etc. but i still keep my smaller CO2's for when it's nukin, cos they're just so stable & predictable. Sounds like you may have got a bum deal on the one you got, my advice would be get it sorted from whoever you bought it off & persevere. One thing to bear in mind, inflatable kites need lots of TLC, you cant go dragging them up the beach or letting them flap about in the wind - take plenty of care when setting up & packing away. You dont need a faster, more high performance kite, you need a stable all rounder.