marypoppins

How about the fifth line option- just for fitting on low wind days. I believe that might help, though not tried it myself it must be said. I was interested in buying one of the 07 Atom's myself but came across a few posts about the poor bottom end. Are you able to try a fifth line?

So, are you the kind of person who just dives into something without weighing up the pros and cons of different types of equipment? Different people have different goals. I would like to think that you can enjoy yourself without taking unnecessary risks.

...here's the slightly embarrassing bit.....I is a bloke!....just like the film and the title seemed sort of apt...at the time that is, not sure ever since! I'm 75kg basic dry weight.

Just watched the video and see what you mean- similar in many respects to the 5th line concept where you gradually feed the line back through to the kite. What is the slingshot bar that is being used there- I see there are three kinds on the slingshot website?

Teddy, do you mean that the Atom depowers more, and is therefore safer? Kingralst, I really don't think I'm going to be kiting at your level but do take on board the points you make. If the centre ropes of the Waroo bar were made that little bit longer would this fix the problem? I appreciate the idea of the control bars that just hold onto one of the front lines but is this not affected by the side of the wind window that the kite comes down and will this not leave the kite the wron way round for a relaunch, or is that me just being idealistic?

Following on from my earlier post..... Would anyone say that a 2 kite Atom quiver is all you need for Uk conditions or would it be the case that there is a range of windspeeds- maybe in the 20-25mph range where neither kite is going to be in its "sweet spot" and the 9m would be better? Ta again.

Sounds dangerous. Could you explain please? Surely if you pull the primary release at the chicken loop you are still connected to the front lines and the bar slides up the centre rope as far as it can which sort of "flags out" the entire trailing edge of the kite? That is assuming that the bar is able to push past the stopper. The centre rope on the 07 bar I saw yesterday seemed to be quite long (about 20 ins) and I would have thought this sufficient to release the back edge? ....I hope I am explaining this OK?

Contemplating buying one of these (maybe 2) 9m and 12m. I know that that when you let go of the bar on the Atom all back line pressure is released and the bar goes about 6ft or so away for you then to retrieve. What happens on the Waroo? Does the sliding stopper allow the bar to go through it, or do you have to physically push the bar past, and then is the final position of the bar sufficient to suitably depower the kite and is it a total depower? Any comments appreciated.

I'm struggling to get my head around the different factors here without getting too bogged down with surfboard shaping and technical stuff. Am I right in thinking that you need a softer board that will flex and adapt to the shape of a wave whereas for light wind conditions you need something that is stiffer and holds its shape? So the board I am after somehow has to be a compromise between these two? The rail also needs to be harder so it will not slip in higher winds? Do the fins not prevent slippage under these conditions? What is a normal surfboard like-does that have much flex? Maybe I have to decide on whether I intend the board for higher wind/waves or lighter wind since the characteristics seem at odds with one another? Still after any opinions on the Autopilot.

Anyone had experience with Cabrinha Surface to Air or Autopilot for example? Just for the hell of it I'm interested in getting a second hand directional board for light winds or for 'normal' winds when there is chop, swell and some waves. I'm not particularly heavy at 12 stone. I've been trying to formulate some sort of short list and would be grateful for any advice. I'm thinking of a length of about 5ft6ins x 17ins wide.

Have you had any experience with Cabrinha Surface to Air or Autopilot for light wind and 'normal' wind in choppey conditions? I'm interested in trying a directional just for the hell of it but don't want to pay too much and don't want the hassle of converting a surfboard

What has it got in the way of fins Pat? Any pictures? Cheers Ade

At last.....spoke to somebody yesterday evening out riding a direction. Wind was a bit lacking and most on twin tips seemed to be struggling to get upwind but this chap seemed to be finding it easy. Turned out he had a standard NSP surfboard 5ft6ins long modded to take footstraps and two areas with grip material glued to the deck for when gybing. I was most suprised that the edges were totally round so much of the grip must have come from the standard fins. Anyone know what sort of edge the "proper" directionals and mutants have?

What are the determining factors in the selection of a directional board? Is it mainly down to rider size? For instance a good alround twintip size for an average sized rider of 12 st in most conditions seems to be 135 x 40 or there abouts.

Is it true that with a directional board you can go upwind better and use a size smaller kite? I'm progressing on a twin tip and browsing different forums to get some handy hints about coping with waves etc and going upwind, I came across this directional debate with no clear outcome. The idea seems to be that because you are riding the larger fins rather that the rail you need to be less powered up and can take some de stress out of de body? Are there specific places where these boards have to be used; ie would they be applicable to conditions like Shoreham with a lot of chop, a bit of swell and a few waves depending on the day? I have certainly not seen anyone riding a directional in these parts, is there a reason for that or is it just a trend thing? Questions, questions......any answers?