Neptune

I am 11 stone, 6ft tall and use a 153! It is the perfect board for me in all conditions, including powder, but it is a true twin-tip. If you can, try it before you go - good advice from above! If there will be new powder, then yes, lean onto your back foot to lift the nose of the board. Also, keeping the kite high, to give you some lift, will help. I have been surfing, kite surfing and snowboarding for some time, before doing snowkiting.

Definitely recommend the duck stance - go for about 10 to 15 degrees toes out towards the tips to start with. It helps if your board is a true twin tip snowboard (trick boards usually are!) - measure the distance between the binding holes and the tips of the board. You may have to re-set the placement of the bindings on the board, usind different holes to normal. I also suggest moving the bindings apart slightly - I have no problem on powder even with a 153 twin tip board and feet far apart - remember the kite helps with lift!! Also as stated carry a tool with you. I wouldn't snowboard normally with my binding settings like this, as it feels too weird - so if you have to, then adjust when you set up the kite. It is a lot of fun - easier than kiteboarding on water - enjoy!!! Hope this helps - Mark

I don't mind people selling here provided that people put "For sale....." in the title of the post and all things should only be kitesurf related in this forum. Helps to browse over the ones that are not interesting to me at the time. Agree that the for sale forum moves too fast. Maybe we should ask Flexifoil for more detailed "For sale" forums. I.E. seperate Kites - boards - harnesses etc. My 2 pennies worth...... Mark

Unfortunately Joe, it looks like everyone is saying the same as I did to you. Try and get a good deal price on an 8.5 - that would seem to be the kite for you. Best of luck mate - Mark

well is it fixed yet? what was wrong?

Hello Joe, Didn't know you were here also. I went out today on the local lake but all ice and no surface snow. Just had the snowboard with me so no fun at all. Will try again tomorrow with the snowblades. Another guy was out with skis and a 04 Frenzy. Can't wait to get another real snow fall - all this above zero temperatures are wrecking the season! Best of luck with any advice you recieve re the 10.5. Come up and fly sometime - You can test out my 6.6 and 8.5. I am trying to grab a 4.9 now for those really windy days! All the best - Mark P.S. Now we are both newly married kiters!!

Finland was good early December but have not had any decent snow now for a few weeks and temps have been above zero. Hopefully more snow just before Christmas. Lakes are frozen and waiting for a good covering! Cheers - Mark

Very much a personal thing, but I would suggest as symetrical as possible to start with and then play with them from there. Same distance from tip of board to each binding and same angle each binding towards the tips (i.e. duck feet!) I use about ten degrees each foot and was just out for 4 hours this weekend on a frozen lake, proved very comfortable. Enjoy - Mark

yeah you can self launch an LEI, but it is not 100% safe and landing LEIs needs extra help!

I changed from LEIs to Blade3s because of the solo launch and landing abilities, as well as a few other reasons. They are great kitesurfing kites but keep them out of the wet stuff. Always try your first few sessions with onshore to cross-onshore winds. Never go further out than you can swim in, after sorting out lines and kite. They work well but are not ideal water kites as no relaunch. Every kite has its good and bad points. Try them by all means, but be sensible with distance from shore and wind conditions. I use them with a fllexifoil pulley bar and find the 8.5 turns well! Good luck

No problem Mick. Glad to hear that it helped. Not easy to explain in words - very simple idea when you see it - even better that the pulley is surrounded by a neoprene cover to keep the sand out! Also good that Flexi give an emergency pull release on the main harness loop.

So that the side of the kite that is turning on the inside is slowed slightly. Imagine doing a right turn. You want the right side of the kite to fly slightly slower to allow the left side to over fly it - thus achieving a turn in the kite to the right.

The pulley bar is a flexifoil one. It means that the two brake lines from the blades connect to a short line which runs through a pulley just ahead of the bar. This aids the turning as some of the brake line is pulled when you pull the bar. You can see it work when you turn the kite. This pulley is attached to a long bungey kite killer, which runs through the bar in the middle to a leash. This is the safety and power kill system. Works very well - have a look on the flexifoil site for the pulley bar. http://www.flexifoil.com/products/blade3.php On the picture you can't see the pulley but it is just above the grey line. I have always flown foils on handles and I would say that the pulley bar turns nearly as quick without stalling by putting on too much brake. Hope this all helps guys

Used one when I was learning - don't use one anymore - however I always wear a helmet! Safer if you can take the leash off IMO. If you are just learning to stand up and get going then I can sort of understand it, as the board is always nearby - but then that is the downside, the spring return as everyone says. As soon as you can get going then I would suggest no leash. Body dragging back to your board works - practice this as much as getting going.

I am now using Blade 3s in Finland. I have spent 3 years with LEIs and am fed up with punctured bladders. The kites are in perfect condition but the bladders inside never survive long. Sand is just too abrasive! I have many years buggy experience. Yesterday I was out flying my 8.5 on a pulley bar in about 12kts. Great session, onshore winds - playing in the waves - even if it was a little cold! Good points :- No pumping Solo launching and landing Very comfortable pull with my waist harness (better than my LEIs IMO) Should last forever - my buggy kites have! Much smaller bag to carry down the beach - can carry two easily with board bag also. Bad points:- Won't relaunch if they trash in the wet stuff No gust control - got to use your board skills If you have the kite skills then I would say they are a good option. Hope this helps - Mark P.S. If anyone wants a full wind quiver of LEIs then let me know? Including spare bladders!!