SoutherlyBuster Posted April 8, 2014 Report Posted April 8, 2014 I would recommend to remove the leash. Just like with kite surfing, don't use a leash for safety reasons, same with landboard when used with a kite. As for purely downhill and flat land without a kite, I would also leave off the leash. In all the years that I've done downhill landboarding, never had the need for a leash. I believe the idea is that if you come off the board whilst on a down hill run, you fall off, board keeps on rolling down the hill and potentially knocking into some one. I've heard that some skii resorts in the USA require you to use one, or was the brakes? All the times I've ever come off the board was still able to keep the board with me. Regards, Norman. Quote
Mick14 Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 I had come to the conclusion that my years of buggy experience were not helping much as I learnt to landboard. Kite size selection for landbarding is completely different to buggying, and I found myself doing moves that I am comfortable with in a buggy but scared the life out of me on the board. But now I've changed my mind. After a short session on the claypans I realised that I instinctively knew what to do with the kite if it looked like I was about to get overpowered. And when you're flying alone in an isolated location, you can go back to a buggy-sized kite to minimise the risk of injury. Quote
SoutherlyBuster Posted May 19, 2014 Report Posted May 19, 2014 ... and I found myself doing moves that I am comfortable with in a buggy but scared the life out of me on the board. What moves would they be Mick? What like kite loops at the end of a tack? Or the mad Criss Italy 360 spin (or was the 720 degress?) at the end of the tack to slow down and pick a new direction (miss watching them at Presidents Park back in the days of the Geelong Kite club meets Criss) Regards, Norman. Quote
Mick14 Posted May 28, 2014 Report Posted May 28, 2014 Like dropping the kite into the power zone when I'm already going too fast. Also putting the kite behind me hoping to slow down but just getting lofted instead. Quote
SoutherlyBuster Posted May 29, 2014 Report Posted May 29, 2014 Also putting the kite behind me hoping to slow down but just getting lofted instead. Well ast least you only have 8kg hanging off your body rather than 30 or 50kg (of a buggy). Quote
Mick14 Posted May 29, 2014 Report Posted May 29, 2014 Actually I had nothing... I was pulled backwards out of the foot straps and the landboard just kept going without me. Quote
Northern Kites Australia Posted June 2, 2014 Report Posted June 2, 2014 Actually I had nothing... I was pulled backwards out of the foot straps and the landboard just kept going without me. That's why I drift the board to make sure I am still attached to the board. Tightening the foot straps before riding helps. Quote
gum-nuts Posted June 6, 2014 Report Posted June 6, 2014 I had a go on the board with the kite again this morning, and am feeling much more comfortable and confident. Going one way is really good as I am more comfortable riding regular stance (left foot forward), but when I come back and have to ride goofy I don't feel as in control... I guess that will improve with practice? But what I did try was was riding regular with the kite almost behind me and rather than leaning heel-side, backwards against the pull of the kite, leant forwards with my weight toe-side! Went quite well until a couple of gusts nearly pulled me off backwards and also couldn't quite figure out how to slide to a stop! So ended up doing a big looping turn down-wind, heel-side so the kite was back in front and I could lean back against the pull - all good fun! No wipe outs so that was progress! Quote
SoutherlyBuster Posted June 6, 2014 Report Posted June 6, 2014 Ah, welcome to toe side riding and unidirectional boards -- that's the norm with DirtSurfers. Quote
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