tom82 Posted December 18, 2003 Report Posted December 18, 2003 Hi guys, Am pretty much a newbie to this whole kite boarding game, but I'm dead keen, and am trying to get the hang of it as quickly as I can. Am looking forward my time off over Christmas as a chance to get some proper sessions in! I am wondering if anyone could suggest where I'm going wrong: Have got a 4.5m Bullet, and Scrub Furnace Creek, and find that I can never manage to point myself downwind. I think this might be partly to do with the bindings: I am finding it extremely difficult to put my weight forward enough to turn the board in that direction. I have my bindings pretty loose anyway, because it's more forgiving for beginners, but still can't shuffle my feet forward towards the toe-side of the board. I tend to start off just under 45degrees off the wind, then try to turn the board to run perpendicular to the wind, but when I snake upwind a little bit more I find it impossible to get back. Also, I don't know how it should be set up, but my board seems pretty-darned loose. Is this how it should be for kiting? I did get some serious speed-wobbles when I was downhilling with just the board. By the way, how quickly do people manage to turn on their boards? I've had a couple of guys who are more experienced than me comment that my board seems particularly slow to change direction. Is there anything much I can do to adjust that, or is it the nature of the board?? Cheers guys! Tom. Quote
Sky-Blu Posted December 18, 2003 Report Posted December 18, 2003 tough to say without getting on the board there. initially my thought was that the trucks were too tight, and probably is the case. looses them up so theres more play in the wheels allowing you to turn more easily and sharply, but the looser they are then the more wobble if you're not relaxed on the board. the bindings should be set so that you kick you feet in and the balance is such that the board should ride in a neutral direction, neither upwind or downwind. it could be that you're standing far too much on your heels so that'll cause you to just go upwind. as for the speed wobble then as you're a newbie you've got to learn to relax. trying to control the wobble is best done by relaxing as opposed to controling it using hell toe input. as you get better then wobble wont be much of an issue. it will take you a while to get into the board properly. the majority of boarders found it difficult to get into, but with time, practice and pain you'll master it. good luck Quote
nobby Posted December 18, 2003 Report Posted December 18, 2003 try getting your feet in the bindings a bit more so that your centre of gravity is over centreline of the board. dont worry about coming off and still being attached to the board, if this happens try and keep both feet in. one foot in and one foot out = twisted ankles. i got my board set up for downhill use before using with the kite, so that i could go in straight lines comfortably without too much wobble... Quote
seligmanc Posted December 19, 2003 Report Posted December 19, 2003 Struggling with Kite Landboarding... ...perhaps give Kite Blading a go: http://www.flexifoil.co.uk/community/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=23 Quote
the_lone_wolf Posted December 19, 2003 Report Posted December 19, 2003 LMAO - desperate for takers:D:D, tom - stick at the boarding, it's a matter of time - try to find some people who look like they are fairly good and ask them how it's done, much easier than trying to describe it in words:) Quote
rjw Posted December 19, 2003 Report Posted December 19, 2003 its all in the ankles mate, well at least a lot of it is. the speed wobbles should get less the more you board. the trick is to hold a bit of adge all the time, even when leaning back hard. you have to use your ankles as well as your body weight. also don't forget that you can do a big change of direction with a little bunny hop, very useful when you haven't got enough speed up. and you can practice this without the kite. just stand in the bindings and jump around on the board and lean forward and backward, do 180s etc etc. have fun rjw Quote
the_lone_wolf Posted December 19, 2003 Report Posted December 19, 2003 hey mate, you back home yet? just had three sunny days and three beach sessions in clean wind - bliss - cheers for the photo - v.funny. finally got my pads re-stuck using industrial strength araldite:D they are going nowhere Quote
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