songalolo1 Posted July 26, 2005 Report Posted July 26, 2005 Hi Guys... I got myself a Litewave 169 and a G1 13m and want to give Kite surfing a go... Now none of my mates are all that interested just yet, were as I'm chomping at the bit so to speak. So just want to know what you guys thought about things I should be doing and in what order I should be doing things to make sure I miss some of the obvious potholes. I'm very comfortable in the water... good swimmer, done quite a bit of surfing and I'm an advanced scuba diver... So I'm well aware of the dangers that the ocean can through at you. I'm pretty comfortable with my kite on land so really it's my kite board skills I need to look at and I need to get a handle on body dragging for board retreaval... Is there anything I've missed? My nearest spot is Hill Head, Or Weston when I'm in Bristol, so if any kind soul would like to take me under their wing for a session or 2 I would greatly appreciatted it... images/smilies/biggrin.gif thanks Tim Quote
Ted Posted July 26, 2005 Report Posted July 26, 2005 Hi Tim - I'm happy to go out with you from Bristol but will not be available until about Aug 12th. I suggest you do the IKO course (perhaps at Portland harbour). It teaches you about safety. Unlike landboarding you need alot of power for KSing and you need to have the safety procedures drilled in. If you want to chat about it give me a ring. Ted 0791 3287070 Quote
Guest Nevermind Posted July 26, 2005 Report Posted July 26, 2005 few tips, i found handy, lob kite from 12 o clock(zen) straight dopwn to near water then pull back on bar as soon as your body comes up and work kite heading slightly downwind, once get speed look UPWIND more than the direction you wnat to go, then push weight on back foot, but keep front leg tense if taht makes sense, and hope for best!! And dont look at kite as you end up going face first when starting out. Craig (Just learnt to kitesurf ) Quote
needakite mike Posted July 26, 2005 Report Posted July 26, 2005 just commit to swooping the kite and take out about an extra 5mph to what you normally do as if you do this at the start you should be up strait away and dont worry about bailing it doesnt hurt unless you hit the sand so go out deep Quote
songalolo1 Posted July 26, 2005 Author Report Posted July 26, 2005 Thanks Ted, appreciate the offer, problem is cash... Although I know doing the course will be beneficial..... I have no intention of going out to sea with out feeling well prepared and one of the things I want to get right is getting to and pulling my safety ASAP... I have had to do it a few times on land... I still need to get a line knife... to be sure I am well prepared.. Is that the main thing I would expect to learn from the IKO course? Safety? If it's classroom based for a day, I could read the material and practice on my own... obviously not properley qualified but I do want to get the official qualifications at some point... Hi Tim - I'm happy to go out with you from Bristol but will not be available until about Aug 12th. I suggest you do the IKO course (perhaps at Portland harbour). It teaches you about safety. Unlike landboarding you need alot of power for KSing and you need to have the safety procedures drilled in. If you want to chat about it give me a ring. Ted 0791 3287070 Quote
Agger Posted July 27, 2005 Report Posted July 27, 2005 You may find you need a personality transplant, or at least a good lesson in "how to be a knob" as unfortunately that part of the sport is where most of them hang out:eek: , it's a shame I know a few really good guys who have made the switch to kitesurfing only to come back as they say it's full of tossers with to much money, good looks and no brain:eek: I know I'll get flamed from those who are kitesurfers but this is'nt really aimed at them it's aimed at the bronze adonis who thinks this is the latest must have in order to get some bimbo on his arm, there we go full circle, before that happens he needs a transplant:cool: Best of luck and hope all goes well fo you Quote
Sticky Posted July 27, 2005 Report Posted July 27, 2005 I can recommend the kite course I went on at Portland Harbour (www.paracademy.co.uk). I did the three day course. None of it is classroom based as such. The first day focuses very heavily on safety techniques and emergency deep water packdown along with kite control (less useful when you can already fly like I could) and body dragging. Day two continues that theme with a first chance to look at how to get up on the board etc and wind permitting you'll spend most of day three just trying to get up and riding. I found the course really helpful and it increased my confidencce on the water. The only thing I would say is they teach using LEI's and I can see you've got a Guerilla you want to use. I fly a GII and a Bomba but I still found the course beneficial. Quote
gillstah Posted July 27, 2005 Report Posted July 27, 2005 The first day focuses very heavily on safety techniques and emergency deep water packdown along with kite control (less useful when you can already fly like I could) and body dragging. even the best fliers and riders break lines, which would involve a packdown/swim. so IMHO it's worth shelling out a few extra quid at this stage to cover the safety aspects. it's also worth getting BKSA/BBC/PKSF (3rd party liability) insurance. please also very seriously consider wearing a helmet: http://fksa.org/viewtopic.php?t=771 http://fksa.org/viewtopic.php?t=706 http://fksa.org/viewtopic.php?t=701 http://fksa.org/viewtopic.php?t=670 http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2317163&highlight=okinawa cheers paul. Quote
jason mcgowan Posted July 27, 2005 Report Posted July 27, 2005 You will find the hardest thing is getting the board on your feet!Once in the footstraps sine the kite as quick as you can. Also don't go out in high wind etc and find a quiet beach also helps. Like I said its the waterstart I found the hardest especially if theres waves,If there are don't go too deep as they will knock the board off spin you round etc.But when you get up just pretend you are building speed up on your landboard,More power will make it easier as you wont have to move the kite so much. hope this helps jas ps.had my lesson through Bruce at Bristol Kitestore. Quote
vouz Posted July 27, 2005 Report Posted July 27, 2005 I was in a similer position to you earlier this year. I practiced with my LEI on land and body dragging on water, learning the water relaunch and rescue etc. Then i got 2 lessons on boardwork only (£140) and was up and riding. I would say you can teach yourself the safety aspects if your sensible and have good kite knowladge. Like everyone else has said wear a helmet and boyancy aid. I got hit on my head a few times by my board, and after you wipe out for the fifth time you will appreciate boyancy as you float and dribble seawater! Good luck, Its all worth it! Quote
paulie_amoose Posted July 27, 2005 Report Posted July 27, 2005 Hi Tim - I'm happy to go out with you from Bristol but will not be available until about Aug 12th. I suggest you do the IKO course (perhaps at Portland harbour). It teaches you about safety. Unlike landboarding you need alot of power for KSing and you need to have the safety procedures drilled in. If you want to chat about it give me a ring. Ted 0791 3287070 Dont go out with Ted, he's an internet groomer... Quote
paulie_amoose Posted July 27, 2005 Report Posted July 27, 2005 Seriously though if you get in touch with Ted when you down Bristol way I'll come out with out guys. If your on a G13 then he can show all the kitesurfing side of it as he also has a strange love for the flying sleeping bags...... Paul Quote
songalolo1 Posted July 27, 2005 Author Report Posted July 27, 2005 Seriously though if you get in touch with Ted when you down Bristol way I'll come out with out guys. If your on a G13 then he can show all the kitesurfing side of it as he also has a strange love for the flying sleeping bags...... Paul Flying sleeping bags.. lol you funny... but will take you up on your offer.. thanks. Personality change I hope not, I like myself just the way I am... so not intending to turn into a knob... let me know if I do please... I guess it might be to late already. IKO course Thanks for the course feedback... as I said would love to go on a course and I intend to do that at some point... be careful Thanks for the words of warning, those stories have me quite concerned... but the lessons learnt bits were great... I have every intention of being around to watch my daughter grow up... and if I feel unsure about things I normally pack up and go home. I have BBC insurance and always wear my helmet... I will continue to read and learn about safety techniques and water pack downs etc... Jason and Vouz Thanks for your feedback guys... had not thought about a bouyancy aid.. good idea... thanks also good just how much fun I'm gonna have... Hopefully see you guys on the water real soon... Thanks Again.. Tim Still not heard from any local guys (Hill Head) Quote
adamski Posted July 27, 2005 Report Posted July 27, 2005 MY tip? Prepare your smiling muscles for a serious work out!! BE SENSIBLE and when you are half tired STOP, swimming back with all that kit is well hard..... or painfully expensive if you end up having to let it go!! I have just done the same as you and TBH.... landboarding is now just for when I can't get to the sea/the wind isn't high enough or on my own! I will be getting the IKO thing and doing the courses too, but somewhere warmer than here and mainly to be SURE I have all the safety stuff sorted. Great fun and everyone is very helpful...... (btw.. 1-1.5 hours and I was up and giggling..... my 14yo.....TWENTY SECONDS! ) Quote
npeac Posted July 27, 2005 Report Posted July 27, 2005 tim gis a bell if your in bristol, i will keep an eye on ya, also try and get hold of the RNLI dvd on kitesafety, try it in a field before the water, its not rocket science if you are used to a powered kite. Quote
songalolo1 Posted July 28, 2005 Author Report Posted July 28, 2005 Thanks NPEAC, will give you a call when I am in Bristol Next... Ted same goes for you... Looks like it might be around the 20th August at the moment.. I am also planning on going to the Gower (Rhossilli Bay) for a few days camping the weekend before (11th - 16th August). So if anyone is going to be down that way then let me know and we could hook up... Quote
Ted Posted July 28, 2005 Report Posted July 28, 2005 Tim - Send me an email to: train(at)gn.apc.org with your contact details and i'll get in touch when Weird-paulamoose and i head out next. i've been KSing on the G18 and LEIs and would love to have a flight on the G13. Ted Quote
songalolo1 Posted July 29, 2005 Author Report Posted July 29, 2005 Tim - Send me an email to: train(at)gn.apc.org with your contact details and i'll get in touch when Weird-paulamoose and i head out next. i've been KSing on the G18 and LEIs and would love to have a flight on the G13. Ted Hi Ted, Just sent you a mail... I hope to be in Gower (Rhossilli Bay) next week, camping at Hill End (Llangennith) from Thursday to Tuesday (4th - 9th August). Then I hope to be in Bristol the following weekend again for a couple of days... (12th - 14th). So if anyone is planning to be at Gower of the same period, send me a pm... so we can hook up... Hope to see you in Bristol Ted... Laters Tim Quote
songalolo1 Posted August 1, 2005 Author Report Posted August 1, 2005 no one gonna be at Rhossili this weekend? have to say the wind is not looking all that good. So maybe not worth but... but if you gonna be there look out for my G1 13m. Quote
songalolo1 Posted August 11, 2005 Author Report Posted August 11, 2005 well I had a go at it, and it was great fun, did more body draggin than boarding. Was a very good learning experience. I had to play in the surf, I got up on the board a few times but kept getting knocked down by the 3 foot waves coming through. Oh and I managed to crash my G in the waves and test the relaunch. Well I did not get it launched until I got back to the beach but I got it back up and went back out. 3 things I learnt though... 1) I need a lot more wind, not sure what it was but it felt quite strong. 2) learning in waves is not the best idea. 3) getting the board on your feet can be damn hard! Any suggestions about binds would be great. Do you have them tight or loose... any tricks for helping to get your feet it? Thanks Tim Quote
monkeyinshower Posted August 11, 2005 Report Posted August 11, 2005 Yep getting the board on your feet can be a bit of mission, It gets better with practice but I guess at first it would be advisable to have the bindings on the looser side so you can slip into them a little easier. Things that I find help me are.. 1) Doing a little leg stretching before going out. That helps me bend down to the board a little easier. 2) pull on the grab handle and shove the board on your feet (you can practice this out of the water - to get it into your head) 3) If there is a bit of a shoredump then you could body drag past the break and put the board on without the hassle of waves breaking on you the whole time! Quote
songalolo1 Posted August 11, 2005 Author Report Posted August 11, 2005 thanks, some good advice there... Quote
songalolo1 Posted August 15, 2005 Author Report Posted August 15, 2005 I did it, I managed to get up on the board and have a really nice session on the water at Weston... I was well chuffed, and I really love it... what a great feeling. It's a real shame the wind dropped off or I would have stayed out much longer. Met a a couple of chaps down there on the beach (South Africans - funny that it seems we are all over the place) NPEAC, thanks also for your advice about Weston... hope you had a good session in Cardiff. See you down there again soon. Quote
npeac Posted August 15, 2005 Report Posted August 15, 2005 nah it was crap, should have gone to weston for the known quantity. waves were good in porthcawl but wind dropped off too much. not a total loss as it was a points day anyway. you can afford to have the straps really loose as those pads hug your feet really well, as soon as you are stay ing on the board a bit longer tighten them up though. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.