Kite-waterskiing?

[Lem]

I remember seeing a vid of Sven from Oceanside trying this somewhere..

 

Anyone else had any success?, and if so with what skis?

[jugglerjon]

I've been thinking about this for a while. As I'm a skier was thinking it may be good practice for snowkiting.

 

Had a look on ebay a while ago and you can get waterskis pretty cheap.

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

Jon

[Kiwidave]

I know some poeple who were up at West Kirby in Liverpool and said there was people doing it there but i haven't seen it just heard about it , However anyone from West Kirby might know more????

[Lem]

Had a rummage around on foilzone, and it seems Sven is working with a ski manufacturer to produce a kite-specific model. Could be the thing for the skier/blader who wants to cross-over or do 'snowkiting' in the summer.

[zerogee]

This is not a new idea. The sport of "kitesurfing" originally started out on waterskis, well... well... before it the sport exploded 1999. I remember watching Corey with his Kiteski back in the late '80's and the early '90's in the Gorge Blowout (an 18 mile downwinder on a winding river). No one could touch him. I think he still uses the skis in the Blowout to this day.

 

Below is some history... enjoy.

 

 

Cory Roeseler from Oregon began to develop his Kiteski system using a rigid framed kite with a reel-bar & water-skis. The kite-skier launched the kite by hand and let out line from the reel to begin riding. When the kite crashed, the pilot reeled in the lines to re-launch.

 

the Kiteski (Roeseler) were the original marine traction systems. The Kiteski was the first commercially available product and was awarded patents for its unique design. It was first released around 1986. The Legaignoux inflatable kite, took 15 years of development before becoming commercially available as the Wipika kite, released around 1997.

Corey and Bill Roeseler from Seattle worked away for many years experimenting with kite powered sailing boats and buggies then struck success with their patented "KiteSki" system; water ski(s) and large delta style two line kites controlled via a bar mounted winch/brake. Bill is a Boeing Aerodynamicist (now working on the advanced fighter project) and his son Corey, also an engineer, is a world class water skier. Available commercially from 1994 the "KiteSki" has genuine water launch capability accomplished by winding the lines in until the nose of the kite is within reach then hand launching on very short lines (while lying back in the water) and letting the lines out under brake control until the kite is at full height. The "KiteSki" kites are smooth and powerful in stronger winds and have excellent upwind performance, especially in gusty conditions. Corey came to Lake Clearwater (Ashburton Lakes area) in 1995 and awed us with his speed, balance and upwind angle- not bettered by anyone here until 1998.

"KiteSki" has all the elements necessary for successful kite surfing plus speed and spectacle. Corey and Bill certainly deserve their success and our thanks for their years of pioneering technical and promotional work. Corey is very active in KiteSurfing, now using a ski that has evolved some way towards the surfboard style;

[noelpilot83]

There was some shots of this in the flexifoil power trip video (1998 I think!)

[KermitStu]

it must be harder to stay up wind shorly they cant carve up wind as well as a board

[troy1599968664]

sound a good idea as i 'm a skier and wouldn't hurt if u fell. i'll nick ma dads pair lol

[spooky]

Imagine wiping out and doing the splits? Ouch and then getting dragged with ski's pointing different direction, bound to do some damage to knees/ankles from rotating injuries?

 

Jon

[moomin]

Nah - I doubt you'd hurt yourself anymore skiing than you would boarding. You don't hurt yourself anymore on ski's on snow than you do snowboarding, like most things, it's more a question of control.

 

It was me that was thinking about it - an idea we were playing around with in Lipno, as Simon and I both snowbladed, and were rubbish in general at board sports.

[just do it]

Made myself a new pair of skies from the ones I used before.

The new ones are a little longer and wider and have a much flatter rocker and better edges. They also have proper flex-characteristics.

Couldn't be bothered to brave the cold with them yet but I let you know how I get on with them in the future.

They will surely be way better than my first ones. The first ones had round edges, mega rocker and no flex. They also had a pretty poor sidecut.

If I get a chance then I take another video of the new skis.

I will put up some photos soon.

[just do it]

For anyone who is interested, here is a link to some pictures of the new Protos.

 

http://www.oceanside.co.uk/posts.php?ID=1&bid=3&tid=233

[spooky]

That may be because on snow Ski's break free? On water boards tend to have simple straps so easy (ish) release or full wake that hold you in, but ok as both held together (or should do?).

On water Ski's the bindings are a bit different, ie fixed enough to hold you in to turn/edge, but may or may not relase you in a wipe out?

 

Not saying don't try, jsut be aware

Remeber also that the would need to be fairly large ski's to compenstate for the lack of surface area?

 

IMHo go for a board, trust me it is not that difficult, just start in some good conditions.

 

Jon

[moomin]

Ski's have releasable bindings, but snowblades (which I use) don't. They are notorious for breaking people's ankles and knees!

 

When I've waterskied before, I've had a problem with ski's coming off my feet, (they are tiny) so hadn't thought it would be an issue.

 

Looking at the videos's of Sven, I don't think he's got the right idea. He seems to be trying to ride the skis like a board (I think someone on Foilzone said the same thing) rather than ski's, although he does say he's never skied before.

 

I don't think he's got the ski design down just yet either - if you look he doesn't seem to move through the water that cleanly. He does seem to be using very short, straight ski's though - so maybe something with a bit more width at either end and a greater sidecut might help.

 

IMHo go for a board, trust me it is not that difficult, just start in some good conditions.

 

That's kinda like saying you should only learn to snowboard, because sking is dangerous

 

I tried boading last year. Still have the scars to prove it. I've hurt myself far more trying board sports than I ever have with both feet moving independantly - and that includes my off road skates of death I used to have

[Goose1599968659]

There was some shots of this in the flexifoil power trip video (1998 I think!)

 

Yeah, twas a 1998 vid, and I was gonna say it! lol, on handles with a blade or something like that.

[just do it]

That may be because on snow Ski's break free? On water boards tend to have simple straps so easy (ish) release or full wake that hold you in, but ok as both held together (or should do?).

On water Ski's the bindings are a bit different, ie fixed enough to hold you in to turn/edge, but may or may not relase you in a wipe out?

 

Not saying don't try, jsut be aware

Remeber also that the would need to be fairly large ski's to compenstate for the lack of surface area?

 

IMHo go for a board, trust me it is not that difficult, just start in some good conditions.

 

Jon

 

I had a good search on the net for the right bindings and found a couple of manufacturers who produce waterski-bindings which release.

I opted for the standard Reflex Twinskate bindings which are very similar to standard wakeboard lace ups. They don't release but I didn't really find there was a problem with them. The skis are around 100cm-110cm and the water is a little softer so I am not sure whether you will need release bindings.

It would only be a benefit to have a quick release on them when you want to stop your session.

My new skis will definitely be much better, plane earlier and run much more freely.

[carlos_climber]

Looks like Sven's been deleted - Admin must be worried that the Bones are stiff competition for th eAH pro boards LOL

[moomin]

Hmm - thought that was weird.. I looked earlier and there was a page 2 with no posts on it!