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Post by rider1200 on Aug 13, 2008 12:16:49 GMT -5
I took a lesson at XL kites in Florida and they spent a good amount of time teaching me body dragging & fly the kite with one hand while I used the other as a rudder so I could get back to my board after accidentally launching downwind out of it (I was overpowered). It took a long time and left me exhausted but I forgot to ask why not just use a boardleash? Especially in the beginning?!
Is it for fear of broken shins or otherwise being smacked by the board after the leash kicks in?
I know at least one other person lost their board last week and had to knock on doors to find it. Seems like it would save some time, specially with our lack of shallow water.
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Post by flashpipe on Aug 14, 2008 8:49:18 GMT -5
There's a great article and pics that answer that at: www.instructables.com/id/How-to-remove-the-leash-from-your-kiteboard-and-wh/Basically, if you're getting dragged through the water and you're leashed, the board can fly up and bash you... Another good argument to wear a helmet...and to put your contact info on your gear... Did they make you wear a helmet during your lesson?? I did my first body dragging and first board ride last week and am looking forward to getting back out on the lake!!! |
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Post by waterauthorityrick on Aug 14, 2008 11:58:07 GMT -5
Rider,
I'm not a kiter (because my first attempt was a "kite-mare" that almost recked my vacation week) but I do know to get rid of the leash. Just ask Chris he took a number of staples on his skull to close the gash caused by his board recoiling back at him.
H20 Rick
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chris
RWS Contributor
Posts: 43
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Post by chris on Aug 14, 2008 19:14:13 GMT -5
Rick is right on. 24 stitches to be exact. DickM was gracious enough to rip up a towel, wrap it around my head and send me off to Emergency. Good news I learned with head injuries is that they bleed a LOT. Dripping blood all over the waiting room floor gets you attention quick.
My advice is build your own board out of plywood when you are learning. They work really well. put a couple of old windsurfing straps on it and some wakeboard fins (you can get them for about $2) and you can make a board for less money than the shiney new leash will cost....let alone a brand new board.
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Post by rider1200 on Aug 15, 2008 12:32:33 GMT -5
Allright I'll ditch the leash idea. And no, neither lesson made me (or even asked if I wanted to) wear a helmet.
I got my 07 15M waroo w/140cm best board yesterday. I got it as a package or I'd be looking into the plywood. I took the kite out of the bag and the mesh liner is like 3 times the length of the bag! Any ideas why? I assume its to help get the kite back in the bag but I'm not sure how that much extra helps.
If theres any wind after work tonight or on Sunday and I can get a skiboat to Durand I will be there. This way if we lose the board (or the person!) my wife can get it with the boat. My numbers 733-2440 if anyone wants to join. Of course if theres too much wind I will be watching unless I can get my hands on a 12m between now & then....anyone seen David Lent?!
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Post by flashpipe on Aug 15, 2008 13:14:12 GMT -5
Yeah, not sure why they put so much mesh in there, but it is easy to get back in the bag...pull all that mesh out, slide the kite in there and it all slides right into the bag...
Got my 15m and 9m on eBay and finished my first plywood board last week (a heavyweight monster at 10+ lbs, 160 x 43cm, 2 sheets of 5/16 ply sandwiched with poly resin & glass, but it'll be strong) and am working on my second one which I'm doing with 2 layers of 1/4" birch, and the whole concave, rockered, epoxy and glassed...it's going to be much lighter (about 4-5 lbs), more flex, but still big (152 x 40)...can't wait to get some wind and try them out...
Let me know how it works out today...was going to try to get out, but looks like everything is pretty light until maybe Sunday...
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Post by waterauthorityrick on Aug 15, 2008 14:02:25 GMT -5
Rider,
I believe David is in Hatteras based on his last post. I think unless there has been a little local wind he isn't seeing much action. I've been watching the meters on the outer Banks and it has been under 10mph, haven't looked today though.
The mesh thing, I believe is when the kite is roller up while still inflated with only the leading edge bladder deflated. This way the bag is now long enough to accept the longer rolled kite. If I'm correct I may need to look at a kite in my future, a windsurfer shouldn't know answers to these kind of questions.
H2O Rick
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Post by rider1200 on Aug 15, 2008 14:58:59 GMT -5
I was thinking the same thing Rick! Tell you what, bring your Ice Surfer down to the bay again this winter and we'll trade...you can play with my trainer kite and avoid another kitemare, while I try my hand on your board. I'm leaving the dog at home this time though!
I don't think I'm going to Durand tonight but I'll be in the backyard trying to figure out how to pump it up and what goes where. I know better than to try to launch it anywhere but the water.
If anyone does go, let me know or I will hope for Sunday!
Brent
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Post by David on Aug 16, 2008 8:42:48 GMT -5
Yeah, I just got back from my kiting trip and thank you internet! Bagged Hatteras because the wind was looking like crap and spent the week in Rehoboth beach riding every day. I had 3 oceanside days with waves waist to head high, and 2 bayside days with flat shallow warm water, good fun. Anybody want to head over to hamburg, tomorrow? Looking like it might shape up.
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Post by David on Aug 17, 2008 8:55:32 GMT -5
I rode at Durand yesterday for about an hour and twenty minutes with nice evenly spaced waist high swell before the wind shifted too westerly, could not believe nobody else was there  I am headed out to hamburg today. |
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Post by mikeyz on Aug 17, 2008 10:46:25 GMT -5
Hey David, I was out on Durand yesterday with my 8.5m. I am heading for Hamburger in about 10 minutes!!!!!!!!
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I am headed out to hamburg today.