Yeah seems a few of us are in agreement. A couple of more tips....

When changing directions, use the kite to lift you up from the water so you can see over the waves to spot your board. Don't look for the foot straps.. it may be upside down.

Count to a number on each leg of the search... this way you know how far you are going with each tack. For example, count to 10 on the first (half) leg then 20 for each (full) leg after that. This will ensure your board is between your tacks and that you aren't drifting off too far in one direction.

Do not make the legs too long or you will miss the board between them.

Keep your arm out front of your face just in case you drag INTO it without seeing it.

Using the above method you can even find your board a night ... or locate a shark which is also nice if you are one for adventure.

Coincidentally, I had a conversation with a kite rep/team rider about board leashes earlier today. She strongly advised against using them. Particularly in the surf, you run the risk of the leash wrapping around your kite lines. So even if the board doesn't hit you, you may be toast.

(OBX has been ripping for the past 4 days.)

Sounds entirely plausible to me. I've tumbled through my lines many many times during a very hard fall. With a leash it would have been disastrous.

I've even had my board tangle by the foot strap on an outside line, dangling 20 feet over my head as the kite launched ... I had to pull hard on the opposite site of the bar to keep my kite from going into uncontrolled kite loops, board still attached. That was scary as hell.

If it can happen, it will, eventually.

always fun when you crash on a mega loop, then the kite slams into the water at mach1 and throws you through the air, and as your flying you look down and see that you are going over your own kite lines.....

there are a number of local users that still consistently ride with one.. even at a launch like backside or east beach..

completely and utterly ridiculous..

"but i dont jump" they say.. where the proper response is "then you wont ever loser your board".. whereas they reply "but i lose my board all the time".. which is EXACTLY what you hope they say so you can drive home the point that its even more imperative they do NOT use a leash as they apparently are not at the skill level to simply keep the board on their feet much less how to control their potentially lethal anchor they are always dragging behind them during their failed riding attempts.

but some will never listen...

alas.

Do you guys remember when I got hit in the head because of my board leash?

I don't because I was out cold...

nah just kidding, that didn't happen because I don't use a board leash! :D

Snowboarders don't wear leashes do they? How about wakeboarders? So why Kiteboarding equipment even includes leashes or better yet why kite shops SELL kiteboarding leashes I just don't understand.

Good point. Probably because we originated from surfing, not wake boarding.

I agree, leashes should be more strongly discouraged.

snow boards are designed not to come off your feet....
and when you wipe out on a wake board the boat doesnt continue to drag you another 100ft....
:D


but i agree they are dnagerous and give a false sense of security....