Bored advice???

[kite-4-life]

Zen- The board you were on is a Skywalker Riders Series (RS)138, its a little narrower than the Dimitri Pro and almost a pound lighter. Its about 100 bux cheaper and also available in a 144. (Its a great all around board for the money, ask Toby for a current price.) This is my "high wind" board and I usually dont break it out unless its windy (over 20)
For going upwind, I prefer the SS Glide, and yes, I sleep with it every night....(not kidding) I have used and abused this board for 3 seasons and will be looking for another one if anything ever happens to it.
The board is important as Scott says, but I think proper technique plays a big role in upwind ability also, especially when its really light. Hard to explain, but here ya go:
Building board speed is step 1, so dive the kite hard and point slightly downwind when water starting. Think of your front foot as the gas pedal and back foot as the brake. The downstroke is where you want to get power and upstroke is speed. On the UPSTROKE come off your edge a little to build speed by pressing on your front foot, and ease back into your edge before the downstroke.(*always maintain tension in your lines, and if you're going to give up ground, do it on the upstroke.) Dont kill your speed by turning too far upwind, make sure to ease into your edge.

Stance:
Shoulders/hips pointed slightly upwind. Find a point to focus on thats slightly more upwind of where you want to go.
Keep front leg straight with toes pointing up and 70% of your weight on back foot. Once you are cruising,(kite parked on edge of window) you can shift your front hip forward and down to turn more upwind. Pressing straight downwards on the bar(towards the board) seems to give more upwind ability by lowering the center of gravity and giving more edge pressure. If you start "schlogging" press on front foot a little(steer downwind) until you get back up to speed.
Kite:
Kite position should be at 45 degrees or less, and keep in mind that a kite sitting more forward in the window will give better upwind performance. Some kites are better at this than others, so try different kites and experiment with the trim systems on each to find what works best.
Like I said, this is hard to explain on paper, but I would be happy to show you on the water and let you try some different kites/boards.
Smack Talk:
I am still wanting to have an informal "light wind challenge" if anyone's interested.(my current W.M.D.=15m Vicious/Glide/180lbs.)If you are heavier than me, I will wear a backpack full of slim fast to make it fair! bring it, beeotchezzz-
(Just kidding everyone, just trying to bring back a little fun to the forum!)
Steve Sadler
(813)389-3683
www.freakdogkites.com

[Whitey]

I'll give it a try Steve. But your gonna need a pfd to keep your ass above water with two cases of slim fast in a back pack.

One tip that Steve mentioned should not be over looked. Pushing down on the bar is like hitting the NO2 for going up wind in light air. Push it down towards the board until it makes a slight bend in the main line that runs through the bar. This changes the point load on the board and allows it to plane off much quicker.

[zenlikeme]

Thanks guys. Super helpful. Can't wait to put the advice it to practice....... hopefully TOMORROW

Steve- Makes sense about the 138 board being your high wind board... We were blazing that day! Things even got hairy at the end if you remember

Whitey- thanks for reiterating pushing down on the bar. Makes sense come to think of it but was definitely an aspect that I've never a thought about.

And thanks to everyone else for board recomendations. I've definitely heard alot about the Skywalker boards in this area. And apparently I like them too! Although I love being in the waves, I'm really starting to get into the flat water (especially since I'm now to the point where I'm wanting to learn tricks). Actually, I'm starting to prefer it as I think it's helping me progress much faster. Plus it's so much easier on the knees and to stay upwind!!

By the way, concerning Steve's "lightwind challenge"- He let me demo his 15m Freak Dog and though I don't have much to compare it too..... I didn't know it was even possible to ride in such light wind! Or that slow!! Not much faster than walking speed but still tons of fun. Definitely an eye opener :shock:

Yeah, sub 7 knots, even if you CAN ride, sucks.
Walking on the beach or paddling a canoe are more fun.

My Glide has lasted a long time too, Steve.
I will probably get a Spleene when/if my Glide dies.
Or, I will beg Tom to copy my Glide's outline for me!

[Danimal8199]

I'm glad to see everyone helping Zen out! I think that whether or not Whitey knows it or not he was the first one to explain to me how to ride upwind at Honeymoon.

I also ride the skywalker Demitri Pro. Mine is a 135 x 48, its a fatty, and I ride it in all conditions. I probably weigh the same as Bryan but I think that I am a little taller at 6'2" so I like the extra length.

just my 2 cents!

[C. Moore]

Originally Posted by kite-4-life

Smack Talk:
I am still wanting to have an informal "light wind challenge" if anyone's interested.(my current W.M.D.=15m Vicious/Glide/180lbs.)If you are heavier than me, I will wear a backpack full of slim fast to make it fair! bring it, beeotchezzz-
(Just kidding everyone, just trying to bring back a little fun to the forum!)
Steve Sadler
(813)389-3683
www.freakdogkites.com

Damn Steve that's no competition, your guaranteed to win. 2 gnats holding hands weigh more than you.

[bryanleighty]

my lightwind riding went from ok to FUN once i started using the fixed bar loop on my old yarga 15m.. now of course i use the sliding stopper on the waroo 2007 bar. its a god-send for super-fine tuning the trim.

my lightwind board is a custom Lead-Sled 140 x 149. ugly as hell but wide and perfect. if i cant get going on this and a 16m waroo.. I cant go.

[C. Moore]

Originally Posted by kite-4-life

Well, I wasn't crowned Mr. Ethiopia 2007 for nothing....That crack pipe /meth milkshake diet keeps me in top form!
Here's a side shot of me bench pressing:

_O_/_!___/
*********(as you can see, I really like working out!)

LOL!!

_O_/_?___/
*********

LOL. I have a really good time in 12 knots, but 7 knots and less sucks.

[Kev]

You really need to talk with Randy while you are out there. He has a lot of different boards you can try and that one of the most important things - try it before you buy it. Everybody has there own opinion and it may not be what you like so test it out first and see how it feels to you. Myself, I am stuck on Aggressions. They are light and strong and plan upwind in any wind even on a small board. I think they are the best thing out there but they are not cheap by any means.