Bought a Zeeko black and white, and a board form the ever-helpful Mr James Harvey, in May. Struggled through winter's inconsistent winds. Had 6 weeks in the UK.
However, had a burst of success when I borrowed a mate's 40cm Slingshot that gave me the confidence to continue.
So, what I've learnt so far is;
- Always start on a short mast. Ab-so-friggin'-lutely.
- Always wear a helmet - been clunked on the back of the head too many times to remember. (Or can I remember any more? ;).)
- One hour learning with consistent wind is worth 5 desperate sessions when it's all over the place.
- 14kts - that's just right.
- Line extensions are GREAT! 3m or 5m. No longer. They give you more time to get up on the board, and also soften gusts.
- Line extensions 'soften' the effect of powering up the kite, making it all twitchy when on shorter lines, when you are water starting.
- Seat harness ensures your breathing isn't restricted when struggling with kite and board in initial sessions. Chest harness are OK once you've got your technique, perhaps?
- Water that's just deep enough is OK, but deep water is such a relief when scared to clunk the foil.
- Mistakes are expensive ... (not saying much about that, except foil now looks like a blue and white and there is a 9m Cab FX out there in 2ndhand land with some interesting patches ;)).
- Light pfd instead of an impact vest because you'll be spending a lot of time in the water.

It all came together for me in Safety Bay on Saturday morning - ended up being able to glide most of the length of it, in bits, in a westerly.

So, now I can final glide from one side of the river to the other ... how the f*ck to I turn ?

... ;).

And so it begins.

What's a chest harness?

Welcome to the magic flying carpet experience, carpet with sharp edges that is lol. All the pain is worth it (I think and hope).

Just turn into toeside and stay that way, that would be the easiest way to turn.

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RussKraut said..
What's a chest harness?

Welcome to the magic flying carpet experience, carpet with sharp edges that is lol. All the pain is worth it (I think and hope).

Just turn into toeside and stay that way, that would be the easiest way to turn.

Yep. I managed exactly two toeside turns last session, but it will take some more practice to then get is spot-on bringing up the foil. That's the way I started turning on the surfboard all those years ago. I've only got the front strap on with the foil at the moment, mainly for water starts, but aim to be strapless eventually.

Select to expand quote

RussKraut said..
What's a chest harness?

Welcome to the magic flying carpet experience, carpet with sharp edges that is lol. All the pain is worth it (I think and hope).

Just turn into toeside and stay that way, that would be the easiest way to turn.

Meant waist harness, but as most ride up it may as well be called a chest harness ;).

Select to expand quote

alverstone said..

RussKraut said..
What's a chest harness?

Welcome to the magic flying carpet experience, carpet with sharp edges that is lol. All the pain is worth it (I think and hope).

Just turn into toeside and stay that way, that would be the easiest way to turn.

Yep. I managed exactly two toeside turns last session, but it will take some more practice to then get is spot-on bringing up the foil. That's the way I started turning on the surfboard all those years ago. I've only got the front strap on with the foil at the moment, mainly for water starts, but aim to be strapless eventually.

I did strapless from day one. Works fine, requires just a bit more finesse when positioning the board for water start. For the turns into toeside, try and just carve into the turn without touching down. I know most suggest the logical progression is to do a touch down turn but I found it easier to just apply the same technique as on a sb, I am doing a pretty tight turn actually, relatively slow and it works just fine. Just make sure you put a bit more pressure on the front foot to avoid the banana flip as during the turn the foil tends to raise for some reason (I guess when sending the kite albeit slowly towards to new side it creates a bit of lift).