Got myself a Light wind Course racing board. Lobster and I have been mucking about on it between elwood beach and Albert Park over the last few days around lunch time. If anybody saw us - we were as surprised as you to find ourselves going WAY upwind and absolutly flying in 8-12 knots on 10m switchy.

I did an off-the wind run from elwood to albert park in about 10 knots of wind on Wednesday at around 1pm...(we were walking backwards to keep the kite in the sky before I left) - By the time I'd gone about 500m I was keeping up with cars on beaconsfiled parade...I reakon I was doing 50-60 klicks!!!. I had that much apparent that I thought the wind must have picked up (Until I jibed/stacked and then found there was no wind and my kite fell out of the sky) - Thats the next challenge...

Tried it today strapless for practice in 15-20 (Too Much wind) - Rode a 7m kite but there was too much chop... Found out that I am totally crap at Jibing even without bindings. Practicing...

Anyway - Anyone else out there got one of these and or interested in getting into some course racing? Warwick at RPS has one I know, Dave and I, both got one this week, Gorgo? - Gorgo's mentioned Paul?

- wanna Race? We've got to be the first doing it here...My Mobile is 0428 122 288 - Happy to sms around when we get a suitable day between 8-15knots and have a crack .

What board did you get ?
I have been toying with making a course board myself and would like to get a good template to copy.

I had a go on the 2010 North Race LTD and it is truly an amazing feeling. You go so high upwind in next to no wind. It takes some time to get a feel on how to edge on boards like that (like to be ridden flat) but once ur going, they fly... i too was unable to jibe and still am no matter what board im riding . Great fun.

Hi Sillsymark,

See if you can get yourself a set of the 2009 Race LTD fins and use them in the front fin boxes of the 2010 Race LTD.

If you think it goes hard upwind now, you ain't seen nothin' yet It also cuts down on some of the drag from the water spraying off and hitting the short front fins. Trade off is that it becomes more difficult to gybe and carve.

Good to see more crew getting into the race stuff. Fun eh? For ultimate fun, team the Race LTD up with the Ozone Zephyr. You wont need anywhere near as much as 12 knots

Cheers,

KH

About 2 weeks ago we had our second course race afternoon at Dolls Point, Botany Bay. Winds did not allow it to really happen, but Adam, Aiden and Alex from Windgenuity turned up with a North race board not so secret weapon.
The performance of this type of board under the feet of a competent kiter like Adam, was astounding to witness!!
Jaws were dropping everywhere and in approx 12-15 knots Adam on a 12M rebel was able to go so high upwind that it was obvious that if we did have any racing no-one on a TT would have gotten anywhere near this board/Adam.

Good news is that there will soon be another alternative to the North and Airush boards, something that is a bit more up to date even. Its from Underground, and the shape and design is based on the very latest trends in the US and Europe. I'll have the first one off the production line after I return from Kitestock in approx 2 weeks from now.

Here's a sneak pic, sorry can't show more of the board or the fin and fin setup, its too top secret! There should be some awesome funniest home video moments as we learn to ride it!!!

the great divide between kiteboarding and formula windsurfing has suddenly shrunk..... dramatically

The complex graphics on raceboards is a bad idea. They are quite fragile and prone to ding easily. It's much easier to repair and repaint a solid colour than some graphic designer's fantasy.

Just bumping a North with a harness hook or bar end can knock a hole in the board. Raceboards sit quite high in the water and get in the way if you have to relaunch a kite. It's an acquired skill to relaunch and keep the board from getting in the way.