Hi guys,

which method is the best for recovering a second, less skilled, kiters lost board?
I remember reading somewehere that the best would be having a second safety leash on the harness to put around the handle of that second board in order to get it back to the beach.
Which length would that harness have to have? How do i get it around the handle?

Thanks for your help!

Select to expand quote

MataLeao said..
Hi guys,
I remember reading somewehere that the best would be having a second safety leash on the harness to put around the handle of that second board in order to get it back to the beach.

Bad idea!......that thing will just be snapping at ur ankles

Learn to kite with one hand and grab the board with ur free hand, if no handle tuck it under ur wing.....

If successful, chilled refreshments may be waiting for u after ur session

Learn to pick it up and ride with it, it's easy. Putting a leash on it is just as dodgy as using a leash on your own board.

I recovered one a while ago...... Didn't realize how hard it would be to water start with just one hand.

The best method I found was riding really close to it and grabbing the straps with my back hand..... Not your front hand until youve had some practice.

I wouldn't use a leash to drag it, particularly from the handle...... Gunna put my money on the board tonbstoning and apart from it acting like a giant recoiling decapitating brake, its probably not worth the wear on your harness and gear.

It will work, but it's very probable to tombstone!!
If you HAVE to tow it, try towing it from a footstrap so that it keeps the nose from biting the water.

My 2c worth.

And then teach your friend to body drag.
(The trick- turn your head away from the water has hard as possible.... Dunno why but guess it makes a better keel)

I've always found it pretty tricky picking up the other persons board and getting going one handed, I actually copped a pretty decent cut on my ankle yesterday trying to do this in gusty underpowered conditions, I ended up just body dragging in with both boards

I recommend this method (board on your knees during water start), works best when you are well powered, especially if it's one of your first times trying this. Grabbing the board by the foot strap while riding (more advanced) is also best when you are well powered so you don't have to move your kite much to keep going.

If you're really not confident or if the wind is a little too light, then you can try stacking both boards on top of each other and body drag them to shore. It's not ideal but it works if you don't go too fast.

Christian

I like to stop completely in water. Put the board ABOVE my bar (yes between my harness and bar and my neck/shoulders.

And I just balance the whole thing up theyre like its a stable table. Water starts not an issue actually nothing is an issue its all juat as if you were rideing normally.

Thank you so much for all the valuable input, much appreciated!

I wish this post was here 6 weeks ago. Recently went to Thailand for a holiday and while there I did some kiting...anyhow came across a tt floating around then noticed a guy on the beach looking in my direction so assumed he was looking for the board.

Over the years I've seen kiters pick up learners boards and drop them down wind and they always made it look easy so I thought here's my chance to be an Aussie Hero...well after 4 goes at picking it up all I could do is get the guys attention and direct him to it.

I'll give these methods a try so next time I might offer a little more help.

I found it super tricky recovering a mates board with a ripper tide..he would have lost it for sure. No beer from him(might be coz he's a kiwi), i just assume he lost it- i found it-therefore it's mine.

From experience, check there isn't a leash attached first. Some fool using a leash hadn't attached his board leash to his harness and fallen off. I picked his board up and kited over (board on top of bar method). Only as I pulled the board over the bar with my front hand did I realise as the leash caught in my steering line. Never thought to check before as I thought these things went out of fashion 10 years ago after being shown to be lethal.

Next time if I find one I'd pull it off and let it sink to the bottom before returning the board. Better for everyone.