Ok guys I expect there will be some mixed and some strong views here.... but I am interested in people's views of the Go Joe board recovery system (inflatable attachment to the board that flips the board the right way up and acts as a mini sail to make it go downwind when you wipe out).

I know upwind body drag is a key skill and as a beginner it is something I am getting a lot of practice in, but far too many times I am having to get the kite to shore and then go back out swimming for a board (that I am lucky to see if their is glare, and for some reason the board seems to always end up upside down and is especially hard to see).

I am learning on a Cult 2010 12m, in 15-20 knots a wipeout doesn't loose much ground and I can upwind or (zenith it and wait) to get to my board, but when wiping out at 25 knots two things happen:

1/ I get separated further from your board
2/ there are a bunch more kiters out (the higher winds attracts them) and I often need to wait (or drift to) a bit of clearance before tugging on a line to re-launch (drifting away from the board at the time)

(sometimes a third thing happens and I invert the kite - seems to happen *easily* on the Cult, but it could just be my lack of skill to keep control of the kite on wipeout)

It seems to me that a Go Joe might be a good idea, but I don't see people using them.......... (and not much in the way of online reviews)

What are the views....?

a) I wouldn't use one, they don't look cool
b) It's a cop-out, go master the upwind body drag
c) Sounds like a good idea
d) I have used it and .....
e) other...

Reference: http://www.oceanrodeo.com/kiting/go_joe

Rider: 72kg, Beginner
Gear: Naish 2010 Cult, 12m
Location: St Kilda, Vic
Weather: 15-25 knots
Disclaimer: None - no affiliation, just trying to speed up the learning process

e) it looks gay, use a reel leash instead.

U really don't need one. Just keep practicing body draging upwind. But If you really think it will help you then buy one, it seems like a better idea than a leash.

Safer than a leash. Work well . Quicker to recover the board than just body dragging. You can see your board even you loose contact. Look Gay but then how cool is it to walk up the beach board less? Me I prefer to ride than body drag so I use one

It's prob a good idea if you keep having to swim for your board but the main point here is taking a 12m kite out in 25knts. That's not the best idea when learning.

Get yourself a 9m if you want to ride in wind like that mate, you'll find you can bodydrag upwind easily with a smaller kite in more wind.

Hope this helps.

I got one a few months ago when learnning but never forced myself to put this thing on any of my boards its sitting in a garage where it belongs I guess, so if you want to try it risk free let me know its yours free if you can pick up in St Kilda or Brighton.
Cheers

b)

also. if its taking a while to relaunch your kite, you may find that in 20 knots the board with go joe attached may have travelled much further down wind than you wanted it to. body dragging in a busy area may annoy some kiters but body dragging down wind to get your board is likely to be just as annoying if not more so to other kiters. ideally find somewhere thats already downwind of others. that way it doesn't matter if it takes you a while to retrieve it. have you read tips on body dragging like keep the board in sight as much as possible and only drag each direction for 10 or 20 sec. that way you'll always be near your board.

I remember thinking what you're thinking but it will come together quickly for you like it may have for cezary.. by the time you get one you'll realise you are better off without one imo. depending where you kite, it could be a real hassle having to chase a board thats heading down wind fast.

I am looking at buying one. I have almost lost my board twice. Its not that i cant body drag upwind, it just that havnt been able to see the board. Obvioulsy i need a bit more practice but it seems like a good idea untill then.
From what ive been told, dont use a leash.. and if you do wear a helmet..

I was thinking of getting one for winter kiting, because dragging through big swell is not fun.

I think too many people on this forum worry too much about being cool, it's like being in high school again and all like "Oh my god, I don't have the right shoes, now I'm not cool".

So if it's going to make your kiting more enjoyable, get one. But still make sure that you can body drag as it's a very important skill, and you never want to get into a situation where you don't feel comfortable kiting, because you don't have a Go Joe attached to your board.

And if anyone laughs at you for using a Go Joe, ask them if they still live with their parents and that should shut them up pretty quickly.

I don't see how using one would stop you from needing to body drag in big surf.... you'd probably have to chase it way further than without it. I haven't used one but doubt the average beginner would benefit much at all from using one. I'd say it only seems like a good idea now because you've got the stoke but hate every second you're not up and riding. You'll soon find 95% of board recoveries are easy as and that when things go to **** a go joe is likely to see your board found several beaches away instead of near where you left it.

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Smedg said...

I don't see how using one would stop you from needing to body drag in big surf.... you'd probably have to chase it way further than without it. I haven't used one but doubt the average beginner would benefit much at all from using one. I'd say it only seems like a good idea now because you've got the stoke but hate every second you're not up and riding. You'll soon find 95% of board recoveries are easy as and that when things go to **** a go joe is likely to see your board found several beaches away instead of near where you left it.

The wind would blow it downwind quicker so its likely to be less body dragging.

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Taurus said...

e) it looks gay, use a reel leash instead.

And what you saying that reel leash doesent look gay.

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Saffer said...

Smedg said...

I don't see how using one would stop you from needing to body drag in big surf.... you'd probably have to chase it way further than without it. I haven't used one but doubt the average beginner would benefit much at all from using one. I'd say it only seems like a good idea now because you've got the stoke but hate every second you're not up and riding. You'll soon find 95% of board recoveries are easy as and that when things go to **** a go joe is likely to see your board found several beaches away instead of near where you left it.

The wind would blow it downwind quicker so its likely to be less body dragging.

If it is big surf ....I am sure the next wave or set will take care of that for you....could just be me but I cannot see any benefit in using one in big surf at all more often than not your board hits the beach before you do.

i glued an old dildo to the middle of my board. Does the same thing but doesn't look as ghey.