I recently purchased a race board off my mate and I just can't seem to be able to work it out. its got a 3 fin setup, with the option of 5. Not sure what I'm doing wrong but when I try to get up on the thing the back end slips out the board flips upside down and I almost samurai chop my head off.. Every time! Pointers please

What board?

I've tried the old Naish Venturi boards, the big one and the smaller Sector sized one. So not a lot of experince, but I got up and riding, riding upwind, and standing on the edges.

You gotta get up on top of the board, before you try to edge it, let it go downwind a little and get some speed, then edge it. I found moving the strap position be important for me to ride it at all...

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Kiwiburger said..
I recently purchased a race board off my mate and I just can't seem to be able to work it out. its got a 3 fin setup, with the option of 5. Not sure what I'm doing wrong but when I try to get up on the thing the back end slips out the board flips upside down and I almost samurai chop my head off.. Every time! Pointers please

You need to keep the board as flat as possible at all times. When you start off point downwind, once you are moving and planing - don't edge like you would a tt or surfboard. Your feet should be in the straps now and you push away from you, keeping the board flat, and you point upwind, by putting more pressure on your back foot and less on your front, even pulling you front a bit, but all the time keeping the board as flat as possible. Then you will rind it goes fast!

Try first to get up on the board pointing downwind. It can be easier to get up on the board with your back foot off the strap and on the middle of the board (half wide).

When you are already moving and have your back feet on the straps, try to put some pressure on the back leg and point upwind with the front leg.

Try to keep the board as flat as possible and push with your toes on the fins as opposed to the rail of the board with your toes as edging on the opposite side (heel on the rail will help). Try to move your body back, hanging on the harness. When the board is completely flat will be as getting much more power and your speed will increase. Once you get this feeling will improve much faster.

Maybe you could get more info and better comments on the seabreeze racing forum, but hope this can already help you.

There's a few of us around that still ride raceboards on Botany Bay... Any of us will be more than happy to show you how to ride..

I think we are doing racing next weekend.. Look at the Sydney Kite Racing Facebook page too