Landboarding on FB

[Jack1988]

I was just wondering if anyone Landboards on Fixed bridle kites still?

Im a seasoned veteran on FB flying static, im no expert but i can handle myself

Basically i will be Learning to Landboard on Fixed Bridle kites and no i havent got the money to buy any more kites.

I just wanted some advice, when i look at vids of peeps on LEI and arcs, depowers etc, they all seem to be able to fly the kite quite near the zenith and at near 12 oclock in the window, also they are harnessed in so they can lean into it and can fly with the kite more so infront of them in the window.

I dont think i can do that tbh, i know how to do it and was moving the otherday but i was hanging the kite low at 3 oclock in the window, i was moving but it wasnt that windy, im pretty sure thats how ive got to do it but i need some advise from anyone that knows abit about Boarding on fixed Bridles, surely thats how most of us learn.

So basically, im learning on handles and Race lines on a 4.5 Ace (Ace is my baby dont worry) I just need tips and advice.

Thanks chap and chapesses.

[Cyprino]

I'm one of the depower crowd, but I love getting the 2.4m Sting out the bag when the wind goes mental

Sounds like you didn't have enough wind the other day, in a good wind you should be able to lean back against the pull of the kite quite nicely, whether you're harnessed or not.

Speaking of which, it's perfectly possible to harness into a fixed bridle kite, by way of a 'strop'. This is basically a piece of rope fairly similar to the centre line on a depower kite. This attaches to the handles at either end, and you can either loop it round the hook on your harness or get some sort of quick release system going, but that's a bit more complex and best left for the buggy guys to explain!

[kinny]

still got a couple of bullets for there quick setup and pack down.
Also have a field 30 foot from my flat so its all good!

[Jack1988]

I'm one of the depower crowd, but I love getting the 2.4m Sting out the bag when the wind goes mental

Sounds like you didn't have enough wind the other day, in a good wind you should be able to lean back against the pull of the kite quite nicely, whether you're harnessed or not.

Speaking of which, it's perfectly possible to harness into a fixed bridle kite, by way of a 'strop'. This is basically a piece of rope fairly similar to the centre line on a depower kite. This attaches to the handles at either end, and you can either loop it round the hook on your harness or get some sort of quick release system going, but that's a bit more complex and best left for the buggy guys to explain!

Yeah it wasnt windy the other day and the snow was stopping me from rolling, like i said im a complete noob so i only know how to move with the kite hanging right at the edge of the window at 3oclock. then flicking it back to about 1oclock then swooping back to 3, i could do that all day if it keeps me moving.

I have flown our cirrus 6m on harness and bar but only static and its fine but i just dont like the control it sacrifes.

Really i am more than happy to learn on handles and the ace not hooked in, the Ace doesnt really like a bar anyway.

still got a couple of bullets for there quick setup and pack down.
Also have a field 30 foot from my flat so its all good!

Good for you Kinny, got to love those small Fb in High winds!

YouTube - PANSH ACE 2.5 m power kite accident

[kinny]

i always prefered handles to a bar, i only put up with bars and leis becuase there neccassary for the water. If i could use handles on water i would anytime! feels more direct and responsive.

And thats the buzz that got me into this sport, using a bar and harness feels like cheating a bit sometimes!

[Jack1988]

So i can see the differences in videos and pics etc, between flying on a bar and Harness or unhooked on handles, it seems that on Handles you have to fly at the edge of the window at 3 or 9 and get pulled along but with Bar and harness, it seems that you can fly more up in the zenith and more freely throughout the window, even at 1 oclock, because you can lean into it and fly leaning backwards instead of being dragged onto your face??

[Plezzy]

Jack,

Sorry if I've read it wrong, but I think you might not have picked up on Cyprino's point earlier. You can fly your Ace hooked in, which will enable you to take the pull through your body, not your arms. Plenty of threads on here showing how to set the strop line up. Just practice static with harness first.

As for position in the window, if you've only got the one kite then it'll all depend on the windstrength. If you're fully powered up then you'll be able to fly it higher and still move. Lighter days will be as per your experience. I don't board (got one but not mastered it), but lad does. He struggled with FB when learning. Change to depower (arcs) made a hell of a difference, but he was lucky as I was paying

Plenty of guys on here will help, but probably best posting in the landboarding section for a healthy response.

I may yet get rolling on my board

Paul

[Jack1988]

Jack,

Sorry if I've read it wrong, but I think you might not have picked up on Cyprino's point earlier. You can fly your Ace hooked in, which will enable you to take the pull through your body, not your arms. Plenty of threads on here showing how to set the strop line up. Just practice static with harness first.

As for position in the window, if you've only got the one kite then it'll all depend on the windstrength. If you're fully powered up then you'll be able to fly it higher and still move. Lighter days will be as per your experience. I don't board (got one but not mastered it), but lad does. He struggled with FB when learning. Change to depower (arcs) made a hell of a difference, but he was lucky as I was paying

Plenty of guys on here will help, but probably best posting in the landboarding section for a healthy response.

I may yet get rolling on my board

Paul

But the Ace hates the the Ozone bar that we have hooked on to the Cirrus 6, it just doesnt work well enough, im happy on handles and no harness or strop, i just need to get used to the basics then i can move on to the 6m and Bar. or stay on handles for a lil while longer.

Im happy flying hooked in on the Cirrus 6m, it works well but i dont like the control it sacrifices, plus i like the workout on the handles.

I do however like the freedom you get on tractionless surface, ie snow or water, where you can move more freely, my brothers board with the trucks off in the snow was fun, i could go forwards, sideway etc, on a Bar and harness i reckon some snow or water would make it more appealing to me.

Will let ya know how i get on when my board arrives though, im going to need a lot of help in the coming weeks.

[The Flyin Scotsman]

Jack, I don't think you've got it yet still, so I hope I can help,

The above people are trying to point out that you can us handles AND a harness (connected with a strop) to keep the control of the kite and be hooked in.

As in the piccy below:


Hope that helps,

Kev

[zimmer]

I fly exclusively on handles, no harness, strops or any other such witchcraft.
Just mtfu and get on with it Jack

[malcolm]

So i can see the differences in videos and pics etc, between flying on a bar and Harness or unhooked on handles, it seems that on Handles you have to fly at the edge of the window at 3 or 9 and get pulled along but with Bar and harness, it seems that you can fly more up in the zenith and more freely throughout the window, even at 1 oclock, because you can lean into it and fly leaning backwards instead of being dragged onto your face??

what are you on about i fly with handles and use a harness with a strop to give my arms a rest etc.and can fly the fb exactly the same way as a depower,etc. no depower after flying fixed bridles for a while you can sense when there's a lull or gust coming then you alter the position of yourself or kite or indeed both

[tsp13]

Look at Goshen Watts, he uses handle and has more style than most people on depower kites

YouTube - Goshen Watts Kite Landboarding

[mick]

I watched a young guy at Wallop once. A Blade, a board and that was it. The best boarder I have ever seen BUT now he flys depower. He's still very good tho. Lewis Willy or something like that. BUT he is it. Wise up. Depower is the only way.

Guys, I don't want to be rude about anyone on here but I think a few are trying in vain to give advise. Some people just know better.

[Jerry_R]

Using a harness and being hooked in lowers the point of pull making life much more stable whilst still having control of kite.

[Jack1988]

Jack, I don't think you've got it yet still, so I hope I can help,

The above people are trying to point out that you can us handles AND a harness (connected with a strop) to keep the control of the kite and be hooked in.

As in the piccy below:


Hope that helps,

Kev

Yes im aware of these devices, but i wouldnt want to use one of these, just want to learn on Handles then straight to a bar and harness after im confident on handles. You can only make them custom no?

Look at Goshen Watts, he uses handle and has more style than most people on depower kites

YouTube - Goshen Watts Kite Landboarding

Will have a look at that now.

[Plezzy]

Yes im aware of these devices, but i wouldnt want to use one of these, just want to learn on Handles then straight to a bar and harness after im confident on handles. You can only make them custom no?



Will have a look at that now.

Jack,

If you're sticking with FB then you'll have far more control sticking with handles as the break lines are the key to control. An FB on a bar would be a backward step. With breaks you can keep the kite in the powerzone and/or turn the kite much faster. A bar on a FB is something you might start out with before progressing to handles.

[Jack1988]

Jack,

If you're sticking with FB then you'll have far more control sticking with handles as the break lines are the key to control. An FB on a bar would be a backward step. With breaks you can keep the kite in the powerzone and/or turn the kite much faster. A bar on a FB is something you might start out with before progressing to handles.

Aha i see, so the best bet is to go depower after ive reached my limits on FB and handles?

[Plezzy]

Aha i see, so the best bet is to go depower after ive reached my limits on FB and handles?

Not neccessarily. Some top flyers doing freestyle with FB kites (Blades). However, I suspect most freestylers go down the depower route. Happy to be corrected on this point.

[Skint]

I like boarding with my mates rage when it storming but other than that, depower all the way.

Just look at the pros, they all use depower. you'll realise why when you start boarding.

[mick]

PH*CK ME This is what I've been saying for kin ever to him.

[Jack1988]

I got the jist of that from the start, but i havent got the money for a Depower kite for a long time, whether it be an Open cell like an Access, an Arc, A flysurfer or an LEI, so i just needed some advice on Flying handles and Fixed Bridle, without a strop. Leave this for now anyway, we seem to be going round in circles.

Will report back after the snows gone and i can try properly. Also need to get a Helmet asap.

[Skint]

ahh i see. one tip, sine wave the kite in the window to keep the power on. The smaller fixed bridles move very fast (as you know) so need constant attention. When parking and riding, if you wan't a bit of acceleration, apply a little brake tension and the kite will drop back in the window which will give more power.

[bash]

jack you are not far and probably fly at a site where dan frwein rides ask him he will show ya what to do. he is a top guy also.

[Jack1988]

jack you are not far and probably fly at a site where dan frwein rides ask him he will show ya what to do. he is a top guy also.

Dan Frwein?

[malcolm]

Aha i see, so the best bet is to go depower after ive reached my limits on FB and handles?

you wont reach your limit or any limit using FB and handles you'll just keep improving,as mentioned in an earlier post some top pro's still landboard with blades on handles ie.chris calthrop he kitesurfs landboards everythin with blades on 2 lines with a xover patented by himself k48 which he has logo'd on his kites and yes handles.he's actually got an 11.8m blade specially made for him by flexifoil.but i think he's dropped out of the comp side of things and now just kitesurfs, surfs, windsurfs for fun Chris Calthrop, K48's Extreme Windsurfing Page from Maui.here's his website there's some interesting stuff on it.just use a bar when you convert to depower coz you will eventually.