My new hobby

chipperhead · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:07

I know people have posted before regarding spec me a hobby / pastime so though I'd post one I'm just getting in to, Kite Landboarding.
I live a few hundred yards away from the beach and often see people down there with kites and buggies / boards so thought it would be ideal.

I've had my kite for a while now which is a 3m Ozone Flow, I'm confident on that so have just bought myself a cheap second hand board to get started on.

It's a different ball game kiting whilst stood on a board and I've only gone out in very light winds to just get the feel of it so haven't been tearing along the sands but I'm sure it will be rewarding when I master it.

Edrof · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:10

Must resist posting a ForeverALone.jpeg...

Bet it's awesome at high speed though.

Cosimo · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:10

What kind of speed can you get up to?

Vita · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:11

I've always wanted to do Powerkiting. However I think the kite would pull me up up and away. As I don't weigh much.

mufc802 · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:12

Looks fun.

Aero · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:17

Good man! I've got a 4.5m Ozone Cult myself, Awesome fun! I need a new board though as I'm a little bit heavy for mine now!

Bassmansam · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:25

Forde said:
Must resist posting a ForeverALone.jpeg...

Bet it's awesome at high speed though.

Who invented that meme?

Siliconslave · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:37

i really need to break out my kite and dirtsurfer - 2 wheels are much better (read faster) than one

chipperhead · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:42

simulatorman said:
What kind of speed can you get up to?

I've seen them really shifting along must be 20-25 mph easy, but you can also do some pretty high jumps.
I was chatting to some with 3 wheel buggies the other day and they were getting up to 40mph using GPS.

Kiyoshi · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:43

Looks like great fun.

Paul. W · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:46

Ive got a 3.2m Ozone kite, awesome fun

Havent got a board yet though, just ben doing some suicide jumps off sand dunes at Shell Island

Need new strings though sadly. Stupidly snapped one trying to use it during winds that far exceeded the kites capabilities. Tell you what though, decent strings are expensive!

Tummy · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:47

Watch out for hard walls / objects. Guy was seriously injured when I was on holiday doing this!

Looks so epic in fully flow though tbh.

Paul. W · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:48

Question, how are you finding the landboard without a harness? You suffer from much fatigue?

Thats one thing im wondering if its really needed or not.

steve-h · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:52

Not scared of flying off?

rgritchie · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:58

Always wanted to try that

chipperhead · 8 Apr 2011 at 18:36

Paul. W said:
Question, how are you finding the landboard without a harness? You suffer from much fatigue?

Thats one thing im wondering if its really needed or not.

Well I've never used a harness so can't compare. So far it hasn't been an issue although I've been told it is less tiring with a harness.
I've no desire to get one atm.

greywolf · 8 Apr 2011 at 18:39

Got a 10.5m blade III Flexifoil myself. Great fun, but hard work. I spent most of my time with it scared I will break my neck.

Beans on toast Dave · 8 Apr 2011 at 18:45

got a buggy a 3 kites, was good fun and you could get some scary speeds considering you have no brakes, must sell them tho as i have not used them in 3 year

Aero · 8 Apr 2011 at 18:54

Paul. W said:
Question, how are you finding the landboard without a harness? You suffer from much fatigue?

Thats one thing im wondering if its really needed or not.

Youd tend to use them on depower kites, I have a harness but alas no depower setup. Never got round to it I just don't have the time.

MrKeeno · 8 Apr 2011 at 19:57

You can start to use a harness when you build the speed up a bit. Also if your starting to do jumps its always best to be hooked in tbh, last thing you want is to losse your grip and come plummeting down the the ground

Just make sure you have a safety release in case you do get into difficulty.

I started out in the buggies then went onto the landboards. The place to be is on the water though, so I soon progressed onto kitesurfing, one of the most exhilarating sports I have ever done.

Most memorable day of my life (apart from marriage and kids being born) was on the water with just 1 other kitesurfer. Sun was setting and tbh it was time to pack up about an hour before. Just me and him running the length of the beech with perfect 20mph winds. Just an epic session.