wave kiting

[Mark_in_SD]

hi lake superior crew,

what is your take on wave kiting?
i will soon relocate to perth, western australia, which has got flat water and open ocean spots. i am intrigued by the idea of kitesurfing in the waves as i did some wave riding w/o a kite (good old surfing) before moving to the midwest. my new home range offers overhead waves during the winter -swell- season. i will of cause start small as the waves here in eastern SD rarely exceed knee high.

do you have any thoughts concerning the type of board? do you prefer a twin tip, a mutant, or a directional?
i currently ride a long (155) but fairly narrow and fairly square TT w/o too much rocker and larger 2.5'' fins. -a cabrinha icon.

Thanks guys, Mark

[ollie]

Mark
Goin down under mate? Sounds great!
Wave riding is just fun no matter what you use. The longer board-smaller kite combo seems to be the best to really get more surfing so yours sounds like a good starter board. A kite that sits back in the window and goes along with you as you ride a wave (bar pulled in) and then depowers well to cut back and get turns off the wave is also important. Some areas like the west coast it's all about directionals and jibeing is another skill to have to learn for for that. I'm no good, so can't give any tips here. One more thing, when your kite goes down in big breaking surf, and it will, unhook completely, leash and all and swim in. The kite will most likely be ok, just waterlogged and tangled, but if you stay hooked and a breaker grabs it theres a good chance you'll have tearing or streched and broken lines.
Have FUN, get local advise and watch out for jelly fish & whites!

Bryan Z

[Mark_in_SD]

Hi Ollie and thanks for the advice

I will try to not be 'four line shark bait'
I got a stable 9m hybrid kite (GK trix) that I think will work great with a directional.

I will keep in mind to let go of my rig when down in big stuff. I guess besides the kick , waves also pose a threat to kite and rider . I remember going over-the-falls or spending too much time in the big washer during hold-downs back in my surfing days. I imagine it is somewhat more 'uncomfortable' when lines are involved So, I will start with small waves and see how she goes.

Any comments on directionals?
-glas or epoxy?
-shape of the tail?
-hard or soft edges?
-3 or 4 fin setup?

Your comments are much appreciated.

Thanks Lakawa community!

PS enjoy the windy summer days

[Tighe]

Perth??? Sweeeeet Mark.
One of the great kitesurfing spots in the world. Enjoy.

I would agree, that you'll definitely end up on a directional, specially if you have surfed before and know that feel. Another option you might consider when you start is to start with a mutant style board. There are quite a few out there. I ride the SS Fuse and love it in the waves. It gives you a lot of the feeling of a directional but can be ridden as a twin tip. Might make it easier to dial in wave riding without the full commitment that the directional takes. But eventually you'll probably end up on a directional.

You might wait till you get out there. There may be some aspects to the typical break out there that would suggest one board shape over another.

Shoot some pictures of your playground once you get there. TOTALLY ENVIOUS!!

ride on

[Mark_in_SD]

Thanks Tighe,

I will decide when I get there. By the time you go on an around-the-world tour, I will be ready to give you the Perth-Margaret River tour.
September - May (summer) sees thermal winds with 20+ mph four afternoons a week.
June- August (the mild winter) means frontal winds and swells pushing up from the roaring forties.
I think I am well prepared to ride the frontal stuff as this what I learned to kite in here in the Upper MW.

Thanks Lakawa for getting me started 3 years ago.