Kite + Ice + Butt + Board

Bryce · Post by **Bryce** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 9:12 am

Check these out... Pretty Cool!

http://www.instructables.com/id/EDJPANR ... /?ALLSTEPS
http://www.instructables.com/id/EM52DA0RWTEP2866D5/

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 9:20 am

I saw that Ice butt board thing last year. But this video shows how it steers, pretty simple and rather ingenious, using the flex to turn the skate blades. Looks rather crude but otherwise is a sweet solution. I could imagine you could make a pretty cushy ride. I like the ability to do 360s

thanks

Dean Rizer · Post by **Dean Rizer** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:26 am

Those are some great pics, thanks! The skate combos were also interesting. There was windsurfer who used to make skate sails in a loft in St. Paul. I think his name is Scott Olson, later moved to the Gorge? He had figured out a way to mount ice boat blades directly under the bindings of a pair of sawed off skis. The extra length of the blade made them very stable at speed, and he was able to maintain leverage when sailing his oversized skate sails. I noticed some blades that are set up for XC bindings, has any one tried these? At higher speeds I would prefer the support of a downhill boot rather than an XC boot or speed skate boot, especially after the ice becomes rougher and the dreaded ridges and cracks begin to surface.

garrett · Post by **garrett** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:17 am

I'm half-way done making an an ice proa based off the instructable. I'll be working tonight to finish it up by the weekend. My welding skills kinda suck, so we'll see if it can hold up to any punishment. I'll post pictures when I'm done, but so far it looks like something from junkyard wars.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:19 am

I thought it was Jim Oakes came up with the skate sail, I know Dave Weinke still has one, I saw him using it last year. He also had the ice boat blades that they retrofitted to fit a ski boot. Dave can go through almost anything on those things and they are stable as can be at speed.

Dean Rizer · Post by **Dean Rizer** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:46 am

Steve it was Jim Oakes, I don't where I came up with Scott Olson. Jims blades were mounted on the bottom of old skis weren't they? Did you ever have a chance to ride those blades? You are correct, he could go through anything and at speed! I tried to make a pair out of angle iron, the maiden voyage was a complete disaster as in Coyote & Roadrunner .
That might be a great series of waiting for snow stories "what have you build or tried that didn't work".....at all.

Dean Rizer · Post by **Dean Rizer** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:55 am

Steve now I remember, Scott invented Rollerblades and the Switch-it skates!

JRN · Post by **JRN** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:57 pm

DEAN, Noticed you sold your switchblade. Are you doing skates or skis and foregoing the snowboard.? If so, why? If you don't mind enlightening us, I'd be interested. Jim N.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:34 pm

Seems to me Scotts inventions may have made him a little more money...

JRN · Post by **JRN** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:48 pm

YEA, well when is the last time he did a heli-tack? I tried angle iron on both sides (heel & toe) of an old snowboard. I put windsurf straps on it so(in theory) I could strap it on while flying the kite. I had giant black and blue marks for the rest of the winter as a result. Todd got it right a year or so later, while I continue to dwell in obscurity.

JN

Dean Rizer · Post by **Dean Rizer** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:51 pm

Jim, there is absolutly nothing wrong with the Switchblade, I was worried selling it would send the wrong message. The problem was with me. I have never ridden a snowboard and I couldn't believe how immobile I felt when I was locked into the board. That's something I didn't invision when I was doing some mind flying. In light to moderate winds on skates and skis I find myself often stepping up wind to power the kite and to launch. There is probably a way to do that on a board but it didn't immediately come to me. Lastly there were about 5 guys, you know them, who made me promise to make sure they were there when I attempted my maiden voyage. Their coolers, lawn chairs, and cameras were ready!

JRN · Post by **JRN** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 5:07 pm

That has been my limited experience on snowboards, too. Whenever I dropped the kite, I ended up having to "scootch" upwind on my ass to re-tension the lines and launch the kite. Todd finally cued me in to lauch with by board pointing downwind toward the kite before edging across the wind. I usually did that backwards, resulting in faceplants and a skinned nose. The Mille Lacs crew derived much entertainment value from my unique snowboarding style!

JN

LAKAWA

Kite + Ice + Butt + Board

Kite + Ice + Butt + Board

Dean

OAKES

Dittoes