Kitesurf Central - August 1999

This is a new format for my webpages. This is going to be quicker to update. It will not be by category anymore - it will just be chronological. So this page will basically contain all the last things I have been playing around with in the past three months, namely...

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1 The Board was already a good board. It rode upwind like a devil and planed extremely well. The problems were

a- did not gybe well - the 2 forward fins made the board a little squirrely

b- the leash attachment SUCKED. It had two different attachment spots, in the front (near the sticker) and at the back footstrap. The back footstrap was a solution cause the forward position sucked so bad in the waves. The front position was really good in flat water but in the waves it was killing me by pulling too hard on my foot. The board would always submarine and when it did it would sink until it flipped over and tried to whack me on the head.

c- the deck was made with some ready made, out-of the-shop longboard surf deck pads - These did not cover the board well and were a little thin, not providing enough protection to the Board.

All these problems were solved

A - The front fins were moved back about 12 cm. The picture shows where they are now. A softer fin was also used - FCS R model. The board has lost some upwind ability (not much) but is a dream to jibe. (my technique probably improved too). The only complaint now with regards to the fins is that the two back side fins are a little too much turned into the middle (toed in). I can see this as they cut a thin wake when riding straight... but it helps the turning. A free benefit was that the front fins were right on the center of gravity of the board which made carrying it a pain in the butt. Now they are out of the way.

B - The plug was moved right to the back edge of the board. This system is similar to the idea on the board seen on the Axel Air site (Radical). This is great in the waves. In flat water there is a lot of leash in the water (but I can lean over and pick it up).

C - Finally found somebody that could produce a big enough deck for me. It was really cheap (about 15USD) but it was not easy to find somebody willing to make 1 big piece for me. All my board will have this from now on, unless I manage to get my hands on some Ultra Deck, which is a liquid rubber you can brush on. That is the way to go for a really lightweight board (important for light winds). Incidentally I got rid of my 2 back footstrap , the one that helped me go upwind in light conditions. I have started sailing with a lot more kite for the same conditions so I have never been underpowered again. Even when overpowered this 5fin system allows me to hold a hard edge in winds that would normally lift me straight out of the water.