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SpaceRacer
Since 04 Nov 2007
434 Posts
Obsessed
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 Wed Nov 02, 11 3:07 pm |
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Just a couple of many snow kiting/water kiting nuances to keep in mind. 1) In order for snow kiting to be good, you have to line up two elements: wind and snow; as such, I always drive over flying if I can. I can better nail the conditions, have all of my gear with me and have a car and a place to sleep (van). 2) Flow Bindings really are the shit for snow kiting. Just step in, pull up back and ride. You can even do this while riding. All other bindings suck for snow kiting. When you are standing in fresh snow and being yanked around by your kite while trying to get into standard snowboard bindings it sucks.
My .002
JP |
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jackZ
Since 13 Apr 2008
355 Posts
Devon Alberta ca.
Obsessed
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| Wed Nov 02, 11 6:10 pm |
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| SpaceRacer wrote: | Just a couple of many snow kiting/water kiting nuances to keep in mind. 1) In order for snow kiting to be good, you have to line up two elements: wind and snow; as such, I always drive over flying if I can. I can better nail the conditions, have all of my gear with me and have a car and a place to sleep (van). 2) Flow Bindings really are the shit for snow kiting. Just step in, pull up back and ride. You can even do this while riding. All other bindings suck for snow kiting. When you are standing in fresh snow and being yanked around by your kite while trying to get into standard snowboard bindings it sucks.
My .002
JP |
I am going to buy Flow !
I have seen them in action , it's the answer .
I remove my backs for kiting ( Burton bindings ) it makes it easier to get them on , 164 Custom X , or 164 K2 Eldorado with Volle Split board kit done and use 32 ultralight boots , Sooo comfy .
I was wondering if for the most there is a big difference between snowkite specific ?!
I do center the bindings as much as you can when kiting . And good for me I ride 164's
As long as there is a bit of loose snow I can get upwind but any ice , like on our wind blown lakes at times and your heading for a downwinder and fast !
Back to topic , I do think Flows ......
" All other bindings suck for kiting " 
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IKO water Instructor
kiteboard junkie |
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kitemare
Since 23 Mar 2010
265 Posts
Seattle, wa
Obsessed
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| Wed Nov 02, 11 10:24 pm |
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| Pepi wrote: | | undertow wrote: | "does this mean that the edge of the board should be straight, as opposed to curved in a little? "
Yes, it helps if there is no sidecut, makes it easier to go upwind
I use my water kites for the snow, you don't need to have foils. |
Just to add to Undertows good advice:
- less sidecut, but also trying to get a true twin tip snowboard (usually a pipe board) will allow to you to ride equally well in both directions. The only tricky thing about this choice is if you are taller or heavier and need a board over 160cm (most pipe boards are 157 and smaller) |
Question?
solid advise but isn't it the other way around?
You want less side cut so you don't go too far upwind. With a traditional deep side cut, you are constinantely going too far upwind because the board's shape will be naturally turning you upwind when you are on your edge (when you're snowboarding down a Cat track on your heal side edge, you are constinatly turning towards your heal side edge, same thing when you're on your heal side edge being pulled by a kite.) As a result, you have to correct and head down wind in order to stay in a straight line.
Going upwind is easy, going straight is the technical part, this is also why most of the snowkite specific boards have little to no sidecut. It's to make them respond more like a traditional kiteboard and head more in a straight line.
Don't know if I'm full of sh$t, but makes sense to me 
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Respect the kite, respect the beaches |
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lewmt
Since 04 Aug 2010
182 Posts
MT
Stoked
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| Thu Nov 03, 11 5:39 am |
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I'm not a highly skilled kiter - just a kook having fun but....
sidecut doesn't make that much difference. I use a board with sidecut & 1 with reverse sidecut(Twisted) - they both ride fine under a kite.
Biggest thig to learn is to quickly turn to ride switch with the kite still on the same side of the window & you'll scamper down wind just fine ...also learn to toeside. Easy if the snow is soft. No worries about going too far upwind. |
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Sol-flyer
Since 21 Mar 2006
1280 Posts
Dude, where's my Bus?
Otto Mann
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| Thu Nov 03, 11 6:37 am |
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I've used a number of kite specific boards and based on my experience/opinion I've found that a conventional snowboard works just as well (sometimes better). Its the Bindings that make the difference...and flows may be conveintent but they still have a handicap 
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I stretch my wings and pull the strings |
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OG
Since 07 Jun 2011
597 Posts
Addicted
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| Thu Nov 03, 11 9:42 am |
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| Sol-flyer wrote: | | I've used a number of kite specific boards and based on my experience/opinion I've found that a conventional snowboard works just as well (sometimes better). Its the Bindings that make the difference...and flows may be conveintent but they still have a handicap |
what bindings do you like? |
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Sol-flyer
Since 21 Mar 2006
1280 Posts
Dude, where's my Bus?
Otto Mann
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| Thu Nov 03, 11 3:17 pm |
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The setup on the left has oldschool Forum bindings without the backs. With flexible boots this setup is $$$.
Flows are great but it takes a bit to get them setup right. Try loosening the cable tension all the way. This way the backs are set outward and not inward. It takes the pressure off the back of the legs when heel edging. Everyones got there own style. Try a few different setups until ya find something comfortable
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I stretch my wings and pull the strings |
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