ollie skim board?

jonah · Since 20 Jul 2006 169 Posts Hood River Stoked

Anyone have tips for ollieing a skim board? I can get 6-12" of air, but I'd like to get closer to 2ft+. I've seen this in vids, like Mark Shinn.

I think I have the basic idea of a quick upwind carve and pressing down on the back foot for the hop. But that's not getting me that high.

Any skim experts out there have some tips?

Thanks

NateDogg · Sun Sep 07, 08 4:04 pm

This is more like an air as opposed to an ollie...but it seems like what you're talking about.

Use the chop as a ramp, bend your knees and keep your kite just a touch higher than normal. Bend the knees, compress the tail and as your leaving the water try to angle the board to the wind in such a way that the wind keeps the board pressed to your feet.

On landing, lead the nose of the skim down with your front foot, flatten the board and try not land too front foot heavy...I broke my Victoria the other week doing this. There's definitely a rhythm to it, and after awhile I found sometimes it even helps to load the heelside edge going up the ramp...just depends.

The more wind, the better. Off of swell you can get a good 5-6' and stick it if the angles are right. Lit 8m is my favorite for the skim.

If you were thinking of more a straight kite-low ollie, just focus on knees knees knees. The more you suck up your knees, the higher the board is allowed to go. Also focus on keeping the board flat entering the ollie. Flatter board=more tail surface in contact with water to launch the board into the air.

Work at it...a lot.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I keep watching this but somehow I still can't get my head around it.

Link

I think the secret is: be really good.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Yeah, those guys kill it...I always get super stoked after watching/riding with them.

Like Nate said more wind is good...and you really got to release off the water shooting like straight up wind...I didn't start getting decent airs until I started doing that...
I think it helps to have kite higher, like 11 o'clock. While in flight keep the your board bottom facing the wind with standard ollie stance....then bend the knees for the landing and bring kite lower.. A wave or chop works great and better for learning..but its sweet to dial-it in the butter too!

I think of it like popping like when I ride wakestyle and that helps too.. It's the release thats key..

That's my take....but would love to hear Joey or Brains take on it. Tybo?

jonah · Since 20 Jul 2006 169 Posts Hood River Stoked

Phil.. that vid is awesome and extremely helpful. Thank you.

And Nate & Jake, thanks for the tips as well.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Still not completely sure here, but watching Bryan in the vid it seems:

- He's hauling ass, going at least as fast as you'd want to go to do a full load and pop with straps / bindings.

- A lot of the time he's unhooked, this could be for style or could help with getting the pop right.

- Seems like goes into it popping just like you might do it with straps, like a raley.

- I am sure the kite is high and helping him out, but he's not slowing down a whole lot, so I don't think he's really "boosting" at all.

My board doesn't ride that fast, or I suck at it... my old Cabal rode faster, wonder if having a faster shape might help more. That wood board I demoed from pepi worked great for pop, those thin rails help.

Its hard to know if its just really suble technique that can be pefected by trying again and again, or if I am just way off. There seems to be an awful big difference between 1 foot and 6 foot pop.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Sep 08, 08 1:20 pm

I just got a Cabal Carbon fiber skim last night (well, Jeff did then I went and picked it up). Super stoked!!! I'm thinking about putting a pair of sky hooks on it. Is that cheating? Will it matter if I cheat? Smile

I can only get like maybe 1 foot of air but it is a VERY cool feeling to catch air strapless.