Tacking a surfboard

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

Anyone seen or tried this move? Watched Sky Solbach pulling off repeated tacks in the surf last week, also on the face of a wave - pointing up wind tacking on the face and continuing upwind on the left. I was able to watch only from a distance so I didn't catch any of the intricacies - but I'm thinking you'd have to unhook, then jump around somehow. Looked like a great way to transition and lose zero ground.

Steve

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Can't help you there Steve since I have no idea how to even ride a surf board... but, how's the wind/weather been over there lately? I'm still down in Corvallis, but have just been riding the Gorge on the weekends. Thing is, JP's uncle is starting the build on his new house in Yakina Bay (hopefully within the next week), so I'm sure we'll be over there EVERYDAY pretty soon! Very Happy

Sorry to get off topic!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

A windsurfing buddy gave me a primer on jibing a surfboard while carving downwind (I find it easier strapless than doing the little dance with a single strap upfront - but doeable).

I have no clue what an upwind tack looks like - short of hopping the board 180 and riding it backwards (that works for me - sometimes...)

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

seems like something you learn when you have an excess of skill and time. must work way better with a flat kite. sure, you don't lose any downwind ground in the tack, but i bet you exit with almost no speed, so you probably lose ground on the way out. should have asked sky for tips.

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

There'd be a momentary pause when his board was pointed as far into the wind as it would go, then he'd be instantly powered up again and continuing upwind in the other direction. I should have hit Sky up for info when I saw him in the parking lot, but at the time I was thinking "that's just what he wants is some kook coming up and asking him questions."

I think we'll start seeing this move more in wave riding, as more pros, and then the rest of us learn it - probably one of the most useful and intriguing maneuvers I've seen.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2624 Posts The 503 METAL

I was trying tacks the other day and almost got one. Just drawing from windsurf days....I was jamming the nose straight upwind as I brought the kite to neutral, quick foot switch and twist with your feet to bring the nose around as you power the kite down the other side.

I was usually getting pulled off the board or losing all power and sinking.

Crying or Very sad

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

What I saw him doing on the dingle-dangle (kite high)surfboard technique the other day was pointing into the wind going toe side(turning the board) and then boost a tiny jump and switch his feet ,all the Northys where pulling the same maneuver that were riding surfboards

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 538 Posts Oregon Addicted

you guys are all talking about riding strapless...right? when ride my surf i am riding it with straps and never jibe or tack, i never switch my feet. what are you guys doing?

i havent riden strapless yet but want to. now is good as the surf is micro. I would like to see somebody tack on a surf board. it was always challanging even on a 70L sailboard.

R

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Steve,

Sky and Adam Koch are the kings of that cool little upwind foot jiggy thang. Sky is super friendly and would be stoked to give up his secret foot magic. He is always on the coast this summer, so go ask him when you see him next.

Bams

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

I'll definitely hit him up next time for the lowdown. Although he was riding a strapless board when I saw him pulling those, my buddy saw him do the same on a strapped board too.

On my SRT, I'm riding strapped and jibing probably 80% of the time, and going toeside back out 20%. John, I think it was you that gave me some tips on loosening the straps and setting them wider when I met you at South Beach. Thanks, I dialed in good after that and have been digging that board more and more ever since.

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

you can see aaron doing something like this here.
http://www.kiteforum.tv/storage/videos/ba4223f5a3096a9e22bd848462a14ba5Cape%20Verde.mov

i think it is ollie, hang from kite at vertical, flip board in hand, while diving kite in opposite direction.

side off winds sure look nice....

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

Looks like South Beach on a good day - Ha ha!

The tacks I saw were definitely different - more like the old windsurfing tacks with the board staying on the water the whole time. Sooner or later there'll be a video with one I'm sure or i see one of the guys come back to town and pull one off so I can check it out. Cool video though - Capo Verde looks insane.

Steve

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 565 Posts Hood River Photographer

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

Nice, thanks. Picture worth a thousand words. Mr ON, what board is he riding now?

That move seems pretty straightforward in principle. But tried doing it that way twice over the weekend and it felt really weird. I doubt it works very well in really high wind and big chop. I still think that you can do a pivot gybe without losing much ground. Cool trick, but I think most mortals are better off developing totally bomber gybes first.

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

That's it! Thanks to !ON! and whoever did the photo sequence. Its at South Beach too! The coolest thing about it I observed was when he tacked onto the wave face and continued upwind on a bomber left.

Now how to figure it out with footstraps......

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

Actually, I guess you (!ON!) would have been responsible for the photo sequence! Thanks again!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

So all i have do is work on my one foot backward surfing technique with a 180 micro-hop. and i thought jibing is hard...

will work on that this weekend.