How to retrieve someone else's board?

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Ok, I'm getting the point where I can stay upwind, feeling waaay more comfortable on the board, noticing that I'm able to edge more aggressively, and ride with just one hand at times. I'd like to be able to pickup a board off the water, as I've heard used boards are often worth some bucks and if they have someone's name on it written with permanent sharpie ink, it can be removed using a dab of mineral spirits. Ha ha! Ok, seriously though, I've had people bring my board back to me, and I'd like to be able to pass on the good karma. Any pointers or someone willing to walk through the steps of how to retrieve a board for someone? Thanks!

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

I sit down in the water next to the board. ~suggestion removed due to safety issues~ Place it across your knees like the people below suggest and when you start keep a seated position until you can steady the kite and grab the board with a free hand. Less risk to your face.

Ride to near-downwind of the downed rider and drop the board.

There is also this method . . . but good luck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIDnV8fit_E#t=53s

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

tonyb · Tue Sep 20, 11 10:18 am

You can do it Grom style where you take your back foot out of your board and step on the other board then ride them both downwind like water skis.

I'm not talented enough to do that without face planting so I grab the board with my right hand if I am going to be going to my right, or left hand going to my left, then downloop the kite to get going. Easiest if the board has a grab handle. If it doesn't and it's a bigger board I hold it by one footstrap and let the other end trail in the water.

If I have a very long way to go upwind with someone's board I will balance it across the chicken loop with my elbows and try not to snag my fingers on the edge of the board.

Tony

wylieflyote · Tue Sep 20, 11 2:52 pm

No body ever talks about how to retrieve a lost kite for a friend floating. I got into a bit of a jam last month doing the wrong thing (grabbed a front line, ouch)
Kip

dpow · Since 13 May 2011 83 Posts Seattle, WA

I put the board on my lap and then start riding crouched then grab the board once i am moving, kindof the same idea as youkai but not near my face

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

Great question. I would definitely wait until you are skilled enough for this move.

The advise I have heard from others and successfully implemented myself seems counter intuitive. But you actually grab the handle in the middle of the board and place both hands on your bar as normal. So with one of your hands you are actually holding both your bar and the board, with the board being under the bar. Yes, the board is actually right in front of your face as you water start with some of the kite lines potentially running across the board. Once you up and planing you can ride one handed and lower the board to your side. There is an important distinction from the earlier reply. Under this method the board is under your bar and lines not on top of your arms and therefore "over" your bar and lines. If you get yarded or launched on the water start you can drop the board. But putting it on your arms means that during a launch you will be pulled face first into the board and you will not be able to drop the board since it will be caught between you and your bar/lines.

There are still some risks of getting cut by fins or edges if something goes wrong.

Of course this works with a twin tip with a handle. Surf boards will require another method.

Would look forward to hearing other folks comments and opinion on this....

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

How to pick up a board?

First its important to make eye contact with the board. After you have established some kind of rapport with the board then either send it a drink or give it a compliment......like "nice graphics" or "I think you are fin-tastic"

I find that the twin tip are quick and easy but the surfboards are definitely high maintenance. Wink

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Why so many are insisting on keeping the board so close to your faces and bar/lines and potentially crossing lines and sending kite into a loop mode?? Looking for some reconstructive surgery soon?? As Sasquatch suggests work on your one hand water starts, pilot kite with one hand, grab the board with other hand and do a water start! Once you're up and riding, either hold it under your arm or let it trail behind you by holding it by the front footstarp. Or work on fishing the board from the water as you're riding by piloting kite 1-handed, leaning low and grabbing the board by front footstrap. Practice makes perfect!! It's an advanced skill but with little practice anyone can do it!!

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

if it has a handle I will circle in and grab it

if its a surfboard then they are on the swim team I try not to get in the way. Twisted Evil

its like not putting your name on it.......you must not really want it.

Nak · Wed Sep 21, 11 6:37 am

A surfboard is driven by the wind far more than a twin tip. Every time I've fallen off my surfboard, a lot BTW, I end up dragging downwind to get it.

Retrieving a twin tip:

Most style points: Ride both boards like Grom. That guy has skills!

Best methods for mere mortals:

First: Ride slowly by, pick up the board.

Second: Stop, grab board handle or strap and do one handed water start. One handed water starts should be practiced by everybody. A great skill to have.

Third: least preferable but easiest: Stop, grab board handle. Put the board temporarily on your lap. Hold bar with both hands and board handle in one hand. For instance, your left hand is holding both the bar and board handle. Water start AWAY from the board. (If the board is in your left hand, water start to the right.) If something goes wrong desperately try to push the board away from your face. (To the left in this example.) Once up, shift to flying one handed. The hand without the board... Wink

DO NOT deliver the board directly to it's owner. People generally are floating with just their head above water. One mistake and you could hit their head with the board. This could have potentially lethal consequences. Instead, drop it slightly downwind of them.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Wow! Excellent discussion on this subject.

The only thing I can add is: "Watch out for the swimming kiter's kite".

I try to carry the board way around the downed kiter, and then drop the board way downwind of that person. The last thing you need is a kite tangle, while you are carrying the board.

I base this on the observation that the downed kiters are usually beginners, and do not have great kite control...and have enough to focus on, without worrying about the helpful kiter, who is awkwardly carrying the board.

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

another thing that can help execute the one-handed power stroke is to move your stopper ball down a bit. That way all you have to do is steer, and the ball handles the sheeting-in/power.

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

The easiest way is to be riding toeside and grab it on your way by.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

I've done my share of board returns, enough that its been captured by a camera.
grabbing by handle is best but alot of times you don't have this luxury.
if its a board with no handle, I tend to kite up to the board, and place it in front of me, grab by one footstrap while steering the kite with other hand.
then hold bar while holding footstrap and use other hand to grab other footstrap.
I'll use my thumb to hold footstrap while my fingers can still hook around bar.
with footstraps its easier to hold the board and your control bar at the same time.
in a rare situation I've retrieved a boots board.
in this situation I balance between my knees.
then get up on a plane one handed.
once up you can put board to your side and tack.
for changing directions, put it back on your knees again and then repeat steps.
take the board way downwind of the rider because its always fun to see people body drag downwind fast doing the superman!

Kip- I've had good success pulling a kite in by putting the LE bridle line over my forearm and just dragging the kite in.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Jim,

That is a beautiful series of pictures...thanks for taking the time to put those together.

One thing I forgot...watch out for these Mofos on the bottom of the board...flip the board over and take a look, before deciding if you want to risk being a good Samaritan. I hate those fins, and I just noticed that there is a new variety of this kind of "razor fin" out there... WTF-TFC...

Mike D · Since 28 Apr 2011 195 Posts Hood River Stoked

Cool pics Jim! I use the same technique. But, how does someone lose their board wearing boots??