What: 30mi ride on Galveston Island
When: Monday 16Jan12 ...Time is TBD check back on this page this weekend.
How: The wind will be South so we'll meet at East beach and car pool back to St Luis Pass then ride from there back to East beach...about 30 mi.
Remember to bring some floatation, hook knife, booties, cell phone in dry bag, water, keys. I always wear a small bag with waterproof audio, water, and a cell phone. If you are very uncomfortable with losing your board in deep water a Reel type leash may be a good idea as well. Remember NEVER attach any type of leash to your board at the handle or the straps! This is very dangerous and any type leash should only be attached to a lanyard off the fin screws.
Surfboards are the easiest way to get down wind in the surf but if you're more comfortable on a twin-tip that is probably a better option. There are a couple reasons surfboards are easier to go down wind in the surf, but the main reason has to do with the location of the footstraps. A normal twin-tip board has it's straps located equidistant from both tips. Going downwind in the surf on a twin tip you'll need to keep the front of the board up and out of the waves so you'll be constantly putting pressure on your rear foot. Alternatively, a surf board has the straps already set to the rear of the board so you can maintain your normal stance while riding downwind. The surf board will also have more displacement so it will float easier over the waves and swell. It isn't a big deal, but your rear leg will be tired by the end for sure on a twin tip.
Why is riding down wind hard for some riders? When you're riding down wind you're riding with the wind so your kite feels less relative wind. This lack of wind will test the skills of even an advanced rider when he/she is being pushed by a wave. Also, the front of the board digging in is common as many riders don't put enough rear foot pressure on the board when they ride down wind. The keys to riding down wind successfully in the surf are:
1. Keep rear foot pressure on the board to keep the nose up.
2. Keep the kite moving to produce relative wind while you're moving down-wind.
3. Use your edge to put tension on the kite lines when you're making large control movements...like a down loop or just the bottom section of a normal kite stroke to keep your kite out of the surf.
4. Stay relaxed...if you're up tight the ocean will tear you apart...just like surfing keep your knees bent and stay loose so you can move with the sea.
5. Have fun!
XLKITES has plenty of surfboards in stock that would be a good match for the Houston/Galveston area, here are a few:
2012 Slingshot Dialer 5'11"
This is a quad fin light wind machine. Lots of buoyancy to keep you up wind on light days or easily glide over mushy Galveston waves.
2012 Slingshot Pit 5'11"
This is a narrow fast board and is incredibly agile in the waves.
2012 Slingshot Celeritas 5'8" or 5'11"
This is Phil's Favorite surfboard for 2012 in the 5'11" size. The 5'8" would be good for someone who rides in high winds or is lighter than 170-180lbs. This board is a tri-fin with a pin tail so it is easy to move around in the surf and cut back on the face of a wave. It is also large enough that jibs are a breeze and you can get back up wind in lighter air.
2011 Wainman Gambler 5'7"
This was the go to board from Wainman for 2011, great in the surf and much lighter than any of the slingshot boards albeit not as strong/durable . This is a really good fit for a kiteboarder that already surfs and wants to get into kitesurfing.
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