Utah Windriders Association

First landboarding session for me in 2 years. I saw that the wind was too light for a UL session so I pulled out the landboard. Arrived to 12 mph wind, so I pulled out the faithful 12M Frenzy. I got going but I could hardly stay on the board. Felt like a 5 year old trying to ride a 10 speed. Dropped the kite, found a couple bridles that were a little out of kilter, put the kite back up and it flew perfectly, but I was still a total hazard. Dropped the kite again and checked the board. Found that one the primary nut holding one of the trucks in place was gone so the steering was blown. Hopped in the car and drove 20 minutes to Home Depot. Brought the mountain board into the store with my knee and elbow guards still in place. Ignored the looks and picked up a nut, washer, crescent wrench, allen wrenches. Fixed the board in the parking lot and arrived an hour before sunset. The board handled much better and I soon got back into the groove. I forgot how dicey a mountain board can feel. Definitely at the top of the progression scale when it comes to kiting because you have to pay much more attention to the board than you do when you are on the water or on the snow. Loads of fun though, can't wait for another good north day to give it another try.

After the session on friday i broke out my land board with my trainer at lincoln had enough wind to reach from the covered tables to the water and back a few times mostly played in the parking lot/ dirt area sw of the covered tables.

Are you guys using foot straps on those land boards?

I have a mountain board with 12 inch wheels and foot straps I bought new on e-bay for 50 dollars.. I have to agree with Kenny I have tried land boarding 6-7 times man you have to have the board pointed in the right direction or you get sucked over the board down wind. I have logged maybe 15-20 session on a long board with a trainer in a local parking lot. Much easier then the landboard!!

I still havent put my straps on yet. That way I can easily run off my board if I need to. I would like to jump some day though, and of course would need straps to keep the board with me. Brian, do you have any free landboarding clinics coming up??

Hey Les, I have a landboard and could meet you tonight to give it a try. Give me a call. I think the Dinosaur park in Ogden would be a good place, since it has grass and the falls won't hurt too much. I will be home by 3:30. The point forecast for the Dinosaurt is only 7mph but the Weber canyon forecast is 10mph and the wind just might work.

Les,

If you can go out with Augie, that will help a lot. Spend some time just watching him ride. A landboard will go upwind very easily, so the more space you have available the better. You will want to fly the kite high at first until you learn how to moderate your speed. You can really get hauling on a landboard.

Yes, I use straps. I can still kick the board off if I need to.

Make sure you wear some knee pads, helmet, and elbow guards.

Grass is a good surface to start learning. Asphalt is also easy, but far less forgiving. Don't even think about going out if the wind is gusty. I remember going for an air a few years ago on a gusty south wind. I expected to go 10 feet high and ended up going over 20. Not a great feeling when you know that if you botch the landing it is going to hurt bad.

Kenny

So, the wind forecast for Wednesday looks favorable. 10 to 20 from the northwest. Although, it's going to be cold: upper 40s. Burmester is great for that wind direction, but it's far. Any suggestions on location close to SLC?

Hey Auggie, thanks for the offer. We should hook up some time. I have kited at the park at the mouth of the canyon but it was scary gusty. Have you had luck there? My session was during the morning with the air coming down the canyon. Kenny, you're going 10-20 up with a mountain board??? !!!!

Kenny, you're going 10-20 up with a mountain board??? !!!!

Les,

I wouldn't do it again!!! I think 5 - 10 is plenty on a mountain board.

Kenny

Kenny,
I may have missed this, but where were you riding? I tried to get out to burmester, but the winds were only gusting to 10. Not enough to ride. I would also recommend that you don't use the foot straps until you've gotten the hang of it. Makes it easier to bail if the boards going the wrong way. If your jumping 20 footers they would be needed. I am hoping for a good day at burmester before it starts snowing. That place is incredible!
I talked to Heather and Brian the other day about a place in Bluffdale thats good on a south. Somewhere by the Firestation. I'm going to have to call and get directions again.
Nice to see a landboarding post! Keep it up.
Mike

Mike,

I am itching to ride Burmester after reading your posts. I could score so many days during the summer when it is too light to ride the salt ponds, but enough wind to landboard.

The spot was a small park in S. Jordan. It is small, so I don't bother to post the location because there isn't room for more than one kiter.

Kenny