Slingshot Wake Summer Six Pack – Viva La Texica @ Texas Ski Ranch

In this episode of Viva La Texica members of the Slingshot team hit Texas Ski Ranch for a fun morning session before hours with the crew. After that they head south in the RV to Wake Nation to see what kind of trouble they can get into.

 

2014 COMPSTICK

SUPERIOR CONTROL. UNMATCHED SIMPLICITY. TRUSTED SAFETY.

2014 COMPSTICK CONTROL BAR

W/ GUARDIAN SAFETY 

Today’s riders need to be at the center of control. Building on 4 consecutive World Championships, the new Compstick with Flight Control and our patented Rider Control Center, is the safest, most comprehensive andWe focused on the performance of three individual zones which work together to provide a world class rider-centric control system. This new approach takes into account 3 specific areas: Flight Control – Above the Bar, Compstick – At the Bar, Rider Control Center – Below the Bar. All three critical areas have been optimized to work in balanced harmony. As a complete system, the 2014 Compstick blends the critical elements of safety, kite control, de-power, and convenience into a rider experience that is tested, trusted, simple, smooth, and intuitive.

How to Ride in Light Winds

While kiteboarding already has a huge lightwind advantage over sports like windsurfing, everyone always wants to get the most riding time possible.  For most kiteboarders on a standard setup (12m Kite &140cm board for 175lb rider) rideable wind begins at about 15 mph.  This amount of wind is apparent because whitecaps become easily seen and prevalent on the water around 15 mph.  With this same setup jumping and powered riding will begin at around 17 mph.

2013 Cabrinha Crossbow LW Kiteboard Kite and Cabrinha Stylus kiteboard

One of the best things you can do to improve your lightwind riding is to become a better kite flyer.  Accomplished kite flyers can lose as much as 3 mph of wind and still be riding because they keep the kite moving in the power zone.  A good way to become a better kite flyer is simply flying in light-winds.  You can learn more in an hour of flying your kite in sub 12 winds than all your previous experience combined.  It is much more difficult to fly the kite in these winds and it is necessary to keep the kite moving.
Remember to pull in for more power when turning, then let the bar out to allow the kite to become more aerodynamic and rise in the sky.

Are you a Kiteboarder or a Kite Surfer: What’s your riding style?

Freeride

While freeride can encompass a variety of styles, it is usually referred to when referencing a relaxed cruise around type of riding with an occasional jump. Freeriders enjoy checking out the scenery, experiencing varied conditions, and just getting out on the water. Equipment generally preferred by these riders include bow or SLE kites (Cabrinha Crossbow, Cabrinha Switchblade, North Rebel, Slingshot Rally), larger boards with soft flex(Cabrinha Spectrum, Cabrinha Stylus, Liquid Force Full Contact, Best Breeze, North X-Ride, Slingshot Misfit, Slingshot Glide), footstraps or strapless, and often a seat harness for more comfort (Dakine Fusion, Dakine Vega, Dakine Vision, Dakine Nitrous HD).