viernes, 30 de agosto de 2013

Footstraps opening?

Hi guys,
I own a clash 138 and had the problem of the straps opening all the time, which is annoying. (Search on forums and it seems that its happening to everybody).
But is not a big deal. The board is a awesome :-)

This "small fix" will help clash owners and anybody else that has problems with their straps.


1step: set the straps as you like and feel comfortable.
2step: use a small rope to tie together the tab of the upper part of the strap with the metallic ring on the bottom.

The only problem is that if you want to move the strap again you must untie it. (for instance, if you want to borrow your board to a friend)

Hope its useful.


Buenos vientos


jueves, 29 de agosto de 2013

Naish Alaia

I recently bought a Naish Alaia.
Not so ago I didnt have a clue what these boards were up to. Saw them for the first time on one video promoting one strutless kitesurf in Hawaii and they looked cool. After reading some reviews (are hard to find) I took one chance to buy one as I was looking for some fun in light wind days (In the place where I live now is quite often). For those winds I already have a door and a fish surf board, so I wanted to try something different.
The cool thing about the alaia is to manufacture it yourself, but didnt know where to buy the paulownia plank, didnt have the time, neither the skills. So instead of waisting my time & money and hating this concept of board, I went straight to the shop.

What are these type of boards about?
The key features would be: strapless, finless, rockerless. All made by a plack of Paulownia tree.

There are some videos on the web that can give you an idea of what could be done with this type of board: video1 video2

See a couple of pictures here:

The top of the board is a bit dirty due the wax

Here you can see that this board is completely flat

The board has a noticeable concave in the bottom
Here you can see how beautifull the wood colour is 

Review:
the board goes upwind like nothing else I have, it starts running by barely moving the kite and it´s really playful. Despite not having rocker, you don´t dive the nose under water. I red somewhere that the wood deforms under load creating a natural rocker.

I can say that this board excels at:
  • Long distances. it goes with really low wind and you can also edge hard in case there are strong gusts, your stance on the board is super comfy as you dont have straps so your position can vary all the time. So you can end up doing endless distances. As as comment, I did go to places that with other boards I wouldnt have the guts (wind varying so much).
  • Low wind: as said before, it excels at this and you can do some stupid stuff as ride it seated. 
  • Freestyle: whatever you can see on the videos, practice practice practice. (I´m on it).    


Sumarizing: I´m really happy with it, and I think it´s the best bang for the buck for low wind out there.

Buenos vientos

martes, 27 de agosto de 2013

Kitesurf trolley

My kitespot is 300m away from my house, so it´s a nonsense to go by car. The problem is that we enjoy thermic winds so unless you go to the shore you dont have a clue how much is blowing.
You can do 2 things, go check it yourself and come back and take the right equipment and go again to the beach, or take as much as you can. The 2nd option is not that bad in the way to the beach as you are excited of going kiting, the problem is after kiting  3-4 hours to come back with all that load.
I recognize, I´m lazy and therefore I´ve developed what I´ve called the kitesurf trolley.
It´s an old sunbed in which I´ve attached some beefy wheels to it. Rope for pulling almost mandatory.
Here are some pictures:


The best of all? you or girlfriend can use it on the beach!!!!!


Buenos vientos