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14ToeSide wrote:Still working on kiting with Drift in Ocean. Trouble starting strapless because board slides out from under me.

Any tips?

I'll fall for it. Can you clarify what you mean by "Drift in Ocean" and "board slides out from under me."

If you mean you are struggling in situations with a strong sideshore current, are you using a big enough kite? You need enough kite to overcome the drop in apparent wind speed near shore due to the current, or you need to somehow bust through the current to the outside with an underpowered kite. If you and the board are in the same current there should be no net effect on either of you other than the change in apparent wind speed.

Serious question:
Can you slowly drift downwind with the back of your calves on the board and the kite at 12:00?

I can DRIFT like that however if I'm not quick whitewater usually pushes me around and I have to start over again. Can't seem to get any traction to get tension on a kite lines to dive kite fast enough.

14ToeSide wrote:I can DRIFT like that however if I'm not quick whitewater usually pushes me around and I have to start over again. Can't seem to get any traction to get tension on a kite lines to dive kite fast enough.

What about if you have a twintip on your feet in identical conditions? Can you create the necessary traction to get tension in the kite lines?

If yes, look at the angle of the twintip board to the water surface. Now try to recreate the same board angle on your surfboard with your feet resting in approximate riding positions. You should be able to create enough tension in the lines to dive the kite.

In light, underpowered conditions with a short period windswell whitewater constantly pushing you around it can be difficult to waterstart. Power in the kite is what is important.

Sometimes you just have to put your feet anywhere on the board and dive the kite. If your board is even close to the right size and shape for you and the conditions it will be very forgiving about foot position and placement when you are waterstarting.

14ToeSide wrote:I can DRIFT like that however if I'm not quick whitewater usually pushes me around and I have to start over again. Can't seem to get any traction to get tension on a kite lines to dive kite fast enough.

Mr.Toeside as the original poster i am glad to announce that i purchased a North Nugget and that i have been practicing a lot in the ocean with wind directions that create considerable drift.
I can stay in one place much easier now and i do a lot less walking back to my launch site.

Do you ride Trendy (1 strap) or 2? Do up ride strapless?

Any more Tips?

I have witnessed guys at my beach overcoming the drift effortlessly using foil boards.

What kind of a Foil boards? Strapped or strapless??

14ToeSide wrote:What kind of a Foil boards? Strapped or strapless??

Either way.

I was out in ridiculous currents yesterday with strapless hydrofoil, no shot I was riding my new Paipo but was fine blasting upwind with my homemade foil

This wasn't in the ocean though, it was in a bay as high tide was peaking