Had ankle probs for years and as I said had surgery not long ago to have some serious spurs cut out.
The other day (on another board), trialing another kite for a friend, I have done something serioulsy wriong to my left ankle. The left side is completely numb and when I push on the right side a pain shoots up the left. (has me fucked what it is).
Anyhow not a problem to ride on the Shinn Monk, still getting out there, don't feel a thing while riding.
Except when i get in it is foot in the ice bucket stuff...But that's the foots fault not the board!
To pick up Toby's point, he is right about kite choice as well. I'm on the ozone edges now, smooth graceful and the landings or should I say glidings are as soft as butter. If you want to jump consider a higher aspect kite such as a Dyno or Edge that give you that glide in the right hands of course. Then combine this with a Monk.
Why? Becuase high aspect kites like speed, they develop speed through apparent wind. The faster you can go while still holding an edge the higher you will go without pendulating under the kite. Never ridden a board that can take such speeds while edging even in choppy conditions.
But if ya kite on the flat glassy stuff you see toby in, then he's right, the board becomes less important and the kite becomes very important.
Hey Toby...feel like breaking down your jumping technique, including kite and body positions while in the air...just for a normal jump, not the crazy shit we see you do!
ps Can't wait for the vid man!