Any info would be great. I am thinking of undertaking a long distance Kitesurf for charity. Nothing too extreme. Thinking 100 - 150km would be doable? I have been kitesurfing for 3 years and am 34 years old. Is it best to go directly downwind or slightly cross wind. obviously I will have a rescue boat with me with different size kites incase of wind change. what are the other things I should plan for. which board would be best suited. Twin tip or surf. Was thinkin twin tip so I could ride toeside for a break? Any information at all would be great as I don't know much about long distance kiting and am trying to figure out what the possibilities are.
Have you got some experience on a surfboard? I find it much less tiring than a twintip for both normal and toeside riding. And riding a surfboard strapless is even less tiring for me.
Do some medium distance downwinders to train if you can, and see what works the best.
I think straight downwind would be least tiring since you can ride 50% on each tack. Staying on one tack for a long time is very tiring on any board.
Yes indeed 150km will be hard but easily achievable. The world record for 24hr is 400+km
DONT go directly downwind! thats very difficult. go broach reach. cross wind with a slight down wind angle.
That will give you speed and line tension.
Study your gear for comfort. if something annoys you or chaffs in a short 2-3 hr session it will be murder on the 10 hour long distance fest. This will be what kills your attempt if you haven't sorted your set up.
EG a seat harness is most likely better suited to long distance than a waist harness.
Look for a hydration pack like a camelback an ways to store food so its easily reached without stopping.
The Cabrinha Transport was marketed as a good board for long distance kiting. In this video, they use it to cross the Bering Strait:
The Transport didn't seem to popular though, and they stopped making them after one year. Saw a few reviews saying they fell apart too.
Seems like a freerace board be the best long distance board. Full raceboards are a little faster, but your legs can't handle pushing against the big fins for 10 hours.
Kiteboards cruise at 25-30kph so 100-150km is 4-5 hours. Not all that hard if you're fit.
Cross wind is best. Slightly up or down wind is ok. Downwind is too hard on your back leg and too much of a general pounding at speed.
An Airush Sector is possibly the best allround board. Comfortable in all sorts of conditions, very stable and plenty of room to move around on so you can rest your feet and legs.
In regards to the board, I would recommend a large twin tip board like a 150cm such as the Best Breeze. I would also ride cross wind, because directly downwind or close to it puts strain on your stomach and hips after awhile. Good luck.