That is why it everyone is telling you to ride it flat. However going straight into the kite definitely spill power. All your apparent wind will disappear. However, I think my first post in this thread was ,"CRANK ON YOUR BACK FOOT". That still holds for me. Drive those fins into the wind and force the kite forward in stall.

Just Crank it with MC hammer Raceboard Roll Tacking Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHkxcgQakM8

I can't wait to get my hands on one of those.
As a former professional sailor, I defenitely missing the sailing part, taking advantage of wind shifts and gusts.
Looks like a really nice challenge.

As someone who is still considered by ISAF to be a pro(bullshit) the raceboard definately scratches that upwind itch, just be prepared for more speed than you could possibly know what to do with.

I can't wait to learn how to tack, the day I do I'm going out for a race against out local GP42 and crush em around the buoys.

Update: A buddy of mine just got the same package. He weighs about 50 lbs less so he got the 13M Kite with it. 2 BOARDS MAKES A FLEET!!!! TRAINING PARTNER!!!!!

Planning on being geared up for OCR...Going to be a tough winter

I've just been getting more accustomed to my new-to-me Naish 2011 Venturi 183 after about 1.5 seasons riding my Sector 60 (sold, will be replaced with V3 54 Sector).

My first experience on a raceboard was on the 2011 Cabrinha 183, where I demoed it from the local shop setup on the beach, and was promptly bucked off and tossed over the handlebars multiple times. One of the times i almost got an impromptu vasectomy from the fins.

Some of the tips in this thread came in very handy, hence me bumping it. Most importantly were:

- keep the front foot in the strap, back foot out when waterstarting

- let the board decide where it wants to go at first

- waterstart with just enough power to stand up, then use the buoyancy of the board, get the kite going downwind, then start altering your course when you start planing faster

I spent my first couple sessions with only the front strap in, then working my way to getting the back feet in. It being the beginning of the season for us my body is not conditioned to normal kiting as is, and riding flat and on the rail is a significant load on the body, particularly the quads, which can really burn on a fast reach. I mean BURN!!!

Not sure if this is the ideal progression, but I'm keeping both sets of straps closer to the stringer of the board, then plan on moving them progressively closer to the rail as I get more comfortable with it. I keep the front straps tight, but the back ones a little looser. As it is the board is still a year behind the 2012 equipment and the customs, and while it rides pretty flat for me, is not as balls-to-the-wall as the Aguerra/Mike's Lab boards.

In comparison to the 60, there is a huge difference in the fins and the rail. If you're going upwind at all, the Sector will always have a foot or two on the aft portion of the windward rail making pressure on the water. Unless you possibly use bigger fins or are going downwind, you can't ride it flat.

Also there's no way that I can see jibing a proper raceboard like i used to throw the Sector around. Now I ride with feet parallel and swing the kite around slowly to keep the correct side of the board engaged. I've been able tack on a strapless surfboard and almost with the Sector, but am not to that point yet. (Soon).

Engaging the wrong rail or carrying momentum across the fins is akin to high-siding on a motorcycle or catching an edge in snowboarding; your body's momentum will toss your superman-style over your center of gravity. The less you can upset this, the easier you can move forward.

Lastly, I feel comfortable carrying the Venturi using only the bottom fin (it's a tri). Board sideways, nose forward, straps close to my right hip, right hand below the topmost fin and grabbing the bow/leading edge of the bottom/left fin. The tuttle boxes go a long way towards inspiring confidence. I always carried the V1 Sector by the straps; I was afraid to touch the fins due to the fin box issues.

Being someone who is interested in finding some riding time on those off season lightwind days, this thread is outstanding and very informative.

Being someone who reads Kiteforum all the time regardless of the topic, this is one of the best threads out there.

Thank you to all who contributed!

I had my raceboard out again today. after a long break...super fun. Again..I was riding powered on my 13 when most others were struggling...at least for a while until the wind came up a little more.

...but I am much more consistent in my tacks. Such a good feeling when you can do decent tacks. I do need to practice my jibes when I do broad reaches, but getting there....

After about an hour of riding, my thighs were burning. Raceboards are such a good workout.

then ended the day in boots on a finless TT..kiteboarding is awesome.

Great thread. I am learning on an Aguera CR59 same way as you discojuggernaut - gradually working to backfoot to the strap and then strap to the rail. I have learned I need to keep momentum in my jibes otherwise I go over. I was thinking about getting a strapless surfboard to get the hang of tacking.

For me it was easier the other way. If you go over then you initiate too early...kite should pulling in other direction before you make any move...

I bought my 2011 Cabrinha 183 from Adventure Sports Miami in the fall for an amazing deal, and it looks like they've dropped the price even more ($720)! Looks like the cheapest way to get yourself into a beginner raceboard. It's hard to find a used board for that price.

The fins are only about 25 cm, so I'm guessing you're not going to be winning any national championships on it, but it's been great for learning. 6 months in and I'm landing most of my jibes and tacks (if you count landing in the straps with you're butt in the water after the tack )