A lot of people on this forum rave about a slider rope for surf kiting, however from what I can see all the top pros on the GKA tour use a fixed hook. If a slider is so much better for surf then why is this? Or am I missing something obvious here?
As with all, each to their own. And my own opinion... I Don't like them as there is a loss of constant power as the chicken loop slides along the rope. For me usually as I a.m. coming off the top and bottom turn setting for next turn but I'm travelling downwind.
Over here in wa, the upwinders, who do downwindas but only ride waves upwind, seem to enjoy the fact that they don't have to twist their body while going against natural flow.
So I can understand how it helps them surf the wave easier.
Rope slider for toe side saves your body thereby extending your years of enjoyable kiting.
not that watch any GKA events but i reakon the top guys would want to unhook occasionally and that doesnt suiit sliders very well
i dont unhook in the surf and love the slider - just a bit extra freedom, lets you rotate that litte bit more into a turn. plus more comfortable.
It really is about the freedom of movement when going toeside. I have been using them for the last 6 or 7 years, but my next harness I will get a fixed hook just to see what boosting is like again. I do find I get my body into odd angles when jumping. How many of you use a slider when boosting?
I used to use a slider while boosting, then managed to bend the hook/pully bit towards straight!! Yeah, I'm getting near 100kg and it was blowing that day, but I don't trust that setup and am back to fixed for now. If I have to self launch I like to launch unhooked, which is why I haven't gone to the ring setup.
It worked fine for boosting for me after adjusting, but I don't do much of the spinny stuff.
Used them years ago and thinking of getting one again but for foiling in the ocean on waves/swell. Just to get the kite further around on the toeside as you can't exactly edge against a rail to drive the kite forward.
Select to expand quotewerty said..
As with all, each to their own. And my own opinion... I Don't like them as there is a loss of constant power as the chicken loop slides along the rope. For me usually as I a.m. coming off the top and bottom turn setting for next turn but I'm travelling downwind.
Over here in wa, the upwinders, who do downwindas but only ride waves upwind, seem to enjoy the fact that they don't have to twist their body while going against natural flow.
So I can understand how it helps them surf the wave easier.
I'm an upwinder and love my rope slider . Why limit yourself to just riding downwind
Select to expand quoteeppo said..
Used them years ago and thinking of getting one again but for foiling in the ocean on waves/swell. Just to get the kite further around on the toeside as you can't exactly edge against a rail to drive the kite forward.
Yes you can.
Here we go. It depends on your skills and kite. I ride toeside upwind the same degrees into the wind as heelside. Which is higher than my freestyle foil buddies. It's great fun too.
Yeh you can for sure. But was foiling the outer reef breaks in Exmouth last two weeks and took me a little longer to point upwind and wash some of the speed off when hitting the bigger waves on my toe and get deeper up to the waves power zone before sliding back on the heels. (Was scary 2 odd km out alone on a foil whacking along at stupid speeds). Kept wanting to kite further around and sooner. Sure it's a developing skill set but why not give yourself the best chance.
Used to not bother with rope sliiders, just loosen harness and let it slide around, just as easy, and I know one or two that still do it and they shred.
But a slider allows me to quickly put kite in back of window for a quick power-up when turning.
Note cab pro riders (by choice or not) would be using (promoting) the fireball, not all riders may be sponsored by rope slider makers.
Rope sliders give you better bar positioning during toeside, It makes toeside more comfortable in my opinion.
For all other angles.... meh.
That said I've been on a rope slider for the last 2 years. After you recalibrate its fine. I use it for everything from boosting to hydrofoil.
I am 3 sessions into the rope slider, only strapless in the perth "surf" so far. My limited view:
Pros: rope is much better on toeside. more comfy and easier to stay powered up.
Cons: tethered launches very difficult / impossible as far as i can tell. not a big deal around perth, but i'll be in gnaraloo soon...
i would think boosting on the rope would kinda suck...feels like would wash off power too easily. but i haven't tried yet, maybe i'll take the twinnie for a spin on the rope to see...
I haven't ditched my old fixed hook harness yet, and i bought the fixed hook for my new RE harness as well as the rope. so haven't fully committed to the rope, but so far so good....
Select to expand quoteKitersElbow said..
I am 3 sessions into the rope slider, only strapless in the perth "surf" so far. My limited view:
Pros: rope is much better on toeside. more comfy and easier to stay powered up.
Cons: tethered launches very difficult / impossible as far as i can tell. not a big deal around perth, but i'll be in gnaraloo soon...
i would think boosting on the rope would kinda suck...feels like would wash off power too easily. but i haven't tried yet, maybe i'll take the twinnie for a spin on the rope to see...
I haven't ditched my old fixed hook harness yet, and i bought the fixed hook for my new RE harness as well as the rope. so haven't fully committed to the rope, but so far so good....
Dynabar has a sliding hook so tethered launch/landing is possible.
Fixed hook is better for boosting, rope just feels a bit soggy on the initial yank.
Select to expand quoteeppo said..
Plum what's ya rope setup bud ?
Jay xtc hatdshell harness with low friction ring + additional safety line added.
Select to expand quoteKitersElbow said..
Cons: tethered launches very difficult / impossible as far as i can tell. not a big deal around perth, but i'll be in gnaraloo soon...
Teather above the QR. Job done
I used fixed hook but my harness is loose to slide around my waist and is designed to do this Most of my kiting is on my toe side And down the line waves my hook on a top of a turn has rotated around to my back of the side of my waist and rope harness are restricted to how far they rotate I also ride toe side upwind the same degree into wind heel side So for me fixed hook but I have fairly flat stomach
im with plummet, tether above the release for a tethered self lauch, as long as the clip is a good size its fine. i self launch almost every time this way.
passing the bar over to another kiter who wants to use your kite is a bitch though (can be done but you want to be very careful and willing to let the whole thing go if needed)
