Many kite land boarders out there in NZ?

I know of a few in AK, Nelson and CHCH.

Few kiters say they reckon its too dangerous, is this why most guys stay at sea?

Its taking off in England, I wonder why not in NZ we've got the space.

Hi,
Ive got into landboarding lately more out of necessity than anything else. My usual kiteboarding spots were washed out due to the floods last year and as Palmy is pretty far from any good kitesurf sites, I bought a Flexi Airdeck to play with.
I now landboard more than kitesurf, its quicker to set up, I use foils, you can go out in lighter winds, and pretty much go anywhere there is an open grassy paddock. At 1st I did'nt get as much air time as kiting on the water, but now I have dicovered launching off hills, thats a whole new ball game, Awesome,
As for being dangerous, obviously it hurts more if you stuff up, but if you wear the proper safety gear, especially a helmet, and are competant with your kite skills, start in light winds & give yourself plenty of room its a great alternative for when you can,t get out onto the water
All the best Dixie

You guys have got the best locations too!
Ive been landboarding for bout 3 years over here in the UK, but on a recent trip back home to NZ, i found the standard of beaches for boarding to far outnumber the ones over here, in number, and quality. There is loads of red tape bollocks with regards to beach access as well, and as you can imagine it makes things that much harder.
Landboarding hurts more than surfing, but its easier to get the hang of, and can be done in less wind and with less hassles.
Give it a go!!

Kia Kaha

Butch

Hey Butch,
I'm a Pom living out here in NZ, just a quick question. Are you Glen Butcher that was featured in the last Kitepower mag?, just curious

Thats the man, Glen "Butch" Butcher

checkout www.KiteATB.co.uk too, we got loads of bits and bobs, from how-to, gear reviews, videos, a big gallery, pro rider interviews etc

Cheers
Neil

PS. NZ rocks, i would agree with butch that you guys have awesome locations (had a 6 week jolly around the place a year or two ago!)

Che

Hey Dixie i used to live @ waitarere beach we tried to meet up one time, i live in nelson now.

It seems mad to me that there aren't more people land boarding in nz, i suppose like mountain boarding there needs to be more people to get momentum the sport.

Good excuse to come back soon butch, get ozone and kitedeck to help and come to nz and au promoting the sport. I'd help out with logstics, maybe we could get a few riders from UK, and also come for ATB WS this year.

Id love to come back again real soon. Ive never ridden locations like in NZ, but alas, unless someone shouts me,. its cold old england for me. Cost me loads this trip jus gone and i need time to sort me sh1t out again.
Anyway, the UK has finally organised a proper landboarding series this year. The National Freestyle Powerkite Series, will be 6 events throughout the year, mainly Kite boarding, but also buggy jumping/freestyle. May just be the boost that the sport needs to pump some sponsorship into it.

I live here in the UK, but my HOME is back there with you guys...

Ka Kite

Butch

Id love to come back again real soon. Ive never ridden locations like in NZ, but alas, unless someone shouts me,. its cold old england for me. Cost me loads this trip jus gone and i need time to sort me sh1t out again.
Anyway, the UK has finally organised a proper landboarding series this year. The National Freestyle Powerkite Series, will be 6 events throughout the year, mainly Kite boarding, but also buggy jumping/freestyle. May just be the boost that the sport needs to pump some sponsorship into it.

I live here in the UK, but my HOME is back there with you guys...

Ka Kite

Butch

Id love to come back again real soon. Ive never ridden locations like in NZ, but alas, unless someone shouts me,. its cold old england for me. Cost me loads this trip jus gone and i need time to sort me sh1t out again.
Anyway, the UK has finally organised a proper landboarding series this year. The National Freestyle Powerkite Series, will be 6 events throughout the year, mainly Kite boarding, but also buggy jumping/freestyle. May just be the boost that the sport needs to pump some sponsorship into it.

I live here in the UK, but my HOME is back there with you guys...

Ka Kite

Butch

if your in the uk with time to spare get yourself up to st andrews, the beach there is awesome, its where i started boarding some years ago. lots of friendly folks, and some awesome skills. most people into there boarding or buggying, an increasing number hitting the water.
if you've got even more time go to oban, on the west coast of scotland, and then get the ferry to tiree. i went out there for a week of solid kiting in beautiful winds when i got back from nz last april. its the sunniest windyist place in the uk with beautiful beaches. we camped in the dunes outside the hotel in gott bay, with in arms lenght of the pub. i had to be hauled away at the end of the week to get back to work....

anyhow, i'm back in nz now, hopefully i'll make it up to chch and maybe even nelson for some boarding...

by the way if one murray neill from nelson ever reads this, i am so happy that your still lovin that blade 2 3m, i'm glad it went to someone with the same affection for it that i had, but have now transfered to my blade 3 5m

peace

Hey Dixie lost your number, I'm at Waitarere and now got a g13 and g10 and want someone to ride with.

Maybe catch up at Te Horo or Waikanae sometime.

David Martin