I recently snapped one of my laces. Solution, I replaced it with kite line. I bet that one wont break any soon.

Definitely laces. They can be a hasle to get on and off, but they do lock down better than velcro. Velcro is just simpler to get on and off but you lose the tight-snug fit.

I would make it 12' if I could, but I need to keep it as small as possible to make it portable as we have to transport it to a flat spot. Which is a bit far.

For sure I'm placing the 2x4s vertical. For the top sheet I would like to coat or cover the plywood with some slippery matterial. Any suggestions of what could be use for doing so??

Well, that's a technical detail that I cannot tell, but I guess it comes down to personal preference on how steep you like the kicker.

There is a curve, otherwise is just a ramp and it won't give that final kick up that throws you up on the air.

I and some friends have decided to build a kicker. I pretty much have an idea of how to do it and have already designed the structure. I have a plywood plank 1/2inch thick for the top sheet. However, I would like to hear from anyone who has done it before. The dimensions would be 8' long x 4' width ...

Seriously dude!? It's just windless, right?

kickers !!

How hard did you crash the kite against the water? I had this happened once on a brand new kite. Because the kite was new, I didn't tight the valve cap just enough afraid of messing up the thread. Result, I tomahawked the kite and the cap poped up just enough to leak air out and lose presure. It see...