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Riding
So we have completed our first water start. However, to stay on the
board and get going will require more practice.
If the wind is strong, you can keep going by locking the kite at 35 – 45
degrees vertically in a forward moving position. If the wind is not very
strong (the board slows down, the pull of the kite becomes weaker), you
need to move the kite up & down (in a sine wave pattern) creating more
apparent wind (wind generated by movement) to generate more pull. Move
the kite up and down using the sine wave pattern within 15 to 75 degrees
vertically. Remember to move the kite up as soon as you are on the
board.
As a general rule, bend your knees to have more balance to stay on the
board. You are likely to be able to stay on the board only for a couple
of seconds in the first few times. Do not be discouraged. You need
practice to be able to keep balance on the board and control the kite at
the same time to generate constant power to keep you on the board.
When you feel that the pull of the kite is too strong, lean backward and
edge the windward rail of the board to counter balance the pull of the
kite.
At this stage you will go downwind very fast. Just let your board "go"
and do not attempt to fight it. What you want to achieve now is just to
be able to stay on your board and just "get going", you can prepare to
have a long walk back at the end of your run. Do this until you can get
on your board and "go" each time. Practice this in both directions:
going out and coming back.
Riding Upwind
Ride upwind using the following techniques:
If the wind is strong, just lock the kite in at 30 – 40 degrees
vertically, edge the windward rail and press slightly more on the back
foot. The board will go upwind. If you are going too much upwind and the
board starts loosing speed, you may need to temporarily steer the board
downwind to gather speed before steering the board back upwind.
If the wind is not strong, you need to make the sine wave pattern with
your kite. When the kite goes up, you should steer the board slightly
downwind to gather speed and when the kite goes down, you can steer the
board upwind. The board will make a figure S, which goes downwind then
upwind, where the upwind leg is more pronounced such that you will end
up going upwind.
Turn your upper body to face the direction where you're going. This
position helps your legs to turn the board upwind and also allows you to
see where you are going. You may have to turn your head occasionally (do
not turn your whole upper body) to look at your kite. When you turn your
board upwind, always edge the windward rail 30 to 45 degrees to the
water and lean your body 45 degrees backward.
When the wind is strong, the pull of the kite will make you go downwind.
Do not let that happen. If you are hook-in to the chicken loop, just
move the bar away to ease the power. If you are not using the chicken
loop, you have to fight that pull with all you have: your weight, your
muscles and your board. Let the kite carry your entire weight; use your
legs to edge the board very hard and turn it way upwind. If you fight
hard enough, your board will slow down and the kite will "reach" the
edge of the forward wind window. Once it's there, the pull will lessen
and you can control both the board and the kite better if you keep on
going in the same upwind direction. Don't point your board downwind or
move your kite to get into another overpowered situation. You will be in
for another upwind fight again.
To be able to go upwind does not mean that you can come back to where
you start. Each time you fall, the kite will pull you around 20 to 50 m
downwind. If you are using a directional board, you have to master the
going upwind technique and nail 40 - 50 percent of your jibes before
being able to come back to where you start.
Twin Tip Jibe
Jibing on a twin tip board should be very easy as you don't have to
complete the jibe and simply fake it to complete the jibe. Furthermore
as you don't have to change feet, the successful rate should be much
higher than on directional board.
Heel Turn Jibe
Move the kite upward and turn your board upwind. Shift your weight more
to the front foot and start turning the board downwind with the back
foot becoming the new front foot. Dive the kite in the new direction and
press on the "upwind rail" (press your heel) to carve the board to the
new direction. |
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