toma said...
Hey all, I'm really enjoying this thread, some excellent stuff being passed around. I've recently been taking leaps and bounds in my ability, starting to head upwind in my natural direction (left). I'd been really struggling for a while so took a lesson while I was in Merimbula on holiday with the local school and Peter really ironed out some bad habits I'd developed, I couldn't believe how much kite control techniques I'd forgotten!

One that really helped me with getting rid of the tendency to pull the bar in while starting was to only ever pull the bar in momentarily to turn the kite and generally let it fly on its front lines. Obviously this isn't a universal rule, but when there's enough wind and you're only doing basic stuff it's super helpful.

Also, when trying to body drag upwind to your board (I've had plenty of practice) keep the kite really high, not low, otherwise it will drag you back down wind.

One question though... I was out at St.Kilda on Monday (soooo busy) and I caught up to a guy on the same tack, I'm not so sure how I could slow down so I just dropped and did a water start in the other direction. What's the deal if you're going faster than someone and want to pass?

Cheers.

If you are the upwind kiter you need to keep clear, whether that is by going upwind more until you can pass. If you can't do it then safer to turn around and go the other way.

Alternatively, you are travelling on the same line as them and you get close you can drop below them and pass to leeward of them.

hope this makes sense

Yeah cool, that makes sense. Cheers!

Lesson number 2 learnt, dont taunt the wind gods. Hello 30 knots! too much for me.

Here is some information on skills progression & number of sessions.

kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression

Its safest to avoid wind over 25 knots during your first year / 30 odd sessions.

Had an interesting session today, went out in 25 - 30 kts with my 9m in the waves. Usually would head for an inlet at those speeds but thought I'd give it a try and progress. Wow. Dove the kite to get going, pretty conservatively I thought (12 -> 2) and instead of cruising on the board I was airborne, only about a metre up but totally unexpected.

Had another go and got going okay, was working my way really slowly through the break just testing the waters. Went over a small 1-1.5 meter wave really slowly, like just planning speed, and bam I was airborne big time (for me)! I've jumped before but had to put some effort into, get up speed, jump and then splat spectacularly at the conclusion. Reckon I was about 6 meters up, my highest and longest to date by far and managed to redirect and bring myself down gently.. Stoked!

Gave up after a couple more runs so I could have a beer and digest what had just happened. I think I had the right kite out for the conditions. I didn't feel overpowered in the usual way, just man, the boost at that wind speed was something I had not encountered before. Good fun but the sport certainly has a way of keeping the respect alive loving my first season!

Like so many others in this thread I just wanted to say thanks for the great info and inspiration. I am only very new to kiting (bought a trainer 2 days ago) but am very excited to get some lessons and get going in this great sport.

Reading the lessons learnt and the progression of the noobs in here is awesome. Oh and congrats Salty on the break through, must be a great feeling

It may have been said before but, something that helped me a lot when learning to ride upwind, was looking over my shoulder. Even exaggerate it a bit and look right up wind. You will be surprised how much your body will naturally put yourself in a better position to accommodate and follow where you are looking.

Okay, I'm feeling positive about this sport again after a few months of static progress...

So I decided to set myself the following milestones:

1.) Reliably go upwind left + right
2.) Reliably change direction via a slide turn losing minimal ground downwind.
3.) Perform first (deliberate!) jump.

Once nailed, I think I'll focus on:

4.) Riding switch (I think it's called, where you go left, but lead with your right foot)
5.) Carving turn (4 needed)
6.) ... Who knows!

Made some progress with 1&2, but a long way from reliable.

****! You hit the pier or your kite did? Or both?

Went out for the first time on the board on Sunday and learnt ALOT!

Firstly, dont try and learn water starts with the wind to low, i was a bit nervous about trying water starts in stronger winds 15-20kts but found anything below i just popped up then sank down (Im 6'1 and 92kgs). Once the wind picked up to around 15kts i found water starts relatively easy. Managed to get up a few times and head out on my port tack with an edge in. The only thing that stopped me going further was the realization i have to turn around and come in on my starboard before im in the middle of the bay, which for a kooky natural footer was difficult, VERY difficult.

Another lesson, if you're in the sun for over 3 hours 1 coat of sunscreen isnt enough. I am a tomato!

So yeah, really happy with getting up and edging on the board for my first attempt. Now to solidify what ive learnt and practice more. Then practice going on my starboard tack to get comfortable riding goofy footed.

I have to say, those few runs i had edged in cruising out in the bay was amazing. The sound of the wind in my ears, the water slapping against my board and being in balance with the kite (didnt have to work the kite) was the best. Once this sunburn goes away im back out there!

It should be noted that Kitemares come in three:

Monday night - 1. came unhooked, 2. wind dropped and kite ended up over the barrier at st. Kilda (landed on a parking meter)

Tuesday night - 3 launched and (previously checked) Quick Release fired.

Still, I had a good session and enjoyed myself after relaunching...

I had a shocker tonight. Think I am officially over st Kilda as a spot. Light wind made it hard to stay upright, lost my kite when the wind dropped out and it fell onto one of the rock groins. Didn't get one decent run in.

Low point. Onwards and upwards etc.

nvs180 said...
It may have been said before but, something that helped me a lot when learning to ride upwind, was looking over my shoulder. Even exaggerate it a bit and look right up wind. You will be surprised how much your body will naturally put yourself in a better position to accommodate and follow where you are looking.

Hey everyone,
first of all congrats with the progress

I started in august, and to build on what nvs180 said ^^, someone told me to kite with one hand..

So lets say you are travelling to the right, place your left hand in the middle of the bar with the kite at 45 degrees, let your right arm drop and try and "touch" the water. When doing this you look A) super stylish, and B) makes it easier to go upwind as you have to twist your hips in the direction of travel to be able to do it (hence shoulders, head etc as well, body follows the movement, up wind you go)

this is a pic of me attempting this:)



ALso, when doing this, try and hug the chicken loop with your hips. This stance prevents poo stance as the body straightens up, the weight is on the heelside edge of the board and you will "slice" through the water (e.g. the angle of the board in the photo) rather than standing on it and creating more resistence. This may also help to keep your momentum when kiting in lower winds and in normal winds it feels like less of a struggle to hold ground

Please correct me if im wrong, but those two pointers really helped for me

good luck with all the progression, keep up this awesome thread of people helping each other out!!

elise

Cheers Pete. All makes sense, just frustrating at the time! yeah, low wind and 94kgs doesn't make for a fun session.

Hi All

Reading this thread with interest as I am in the process of having my first lessons and looking to buy my first kit.

I did a 6hr group lesson on a Scoopon deal with 3 mates and I'll be the second to buy a kite. I've done a follow up 2hr 1on1 lesson and I'm waiting for good wind to do another.

I bought a small trainer kite off ebay for 50 clams and flew it in the local park for a couple of weeks, I'm about a 45min drive to the closest kiting beach so it was very good to learn some kite control. $50 well spent I think, and it's a lot of fun to fly.

My solo instructor said I had pretty good kite control, which was a confidence boost.
I got up very briefly onto the board a couple of times, so I've noted with interest all the tips given here about letting the harness pull me up.
I've also got the progression beginners dvd and will be watching it before and after each outing.

I'm also reading up a lot on buying my first kit. I'm 45yo, 75kg and reasonably fit. I'm thinking I'll buy second hand from the shop where I'm getting my lessons, they've got some reasonable deals going. I'm thinking either a 10 or 12m will be a good starter. My mate got a 12m but he's about 10kg heavier.

Looking forward to getting out there and carving it up!

Oh, and keep all the good tips coming!
:)

matto said...

common term for number 4 above is toeside...

Thanks Matto.