Use a smaller kite, seriously, I don't know how powered up you usually ride though but most people are overpowered when kiting in waves, if you use the smallest kite possible to get you back upwind (even if you have to work it a bit) you won't get dragged down the line as much when on a wave with the kite parked, so you can use the power of the wave more, you will be able to throw the board around more and the kite around quicker when needed as well

It is easier to go to a smaller kite if you are strapless because you can move you feet around more to get the best trim to go upwind but even if strapped try using a kite a metre or two smaller than you normally would, fly it aggressively and work that sucker.

tightlines said...
Use a smaller kite, seriously, I don't know how powered up you usually ride though but most people are overpowered when kiting in waves, if you use the smallest kite possible to get you back upwind (even if you have to work it a bit) you won't get dragged down the line as much when on a wave with the kite parked, so you can use the power of the wave more, you will be able to throw the board around more and the kite around quicker when needed as well

It is easier to go to a smaller kite if you are strapless because you can move you feet around more to get the best trim to go upwind but even if strapped try using a kite a metre or two smaller than you normally would, fly it aggressively and work that sucker.

Hi tight lines, so I'm bearing away in the waves, but havnt figured out where the kite should be when I am going down wind. It seems to finish up high and I run out of drive and have to head back up the wave. I'm guessing I should send the kite straight down wind, but that sort of goes against everything I have been told about keeping your kite out of the serious power zone..

Appreciate your tips

Dave

Yup, that is one terrible video! But as you say, has some good tips. I think I get the general idea now..... Kite low and going in the direction y want to go.

Thanks for that.

LiveToFly said...

Dave Whettingsteel said...

I'm guessing I should send the kite straight down wind, but that sort of goes against everything I have been told about keeping your kite out of the serious power zone.

As tightlines said your riding the smallest possible kite so that you can just keep upwind if needed (9m is big on a surfboard). In that case on the wave you need to keep the kite moving low down in the power zone by figure 8's and kite loops.

The rule you refer to applies when learning on a twinnie. It totally goes out the window when you get to surfboard wave riding and intermediate twinnie jumps.

Ahh ok, I went straight to a surfboard and missed out on the tt stage( probably a mistake in retrospect). I use my rebel 7 whenever I can in the surf. Just love that kite.

I guess when you are surfing down a wave it takes the power out of the kite, hence no need to worry about being supermanned downwind.

Thanks for that, makes sense.