Hey guys,

I've eaten it pretty hard quite a few times and whilst it sucks, at least it feels like I'm taking it on. Well thats what I tell myself when I spend 20 minutes body dragging back to my board.

However what has been getting right up my goat lately is when I lose my board from something as simple as being spun off it. You know, I screw up a turn, plop into the water, and something annoying happens where I spin around backwards to the kite so that I'm facing into the wind, my kite behind me. My board gets twisted off my feet in the process and if I'm not careful I'll need to waste another 20 minutes getting back to it (having discovered that dragging upwind in lessons in 1m water is a lot easier than getting back to an upside down board in swell in deep water).

Today I tried leaving the board on my feet (ie goign with the spin rather than fighting it), get dragged backwards, then grab the handle, take the board off my feet, spin around and put my board back on. It wasn't very elegant but it worked.

So can anyone help with:
1. How do I stop it from happening in the first place?
2. When it does happen, what is the best way to combat it?

Ta in advance for any help!

Bucko

wow, you must be pretty cool.

I think you just gotta except the fact that your a beginer, even kiting for 2 and half years i loose my baord but you get better at body draging as time goes on, when i started i stayed away fromt he waves i dno if you can do that at your spot but while your a beginer maybe you should do the same and with the spin well you answered it, as a beginer your not at the PKRA trying to look elegant, get the basics down and done like not tripping over before yopu try to look elgant.
get the walking done before you run.

hope it helps
defrost

Are you riding along and then the tail whips out of the water?

If so, then it could be two things: 1. pointing and 2. edging. (Think: 1. dragging a board across the water at right angles to the movement - doesn't really go forward smoothly and easily pops out and you fall on your bum and 2. dragging the board flatter across the water - doesn't carve well and pops out, then digs the downwind edge in)

So try:
1. pointing / looking at somewhere less upwind. You need to adjust your pointing for the surface conditions (swell - up the wave and down the wave / chop) - ease up going up the wave on your way back to shore (Perth seabreeze conditions).

2. Also if not already doing this - push your hips forward and lean back more on your harness (avoid the poo stance), AND keep your front leg straighter and back knee bent: these adjustments allow a better transfer of the kite pull (cross-downwind) through you, to the rear half board edge (cross-upwind).

Did that make sense or help????

If you've fallen in, board still on with your head slightly downwind of feet, try moving the kite to the edge of the window (feet side). Then lift your board and legs out of the water, towards your lines, by lying on your back and stabilising against the harness / lines / kite and also using your arms a little.

When you are facing your lines / kite the right way, drop the kite towards the other side and power up / ride off!! Works for me anyway!

Hey, don't be annoyed by having to body drag back to your board. It's something you will do probably more often as you advance and try new tricks or get wiped out in the surf. The only difference is that you will do it much quicker.