Been a while since I last rode a big foil kite but got one for light wind days. What's the best technique with jumping them. They're slower than the victorian COVID roadmap when it comes to turning speed so is there a way to get decent height as opposed to the long flat jumps?

Saffer said..
Been a while since I last rode a big foil kite but got one for light wind days. What's the best technique with jumping them. They're slower than the victorian COVID roadmap when it comes to turning speed so is there a way to get decent height as opposed to the long flat jumps?

Make sure its on the right length bar. How big is it and what make and model?

Are you using a big kite jumping technique?

Small kite technique - keep kite low to maximise edging and send kite up fast. Carve hard and jump as it hits 12.
Big kite technique - bring kite slowly to 11 or 1 whilst edging hard. As it gets to 11, immediately redirect hard to 12 and then start to carve your board upwind and jump. Note its one big sweep of the kite along the edge of the wind window - you don't stop steering the kite at 11.

Essentially you want to keep that power in the kite (or pull through the harness if you like that metaphor) constant and only build the big spike when you are nearly ready to jump. You just can't fight the power spike on big kites if you send them from low in the window - you just get pulled off your edge. You can do this with small kites in overpowered conditions too if you have flat water - I find it too difficult in chop to hold an edge for long enough - but it does allow you to get a more vertical jump

Step 1. Look downwind and behind you for the windsurfer overtaking at twice your speed. Please.

Shifu said..
Step 1. Look downwind and behind you for the windsurfer overtaking at twice your speed. Please.

I too kite and sail at Queens, twice my speed hey, the challenge is on??

Shifu said..
Step 1. Look downwind and behind you for the windsurfer overtaking at twice your speed. Please.

I have never see a windsurfer going twice my speed. That would be a thing to behold. He would be blazing a 80-90 kph....
I do often see some lumbering dinosaur's going half my speed. Its kinda like a moving dinosour slalom.

airsail said..

Shifu said..
Step 1. Look downwind and behind you for the windsurfer overtaking at twice your speed. Please.

I too kite and sail at Queens, twice my speed hey, the challenge is on??

Well, I have passed faster moving crab pots...