Hi all,
Trying to teach myself kiteloops. My aim is to add some difficulty and amplitude to backrolls. I have read all of the posts here regarding kiteloops but am still a bit fuzzy on the details. From what I have read the easiest way is to pull a big boost, wait till you get to the top, fishpole and land.

I prefer trying hooked in with a backroll as I get more air this way in more marginal conditions - which is the only time I have the nuts to do a loop. If I try it doing a straight air for me to have time to loop the kite by the time I get enough height (enough wind) it's a bit scary/ overpowered with the kite I have. I am trying with a 12m switchy 4.

My questions are

1. Should I be trying backloops first rather than straight air kiteloops?

2. Can I learn loops with this kite? Obviously it would be better to learn on a smaller, faster, maybee even c type kite but I only regulary ride with this kite and sold my smaller one because I never use it.
It is a bit flat and easily overpowered. Does anyone else regulary loop a switchy 12m IDS? Am I kidding myself?

For a backloop kiteloop I am initiating my backroll as normal, waiting untill I am facing away from the kite and then looping. I find I am really having to pole the kite.

When I pole the kite I always thought you would have to correct it back from the pole to stop it looping again, but it seems to loop once and then stop, even though I am holding onto one end of the bar. Is this because I am now travelling with the pull (in the air) and therefore not pulling the kite into another loop?

Should I HTFU and try it when the kite is at the top end of the range, giving me more time to complete everything? Sorta feels like death on a stick if I do this but.

Any other tips anyone can give?
I am yet to see any real good theory/technique on kiteloops/ downloops and what they're good for.

Hey bargearse

You can also do them at very low speeds hooked in..15knots will do it.

Kite at 11 use a little pop (2ft) do your backroll at 1/2 the normal speed or you'll over rotate & commit to pulling your backhand in with the bar at 'full power' (dont sheet out).

If its 15knots - a 12m will be fine.. as the kite dives down, it will shoot you out the other Half of the back roll sending you up about 6 - 10ft high and about 20ft downwind if the timing is right.

Should you find yourself too high - either kick the board away or land with the back heel corner of your board to break the water first

Definately fun when youve got it down [}:)]

What does the term "fish pole the kite" mean?
I've not heard that term before.

jackgearo said...

it means to put both hands on one side of the bar.

ha ha "fish pole the kite" i been fish polen myself for years that means!

If the pull is too hard drift the kite past 12 then pop and send it

yes you need to fishpole the kite first then pop(or just get ripped) off the water, your body will naturally go in to a laid out position as you rotate. If you are allready doing unhooked railys you will find trying a laid out unhooked backroll fairly easy. Landing an f16 is a lot faster than a normal backroll just point the board downwind and ride out the landing. You can even try unhooked railys in the same way they look cool and really lay you out. Start learning them in lighter conditions depower the kite before you unhook and go fore it.