QLD
927 posts
"A lot of people are confused as to what the term: "Kite Loop" refers to. In a normal jump the kite is sent back to the zenith or further then brought forward (or 'redirected') in the direction of initial travel. In a transition it usually continues its path across the top of the window, bringing the boarder down travelling the opposite direction than they started in. In the rough definition a Kite loop is when the kite is flown around in a reasonable circle shape, until it is spun so that it is facing towards the zenith before the boarder lands.
For those who want a deeper explanation as to the different types here are the following definitions:
Kite Spin: This is when during a jump the boarder turns the kite above them (at the zenith), not lowering it down into the window much at all.
Downturn: This is when the boarder does a jump and just before/as/after the landing takes place he/she downturns the kite under itself (this therefore is not really a kiteloop in the true essence of the term).
Kite Loop: This is when the kite is flown around in a circle similar to that of the Kite Spin, but is flown lower down in the window, however not below the boarder him/herself.
Downloop: This is when the kite is flown around in a circle similar to that of the Kite Spin, but is flown lower down in the window, specifically below the boarder him/herself (ie the kite is lower than the boarder)
This can be expanded further in a number of ways, for example continuing the kites path back the way over the zenith and under in a Kite Loop of some kind is likely to be easier as the kite has less distance to cover before it has done the full turn. Whereas if the kite is redirected forward and under it has slightly longer and will be traveling slightly slower around its loop because it has likely lost speed in the initial redirection."
WA
90 posts
the part about the kite loop I thought you wanted the kite level or below you????
WA
90 posts
Are kiteloops easier or less servere with mid aspect kites... For example would you get worked harder kite looping a fuel as opposed to a airush flow..
NSW
105 posts
Geeza,
Looping Storm 3's and Yargas are a lot smoother than looping a Best Nemesis. I find that the Nemesis has a point were it absolutely wips you horizontal but the more moderate aspect kites seem to have a more consistent pull.
I think that you get more smashed looping high aspect kites.
Just my thoughts.
Goodwinds
Matt Snowdon
WA
224 posts
You definitely notice the difference when looping a high vs mid aspect kite. The following is not an advert for Airush , I simply use them as the example for they are all I've kitelooped with. The Flows are a moderate aspect (Geeza, Flows and Fuels are both mod aspects, but they are foiled differently) and tend to pivot round their wingtip when turned, giving a snappy turn and nice consistent power throughout the turn. This makes looping them easy and comfortable as the kite pivots cleanly round it's tip and you get pulled fairly evenly throughout the move. The Lifts are a higher aspect with a finer foil and tend to turn in more of an arc, they don't pivot on the wingtip so much. This arcing creates a turn that initially doesn't have much power but once the turn is happening the power kicks in. When kitelooping you therefore have to get the timing impeccable and anticipate when the power is going to kick in, otherwise you het nailed. I find the kiteloop to be a powerful, aggressive move with the Lift but more cruisy with the Flow. I presume these differences can be applied to some extent to other mod and high aspect kites.
The Trio should loop fine as it's turning pattern is more pivotal, like the Flow.
I think getting the kite horizontal or below you is the distinguishing line of a 'proper', or high-scoring, or 'this guy knows how to do it properly' kiteloop as opposed to simply being able to loop the kite.
Terminologically (?) I thought a downloop was in either direction, front hand or back hand, but after the zenith of the jump ( like PsYLor's downturn, I thought they were the same thing). A kiteloop I thought to be front hand or back hand but on the upward section of the jump before zenith is reached, or initiated at zenith. I didn't think there was a term for PsYLoR's kitespin, what he explains I thought was just a chicken/learner version of a real kiteloop. Regardless of what it's called, as long as it's powerful, high and well executed it looks incredible.
QLD
927 posts
Yeah your right Airborne, all loops can be done with forward or backhand. I think Kitespins are done as your decending from a jump where the kite just spins around at the 12o'clock position.
I've found with the Fuels that they are reletively easy to do all types of loops with standard lines, then i tried with shorter 20m lines and its was quite different, much more powerfull and the kite wips me higher & horizontal a lot more. You can get inline or above the kite easier, but it was like I was having to learn to do them all over again.
