tips to go upwind

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BOOMAN
BOOMAN
VIC
333 posts
VIC, 333 posts
6 Feb 2006 1:24am
like many begginers im still struggeling to get going upwind just wondering if anyonme could share there wisdom and throw a few hints or tips out?

Matthew
Matthew
WA
17 posts
WA, 17 posts
5 Feb 2006 10:36pm
Couple of things I find useful.

1) Don't bend over to much. Try to lean with the hips pointed out. (ie you stand alot straighter)
2) Twist the hips upwind. I find this helps screw the board upwind.
3) When starting I found the speed hard to control. To slow down I put the kite high which makes it very hard to keep an edge. Dive the kite lower and try to keep it at 45'

Fitzy
Fitzy
QLD
617 posts
QLD, 617 posts
6 Feb 2006 12:58am
You also need wind/power to get upwind.

Many geginners use a smaller kite due to the desire not to get smashed.

You need wind to get upwind or a slightly larger kite or a slightly larger board sometimes.

Fitzy gold Coast OZ
robbo
robbo
WA
306 posts
WA, 306 posts
5 Feb 2006 11:33pm
like fitzy said,

if your kite is too small, and you are having to do figure 8's on the side to keep the speed up, then you will find it nigh impossible to go upwind, as the up/down pull of the kite pulls you down wind.

you need to be able to keep the kite at 45 deg without moving it to get some real upwind action.

robbo.
fo
fo
WA
54 posts
fo fo
WA, 54 posts
6 Feb 2006 4:16am
Regards,

Not only do you need wind, you need wind enough to sheet out a bit and still maintain a plane....

It's about angles, sheet-out let your kite run toward the edge of the window while you head it off: I mean you keep it from getting there by carving upwind....

That's the sercret,,,,sheet-out
Regards oz
fokiten

cags
cags
NSW
15 posts
NSW, 15 posts
6 Feb 2006 9:47am
Booman,

Not that I am an expert, i've only started going upwind well in the last few months but I found that not looking at the kite unless really necessary and looking where i was going to spot waves etc. really helped - looking forward also helps with twisting your hips.
mrbonk
mrbonk
NSW
483 posts
NSW, 483 posts
6 Feb 2006 10:26am
Kite type makes a difference. High AR kites sit further out toward the edge of the window, making it easier to go upwind.

You need enough power. If you're underpowered, you'll have to work *very* hard to go upwind, unless you've got a hell strong current helping you out.

You need to keep the board speed up. If you bog the board down and lose too much speed, you'll need to work the kite to get planing again, which will make you run off downwind every time you do it.

If you feel comfortable enough doing so, take your front hand off the bar. This makes it easier to twist your hips and point the board upwind.

Lean back and push your hips forward so you're not doing the 'poo' stance. Try to keep your body as straight as possible. The further you lean forward, the harder it gets to hold an edge because you're getting pulled over the front of the board. An important point to note here is that if you're short like me (175cm), you might need to shorten your chicken loop line so you can comfortably reach the bar without having to lean forward. This can make a *huge* difference.

Practice! No-one goes upwind in 5 minutes.....it takes a while to get used to how much edge you can force without stalling the kite out or bogging the board down.
FreeFerty
FreeFerty
NSW
169 posts
NSW, 169 posts
6 Feb 2006 11:26am
I found power was the key for me you need to be able to park the kite and sheet out. Have a straight stance, (no poo stance) lean back into the harness, sheet out, let your front hand off the bar and look where you want to go. If your spot is tidal make sure the tide isn't working against you. Perhaps even try to get a session on an opposing tide. Get the feel of the rail digging into the water al liik for a nice rooster tail!
Kitehard
Kitehard
WA
2782 posts
WA, 2782 posts
6 Feb 2006 10:49am
Hi Booman,

The tips the others have given are all good so I will only add a few points.

Get speed by being powered without being over powered. Lean against the kite and place some pressure on your back foot and keep the edge in by keeping some heel pressure. Next is to focus your eyes on the goal, ie look where you want to go. Tturn your head and drop your front shouder to turn your body into the direction of travel. Twist at the hips. Adjust your speed by changing the weight distribution between front and back foot.

Keep your speed down to a controllable pace by keeping your kite lower than 45 degrees so you can get a good edge. bringing your kite to 12 to slow down is inappropriate because you cannot keep a good edge.

Hope this helps,

mrbonk
mrbonk
NSW
483 posts
NSW, 483 posts
6 Feb 2006 1:58pm
quote:
Originally posted by Kitehard

bringing your kite to 12 to slow down is inappropriate because you cannot keep a good edge.


......leaving you with only the 'butt check' manoeuvre to wash off speed....I'm sure it served most of us well at the beginning A good wettie or a seat harness works well to avoid the salt water enema during this move
BOOMAN
BOOMAN
VIC
333 posts
VIC, 333 posts
6 Feb 2006 5:10pm
hahhaha

thanks all you are all awsome, aprecciate all the help
Rod
Rod
WA
102 posts
Rod Rod
WA, 102 posts
6 Feb 2006 6:46pm
Here's an old thread about going upwind, might have some more useful info. www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6839

Laurie maybe these threads could go in the FAQ in the beginners section.

kitecrazzzy
kitecrazzzy
WA
2184 posts
WA, 2184 posts
6 Feb 2006 7:12pm
practice, edge hard, look were you want to go 75% of the time
GalahOnTheBay
GalahOnTheBay
NSW
4188 posts
NSW, 4188 posts
8 Feb 2006 11:36pm
find a long beach with access to both ends and get yourself a driver!
daggy
daggy
WA
528 posts
WA, 528 posts
8 Feb 2006 9:36pm
...and on the 8th day He created kiting....
it's a beautiful thing, just practice your kiting !! One day everything will come together. Forget about the angle of rotation of your hips in relation to the horizon, or letting go of your hands while measuring your aspect ratio.
It's all about the magic. One day your kite control , your board control, your edging, speed control, everything will just sort itself out. When you do each thing "properly" Upwind just happens.
puppetonastring
puppetonastring
WA
3619 posts
WA, 3619 posts
8 Feb 2006 10:08pm
Nail on the head to Daggy
I was given all the (best) advice in the world but when ur new to it ur out there on ur own
The only advice that worked for me is 'one day it will happen"
It did - & it will for you
Listen ; Learn & keep trying. It wont happen overnight but it will happen
And when it does - as daggy says - pure, absolute, indescribable MAGIC
and it just keeps on keeping on from there
elizabethb
elizabethb
QLD
2081 posts
QLD, 2081 posts
9 Feb 2006 12:55am
You can't go past the traditional words of wisdom we all hear ... "Look upwind where you want to go, edge, sine the kite, and you'll go there"

If only that worked lol
carbine
carbine
WA
1450 posts
WA, 1450 posts
9 Feb 2006 12:11am
quote:
Originally posted by Kitehard


Keep your speed down to a controllable pace by keeping your kite lower than 45 degrees so you can get a good edge. bringing your kite to 12 to slow down is inappropriate because you cannot keep a good edge.




That doesn't work with bows. You need to fly it high and sheet out.
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