I was wondering if anyone had some good tips, apart from practice practice and practice some more, when learning to ride goofy.

I'm finding going goofy extremely difficult, when going natural my body feels "natural" and I can feel where I am in relation to everything else. Whilst still learning I can get up on my natural side and head upwind most of the time. However going goofy I either just fluff the water start with not enough power or too much power and going flying. The occasions I do get up I'm really wobbly and only go a few meters before either losing focus on the kite and not keeping enough power or just wobble to death and fall in.

So does anyone have any good tips on how to practice going goofy? The last few times I've been out have really favoured natural so when its time to head in going goofy I only get a few attempts before i need to drag in to the beach as i've drifted too far.

Ever thankful.
Sammyjay.

i found it very hard too.
from memory it was easier when slightly overpowered (maybe helped me commit)
remember to head slightly down wind then lean into the edge.
its totally a muscle memory thing. once you get it, you end up not having a preferred side.
try to mirror your preferred side.

Cheers for the feedback, the muscle memory comment rings very true. Because I've never done it before my body is freaking out.

I had trouble going natural (being goofy) & went to a cable wakeboard park to take the kite out of the equation. Once I knew in my mind I could ride natural I was sorted.

Same here - long time natural foot surfer, going switch was hard to get my head around. What worked for me was to really concentrate on going straight downwind when you first get up, and not pointing upwind too early before gaining speed. Once you are up and planning it seemed to make it easier to then get your head around the switch stance.

Strangely enough now both directions feel identical to me. Keep up the practice as it definitely just 'clicks' one day.

yep, try it toeside, it will seem so easy after that

Sadly i've only gotten out twice since posting this thread. And slight improvements can be seen, its just practice and muscle memory.... also as Forcetwelve said going straight downwind longer than normal helps.

So long way to go yet. On a positive note, just bought a 9M kite as only having a 12M was limiting my options getting out, and melbourne winters are gusty as hell.

Stay tuned!!

let it move a bit, it shows your trying to get your shoulders around and in a good position

I actually think going goofy is easier and more fun than my natural stance. goofy slides and load-n-pops are way easier for some reason. I wonder if I am able to surf a surfboard goofy now without thinking about it?

Had the best progress going goofy today. Still wobbling around but managed to at least stand up and work the kite a few times.

finn12 said..
With all this talk of "going goofy" as opposed to being born goofy.

Did the term "switch" not make the leap to kiting from skate/snow?

Presuming Sammy is natural stance attempting switch (goofy for him).

Sammy get yourself a skateboard and practice on the concrete. No wind required.

Sammyjay said..
I was wondering if anyone had some good tips, apart from practice practice and practice some more, when learning to ride goofy.

I'm finding going goofy extremely difficult, when going natural my body feels "natural" and I can feel where I am in relation to everything else. Whilst still learning I can get up on my natural side and head upwind most of the time. However going goofy I either just fluff the water start with not enough power or too much power and going flying. The occasions I do get up I'm really wobbly and only go a few meters before either losing focus on the kite and not keeping enough power or just wobble to death and fall in.

So does anyone have any good tips on how to practice going goofy? The last few times I've been out have really favoured natural so when its time to head in going goofy I only get a few attempts before i need to drag in to the beach as i've drifted too far.

Ever thankful.
Sammyjay.

All ways remember pick up ur toes push down with the heel nose towards of the kite and just go with the kite it will all fall into place... soon

I am natural footed, so just wait till you start going from heal side goofy to toe side goofy. That will mess with your head.

FlickySpinny said..

bene313 said..

finn12 said..
With all this talk of "going goofy" as opposed to being born goofy.

Did the term "switch" not make the leap to kiting from skate/snow?

Presuming Sammy is natural stance attempting switch (goofy for him).

I was also going to ask this question.

In skate and snow, you can't go goofy. In skate and snow you are goofy (or not) - it's not something you can change. Riding the opposite way to your natural tendency is either switch or fakie (google the difference if you care).

Does anyone reading this use the term switch or fakie with regards to kiting? Or is it blanket that in kiting riding the opposite way is referred to as goofy?

I'll claim ignorance, i cannot surf nor do i really appreciate the correct surfing terms. But what you say makes sense.

Thank goodness for my kite and directional.