depends on currents and tides and wind strength.

Body position, don't go too fast, set yourself small goals

The windier it gets the easier it gets!!

Good luck!

Davidk said...

What is a reasonable amount of time (in days or hours) for a newbie to get over that hump and land his kite where he launched it after a ride?

It all depends, how long is a piece of string?

Davidk said...

What is a reasonable amount of time (in days or hours) for a newbie to get over that hump and land his kite where he launched it after a ride?

The more skill you have with kite flying the quicker you will learn to go upwind.
Wakeboarding skills help.
So does landboarding skills.

So in between sessions get some trainer kite pratice sessions, do some other form of kite traction sport on land, go to the cable park.
Learning to ride powered and to edge the board is the key.
otherwise your question is impossible to answer, sorry.
Patience and persistence!

Thanks to all who responded.

I'm now 8 sessions in, including 3 lessons. Of those 8, two were far too windy for me (25-27 knots - I got destroyed), and 2 were too light to put together much of anything (12-13). I've thought I would avoid the walk of shame the last couple of times out, but after getting some amount of upwind distance, and maybe even a transition, I invariably make some mistake, end up way downwind, and do the walk of shame yet again.

I was feeling like I was about where I should be, close enough anyway, learning something and getting a bit better every day...until last time out, a bloke told me he thought my progress was not where it should be and that I should buy some more lessons. Being that this was the same bloke that was selling said lessons though, I think he was a bit biased. Still, it made me question myself and submit this post. You guys have put my concerns to rest though...thanks! Just waiting on more wind now.

BTW Kitepower, I do have heaps of wakeboard skills (and snowboard). The board riding is no drama at all...it's just flying that damn kite that keeps getting me ;-)

Flux said...

Davidk said...

What is a reasonable amount of time (in days or hours) for a newbie to get over that hump and land his kite where he launched it after a ride?

It all depends, how long is a piece of string?

I have a piece of string and it's 83cm long. Hope that helps.

i dont actually always look there. i found it better to strafe the shoulder . Anyways i could go upwind from the left since the begining. I couldnt do it when i was going right. That had to do with the speed i had when my right foot was my front foot. (silly isnt it ? ) Anyway speed control is the most important part and second is to relax and dont think all the time about board and kite. That makes you concetrate on that instead of the course

The desire to get upwind will increase at about the same rate as the chaffing from the walks of shame.......once you really concentrate and focus on a point in the distance the prospect of having to walk 5-600m with red raw thighs will be enough encouragement to make it upwind.

Davidk said...

What is a reasonable amount of time (in days or hours) for a newbie to get over that hump and land his kite where he launched it after a ride?

Till your back Leg get tired

Flux said...

Davidk said...

What is a reasonable amount of time (in days or hours) for a newbie to get over that hump and land his kite where he launched it after a ride?

It all depends, how long is a piece of string?

Mine was very very very long, and got tangled a whole pile of times before I eventually found the end after much walking and swimming...

Hi davidk everyones put there idea forward, so heres my bit, first follow bigwave daves advice its good, second remember keep your weight central on the board use the hole edge of the board and direct it upwind by twisting hips and sholders .The most common fault with going upwind is people lean back to far, or go to fast, just remember edging and going up wind arent the same thing .Edgeing is controlling power upwind is directing the board
Hope This helps
George