Dan,

I'm really new and have not tried jumping yet, so can't comment on what's good, but... Progression DVD1 ends with some basics on jumping. It assumes you've never jumped before and walks you through it in slow motion, includes common mistakes etc.

Progression DVD 2 is all about jumps and different kind of jumps. If you are still learning, go for DVD 1. There may be footage on Youtube.

Good luck.

I would also like some hints on landing, but more about landing softly. I've heard that you're meant to redirect the kite aggressively as you said cbulota, but doesn't that cause you to hit the water rather aggressively?

I've managed to get what feels bloody high on some of my boosts, (it's probably not high at all), but i've come down hard a few times and that has sort of scared me. Any tips on landing softly would be appreciated, or is it just a matter of hardening up and getting used to landing hard.

acitta said...
I would also like some hints on landing, but more about landing softly. I've heard that you're meant to redirect the kite aggressively as you said cbulota, but doesn't that cause you to hit the water rather aggressively?

I've managed to get what feels bloody high on some of my boosts, (it's probably not high at all), but i've come down hard a few times and that has sort of scared me. Any tips on landing softly would be appreciated, or is it just a matter of hardening up and getting used to landing hard.

Actually I find the opposite. The forward momentum means you don't hit as hard. Think of it like a jet coming in to land. If it drops out the and falls straight down, it's not pleasant, and jet when it lands at high speed (300km/h) it's actually soft. It may seem odd, but you don't actually come down as quickly because you are moving forward and down, instead of just down.

As you start to really time your landings, you can get to a point where on the way down, you pause about a meter off the water and then just shoot forward and land. It's difficult to explain.

I'll try post some onboard videos the next time I go out.

Just found an old video of mark shinn doing it which shows it pretty clearly. I think they term they use for it is called sideways glide.

Check out the first jump and check out 2:05 for a close up of a landing

www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=mark%20shinn%20august%202005&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDoQtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideoplay%3Fdocid%3D-7205829571170443490&ei=LEWzUOipLOqJmQWUrYDgDg&usg=AFQjCNG7s7BHAtrW_tgKODXVVO2ZKmmG-w

Thanks for all the tips everyone, and that video was great, exactly what I was looking for. Keep it coming if you find anything else.

To make it simple, lets say high aspect kite.

I'm just trying to see what needs to be done to soften the jump. I'm starting to go higher and some jumps land softer than others and I want to understand why.

From what I hear, I think what seems to be important is the timing of when you decide redirect your kite downwind and or how quickly its done?


Ideally you want the timing to be later as this allows you to maintain the lofting from the kite and you want it to be a fairly quickly stroke to keep you going forward.

I'm still a bit confused whether it is the lofting that softens the jump, or whether it is the quick swing (plane like), or maybe a bit of both. Hopefully winds pick up and give me a chance to fiddle.