Post Water Start -> Edging Transition

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SaltySinus

VIC

960 posts

SaltySinus

VIC, 960 posts

10 Dec 2012 6:40pm

Hello,

okay, so I can sort of go along, sort of... and I want to progress and move to edging

Once I'm up, I've been focusing on keeping a straight left leg (when going left) and gently edge by putting more pressure on my right heel and/ lifting up my toes a bit (To stick the board further in the water). I am also focusing on countering the power drain the edge is causing by positioning the kite at a suitable angle across the wind window.

I'm not really getting it, but does this sound about right?

FYI typically, my kite is accellorating across the wind window until it starts losing power, I then depower sine and repeat. I guess I need to try and balance my side ways movement, the amount I pull on the bar and position of the kite so the kite is basically static/parked....

Anyway, the above doesn't make much sense, ... so feel free to ignore!

BurkeyBoy

QLD

549 posts

BurkeyBoy

QLD, 549 posts

10 Dec 2012 6:48pm

Don't over think it. You will get the feel for it and the penny will drop. You won't necessarily do anything different, it will progressively happen. That said, if you are riding along for a decent distance, then you are edging. The degree to which you edge and carve upwind is what you're refering to. Do you lose power when you lean back too far? If so, stronger wind will help or a bigger kite or board. It can be harder to hold an edge when learning if you are having to work the kite to generate power. Going too fast can also hinder a good edge and upwind carve.
It sounds like you understand what you need to do though. A good upwind technique is to let go with your front hand and drop your front shoulder towards the water, kind of twisting your torso to "pull" yourself upwind.

fookiter

14 posts

fookiter

WA, 14 posts

10 Dec 2012 5:12pm

It might not feel like it but if the board is not flat and slapping on top of the water then you are probably edging already, the more you lean back the more you can edge, like cycling you need to lean to turn or be pulled over, but like cycling only at speed.
When you lean a little with a straight front leg you naturaly turn.
Leaning slightly towards the back of your board forces your back foot down and front foot up.
Keep your upper body tight with shoulders back, hips foward.
You will soon start to feel the real power of your kite :)
Oh and if your kite is moving to the edge of the wind window you might be trying to edge too hard that is the method for a controlled stop.

SaltySinus

VIC

960 posts

SaltySinus

VIC, 960 posts

11 Dec 2012 10:32am

Thanks Foo and Burkey, really appreciate the encouragement...

Yeah, I seem to either be stalling from trying to go too far up wind (with lots of lawn mower like white water shooting out) or I'm going far too fast down wind (and off balance, too far forward). The times I've tried to lean against the kite, I've teabagged (butt hits the water) and come to a rather abrupt stop.

I guess i just need to whine about it less and practice it more...

Oh and I liked the analogy:

"like cycling you need to lean to turn or be pulled over, but like cycling only at speed."

thanks again.

kitcho207

NSW

865 posts

kitcho207

NSW, 865 posts

11 Dec 2012 11:16am

There is an older instructional kite dvd by shannon best called kiteboarding 101. Easy to find on torrents.
Will give you a better idea on body position and ties in well with the progression 1,2,3 series.
There is also kiteboarding 201.
Check it out. Should help
Kitch

fookiter

14 posts

fookiter

WA, 14 posts

11 Dec 2012 12:00pm

Its possible your gear is ill suited for learning too, you should try kite with some more experienced riders and get some advice from them on the beach watching you, failing that get a 1on1 lesson :)

SaltySinus

VIC

960 posts

SaltySinus

VIC, 960 posts

11 Dec 2012 3:48pm

kitcho207 said...
There is an older instructional kite dvd by shannon best called kiteboarding 101. Easy to find on torrents.
Will give you a better idea on body position and ties in well with the progression 1,2,3 series.
There is also kiteboarding 201.
Check it out. Should help
Kitch

Thanks Kitch,

I have said 101 DVD and it certainly does cover some ground Progression 1 doesn't with regards to body position, or at least from a different angle.

I'll go over it again... thanks for the suggestion..

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