Waterstarting in light winds

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SaltySinus

VIC

960 posts

SaltySinus

VIC, 960 posts

11 Dec 2012 6:18pm

Peterc150 said...

Some more tips and info: kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression/going-upwind

Peter, great site. this is exactly the info I need (putting it into action is of course the next step!).

Peterc150

VIC

710 posts

Peterc150

VIC, 710 posts

12 Dec 2012 12:46pm

Thanks Salty. You might find it helps if you read up on one (or two) progressions and mentally rehearse them before the session (like athletes do with visualisation).

Pick and a few key relevant keywords that will help trigger what you want to do (e.g. "bar out", "edge the board", "fly the kite" etc.) and use them during the session.

SaltySinus

VIC

960 posts

SaltySinus

VIC, 960 posts

12 Dec 2012 1:23pm

Cheers Peter.

I think legs are my first challenge. Actually, wind is..,. I was out yesterday 7.30pm at St K. Forgot how hard it was to fly a kite with no wind... bit of a waste of time.

So, I'm 80kg, I have a 12m kite, what would you say is the minimum wind-speed I'd need to edge sufficiently to go up wind? I'm guessing around 15knotts would be ideal.

Peterc150

VIC

710 posts

Peterc150

VIC, 710 posts

16 Dec 2012 1:00am

Salty,

It is very hard to go upwind in light wind. Experienced kiters can manage it but you really have to fly the kite hard and edge the board at the right time. This can be very difficult for learners. Smaller boards make it much harder too.

Kites brand and models can vary for their size & power in the same wind.

I would say an experienced 80kg kiter with a 12m Crossbow on a twintip could just stay upwind in 13 knots.

A learner on the same gear might just stay upwind in 17 knots.

An intermediate on the same gear might just stay upwind in 15 knots.

But its all subjective - a lot depends on the kite and board.

SaltySinus

VIC

960 posts

SaltySinus

VIC, 960 posts

17 Dec 2012 2:31pm

Thanks Peter,

I'll keep plugging away... I'll nail it, its just a question of when!

8Phill8

26 posts

8Phill8

WA, 26 posts

22 Dec 2012 9:53pm

arloj said...
being goofy i find it more easier going upwind then downwind which i guess is a awesome safety feature being able to get back in. I went out over the weekend in Perth, apart from dodging 40-50 kites i had a couple of good runs, definitely still need to control the angle of the board when water starting and also body positioning - too far back and i stall, too far forward and i either face plant or out of control. will be focusing on this parts this arvo.

Its good to be able to confide in other beginners albeit on the net, i seem to be the only guy out in geraldton whos just finished his lesson and getting on his on feet, although kitewest constantly are doing lessons, i have no idea where these guys go after the lessons..

Hey dude i live in Cape Burney and have only just finished lessons and have been out about 4 times in the last week, i'm headin out again tomorrow if your keen. I'm thinking of doing a down winder from the south end of Glenndining rd.

arloj

237 posts

arloj

WA, 237 posts

23 Dec 2012 8:25am

Hey bud, yeah I was the guy who saw you with Kim that afternoon on his rebel, the 2013 blue one.

I normally kite out at pt Moore but its a bit dodgey if your still learning. How far have you progressed from your lessons?

8Phill8

26 posts

8Phill8

WA, 26 posts

23 Dec 2012 10:14am

arloj said...
Hey bud, yeah I was the guy who saw you with Kim that afternoon on his rebel, the 2013 blue one.

I normally kite out at pt Moore but its a bit dodgey if your still learning. How far have you progressed from your lessons?

heyhey i'm doin' pretty well (i think hahaha) i'm getting up ok and gettin an edge and can come back in toe side. Just need time to put it all together, which is why i was thinking the down winder.
I got the 10m North Neo in the end, real easy to handle and the right price.
Got launched yesterday woo..... and kept the kite up!!!!!!

This is a real easy sport to get hook on haha
I'll email you my number if your keen to head out.

8Phill8

26 posts

8Phill8

WA, 26 posts

23 Dec 2012 10:20am

Peterc150 said...
I have put some collected info on water starts here: kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression/water-start

Its the most popular page, so it looks like many are having some difficulty with this when learning.

Light winds are definitely tricky when learning. Its easier when you have more power and don't have to fly/sine the kite to generate more.

I agree that pointing the board too far upwind and/or choking the kite (bar in too much) are to be avoided. If you location suits you could try a downwind run to get the feel of board speed and flying the kite. Of course heading straight downwind will also cause the kite to lose power.

Awesome site has helped heaps allready
Thanks

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