The loss of steering is from no tension on the rear steering lines. The best option is unfortunately just time flying the thing. Doing it on land is nice because it's easy, but you're not in motion. Doing it on a skateboard is slightly easier, but a bit more dangerous since you can fall on a hard surface. FoilRat has a coaching club you can join. James Casey has his coaching club with lots of video modules explaining it all and if you can get video he will coach you. Those both cost money unfortunately.

Thanks Hdip...I did figure out the steering loss, and will likely get some online coaching...I've just been a bit at a loss for the lack of real details on PW control basics for beginners...nearly all the intro vid's I'm seeing are about how to get up on foil...often after a brief rundown of proper gear and conditions, and suggestions to practice on land first (and perhaps turn bar to the left to make it go left!) , while throwing in kiting jargon as if anyone considering this obviously knows these things.

I know it is mostly going to be time doing it, and I will put in the work and pay my dues...just seems like there's a gap in what people trying to help are actually providing (for me at least as a pretty cerebral learner)...

A pretty decent from the ground up introduction to PW

Honestly I think you are overthinking it.

But from one overthinker to another here's a playlist I created of vids :-) youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVE8qbiSsxc1f5cqP-lggkMIE23VCn99U&si=QcZUuylWTa_DRDG9