Hi Everyone
Just thought I’d give a few tips on learning to get up on the board (the kite control side of it) �After spending a couple of days doing an international kiteboarding course, a lot of people are starting to get up on the board and riding. � And so they expect to be. �After all thats the main reason you decide to go through a good �kiteschool �/ kite shop- to learn quickly and safely. Anyway I’d like to share a few tips with you on kite control while getting up and going.
Get your kite control sorted
When you are learning to kiteboard, you need to learn how to fly the kite first – before you jump on the board. (check out our online Kite Shop for great kites). �Once you have the following skills mastered, then you are ready to attempt riding the board.
- Create power and control power with the kite.
- lock it into the power zone at will.
- directional body drag.
- launch and land your kite on the water and on the land.
You will also need to have a sound understanding of the right of way rules, kite eticit and your safety sorted too.
The Right Environment
So before we jump in and get you riding, we need to make sure that all the right ingredients are there for a quick learning experience. �Here’s whats needed
Doing it – The Water Start
OK, so now that you’ve got the location sorted and your under the wing of a great instructor, here are some important kite control motions that need to be adhered to while getting going:
- Position the kite slightly to the side of 12 oclock with the bar out. �This will give you the time you need to get the board on your feet.
- Pull the bar in to the sweet spot (the place where the lines have the correct amount of tension needed to dive the kite with power).
- Generate power in the kite by diving it in the direction you want to go. �Do this quickly and make the dive a small one for your first attept to avoid getting face plated in the water.
- Lean into the direction that the kite travels – follow the power of the kite with the weight of your body. �This will get you up on the board provided that your board is pointed slightly down wind as you start to lift out of the water.
Our Online Kite Shop has a great range of quality entry level to high performance kites to check out.
Now that you are up on the board
OK… So you’ve made it up on the board. Everything is happening so quickly. Your kite is heading toward the water. Now is the time to quickly steer the kite back toward 12 oclock, Be sure not to oversteer the kite past 12 into the other side of the wind window. You need to stay balanced, and the way to do this is to have the kite stay in the same side of the wind window. Remember to let the bar out a little when sending the kite back up. This will ensure the kite doesnt stall deep into the powerzone and throw you off your board.
Riding
Keep the momentum going with the kite and try to lock it in at about 45 degrees or slightly higher. Follow the direction of the kite at first to gain some spend then lean against the power of the kite and push the bar out slightly.
OK – We are up and riding, There is still quite a bit more to learn and discuss. Hopefully, I’ve given you just the tip you need to take you to the next level. Next time I will give you the low down on the following skills:
- Board control
- Edging
- Maintaining speed
Any questions? Give me a call or send a message. I’d be stoked to hear from you! Check out our blog articles for more information.
Happy Kiting
Andy