Hi.
I'm a noob, but I've managed to get up and riding and am now riding upwind easily. Now, I want to start changing directions w/o having to stop, sit back down in the water and re-start. I don't want to get airbourne (not yet, anyway!); I'd just prefer to be able to make a nice, fluid change of direction without dipping my bum back in the water.
I ride a Cabrina Rival wake-type board, and I stay on the heel edge. Simply sining the kite the other direction (10-2 or 2-10) just seems stall the kite and leave me sitting in the water. I've tried keeping the board pointed upwind, so that it's pointed downwind in the opposite direction, and I've tried keeping my board perpendicular to the wind, but nothing seems to work consistently.
Any tips?
You need to wash off all speed by pointing hard upwind. As you slow, bring the kite up to 12m and dive in the opposite direction. At this point you need to shift your weight.
If you are losing power and sinking, it will be because:
a) moving the kite too slowly to the top and then down in the opposite direction
b) not going upwind hard enough prior to sending the kite, so the kite flies to the edge of the window after you turn it, resulting in a piss weak dive
c) combination of both the above.
Thanks bene,
I think you may be right. I've noticed the kite going to the edge of the window a time or two, and I probably am moving it too slowly. I will try staying hard up-wind and being quicker with the kite next time. I think I may need to take my "brave" pills before I go out...
Hi Jeff,
A "Sliding turn" or "Slide transition" are terms used to describe the move.
I'm not trying to be the smarty trousers that knows all the names .
Knowing the names makes it easier to search for stuff on the net
try
Thanks for the help guys, and Scott, no worries; it's always good to know the names of things. I've got a whole new language to learn. Can't watch the vids right now, as I'm at work, and the images are blocked, but this will give me something to do when I get home. Sadly, there's no wind today.