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Post by Kel on Sept 18, 2008 10:39:04 GMT -5
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Post by flashpipe on Sept 19, 2008 9:28:35 GMT -5
Great links! Thanks!! Alright...I'm asking!  I've been in the water about 6 times so far. I'm getting better at the initial power up to pull myself up on my board, but am having trouble getting the kite in the right position or anticipating the turn fast enough to keep the power up to keep me up. I've been going out with my buddy who started last year and is able to get up on his board and stay on it for 30-40' before getting over/under powered. It seems to work pretty well for us so far because we can keep an eye out for each other when we're in the water, we generally stay close enough to the shore that we can stand up if we need to help each other re-launch if the wind dies down while we're crashed, and then we can walk back up the beach since we aren't going upwind yet. I've got a 9m Yarga and 15m Waroo, and figure the biggest thing is just getting more time out there, but I'm always looking for any tips, help, etc... I'm also using a massive homemade plywood board for now, but am finishing a much lighter epoxy homemade board...just can't afford $200 for a used board right now (and certainly not $400-500 for a new one)... Thanks!! |
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Post by pat on Sept 19, 2008 15:42:17 GMT -5
Glad to see someone else is starting off on plywood.
Although it probably isn't recommended, I think it worked great because you can ride on a thin layer of water.
Mine worked until I could stay upwind. That was when I ruined it by cutting it too short.
I have a twin tip f-1 that I would sell for 85 bucks. I only use it about 3-4 times a summer now that I have a smaller board.
Edge hard to keep your speed under control, and try not to dive the kite hard enough to get yanked straight downwind.
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Post by David on Sept 20, 2008 19:54:42 GMT -5
Well, I have a couple comments on your problems. First, there is no substitute for good equipment; it may seem obvious but it is the truth. There is a reason gear is expensive, it realy does make you better. That being said you can get away with less but your progression suffers for it and it takes years instead of days to learn. Second, you need more gear. Ha, sounds like the first but really your quiver is too imbalanced to be of much good unless it is nukkin for the (9m) or so light that it is difficult to ride (15m) unless you are experienced. Like most things you need balance, get a 12m ASAP, 12-14m kites are the foundations of good quivers. Check out this link for my theory on buliding a quiver rochwindsports.proboards106.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=70. Third, the problem with you stalling after 30 or 40 feet is the fact you are turning the nose of the board too far into the wind. Let it ride, the key to going upwind on a kiteboard is the angle of the board provided by your feet, and pressuring the back foot to let the edge drive or slice the water upwind. Windsurfing boards can point the nose upwind but steering comes from the play between the fin, sail, foot pressure and the leverage balance between those forces. Pressure a flat board with 2 inch fins and the nose points into the wind and the kite flies too far forward into the window to provide pull because your body position has changed in relation to the window. Fourth, fly your kite, learn it, live it, be it. You need to be able to fly the kite and know where it is in relation to the edge of the window by feel, not looking at it. You should NEVER change your position in relation to the wind window, never turn your body to your kite while you are riding, it will stall because it moves to the edge of the window. If you crash your kite while you are riding or getting up on your board you need more practice, the only time to crash a kite is when you are trying tricks. Fifth, consistant wind, you need it to learn the kite and with one kite size appropriate for learning (your 15m) you are going to be waiting for the perfect wind for that kite size a lot or dealing with marginal conditions. More kites = more sweet spots = more control and "dialed in" feel = more fun/faster learning/progression. Additionally the weight of your board is going to require a bigger kite to pull you, light boards plane faster and higher in the water and require less kite to pull. |
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Post by Kel on Sept 21, 2008 17:39:51 GMT -5
Here is my thought for the day on getting the knack of staying up on the board.. First, read the details of "6-Water Starting" though "9-Going Upwind" on the kitesurfingschool.org site under "HOW TO". Secondly, it can be a little intimidating going out feeling "Powered Up" when you are fairly new, but this will make it much easier to stay up riding on your board. If you are underpowered, you will have to work the kite (fly the kite in a sine wave pattern) and that is a lot more to coordinate while trying to learn edging the board at the same time. When you have enough power, you can just park your kite at 45 degrees and concentrate on controlling your speed by edging the board. To slow down, you edge hard and consequently pull the kite forward to the edge of the wind window, reducing power. To go faster you point your board a little toward the kite and let it fly further back in the power zone. How do you know if you have enough power? After you launch your kite and let out your depower strap, you should have a hard time holding the kite in one place when sheeted in. If you can sheet in and stand on the beach and hold the kite without having to lean back pretty good (or preferably your feet make some tracks in the sand), then you are under powered. You can still kite in this condition, but you will have to add some decent kite flying skills to make it work. If it feels a little uncomfortable having that much power at first, have your friend hold your harness back-strap while you are getting out to the water. I am about 190lbs and I am properly powered with a 14m SLE around 20 to 25 mph, my boards are on the heavy side. Depending on the age/tech of your kites, your weight and the weight of your board, I would guess that your 15m Waroo should be pretty good in 15 to 18 mph. And if you havent already, make sure you can body drag upwind and self rescue before you try much else. Good Luck. |
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Post by flashpipe on Sept 21, 2008 19:19:38 GMT -5
Excellent feedback and help so far! Lots of new things to try and work on next time I go out. The first few times I went out, I used the 9m in 20ish winds and could tell I was underpowered (I'm 190 lbs), so the last two times I've used my 15m in the same winds and felt good once I got in the water. I was a little nervous on the beach, fully depowered, flying straight overhead and feeling every gust.
David, I plan to get a 12m and a lighter board, but after my initial $1k into the sport this season, I'll probably have to wait until next season to round out my quiver and my progress will probably suffer for it, but my pocketbook will appreciate it.
Kel, thanks for the board and sheeting tips and the links! Good stuff to focus on next time. I got in some body dragging upwind to my board last time I was out and was amazed how much better it worked that trying to fly the kite straight overhead and swim, which I had tried before, with poor results...
I've had good success relaunching after crashes (which have only happened after face planting off the board and not continuing to the fly the kite, or when the wind died) until the wind died down last time, and I couldn't get it to roll back up.
Anyway, thanks for the tips, and I'll keep you updated on my progress! I'm looking forward to fall, hopefully more wind from the Nish (Durand is so much closer for me than Erie) and looking forward to trying some snowkiting this winter!!
Thanks again!
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