3 tips for better kiteboard Control

Описание: A guide to help you put the "boarding" into your kiteboarding

This is part two of the master your kite and board videos. Last week, I covered a new angle on how to control your kite with the edge of your board. I’m going to expand on this now, and help you really get control of your board and riding position.

Kiteboarding is funny because unlike other board sports we have a lot more going on with controlling the kite. The thing is, It seems like a lot of kiteboarders never learn how to ride a board properly and it actually holds back their progress. Even boarders who cross over from other sports pick up some habits while learning that make things harder later on.

In this video, I’m going to help you get a better understanding of board control. This is going to make all of your tricks easier, they are going to look better and kiteboarding is going to be a lot more fun and easier for you if you can get these skills down.

Quick Reference Guide to Edge Control Applications

Jumping applications
When jumping, you can come off your edge a bit, and set the kite deeper
When you send it up, it will be deeper in the window and you’ll pick up speed for a bigger jump.
You'll be able to edge more tension into the lines for power too
Balance the kites lift on harness vs edge of your board

In light winds, lay in harness more to hold your weight
In high winds ground yourself with the board to reduce lift
You can use fins for drive or dig your edge
Balance of weight over feet makes a difference
All weight on the back foot slows momentum & reduce power
Balance on both feet to accelerate speed and improve pop
Riding upwind

Don't edge too hard
Keep pressure between both feet
Don't go too fast
Keep the kite forward in the wind window
Slowing down

Use back foot pressure and a hard edge to set the kite too far in the window
Alternatively, you can ride so far downwind that it drifts to the edge
This is why I say land downwind to take power out of the kite. Yet, you can also edge power out of the kite. You can build speed by coming off your edge a little. Remember, agressive edging makes for an agressive kite. Slow controlled edging makes for a mellow kite.

Wave / Foiling
This is why you see some wave foil crossover kites. Regardless, these skills will help on any kite.

I'm going to cover some basics but I want to note that I am not a wave expert. There are too many variables to draft up a step by step wave guide in one video. You can however, take these concepts and experiment with your kite in different wave conditions. The goal is to have edge control and be able to set your kite with intention. Ideally in a place 2 seconds ahead of your surf maneuver.

Use your edge to keep a little line tension and set the kite in advance
Think 2 seconds ahead of the maneuver when setting the kite
The goal is to position the kite so you can execute the surf move
While cutting downwind your carrying so much speed, you could almost drop the kite
With the right path and edging, you can get your kite to stall as you travel as you travel in the opposite direction like it's flying backwards
Can cheat this by downlooping the kite to stop it from falling.
If you use the edge method to “stall it and keep it in the air, it will be like a parachute downind
This will take practice with your specific kite and the wind / wave direction
Practice edging your kite on and off the waves so you can place it with intention
With foiling, you do a lot of the same things as the waves but there is less going on.
With the waves, you need to control the kite and position it so you can stay on the wave.
Drifting kites have a lot of forgiveness, all around kites you’ll need to use your edge control to set the kite in the correct position.
So, when dropping in. if the kite doesn't drift, you might need to edge / steer the board a little to regain line tension. The kite may shoot back as well staying in the sky. It’s a game of keeping just a little tension in the lines so you can control the kite.I could do very deep on this but it all comes down to getting the basics down and getting in tune with maintaining a little line tension. Keep the kite in the right position so it hangs there while you surf the wave. Occasionally, you may need to downloop to set the kite and pick up a ton of speed. Lead with the kite. Keep it ahead for top & bottom turns. Think two seconds ahead with the kite movement. For example, you might let it drift forward while dropping in, As you edge a bottom turn, the kite will shoot forward. You might need to counter that and send the kite back deeper a little as you carve up a wave. There are too many variables for me to do a detailed wave guide and frankly I'm not a wave expert. My best advice is to practice and be mindful of what your edge is doing while riding waves.