Slide Transition: Still not as automatic as I'd like
Fri, 09/23/2011 - 15:16
Ladies and Gents, Hoping you can help me. I still struggle sometimes with my slide transitions. I struggle to make those quick change direction on a dime type transitions. It seems like if I keep the kite fairly far forward in the window and low-ish -- like 10:30-11 when headed left -- as I make that final hard edge/slide move, then I can quickly pilot the kite around and head off in the new direction. This feels more like a modified carving transition than a true slide transition, and while it works and I'm able to stay upwind, and in fact, work my way back upwind. I feel like I really need to master a true slide transition before taking on new challenges. When trying a more quick-change type slide transition, I feel like the kite ends up flying too far forward in the window and I'm actually downwind of it when I make that final hard edging-to-sliding move with my board. Then being downwind and diagonal to the kite, there just never seems to be enough time, power, something to finish the turn. Does this make any sense? I'd be happy to try to explain differently. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!
Fri, 09/23/2011 - 15:29
#1
Downloop the kite!
Downloop the kite!
Fri, 09/23/2011 - 16:52
#2
2 votes for downloop!
2 votes for downloop!
Sun, 09/25/2011 - 13:10
#3
don't worry about staying upwind when you down loop
when you first start downlooping, you will be surprised at the power generated. If you try to stay upwind and keep any kind of an edge, you will just go over the top and wreck. Point the board RIGHT AT the kite, then down loop (like Jean says, turn upwind with your leading end, and you will be pointing your new leading end toward the kite; exaggerate this for your first down loops and get that board aiming at the kite) Carve back upwind after the kite loops and you have board speed. You will make up your downwind travel in no time with the increased board speed and apparent wind the kite is seeing.
When you describe coming out of the transitions without enough oomph, it may mean that you are not being aggressive enough with the kite, or that you are going out in too light a wind. I feel my progress may have been slowed as a beginner by only going out when there was barely enough wind. Things get a lot easier over about 18 mph, not harder. (the falls may be a little harder, but worth it)
Good luck
Fri, 09/23/2011 - 16:52
#4
yeah downloop
OR
pilot kite
yeah downloop
OR
pilot kite very aggressively through the power zone from 10 to 2 as your transition.
its a fine line always, but you will lose power if you head downwind unless you work the kite.
Fri, 09/23/2011 - 22:12
#6
head upwind a bit before you
head upwind a bit before you try to break the board loose into a sliding transition. that will slow you down a bit, load up lines to make the kite more responsive and get the board pointed the right direction to come out of the turn nicely
Sat, 09/24/2011 - 07:18
#7
Copy that, in addition do not
Copy that, in addition do not shift out the bar too much as this would make the kite race to the edge of the window even faster. Dive it hard as was advised already. Made the same mistake myself for too long. The same comes into play when you start working on jump transitions. If the kite races to the edge of the window on the direction where you want to go, you are screwed.
Sat, 09/24/2011 - 21:30
#8
it's all about keeping it in
it's all about keeping it in the power zone! Keep turning it and you're good (means use a smaller kite)
Thanks for the input! Any thoughts on why the kite seems to fly so far forward in the wind window? Or is this just my perception when I'm coming in a little too hot? It does seem to happen in those moments when I'm carrying more speed than I'm comfortable with.
__________________
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead