Why down-wind dragging?

shred_da_gorge · Thu Aug 04, 11 9:22 pm

I learned power strokes in shallow water by flying a 10m in 14m conditions with one friend launching and one friend holding me down and coaching flight patterns (and plenty of safe space around). The two bros teaching me had learned the old-fashioned downwind body drag method (one of them even dragged into the rocks by Luhr-Jensen) and they recommended this method. This was in Padre though; I recognize the Gorge doesn't have ample space for everyone to do this (which is why I flew to Padre for lessons).

Body dragging across/upwind with the kite parked (one-handed, not looking at it) is another story, I concur. First time I had a board on my feet I didn't power-stroke enough to get fully upright, but progressively attempted more and more until I got up, repeating what I'd done standing waist-deep. Frustrating I admit, but the first time I actually did an intentional downwind drag was when I over-shot the board dragging up/across to retrieve it!

Personally, I'd also recommend wakeboarding and/or snowboarding mastery before kiting. That way you know edging and when you finally get up on the board kite progression is your only distraction.

carlitos · Since 02 Feb 2006 81 Posts NE pdx

tonyb is right on.

i took my first lesson in cabarete, kite beach around 2006. not only did the instructor make sure i knew how to select a kite for the appropriate wind, pump it up, connect lines, launch AND land it before even getting into the water, i also had to demonstrate how to body drag up wind, down wind and across wind IN CONTROL before she gave me a board. all that prep work took about 1.5 hours and i was riding a twin tip shortly after. great lesson and i was hooked. i felt totally comfortable riding on my own the next day and the following week.

not once did i or anyone else on the beach in cabarete send the kite downwind and tea-bag across the water as tony pointed out. to me that seems like a bad idea and really doesnt teach the beginner very much besides what NOT to do.

i get the whole "playing with the power of the kite to stoke up the student" deal, but cant you get that while riding a board after the initial fundamentals have been mastered?

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

So... how do you get up and going on a board without first understanding at least a basic power stoke...

Oh wait, lets give the student the basic control... then put them on the water with a board on their feet, have them learn how to deal with proper board/body/kite control/position, and then add the initial power stoke... which by the way we have not even taught per your progression???

Right... even in a perfect world... your asking a lot all at once from your newbie... Get real, give them the tools to succeed before you put it all together.

LISTEN EVERYONE... A downwind body drag is EVERYTHING that is not upwind... ie... putting your body across the water, leading with the upwind rudder hand in the water, and flying the kite over to one side. If you have two hands on the bar and even with the kite at 30-45 degress with any power... YOUR DOING A DOWNWIND BODY DRAG...

Now, out of control dragging with a high kite going STRAIGHT DOWNWIND is not appropriate at any level

carlitos · Since 02 Feb 2006 81 Posts NE pdx

local rider:"hey man! whats up? wind is great, better than yesterday, get out there!"
newb: "cool, i think i'll pump up my 12m and do some more body dragging!"
lr: "dude, you are ready for the board. you've been body dragging now for a week"
newb: "yeah, but i still dont feel like im in control and i cant go upwind yet"

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Hey Carlitos...

Yeah, I think we are pretty much in full agreement on that and the relative discussion with teaching progressions!!! Just think we are having a misunderstanding of terms. Control is key, without it your just a dope on a rope!

Kite on, Jon

carlitos · Since 02 Feb 2006 81 Posts NE pdx

fully agree with you too bammer.
see you on the water soon.
-carl

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Dragging /progression
I learned on snow the first time .
I flew a 4m for 20 min then a 19m foil .
I was on my lips quickly getting dragged as the power was so fast I had no time to react . Sure I felt the power of the trainer and realized there would be much more using the larger kite but it's on instantly and over I went . I snowboard and got that part figured quickly but ,
My first water attempts I rocketed the kite across the window and dragged / yarded myself as well .
Enough dragging ,
6yrs later ,
Kite control ! Number one .
Just a thought , opinion ,
A good board to learn kite control with is a skim board ! Without kite control on a strapless finless board your not going any where . You sure learn to move your kite with a light touch though . Proper positioning and fine movements will be a very good help for all other kite tricks and moves in the future .
And less kite relaunches . And more confidence around other kites in a crowd .
Kite Skills !
An instructor at your local spot told me years ago too many students push their instructors to get out on the water too quickly ( Thanks again Mark ) not having enough theory . Before your on the board , kite skills !
Now add a skim , if you can get on one of those and ride a ways along shore your kite skills should be good enough to go out on the river safely .
Not many would want to take the time though would they .
It's all about equilibrium !?you get what you put in , What goes up must come down etc .
Murphys law must be rememberd

JackZ
Also ,
I'd like to thank that beautiful lady I met ( same Hotel ) on SPI @kiteroundup/10 she was a teacher of windsurf -Kitesurf out of new York state with many years exp. , had a partner in business on SPI and talking with her she mentioned how skills improve on a skim and the fun it is , She was nearer my age and her enthusiasm triggered my desire to skimboard under a kite . I made one as soon as I got home . I love it . I did my first jiibe on it this season .
Kite Control !
Sorry I feel I hijacked the thread into a dating service but that's not my intent .