Jumping advice

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

I was hoping to get some advice around learning to jump using the kite and not just loading the lines. I have been working on loading and popping for a while but this weekend I tried a couple of jumps using the kite in addition to loading. With each attempt I got a couple of more feet (still only about 5 feet off of the water) as I improved the timing but then I pulled off one with way more height than I was comfortable with. The biggest issue I had was not the height but the rate at which I was coming down so I kicked off the board just in case. I assume this was because I did not have the kite at 12.00 for long enough or at all.

How fast is too fast on the way down? Should it always been a glide slowly down to the landing or is some speed expected?
I’ve had folks tell me to send the kite across the zenith to 1 or 2 to initiate the lift and some say send it to 12. What do you guys recommend?
Any other hints or tips you have around learning this in more of a controlled fashion than going from 5 to 15 feet would be appreciated 

Cheers

taycar · Since 11 Jan 2010 111 Posts HR Stoked

Here are a few tips from progression: www.youtube.com/watch?v=udcdK6Fr6Rc

On coming down too fast, you might be sending the kite with your forward hand and not realizing it. This will for sure get your speed going as you are coming down.

Algo Sucedio · Since 31 Jul 2010 8 Posts Kook

Initially, there are two types of kite driven jumps.
1) If your kite is before its zenith when you leave the water surface,
You will pendulum forward under the kite.
Resulting in either a bomb
(if you do not steer the kite back toward your direction)
Or a hot landing if you do.

2) If your kite is at or beyond its zenith when you leave the water surface,
You will go straight up, hold the kite in that position, float down until just before you touch down. That is when you want to steer your kite forward.

Sheet out when you send the kite
Sheet in to control when you leave the water surface

P.S. its important to stay sheeted in at touchdown

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

If you are on a port tack (left hand forward and kite at 10:00) start by lowering your kite closer to the water. Turn the kite into a climb (right hand pull). As the kite reaches 11:00 you adjust the angle (second right hand pull) to bring it across the sky to 12:15 or 12:45. Near 12:30 turn the kite in a tight radius (first left hand pull) and bring it back toward 11:00. If you are coming down and ready to land, the kite should go to 11:00 and then turn downwind to keep tension in your lines (second left hand pull) just before touching the water. If you are still high in the air bring the kite back and forth between 11:30 and 12:30 until you are about to touch down. Just before touching the water, the kite should be near 1:00 and you need to turn it downwind to keep tension in the lines and provide a soft landing.

Controlling the direction of pull and power in the jump requires that you control the depth and speed of your kite throughout the jump. The kite needs to reach 11:00 without excessive power because it will pull you off your edge and you will slide out of control before liftoff. If the kite is too close to the edge of the window where the lines slack, it will not have enough speed and power. This is controlled by the radius of the bottom turn and angle of climb. As the kite passes 11:00 a small adjustment (a second small pull on the right hand) is needed to keep power in the kite as it crosses to 12:30. This should provide enough lift to get you to your target altitude. If the kite is deeper as it crosses it will generate more lift and pull you downwind. If the kite is shallower (closer to the edge where the lines go slack) the kite will not pull as hard but the pull will be up. If you have a large radius turn at 12:30 the kite will pass upwind of you as you swing downwind and the lines will slack and drop you. To maintain control you must have a tight turn. The position of this lift turn affects the direction of your jump. If the lift turn is beyond 12:30, near 1:00 you will be pulled straight up and lose your forward momentum, landing downwind of your takeoff. If the lift turn is closer to 12:15 you will go up but maintain most of your forward speed. If the lift turn is at 11:45 you will not go up as much but you will go forward a long way with speed, landing forward of your takeoff.

Landing
Any time you are up high, you will want to use the kite to fly back down and provide a soft landing. Just before touching down you will need to send the kite deep into the window to avoid slack lines. This last turn generates a pull that changes my angle of descent and allows me to hit the water with very little down force but a lot of speed.

The pattern of the kite is identical to the action used in the waterstart that I teach and practicing the kite motion by waterstarting allows you to develop the skills and timing without carnage. Sit in the water with your feet in the board and bring the kite through the pattern. You should be able to lift strait up on to the board during the turn at 12:15 and then go forward after the kite makes the second left turn at 11:00.
_________________
Have More Fun!
Mark
Gorge Kiteboard School
http://gorgekiteboardschool.com

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

Good advice so far - I like this video...........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poP5h-M7xrg

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

Thank you for all of the feedback and videos guys. I aleady spotted a ton of stuff I was doing wrong.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

way over thinking..... JUST SEND IT!!!

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NaFpl4YLVs

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

[way over thinking..... JUST SEND IT!!!]

yep, this is what I did on Saturday:) hucked the kite up there and crossed my fingers

luke · Since 06 Jul 2005 399 Posts Obsessed

As part of the Hood River Huck Fest, Jesse Richman, Red Bull King of the Air Champion and World Record holder of the longest kite jump, will be putting on a big air/jump kite clinic.

And his big brother, Shawn Richman, ("I taught Jesse everything he knows" -Haa), will also be teaching kiters of all levels to go bigger at the clinic.

2 of the nicest guys and a couple of the best kiters on the planet teaching a jumping clinic in The Gorge. Sick.

Please check out on Facebook: Hood River Huck Fest for more details and to stay connected to the event.