Help with REVs

jimmyc · Since 04 Aug 2005 74 Posts Cape Cod, MA

Let me first say the REVs are great all around kites. The low end power, range with massive depower, fast turning speed are all fantastic.

But...I find myself wanting to work on (non-legit) wake style stuff more and more. And am seeking out flat water over waves or rolling chop (which is what we get mostly).

Anyway, 90% of the time when I unhook and let go with one hand to do a (non-legit) indy glide, tantrum, hoochie/OHH or land blind to try and pass the handle I either downloop the kite, crash it LE into the water, or worst of all..kiteloop it. I'm holding the bar between my index finger and middle finger and trying my best not to put too much pressure on one side. But the kites (9 & even the 13) turn so fast.

So, before I go back to Fuels can someone help me...? It's pretty frustrating cuz the kites are fantastic but I just don't like seeing the kite downlooping and powering up when I'm trying to pass it. Ruben and the Inept guys might like that but I'm strictly non-legit.

Thanks. Wink

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

No one likes a downlooping kite for wakestyle. I don't get how you're holding your bar? The best way I know is to hold it with one hand right in the middle so the chicken loop rope passes between middle finger and index finger. Is that what you're doing? That stabilizes most kites pretty well. Try flying it like that without doing a trick and see what happens with the kite. You should be able to figure out exactly where and how to hold it to keep it fairly steady. Otherwise maybe some Rev riders like Tucker can offer further insight. Although if you're having trouble on the 13m it's probably the technique not the kite. Hope this helps.

jimmyc · Since 04 Aug 2005 74 Posts Cape Cod, MA

Thanks.

Forgot to add that important piece...I am holding the bar with the center line between my index and middle finger. That is where I hold it always when I know I'm going to be letting go. The 13m is less of a problem, but is normally headed for the water when I'm getting to blind. The 9m has usually already downlooped and is powering back up.

I'm sure it's bad form, it's just what can you do when you're holding on with one hand ?

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

What helped me was practicing riding blind. If you can ride blind for 10, 20, 50ft without messing up steering in the kite then landing to blind will be way easier. Try something simple like backside 180 ollie to blind and ride like that for a bit. Also, try to look at the kite while you're doing this. It'll force you to commit more and you can also see what you're doing wrong with the kite.

Where is your hand when you ride blind? Is it locked in right in the small of your back? That can help lock your arm in place and prevents the kite from jerking your arm around which messes up the steering. After you get the hang of this you will hopefully notice that your kite is way more stable when you do tricks to blind.

jimmyc · Since 04 Aug 2005 74 Posts Cape Cod, MA

Thanks very much for the help.

I've noticed that my arm gets pulled away from my body because the kite is downlooping. Which of course makes it harder to pass it and usually I bite it and end up like a fly fishing lure. On the Fuels I could land it blind and have it tight to the back for a quick pass (most of the time). I think everything is exaggerated as the REVs are much faster.

Good tip on riding blind though. I can ride blind for a long while hooked in (ie until I hit something). But usually just try to pass it if I'm unhooked. Are you advising I try to ride blind with just my one hand on the center of the bar? I can try that...

Thanks, gotta run for now...quittin time on the East Coast... Very Happy

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, for sure practice riding blind unhooked with one hand in the middle of the bar. Hooked in might help ease into it at first, but doesn't come close to the real thing. You don't have to be able to ride blind unhooked very long since your arm will get tired, but doing it for a little will help with steering skills. It sounds like this should help you quite a bit if you can't do it yet. Also, downlooping means there's not enough pressure on back of the bar. When you're holding the bar make sure you have enough pressure from index finger and thumb to counteract pull from other 3 fingers. You should be able to feel it out while practicing blind riding. Good luck!

jimmyc · Since 04 Aug 2005 74 Posts Cape Cod, MA

Thanks, I'll try that next time I'm out. Wink