Coping with chop and being overpowered?

Raj · Since 13 Oct 2009 113 Posts Stoked

So, on Wednesday I lost my board out in the channel at event site because I'm pretty sure I was overpowered. After having to powerstroke my kite through seemingly dead spots...once in the channel I accelerated uncontrollably.

I sheeted out completely and hunkered down practically sitting on my heels just trying to stay on the water skipping across at mach speed unable to really dig my edge in or effectively pull my trim line in. (takes some real grunt to pull that damn depower line in when lit). I essentially rocketed across the water until my board caught some chop ripping it off my feet and sent me tea bagging and skidding across the water not knowing if I was facing up or down.

I was a bit flustered and uncomfortable in the rolling swells so after briefly looking for my board I just body dragged back to the sandbar.

Does anyone have any tips on how to handle those moments of increased acceleration?

And that chop? Felt like I was skiing moguls!

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Been there done that Raj, just like the rest of us!!!

I used to rely on the kites depowering capabilities to slow myself down but learned the hard way that the most effective way is controlling the power/overpower by edging really hard with back foot and proper body position, meaning leaning back in a straight position (ankles, hips and shoulders all in a relatively straight line) not in the infamous shitting position!

Your quads and core/back muscle will be sore for a while after your 1st try but it will give you so much more IMMEDIATE control of the kite when you suddenly find yourself in nuked-out conditions.

By the way, did you find your board???

JUMPIN JIMI · Since 11 Nov 2006 123 Posts Stoked

FLY YOUR KITE TO 12 OCLOCK Exclamation

HOW TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW Embarassed

KITEBOARDING 101 Wink

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

Good post.

Sometimes you are just so lit Exclamation

There you are out in the river with too big of a kite. I make the mistake of over-rigging on the river a lot. Until you get used to the gorge, always take some binoculars. Check out riders of your size and ability out in the channel. See what kite they are on.

Sometimes it is too late or the wind picks up while you are riding. In addition to what the others said, I've used safety hops and closely-related, bleed off downwind until you get in control.

Safety hops are very small jumps (don't send the kite) downwind. Even if you don't get a little air, the key is to point the nose downwind until you essentially match the speed of the kite and can get in control. Then use the hard edging technique recommended by dancingwind and tack back to your launch and rig down.

Have fun Exclamation

Gorgegezzer · Since 14 Jan 2007 67 Posts

You have to look at the water and see the gust or immediately when you feel it. Anticipate the wind is going to be stronger out in the channel. Once you are blasting across the water like you describe, it's a little late to start edging hard. Then you have to do what the others are describing. Hope you got your board back.

specialk · Guest

Raj way to go!
I saw that you got your board back too in another thread.

I attempted to get out into the channel yesterday, but wholly bejeezez, it was rough going!

Get after it! Body position is everything for me, but i still find myself getting off balance, jerking, and spasming in the chop...try and try again! Kite at noonish (for brief periods) and body position really does help capture some control as you're trying to get a grip out there. I'm still learning to though...

Shocked

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead

Like they say, at some point you need to get your kite to the edge of the wind window by edging hard and holding it until you can wrangle the kite out of the power zone, or by getting your body downwind faster than the kite, which effectively allows your kite to get closer to the edge of the window. (Note that the personal board speed records happen when you are between the two extremes--you're not edging hard enough to bleed speed and you're not going downwind fast enough to catch the kite--so you're locked on a speed tack!) Once you get your kite to the edge, keep it there by moving it slowly along 12 o'clock when you tack. If your kite steers into the power zone or you even get it moving quickly, you'll find yourself getting yanked. The goal of the techniques Barfly mentioned is to get the kite closer to above you or to your sides so it's not downwind anymore. If you're really lit the kite will be pulling hard even at the edge, and maybe bouncing you some if its gusty. Stay vigilant and don't look to relax much -- keep all your leverage on it until you land it.

Bettyboarder · Fri Apr 23, 10 7:06 am

Sometimes if I am super lit I will try to ride toeside that will help alot or just point your board down wind kite at 12 and ride it out...kind of freaky at first but you will slow down and catch up to the kite.

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

You also want to have your kite pumped really tight. Kite flies much better and is more controlable. When you launched wednesday your LE seemed a bit soft.
Glad you got your board back Thumb's Up

Sol-flyer · Fri Apr 23, 10 8:05 am

This is a good topic, I'd like to mention that although bringing the kite to 12 o'clock
will slow you down, It is NOT recomended in overpowered situations.

If i'm overpowered I put my KITE LOW....Drag a wingtip in the water low. This
gives me more edge control and will drive that kite to the edge of the wind
window. If you bring your kite to 12 o'clock you lose that effective edge and will
start getting tea bagged in over powered conditions....which is unsafe when there
are other kiters around you.
I have seen this happen and two kiters collided....the kiter who got hit had
a sliped disc in his back and was laid out for half the year.

Broadbandito, great explaination Thumb's Up

mbirch · Since 17 Jun 2008 41 Posts underwood

Sounds like you rigged too big of a kite. In the gorge I rig for the gusts it is better to have too small of a kite then too big when the wind is cranking. There is a huge difference between a 5m and a 7m compared to a 10m and a 12m. Once the wind increases from lets say 25mph to 35mph it is exponentially twice as strong as it would be from 15mph to 25mph! One thing to think about when rigging.

Sella · Fri Apr 23, 10 8:25 am

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead

Yes, 12 o'clock is hairy, I didn't explain well that you'd only fly through 12 to reverse direction.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Raj · Since 13 Oct 2009 113 Posts Stoked

Yes! I got the board back from another kiter that day and my LE was a bit soft. Inflated to about 7 or 8 because it's an older kite and had heard over inflating will wear it out faster.
Thanks for all the feedback!
I did think to move to 12 but was afraid of losing what edge I did barely have and lifting. Bandito hit the nail on the head. Felt like I was locked into that tack.

I have successfully bled power before, going downwind briefly or stomping my edge to force the kite to the edge......but I can see that I need to work on knowing when to do what.....know what's about to happen before It does I suppose......
Thanks again!
I had a blast that day! .....back to class! :)

Raj · Since 13 Oct 2009 113 Posts Stoked

Ha ha!
"Dayton 500 crash"
I totally did that!
.........and I thought I was going to be working on my jumps that day! Ha!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped