Tired of Crashing

jmmorford · Since 26 Oct 2009 21 Posts

I'm progressing OK. I go upwind consistently and can nail a slide transition about 1/3 of the time. So all that is fine. But I still crash a lot.

Usually when I fall, it's because I get over powered and get going too fast. Then one of two things happens. Either I bury my tip in a swell or I get pulled off my edge to a flat sliding board going down wind even faster. These scenarios usually end in a spectacular crash.

I kite mostly at the Event Site. Best I can tell, it's impossible not to be over powered sometimes there because of the gusting conditions. And until I improve my board skills, I'm going to lose it in the chop--I know that. I just want to improve the way I deal with these issues.

So here are my questions:
1. What should I do when I get over powered and start sliding down wind? I'm trying to really bury my back foot and sometimes, that works, but not usually. Yesterday, I tried to not fight it by turning down wind and then raising my kite to slow down. That seemed to work OK, but still pretty unnerving.

2. Most of the time when I fall, I can maintain control of my kite and everything works out OK. But sometimes, I get spun around with a face full of water so that I really can't tell where I am relative to the wind. I hang onto the bar, but don't know where to steer the kite. That seems to result in unintended kite loops, a gratuitous boost and then a crashed kite. I'm wondering if I would be better off just letting go of the bar when I get completely disoriented like that?

Tips appreciated and, really, I'm trying to stay out of your way.

PDXF · Since 10 Sep 2008 116 Posts Stoked

I've been kiting for 7 yearrrrrrs and I STILL have the same 'problems'. I didn't realize that falling and getting a face full of disgusting river water was avoidable. But pointing down wind and sheeting out then start carving upwind is the way to go. Try not to put the kite high as then you loose your power.

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

If you are a beginner and have been out kiting at the Event Site, lately, in the "15 to 30" ... I have nothing but respect for you!

Here is what could be part of the "problem". The Board.

Most often, a beginner is told that he needs a 'big' board as his first board. And that is true, for a while, under normal beginner-learning wind conditions, but some kiters outgrow the big (like 150 x 44 cm) board in about 3 "Gorge" sessions.

If this applies to you, I would suggest trying a smaller board with more rocker. My friend had the same problem as you have, and when he went to a smaller board (one that begins with "M" and has 4 letters in the name), he did a lot better in the typical high, gusty wind that we get in the Gorge... then, when we went out East, and he experienced "good" wind (steady), he performed like a pro.

I can tell from your post that you will be a really good kiter, and more importantly, a polite, well-mannered kiter... the concern you expressed for other kiters, tells me that.

Welcome to the 'pack"!

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2622 Posts The 503 METAL

Sweet post Morf! Brings back many fond memories of getting beat down! Laughing

The biggest weapon for gust control...EDGING! Anticipate the gust, lean back, bring the kite down a bit and just push water. Hips forward, shoulders back...no poop stance! Once you get this down the fear factor dissappears.

The quick shot down wind while you bring your kite up is also very handy!

Thumb's Up

Sella · Mon Jul 30, 12 1:27 pm **Re: Tired of Crashing**

keithvoncoyote · Since 13 May 2011 49 Posts The Gorge

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Good advice here, just a few things to add, maybe a bit of repetition...

Board -the board is important... bigger, floatier "easy to get on plane" boards definitely make edging in the chop harder. Design plays a strong role too... some boards are just made to edge better than others, so try out different boards, ask at the shops; it can make a huge difference.

Stance -if you look at the guys that "boost big" and can hold down a lot of kite, even in strong winds, you'll notice they have a very aggressive stance... their shoulders are back, their upper body straight while bending the knees when necessary to absorb the bumps. If you have a "poop stance" where your butt is sticking out and your shoulders are hunching over, and coming over your board, its very hard to get your weight back on your heels and dig in. This can make you feel out of control, like you're stretched out reaching for the bar, instead of leaning back and feeling in control of the kite. Watch good riders, emulate their stance (butt in, shoulders back).

Edging -ok, so you're able to go upwind. Cool. You're riding along, getting your edge in, going upwind a bit, and whoa... what's this? You're going faster, faster... the kite seems to be pulling you too fast... you're getting lit up and the chop is becoming a nightmare... you feel like at any moment you're going to blow up and go careening down the river. Well, if this sounds familiar, its most likely as others have said, that you are not edging effectively enough to control the kite during the gusts.

I kite with the kite usually set to full power most of the time. I use the board edge to control how much wind the kite "sees"... bigger the gust, the harder I edge upwind. Here's a way to think of it... instead of getting going, and then trying to go upwind a little bit more and then a little bit more, reverse it. Get up, get going, and then go upwind as much as you can. You will need to have a proper stance, edging technique and a board that edges well won't hurt either. As you feel yourself slowing down, to the point you are almost starting to sink into the water, bear off to allow more power in the kite. As you get powered up, go back to edging hard upwind again. Mentally, think of trying to go upwind as much as possible by edging hard, and then bearing off when you need to, to keep going at a good pace. This way you won't be surprised by the gusts, but instead ready for them.

If you haven't already done so, start learning to ride toeside. Riding toeside will absorb more energy from the kite, and also make it very easy to ride deep downwind towards the kite, taking away that over-powered feeling.

Since you're at the Event Site, I'll mention be really cautious about just letting go of the bar and having a big crash. I was out there yesterday too, and it was super busy. Actually a bit dicey going hard downwind with so many people criss-crossing the river. If you're feeling really out of control, come in, take a break, and wait for the wind to settle down a bit.

achen · Since 03 Apr 2012 39 Posts

jmmorford · Since 26 Oct 2009 21 Posts

Great advice, guys. Thanks a bunch. I'm encouraged that I was on the right track when I asked. Can't wait to try these tips.

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead

I'll second the edge. If a gust comes you want to force that kite upwind with your edge. New kites with tons of depow almost encourage the poop stance because you may want to push the bar far away and lean into the kite--DON'T. Keep hips forward and edge.You can straighten your arms to depower but don't bend forward. If you edge too hard or stomp the back leg you may stall which can also lead to a big yank, so try to keep at least a bit of a plane as you force the kite low and toward the edge of the window.

dcfordo · Since 19 May 2011 60 Posts The Dalles

We have all been in your shoes. And you will be surprised how soon these problems go away.

But for now, I would like to emphasize what a few have already said. Dekrepit and Achen mentioned edging early, which I think is the key. It is pretty hard to slow down when you are going fast and overpowered, even for an experienced kiter. The moment you are up and planing, carve up wind hard.

Also, you might be overpowered. If you haven't, consider using more depower or a smaller kite.

Oh yeah, never stop crashing. You need to crash to get better. If you are not crashing, you are not trying anything new.

And finally, you will get better at crashing.

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

The board advice is all good. Stance and carving advice is good.Shoulders back advice also very good.

The missing comment is kite position.
In Florida and Texas 12:00 might be neutral, but in the gorge 12:00 is up!
As you accelerate and before reaching max speed, dive the kite to the edge of the window!

1) The wind is not going as fast on the surface as it is at 60 feet up.
2) The kite accelerates in a dive and comes to the edge helping you depower.
3) You can handle a lot more power with a low kite.
4) The crash is lower and more manageable if you do explode.

To depower a low kite when you have your shoulders back you need to fly the kite with one hand.
You’re up wind arm is 8 inches too short to reach the bar when depowering and leaning back.

idahor8rfan · Since 22 Apr 2010 50 Posts Southern Idaho

Carve up wind, redirect kite and pop...might as well be enjoying your crashes.

Thump · Since 15 Dec 2007 9 Posts Kook

10 options when overpowered:

1) Sheet out (duh)
2) Pull depower strap (and if 5 line kite, pull 5th line leash to dump some wind)
3) Point the board downwind to lower line tension before trying to edge upwind
4) Stomp your back foot HARD and the kite will shoot forward in the wind window
5) Poke your front hand into the water. This will open up your body and force you upwind.
6) Drop the kite low and edge board like a mofo
7) Raise the kite high to 12 and hope you lose some power
Cool

Drop your butt in the water. You'll slow down immediately
9) Boost a big jump. This will actually lower the tension in your lines
10) When all else fails, bring your legs/board up and skip across water on your back.

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed

jmmorford · Since 26 Oct 2009 21 Posts

So much progress this summer that I had to look back at this post to remember the frustration. What a difference a month made! Within days after this post and applying some of the advice, I boosted to a new level and I love it. I'm not having trouble with being over powered at all anymore. When the gust hits, I just let it jerk me around, edge hard and haul ass, or turn downwind to steady the board and then carve back up wind. I was at the Event Site Friday in super gusty conditions and just had a blast. I was riding out gusts toe side, which is a big advance for me!

I just love this sport! Thanks for all the tips.