Body dragging to recover board when way powered up

DesertWinds · Since 01 May 2009 80 Posts

Been kiting a long time but never to old & wise to learn more.

Was lit on my 8 RPM in 30 to 40 the other day and after kiting for hours got sloppy and took a good spill, separated and board landed upside down and no matter how hard I tried was unsuccessful getting upwind to catch board.

Did the walk, swim coves of shame for over an hour and was stoked to recover it!

Any suggestions much appreciated.

achen · Since 03 Apr 2012 39 Posts

keep the kite lower to the water to reduce the power. You really only need to hold your position as the board will get blown downwind.

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

kick with your legs. get that upwind arm out in front of you, that's right!! straight out in front of you!! use it like a rudder to steer. kick, kick!

your body should look something like this....

JeffT · Since 07 Jul 2012 238 Posts Deep Southern Portland Stoked

Ever consider using a GoJoe? http://www.kitepaddlesurf.com/Ocean-Rodeo-Go-Joe-Kiteboard-Recovery-Safe-Leash-Alternative-001-002.htm

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

Dont over reach your body drag. If your having a hard time going up wind tilt toward your kite more and have your shoulder and hip in line straight facing slightly toward the kite. Nif becoming over powered bring the kite low to the water and even depower some eith your trim strap. Even if you become slightly under powered you will maintain the same spot in the water and not go down wind. Overpowered can pull you downwind. If you had your body pointing too much up wind then you also lose ground.
Hope that helps...

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

wjb · Since 14 Aug 2007 223 Posts Nor Cal Stoked

Make sure you are making as long a tack as possible as every time you switch sides with the kite you lose ground.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

If the wind is coming from 12 and going to 6pm, wind clock, you are going to try and go to 3pm or 9pm. The trick with an over powered kite is to bring it down and adjust the de-power so it is flying in the front part of the window, or more at neutral.

One of the things I find people do is they roll over on to their backs. This upward facing position makes it tough to go up wind efficiently. You have no way of getting traction in the water and you can't see where you want to go.

*On a port tack, or you're going to your left.
You want to rotate your hips and put your left hand out with your arm extended, elbow locked, pointing at a fixed object on shore(3pm). Your left hand will be in "Super man mode.." Your hips will be rotated down causing your shoulders to open up. Your right hand will be holding the bar very close to the center, and your legs will be behind you and knee's will be straight and facing downward dog, and toes pointing to 6pm. Your body will be parallel to the surface of the water, or very close to it.

This is not easy in an overpowered situation, but it's doable. A good drill to practice is to take a board, let's say a twin tip. Grab the front foot strap, port tack:left hand, and lay down in the water. Keeping your right hand, bar hand on an port tack, close to center. Position the board parallel to your body, with left arm extended and do a board body drag. This will help you keep your hips rotated forward and you will move quickly. If you don't move or are not moving efficiently it means you are trying to go upwind to quickly, or you're body position is not correct.

Good luck and if you still have trouble take a lesson from a certified instrutor,
Buenos Dias,
Mucho gusto,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3oGYyPLTfk

DesertWinds · Since 01 May 2009 80 Posts

Thanks a lot everyone and now I will likely have Richard Simmons with his pink blojoe/water wings and matching leg warmers stuck in my subconscious every time I body drag!

Much appreciated and a lot mentioned I have already been doing and having probably 95% success and next time really lit will try for that last 5%.

Cheers and strong winds and warm water sessions your way.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Don't worry. I've seen people that have kited for a LONG time dragging upwind, tea bagging themselves, going more upwind, tea bagging (repeating for 15+ minutes). I remember someone dragging about half a mile upwind to find their board.

DesertWinds · Since 01 May 2009 80 Posts

Another thing I have done that has helped after eyeballing a drift line (for and aft) is drag to nearest shoreline or cove out of strongest wind and current and chill for a bit and then drag back out to line and often it is within reach.

Sometimes tea bagging for some altitude has also helped.

Cheers

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 615 Posts Addicted

One of the things I have noticed is right after the crash people will tend to bring the kite overhead to look for the board. In the strong current this makes it a lot harder to get to your board. When you fall don't look for the board right away, just start dragging to whichever side the kite is towards already and count to ten. Turn the other way and drag back for a ten count and you will usually hit your hand or head on the board. Drag first then look for the board, helps a lot with current.

mitchl3000 · Since 19 Jul 2010 67 Posts

I always ride strappless and there for have spent a good deal of time gettin my drag on. Heres advice to anyone bodydragging ever, and especially if your lit. Swim. kick with your legs and swim with your free hand. put the kite at 11 o clock and sheet out so the kite is barely pulling you and swim upwind. This is 2013 bodydragging. not a lotta face splash and you get upwind 10 times quicker. i never do the arm like a fin shit. it sucks.