Body dragging to recover board when way powered up

davidcomp · Since 03 Mar 2008 28 Posts

If its really nuking and my kite is lit up in winds that have picked up it really can be challenging to get back up wind. The kite just does not want to move forward in the window. My best technique is to drop the kite all the way till the wing tip is sitting on the water, sheet out as much as possible and angle my body upwind with as much edging ability is I can. Avoid changing directions if possible as each time you bring the kite over your going to lose some ground. Think the more of your body that is in the water the better ability you will have to edge upwind.

Surfboards tend to tumble down wind so its usually not a problem, boards with boots tend to stay on unless you really eat it. Regular strapped boards are the worst to get but keep in mind if your kite is too powered you really should not be out there anyways. Time to get a smaller kite, shorter lines or wait it out.

Hope this helps

Sella · Tue Mar 26, 13 7:57 pm

Desertwinds.......here is an old thread filled with good insight about board retrieval / body dragging to help.

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-22059.html

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

Is that a non-cynical/mocking comment from PDXmonkeyboy in that old post?!!?

Sella · Wed Mar 27, 13 8:41 am

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Sella · Wed Mar 27, 13 9:40 am

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

Here is a quick recap of the answers from that thread:
Get your kite low on the side as you crash and use your momentum to carve up wind, to avoid losing ground.
Stay in the fast current and use the river to get to your board (or stand in shallow water and wait for it to drift by)
Do not body drag, bodysurf instead. To bodysurf efficiently you need to hold your hand by your hip. This increase in the carving surface of your chest allows you to carve upwind and only works by holding your arm at your side. The shape of your chest surface is critical to holding an edge. (Flotation jackets need to have zippers and high neck lines and your shoulder should be rolled forward)
Before you can bodysurf, you need to learn to control your body position in the water without your arm in front, by shifting the bar left and right to control roll and up and down to control your body’s pitch.
This works every time.
You can see a full description with images at:
http://www.gorgekiteboardschool.com/cgi-shl/12-online.pl?PageNumber=Bodysurfing

Occupied Columbia · Since 12 Nov 2011 376 Posts Columbia City Obsessed

Well said Mark.
I sent my cousin from Pennsylvania to you last may for instruction while he was in town. He tried explaining that style body drag to me over the phone. he said how easy and efficient it was. Now with the deflection idea it makes sense. I'll try it again next time. Thanks.

waynepjh · Since 27 Jul 2008 212 Posts jackson wy Stoked

When I'm super lit I find it helps to put the bottom of your foot along side your knee putting a bend in your deeper leg and that acts like a keel. Works great IMO.