Riding Toe-Side

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

I've tried this multiple times, but if feels super awkward. I have no power when I try to go upwind. I've tried sheeting out to fend off a potential stall, but that doesn't help either. I'm sure there is somebody else who's been at this stage, and I would like some advice.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

I thought you didn't care about it... Laughing

Nah, what helped me most was doing it when I was powered (to start)... Then after you get the feel, you'll ride no problem, even when it's lighter and you have to work the kite.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Going upwind toeside is very difficult (especially on a TT), I think most of the time people just go along not really concentrating on going upwind, just carving along. Usually you ride toeside for half a tack or less, unless you are on a surfboard or something.

Things that help riding toeside:
- Being pretty lit
- Waist harness that can slide a bit (I notice mine slides a couple inches when I go to toeside)
- Holding onto the bar with one hand
- Stopper ball you can pull down to keep the kite powered
- Riding fast
- Flat water

Start by riding fast into it in a transition, a downloop helps keep the power going.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

spike, I like to ride toeside on the skim by downlooping when transitioning and then looping the kite while edging. when you are a slight underpowered, you can loop but make sure you edge or you can kill the power.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

Are there really any tricks that are thrown toeside in kiting? I've never seen any...

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

I was watching the Aaron Hadlow video "REVOLVE", and there are a few toe-side pop's he uses to initiate his tricks. It looked very appealing.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Crow Mobe!

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

KC - the reason you aren't seeing toe tricks is they are really difficult. A toeside backroll is pretty much a backflip if done right, way harder than a regular backroll.

There are a few NW riders who can nail them though (me not being one of them.) Confused

tonyb · Tue Aug 05, 08 9:05 am

A couple of things you can do to help keep your speed up:

1. Concentrate on getting more weight onto your front foot. It will almost feel like you're standing on one foot sometimes but this helps get the nose of the board down.

2. Rotate your shoulders and hips as far as you can. If you put most of the twist in your legs rather than in your hips the board isn't tracking straight on it's edge and you are scrubbing speed as it cuts through the water at an angle.

Tony

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

isn't a trantrum kinda sort-of thrown toeside?

anyway, like others have said, i wouldn't worry too much about riding toeside upwind on a TT because riding toeside takes power and speed, and trying to go upwind toeside will suck both the power and speed from your kite/board.

the one exception to this is, if you're riding a strapped surfboard and do not want to/ cannot jibe and you want to be able to stay upwind. but with a bigger surfboard and bigger fins you can usually maintain your position no problem and maybe even gain a little distance upwind on your toeside tack, if you're riding powered. definately keep your speed up, more speed == more apparent wind speed and power in your kite.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Pretty sure a tantrum is done from your heels. Isn't it a backflip?

EDIT: I can't spell...

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

this is why i asked sort-of kinda?

http://www.pkra.info/moves/index.php?rid=40

It's an Unhooked Front Flip thrown using your edges and releasing of the toeside edge.

right before he takes off for the jump/trick he does a weird change of position with his board to make him front flip in a backwards directions (Toeside moving forward instead of heelside moving forward) ? it doesn't look toeside, but i think the end result is?

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

That's really weird, Adam. Just talked to Tak about it since he used to be a wakeboarder, and he said a Tantrum is a heelside backroll. PKRA's description is all fucked up... sounds almost like a Crow Mobe, though the "aka" is listed as a heelside backroll.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

These tips are good. It's nice to know that it is hard to do, and there's a reason I suck at it. Laughing

Just curious: can anyone explain why it's hard to get as upwind on toe side as on heelside? It seems like you should be able to mimic the posture/board position that you have on your heelside, but weirdly, you can't quite...