Techniques for light wind kiteboarding by Captain Jeff Hoxtell
Kiteboarding / kitesurfing in light wind is tricky; flying the kite
requires extra focus and finesse. This is due to the fact that the kite
is often teetering on the edge of stalling and the smallest mistake
will usually cause the kite to fall from the sky. Understanding how the
kite behaves differently in light wind is a step in the right
direction. The biggest factor is apparent wind, one must understand
what apparent wind is and how to make it work.
Apparent wind is the vector addition of the true wind speed, and the
speed the rider is traveling. Consider the example where we have 10
knots of N wind, and you are riding E at 10 knots. The kite is feeling
about 14 knots at this point. So by riding the rider is creating extra
wind for the kite to use. However take the same example but lets ride
downwind. If the wind is 10, and you're riding in the same direction at
10, the kite feels 0. Remember launching a single line kites as
children, someone holds the kite and then lets go as we ran into the
wind. As children we already had a concept of apparent wind.
Starting now with launching the kite we will recall that the farther
upwind the bar is of the kite, the more power in the launch. By
choosing the correct launch angle, getting the kite up in the air is
easier. Many kites especially some the new flat kites, do not like to
be launched with much rear line tension, this is also true for water
relaunch, and when moving the kite from low on the sides back up to
neutral. It is counter intuitive that pushing the bar away a bit often
helps in these cases. When bringing the kite from low on the edge to
neutral focus on the center strut, as the kite comes up try to keep the
center strut almost parallel to the horizon, too much angle will cause
the kite to stall. This idea can also be used to stabilize a kite which
is about to stall, bring the strut down to parallel with the horizon.
This allows the kite to stabilize by moving across the window and since
the kite is moving side to side it doesn't have to fight gravity as
much as it does when moving up, or against gravity.
Once the kite is up in the air avoid walking down wind if possible when
moving to the water. If this can not be avoided keep the kite moving
between 11 and 1 o'clock and make the way slowly. Keeping the kite high
in the window gives us more time to react to luffing and stalling. Also
avoid parking the kite in neutral, again ,
[color=red][/color][size=18][/size]Do not park the kite in neutral!,
try instead 1 or 11. When the kite does stall push the bar away and
turn the kite making the center strut parallel with the horizon, (turn
kite down). Once the kite catches the wind bring it to a stable parked
postion. Mastering keeping the kite up long enough to get to the water
and up on the board on is the first challenge of light wind
kitesurfing.
Once we get into the water we slap the board on quickly and without
hesitation dive the kite, start kiteboarding / kitesurfing as quick as
possible. Remember once you have the board on your feet you begin
drifting with the kite which reduces the apparent wind. I usually loop
the kite once or twice to get moving then stick with flying the kite up
and down on the side of the wind window. I also down loop the kite when
doing a slide transition, which in light wind is more of a pivot. Light
wind is the best for learning to loop the kite while riding. Be cafeful
looping when the wind is higher until you've practiced in the lighter
stuff. And remember that downlooping is usually safer that uplooping as
going up will generate lift.
The idea now is to work the edge of the board with the kite to generate
as much speed as possible. The more speed we can get the more apparent
wind the kite gets, and the more power we get. At this point
over-edging will slow us down killing the apparent wind, conversely too
little edge and we find ourselves following the kite which also kills
the power. The more common of the two mistakes is over edging. The
secret is the edge pressure must be varied as the kite moves up and
down in the wind window. As the kite powers up during the power-stroke
the edge pressure is gradually increased, as the kite begins to depower
or turn, the pressure is decreased. This will take some practice and
patience.
Getting good at kiteboarding in light wind is a great way to get more
days on the water. Some of us don't live in places where it blows 20
every day, so being able to turn a light wind day into a fun day on the
water would be great. Keeping the kite in the air while moving to the
water and putting the board on is tough. Try practicing flying the kite
in light wind without the board if you are having trouble with this
step. Once in the water get up and riding as quickly as possible, thus
getting apparent wind working for you. Keep your speed up and don't
edge too much. By getting the right techniques you can be staying
upwind and jumping while friends are watching form the shore waiting
for more wind.
Captain J Hoxtell
www.airpadrekiteboarding.com
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