Thursday, December 22, 2005

Session 5 – My first solo and some success

21 December 2005

My first solo session.

I visiting the training beach with about 15-20 kph winds blowing.

I had some difficulty getting enough power to start. Then I got too much power and into the air (2-3 meters), but I kept hold of the bar and came down with a splash, kite still flying.

Stood up and started heading left, with board edged and kite flying! What a blast. I decided to head back in before I got too far out.

Heading to the right was not so easy. I could not get properly out of the water and basically “board dragged” back in. I crashed kite and water launched it. I also lost the board, which a sail boarder brought back to me. Then I lost board, swam to it.

Summary

Kiteboarding it is not too easy to learn, but is a sensational experience when you get going.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Lesson 4– Standing up

22 November 2005

This lesson was focused on standing up - to initiate a run on the board.

Steps

  • Assume position as for Lesson 3 (in water, kite 12:00, board on feet)
  • With kite overhead, dive it into power zone
  • Heading to your left: as the power comes on and pulls you up out of the water, point the board in the direction of the wind
When out of the water and planing:
  • push the rear of the board around with your right foot
  • lean back against the power of the kite
  • angle the lower edge of the board into the water
To head the other way:

  • Reverse this procedure to heading in the opposite direction left
  • If you get up and sailing, concentrate on where you are heading and where you are flying the kite.

Trap: If you stay planing, your speed increases and the board skitters around, making it difficult to control, like being on a rocket sled.

Tip: Edge the board

Trap: It is usually easy to go one way, but more difficult to go the other way. This is mainly due to flying the kite too far upwind on your “weaker” side so it does not generate enough power:

Tip: Bring the kite above head and dive into power zone to start

Summary

  • I got out of water OK
  • I was planing very fast and wipeout several times
  • I flew the kite too high after starting; then lost power and sank back into water
  • Controlling the kite becomes more difficult due to distractions with board
  • Flying kite to high – waist harness riding up and hurting ribs a bit. This also affects how you can operate the control bar. A seat harness would be better for beginners.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Lesson 3– Board on and drag

21 November 2005

This technique is similar to body dragging, but with board on feet and keeping board downwind.

  • Walk into water and lean back into water
  • Fly the kite directly above head
  • Fit board to feet by feel – keep watching kite at 12:00
  • Make sure board is oriented correctly (top of board is up)
  • Fly the kite right and left, counteracting the pressure with feet. When kite goes to the left, put pressure on left foot. When kite goes to right, put pressure on right foot.
  • Continue with this until can maintain position of board downwind, always with pressure on feet.
Summary

This technique get you used to controlling the board and balancing the power of the kite against foot pressure on the board. It is a prelude to standing up.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Lesson 2 – Body dragging

31 October 2005

  • 5m Kite already set up
  • Walked into the water
  • Start flying 8s and get dragged face first
  • Keep 8s tight. Most power near water
  • In lower winds, don’t turn too sharp (lose power)
  • Fly kite at 12:00 (lofted) when walking back
  • Got lifted high with one gust – heaps of power, even though wind was not strong
  • Walk backwards & pull bar down to keep kite flying

Summary

Got to feel the real power of a kite. This technique is used for self rescue and getting back to your board if you lose it in a wipe out.

Friday, October 28, 2005

Lesson 1 - flying the kite

27 October 2005

These are notes from my first kiteboarding less with Matt at St Kilda, near where the old Beaconsfield Hotel is - a very popular spot with local kiteboarders. After several booking cancellations due to unfavourable weather conditions, I finally have a lesson.

I have been flying a 2.1m 4 line trainer kite for over a year as preparation.

Briefing

  • Wind window
  • Power zone
  • Use figure 8s in half of wind window in direction of travel
  • Kite generates pull when turning – use this in lighter winds
Setup

  • Inflating kite – blow tubes to very firm and seal with Velcro
  • Put kite leading edge down, top to wind. Put sand onto wing either side of central bladder to keep it there.
  • Can walk with kite by holding onto leading edge in middle
Rigging the kite

  • Left side of bar – lines and thread stitching on lines are colour coded
  • TRAP: incorrectly rigged kite is uncontrollable – can be dragged
Launching

  • From edge of wind window to 12:00 – don’t launch directly or too much power generated.
  • Walk with kite in edge of wind window, holding top of bar and adjusting to keep flying – can walk into wind.
Flying
  • Used a 3m kite
  • Clipped into harness
  • Sitting & getting dragged through the sand
  • Lots of power
  • Flew figure eights – keep them tight
  • Use arms to steer, but harness to take weight of kite (not the bar)
  • Bar clip a bit tricky
Summary

It was great fun flying a bigger kite. Looking forward to the next lesson.