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Jumping big foil kites (not foil boards)

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Created by Saffer > 9 months ago, 28 Sep 2020
Saffer
VIC, 4501 posts
28 Sep 2020 10:39AM
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Been a while since I last rode a big foil kite but got one for light wind days. What's the best technique with jumping them. They're slower than the victorian COVID roadmap when it comes to turning speed so is there a way to get decent height as opposed to the long flat jumps?

snalberski
WA, 857 posts
28 Sep 2020 9:01AM
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Shorter lines (15m) help alot with sending and redirecting speed. Other than that I dont think there is any real difference, other than the natural tendency of the foil kite to boost higher, float longer, and cusion land like a parachute. Long flat jumps would mean your not sending enough. Send enough and the illusion is your floating backwards.... caught between time and space!

KPSS Used
NSW, 372 posts
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28 Sep 2020 5:57PM
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Saffer said..
Been a while since I last rode a big foil kite but got one for light wind days. What's the best technique with jumping them. They're slower than the victorian COVID roadmap when it comes to turning speed so is there a way to get decent height as opposed to the long flat jumps?


Make sure its on the right length bar. How big is it and what make and model?

Plummet
4862 posts
28 Sep 2020 5:20PM
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It's all about changing your timing.

Don't send as far back, start a slow redirect straight away after launch. Bar out and let the kite breath. Bar in just before landing.

weebitbreezy
617 posts
28 Sep 2020 5:24PM
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Are you using a big kite jumping technique?

Small kite technique - keep kite low to maximise edging and send kite up fast. Carve hard and jump as it hits 12.
Big kite technique - bring kite slowly to 11 or 1 whilst edging hard. As it gets to 11, immediately redirect hard to 12 and then start to carve your board upwind and jump. Note its one big sweep of the kite along the edge of the wind window - you don't stop steering the kite at 11.

Essentially you want to keep that power in the kite (or pull through the harness if you like that metaphor) constant and only build the big spike when you are nearly ready to jump. You just can't fight the power spike on big kites if you send them from low in the window - you just get pulled off your edge. You can do this with small kites in overpowered conditions too if you have flat water - I find it too difficult in chop to hold an edge for long enough - but it does allow you to get a more vertical jump

Saffer
VIC, 4501 posts
28 Sep 2020 8:01PM
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weebitbreezy said..
Are you using a big kite jumping technique?

Small kite technique - keep kite low to maximise edging and send kite up fast. Carve hard and jump as it hits 12.
Big kite technique - bring kite slowly to 11 or 1 whilst edging hard. As it gets to 11, immediately redirect hard to 12 and then start to carve your board upwind and jump. Note its one big sweep of the kite along the edge of the wind window - you don't stop steering the kite at 11.

Essentially you want to keep that power in the kite (or pull through the harness if you like that metaphor) constant and only build the big spike when you are nearly ready to jump. You just can't fight the power spike on big kites if you send them from low in the window - you just get pulled off your edge. You can do this with small kites in overpowered conditions too if you have flat water - I find it too difficult in chop to hold an edge for long enough - but it does allow you to get a more vertical jump


Yeah, probably because I'm using small kite technique. My biggest kite for the last 8 years has been a 11m.

The issue you explained is exactly my problem. Looks like i have my solution

Shifu
QLD, 1902 posts
29 Sep 2020 11:08AM
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Step 1. Look downwind and behind you for the windsurfer overtaking at twice your speed. Please.

snalberski
WA, 857 posts
29 Sep 2020 8:01PM
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Shifu said..
Step 1. Look downwind and behind you for the windsurfer overtaking at twice your speed. Please.


Step 2. Boost and wave at the
windsurfer from 7m in the air.

airsail
QLD, 1241 posts
29 Sep 2020 11:22PM
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Shifu said..
Step 1. Look downwind and behind you for the windsurfer overtaking at twice your speed. Please.



I too kite and sail at Queens, twice my speed hey, the challenge is on??

Andrash
WA, 637 posts
30 Sep 2020 3:40AM
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Shifu said..
Step 1. Look downwind and behind you for the windsurfer overtaking at twice your speed. Please.


Smart windsurfer, given his unobstructed view, would anticipate the jump. Given his higher speed, he will have the options of slowing down, or change course upwind, or both. This is to obey maritime rule #1: avoid collision. Windsurfers are nice people, no?

Plummet
4862 posts
30 Sep 2020 12:38PM
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Shifu said..
Step 1. Look downwind and behind you for the windsurfer overtaking at twice your speed. Please.


I have never see a windsurfer going twice my speed. That would be a thing to behold. He would be blazing a 80-90 kph....
I do often see some lumbering dinosaur's going half my speed. Its kinda like a moving dinosour slalom.

SaveTheWhales
WA, 1869 posts
1 Oct 2020 8:55AM
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Well, times have changed in design for speed and lift as most foil kites are inheriting race foil technology..
Definitely, a technique change and you have to be very precise and committed with timing - to get the full benefit...
Here's what I found on the Sonic 3 11m.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Review/Best-Big-Air-Kite-flatwater-Flysurfer-Sonic-3-11m?page=1#9

and here's Olly Bridge showing the potential just waiting to be tapped - Farq yeah

www.facebook.com/flysurferkiteboarding/videos/2657344304521667/

Shifu
QLD, 1902 posts
2 Oct 2020 9:28PM
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airsail said..

Shifu said..
Step 1. Look downwind and behind you for the windsurfer overtaking at twice your speed. Please.




I too kite and sail at Queens, twice my speed hey, the challenge is on??


Well, I have passed faster moving crab pots...



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"Jumping big foil kites (not foil boards)" started by Saffer