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Equipment or rider

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Created by Richoa > 9 months ago, 25 May 2017
Richoa
NSW, 478 posts
25 May 2017 10:45PM
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hey all, I'm sure some of this or maybe all down to my lack of skills but still would like to seek advice on equipment v power ratio..

i managed to get out for run the other day in variable conditions, falling to 10knotts at times gusting to 18 there about. I had my 17m kite and riding a 144x 146 ug Stella almost flat low wind type board. I'm @95kg. 180cm beginner.

what I am finding is at the 12-15knot range I'm getting an edge and kiteboarding reasonably well.
At the 16 knot and above I can't seem to get an edge, the harder I push for an edge I actually just start push the board side ways. Is this this a classic example of what happens when board and kite in overpower situation? Or could be my application/ technique.
Would using lower volume board be more useful at that point.

As said I'm sure my technique will be part of the issue so is there any tips I should be looking apply as I'm getting near top end of wind range.
Thanks in advance any good advice.

Greenarrowz
NSW, 301 posts
26 May 2017 4:41AM
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Trim the kite a little at the top end (17kts) until your edging improves or just swap down to a smaller board.
Its all fun...enjoy the journey.

Gilly3
QLD, 794 posts
26 May 2017 6:13AM
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Hi Rich,

It sounds like you have the typical beginner poo man stance....

U really need to bury that board in the water on a bigger angle, for more of a knife like edge....

Straighten ur back leg and lay back harder, twist ur hips to point upwind...even taking ur font hand off the bar and practice flying the

kite with one hand...it will give u better technique.

The board should never skip across the water....

CJ2478
NSW, 482 posts
26 May 2017 7:42AM
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Select to expand quote
Richoa said..
hey all, I'm sure some of this or maybe all down to my lack of skills but still would like to seek advice on equipment v power ratio..

i managed to get out for run the other day in variable conditions, falling to 10knotts at times gusting to 18 there about. I had my 17m kite and riding a 144x 146 ug Stella almost flat low wind type board. I'm @95kg. 180cm beginner.

what I am finding is at the 12-15knot range I'm getting an edge and kiteboarding reasonably well.
At the 16 knot and above I can't seem to get an edge, the harder I push for an edge I actually just start push the board side ways. Is this this a classic example of what happens when board and kite in overpower situation? Or could be my application/ technique.
Would using lower volume board be more useful at that point.

As said I'm sure my technique will be part of the issue so is there any tips I should be looking apply as I'm getting near top end of wind range.
Thanks in advance any good advice.


This used to happen to me when I was learning. If you point the board upwind and apply enough heal pressure (alot) this won't happen.

Richoa
NSW, 478 posts
26 May 2017 9:36AM
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Hey thanks guys, definitely pooing with a smile

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
26 May 2017 8:04AM
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It's not just your edging technique , get your hips around, shoulders , combine with a wider stance on your board and correct leg stance,
certain big kites can have a tendency to pull you dwind more in their mid upper ranges, combined with big board and it's adding up
as mentioned dropping your upwind hand encourages the body around, seat harnesses too tend not to naturally twist as your body position changes, where as the waist type does

KiteBud
WA, 1515 posts
26 May 2017 9:05AM
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technique is often to blame, but in this case I think the board you're using is slowing your progress down when the power increases. 15 knots + on a 144x46cm with a 17m kite is a bit of a push, even considering you're 95kg

I said it many times before, big boards a super easy to learn BUT when you are well powered they can SLOW your progress DOWN due to the inability to edge it properly, especially in choppy waters (open ocean)

You need an insane amount of edging (i.e. a LOT of effort no mater your skill level) to control a big board when you're really powered up

If you don't already have a smaller board: go get one. something around 135-138x40-42 should do the trick.

On days like you describe you should have both boards on the beach and simply switch between boards given the wind conditions.

This can take multiple seasons of practice, but as your skills improve you will realize that you're able to use that smaller board in the same winds as previously on your big board, i.e. you're able to ride 12-15 knots with a small board. Then the big boards becomes handy in 8-12 knots.

So many beginners have that mindset that BIGGER is BETTER...well in that case you can see SMALLER is better.

Christian

Richoa
NSW, 478 posts
26 May 2017 12:21PM
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Select to expand quote
cbulota said..
technique is often to blame, but in this case I think the board you're using is slowing your progress down when the power increases. 15 knots + on a 144x46cm with a 17m kite is a bit of a push, even considering you're 95kg

I said it many times before, big boards a super easy to learn BUT when you are well powered they can SLOW your progress DOWN due to the inability to edge it properly, especially in choppy waters (open ocean)

You need an insane amount of edging (i.e. a LOT of effort no mater your skill level) to control a big board when you're really powered up

If you don't already have a smaller board: go get one. something around 135-138x40-42 should do the trick.

On days like you describe you should have both boards on the beach and simply switch between boards given the wind conditions.

This can take multiple seasons of practice, but as your skills improve you will realize that you're able to use that smaller board in the same winds as previously on your big board, i.e. you're able to ride 12-15 knots with a small board. Then the big boards becomes handy in 8-12 knots.

So many beginners have that mindset that BIGGER is BETTER...well in that case you can see SMALLER is better.

Christian



Thanks Cauncy and Christian, your posts pretty much summed up what I was thinking, given what I felt (and I think I have my shoulder back and hips forward, but I havent looked at myself so who knows!)

I have a Cabrinha custom 140 X 142, but advice on that was it probably had too much rocker for my level. Is that ok you think or should I look at not only smaller board but also lower level of rocker. Can you suggest a couple of boards in that category, is Airbrush Vox maybe a good one?

thanks in advance

ps might just add, if weather wasn't so fickle I could do some testing on both boards so elements aren't helping me there, if I get out its a matter of do before its gone!

DukeSilver
WA, 380 posts
26 May 2017 2:37PM
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Also, make sure that you're not choking down too hard on the bar and sending the kite too far back into the window.

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
27 May 2017 9:40AM
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Select to expand quote
Richoa said..

cbulota said..
technique is often to blame, but in this case I think the board you're using is slowing your progress down when the power increases. 15 knots + on a 144x46cm with a 17m kite is a bit of a push, even considering you're 95kg

I said it many times before, big boards a super easy to learn BUT when you are well powered they can SLOW your progress DOWN due to the inability to edge it properly, especially in choppy waters (open ocean)

You need an insane amount of edging (i.e. a LOT of effort no mater your skill level) to control a big board when you're really powered up

If you don't already have a smaller board: go get one. something around 135-138x40-42 should do the trick.

On days like you describe you should have both boards on the beach and simply switch between boards given the wind conditions.

This can take multiple seasons of practice, but as your skills improve you will realize that you're able to use that smaller board in the same winds as previously on your big board, i.e. you're able to ride 12-15 knots with a small board. Then the big boards becomes handy in 8-12 knots.

So many beginners have that mindset that BIGGER is BETTER...well in that case you can see SMALLER is better.

Christian




Thanks Cauncy and Christian, your posts pretty much summed up what I was thinking, given what I felt (and I think I have my shoulder back and hips forward, but I havent looked at myself so who knows!)

I have a Cabrinha custom 140 X 142, but advice on that was it probably had too much rocker for my level. Is that ok you think or should I look at not only smaller board but also lower level of rocker. Can you suggest a couple of boards in that category, is Airbrush Vox maybe a good one?

thanks in advance

ps might just add, if weather wasn't so fickle I could do some testing on both boards so elements aren't helping me there, if I get out its a matter of do before its gone!


Worth getting a mate to take a snap
you'll see your faults, especially on body position

quikdrawMcgraw
1221 posts
27 May 2017 3:20PM
Thumbs Up

keep the kite abit higher

harry potter
VIC, 2777 posts
28 May 2017 9:22PM
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Select to expand quote
DukeSilver said..
Also, make sure that you're not choking down too hard on the bar and sending the kite too far back into the window.


^^^ yep this
pull in some de power/ trim and allow the kite to fly further forward in the wind window.



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"Equipment or rider" started by Richoa