Transitions

[Fassn8]

I'm a newbie, but able to stay up wind and land small jumps. This weekend I had a couple long sessions at Sherman and was working on my transitions. I'd say I'm getting them 25% of the time. The other 75% I lose power as the kite moves to the edge of the window (never really dips into the power zone).

Am I just not moving the kite fast enough? Seems like a delicate balance.

Any tips?

[windhorny]

What kind of transition-there are hundreds of them?

[Fassn8]

Sorry. Just basic:

Heading in one direction and changing to the other direction. I've been trying two versions (sorry I don't know the correct names):

example 1: heading to the right with the kite at 2 or 3 o'clock - lean back and bring the kite across to move in the opposite direction.

example 2: same as above but just before the kite moves to the other sided I flip the board around so I'm riding toe side and then try to whip it around (does this make sense???).

Thanks.

[Wildting]

Follow your kite. Turn it first, then follow with the board. Maybe don't let it run all the way to the edge.

I'm by no means an expert, but if you initiated your toeside turn first as the kite was at the edge of the window already, you'll kill all the power. (remember this technique when you're op'd)

Also, remember to let your kite fly through the turn, meaning don't pull the bar in too much. You'll stall or choke your kite and it won't fly fast.

Work your way upwind and then just do a bunch of S turns downwind. It's a great way to practice.

Turn the kite, follow toeside, ride toeside, generating speed, turn the kite, follow heelside, build speed, and repeat, over and over again.

Grind upwind and repeat.

Oh, and don't forget to wear the shit-eat'n grin.
:mrgreen:

[zgur]

No matter the transition, mostly for hooked in riding is my guess based on your questions, two priciples apply:
1. Keep tension in your lines - this comes from good kite flying, and doing your transition while the kite is overhead. Go upwind, to drop speed, keep kite overhead, do transition, as you exit - pull hard with your new front hand. This keeps the lines tensioned nicely creating the power you need. Keeping the kite overhead gives you the whole wind window to work with.

2. Keep the kite happy - kites are wings designed to generate power when they are moving. A moving kite is a happy kite. By keeping the kite overhead during the transition, as you are dropping towards the water, you can move the kite to create the power you need to exit with speed and on a plane.

It's all about flying the kite well, which takes time and practice.

There is a great video out there from Fat Sands Productions call "Progression". They cover the basics of transitions. Hihyly recommended.

Get some, Z.

[kitebored]

just another version of the same advice, but this is how it worked for me.

When i started out i would go right for a while, then stop, fall back into the water, then bring the kite overhead, then dive the kite and go left.

that's as easy as it gets, and I assume it's how everybody starts, but to do transitions, just do the exact same thing, but as one fluid motion.

as you're moving right, pinch upwind to lose board speed, slowly bring the kite overhead, then dive it in the other direction...

[Fassn8]

Thanks for the tips. I had a great session at 3rd yesterday working on these and I think I've nailed the basics.

Had the s*&t-eat'n grin the whole time... That is, before I ate complete s*&t jumping in the gusty conditions :-) .

Gotta love this sport, you can practically kill yourself and still come home and tell your wife you had a GREAT time. She's wondering why I've consumed half a bottle of Advil today.