Secrets of Jumping

[Brenan]

Hey im 15 and this is my first year of kitin. IM able to come up wind and all that just now gettin in to the jumpin thing. Anyone got some pointers for learnin??

[Scotty]

The biggest secret I can tell you is to use "common sense". Make sure there is no one down wind of you or "wind shadowing" you. When first learning or as you get more advanced, you will inevitably crash yourself and/or your kite. Wearing a helmet is also a good secret.

I do not know where you are kiting but some places (like Sherman Island) have guidelines of where not to jump, so if you have any questions, ask some of the locals.

That being said, click the link below for some instructional video.

Enjoy,

Scotty


http://www.kitefilm.com/eng/index.asp

[menlo_kite_junkie]

In addition to the obvious safety concerns, there are some technical tips that might help you improve faster. For some reason, I haven't seen a whole lot of discussion on this either. To begin, keep everything mellow:

1. have moderate speed going about 90 degrees to the wind.
2. head a little downwind
3. pull hard on the bar with your back hand to bring the kite overhead or a little behind you (don't go too far behind you--you will go flying sideways)
4. at the same time as you are pulling, edge harder like you want to head upwind. When the kite is overhead, ollie off the water (like you're skateboarding)
5. pull in on the bar for extra lift (this is particularly important with bow kites)
6. once you're airborne, pull on your front hand to bring the kite back in front of you and land going straight downwind.

Getting the timing right on all of this is the key--it all happens in a few seconds.

Here are a few tips for (big) jumps. First, buy a helmet and an impact vest. Then...

1. go into the jump with some speed--although this is kind of scary at first.
2. a swell will give you a nice ramp to get bigger air.
3. Nail your timing so that you pop off the top of a big swell with decent speed and pull your bar in with the kite overhead--you will go big...30+ feet.

Have fun!

[menlo_kite_junkie]

and one more thing:

try not to look up at your kite while you're jumping. if you look up before you take off, you will slide downwind and you will never lift off. if you look up after you're airborne, you might start spinning and land very very badly.

[Greg]

If you start spinning and land very very badly.. dont give up, try again! Toss in a little wiggle, you might come around. Remember: you've got use of your whole body and always bend your knees!
Dad always said, "If your not crash-n-burn'n you've stoped trying!!"
Send it!,
L.M.G.

[kitechick]

The best advice I once got was

- When you land land with the tail of the board first. REally , make an effort of this and you will nail the landings just fine.

- Pull the bar back very soon, don't wait too long, pulling it back to late will stall the kite (typical beginner mistake).

- And for your first jumps send the kite only a little bit. Do not even put it at 1:00 o clock but only 12:30, send it to 11:45, feel the lift. Then do it again, send it a bit faster and jump off at the same time.

- And then later - after enough practicing and increasing difficulty (energy) you can send it more from 1 o clock or 2 o clock. And then sending it faster will get your to a new level (literally) . And of course bein in overpowered conditions and sending will shoot you up into the sky. Sure - the edging comes in then too. And - if you still don't have enough you can in addition chose wavelips. All the latter requires some really good jumping/kite control.

It's soooo much fun!

Enjoy!

[Bulldog]

Landing is also easier if you point your board downwind before you hit the water, and there's a better chance you will keep moving after landing instead of stalling.

[OliverG]

All you have to do is...

Send It!

[knyfe]

Send It!

I still think the most important part is not to forget to bring the kite back which will avoid a stalling kite after you jumped under it ...

[OliverG]

Yes, no hindy's! Don't send the kite back forward too fast either. With practice, you will be able to gauge this, regardless of which kite you're flying. Muscle memory will also prevail with time allowing you to correct and make adjustments while airborne.