Hey guys,

Im on that point of starting to do tricks that require a kiteloop and I have a serious respect for them. Downloops are fine and I've practiced a few kiteloops (and got complete nose rinsed a couple of times too) while having the board completely downwind. BUT sometimes even if I commit to the loop I get smashed.

Im riding mostly an 8m Bandit, which seems like a sweet kite to loop.

Any advice on how to get started?

Thank you!

Try to jump more straight upward instead of jumping and keeping the momentum going forward, as the loop pulls you back in the direction you came from a little bit. (If that makes sense?)
Also helps trying on lighter wind days to get the feel for it first.

I'm sure there are also some good tutorials on youtube.

1. Stand in water and learn how to loop your kite with the fastest possible speed and without any backstall. Take note of the bar position.

2. You need height to land a loop, timing doesn't matter if your too low and you get smashed lol.

3. Start loop with bar in fish pole position... as you get better you can reduce that angle and dteer the kite around for full powered loops.

4.wear a vest and helmet and watch utube...

5 post video of learner carnage :)

Looping is a counter intuitive move. The more speed / power you have and the earlier you pull, that is the more committed you are, the safer it is... or the greater chance of the kite getting around, pulling you under it to allow a downloop to land softly softly.
a few little tricks...

1. don't send you kite fast aka C kite like. Send it back a little slower... and keep it moving. So you should have released from the water at say at 12 ish.
2. count "1000" (as you push off your back foot) .... then "pull". Quantifying when you pull the trigger takes the guess work out of it and reduces your natural evolutionary instinct to survive.
you may want to start with "1000, 2000 "then "pull".
also as the kite loops (remember it was always moving through the air from 11 through to 1), follow it with your head around. This gets your body in the right position.
of course downloop, push out as you land downwind bla bla bla.
but quantifying when you pull the trigger overides you not pulling early enough... which we all naturally do.

The best you instructional vid is Ultimate kite loops with Anton - can't remember his last name,it has been posted on here before, Learn them on the water - surface loop while going downwind and develop the technique of controlling power and radius,
then on the decent from of medium height jump called a Descending loop this is quite easy and remembers always riding straight down wind when landing the loops.


Downloop is also a good starter.

Kite loop transition is the easiest way to become efficient once you've got the knack

If you're throwing loops and getting smashed you will get hurt, you need to go through the progression.

I really like this thread, it's got me tempted to try looping again.
The thing that keeps playing in the back of my mind is if I screw it up my kids might grow up without a father.

You'll be safe with 7 or 8m freestyle kite, blink and the loop is finished already...
No bigger though family first :)

I don't agree with "speed". If your going too fast you can't edge against the board enough.
If you have plenty of power, like pulling you off our edge power. You go in slow, edge ageists the board and then direct the kite to 12 and boost.

the harder you edge, the bigger and safer the loop will be (kite will catch you).

also if you want to go down the looping path, short lines make loops so fun. Where I live I don't get super strong wind so I have to have short lines for the kite to catch me in 20knots.
If your starting out. Don't try loops on a c kite. Start off with a wave kite or a fast freeride kite, c kites hold lots of power in the loops.

Another way of practicing loops without much of a risk is helicopter loops i.e. when you come down from a jump (while still being up there but going back down), keeping the kite high. Pretty low impact but gives you confidence. You can then do them earlier and earlier, and lower the kite gradually. Same for small transition jumps, back roll transitions etc. When you still have a bit of movement forward (as in not a clean vertical jump, or on purpose) then the loop will just pull you in stationary position or slightly into the new direction, but again gently. Fishpole to start with definitely. And commit, let the loop finish, that's important. And yes so much easier and gentle on wave kites or freeride kites, on smaller kites. Make sure you have line tension. Some think doing it in bugger all wind is safer but it might actually make you crash harder as without line tension the loop may develop its own ideas ;-)

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Kraut said..
Another way of practicing loops without much of a risk is helicopter loops i.e. when you come down from a jump (while still being up there but going back down), keeping the kite high. Pretty low impact but gives you confidence. You can then do them earlier and earlier, and lower the kite gradually. Same for small transition jumps, back roll transitions etc. When you still have a bit of movement forward (as in not a clean vertical jump, or on purpose) then the loop will just pull you in stationary position or slightly into the new direction, but again gently. Fishpole to start with definitely. And commit, let the loop finish, that's important. And yes so much easier and gentle on wave kites or freeride kites, on smaller kites. Make sure you have line tension. Some think doing it in bugger all wind is safer but it might actually make you crash harder as without line tension the loop may develop its own ideas ;-)

Plus 1 for the line tension Kraut, I remember watching a YouTube tutorial when I started downloop turns that said "turn board downwind before initiating loop", this didn't work for me because there was not enough tension and kite would crash leading edge into the water. Found if I initiated the loop first, was ready to turn / follow the kite around and kept tension in the lines with good edging the kite turned faster and turn happened much easier. Same for looping, line tension and the tighter the loop (fish pole bar) then the less power in it.

I just jump and roar Kiteloop mother fucxxxxxxxker!!! Then pull the back hand

Actually while kiting on the weekend I remembered the situation when I had the biggest fun looping ever. If you have a sandbar or other flatish water spots try it. Suggest you should have at least waist to chest deep water to be safe. Just boost off a strapless surfboard and then loop the $*&$ out of the kite, gradually, including on the way up. Which otherwise may feel a little scary to start with when connected to a board. So much fun and gentle as you just land in the water without worrying about a hot landing or stack. Then you just stand in the water, have a good laugh, wait for your board to arrive, and repeat . Good times

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Sandfoot said..
The best you instructional vid is Ultimate kite loops with Anton - can't remember his last name,it has been posted on here before, Learn them on the water - surface loop while going downwind and develop the technique of controlling power and radius,
then on the decent from of medium height jump called a Descending loop this is quite easy and remembers always riding straight down wind when landing the loops.


Downloop is also a good starter.

Kite loop transition is the easiest way to become efficient once you've got the knack

If you're throwing loops and getting smashed you will get hurt, you need to go through the progression.

Thanks a lot to all of you guys, def need some progression on this one.

This is the video that Sandfoot suggested in case is useful for someone else:

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jennavzla said..
Hey guys,

Im on that point of starting to do tricks that require a kiteloop and I have a serious respect for them. Downloops are fine and I've practiced a few kiteloops (and got complete nose rinsed a couple of times too) while having the board completely downwind. BUT sometimes even if I commit to the loop I get smashed.

Im riding mostly an 8m Bandit, which seems like a sweet kite to loop.

Any advice on how to get started?

Thank you!

A. Practice loops, No board , in water, in light wind.
regular
B. Downwind body drag and loop in regula wind
C. On your board , throw trick then loop after or right at the end.
D. In good winds, Bring kite to 12 , throw a backroll and project your movement straight down wind and loop the kite. Use this for your first darkslides also .

You'll mis-time plenty but using the 12 first trick & roll downwind, it will always be from less power than more.