Hey hey,
Was wondering if there are any strapless masters out there who could give some advice on how to do a strapless kiteloop?
When I try them the loop isn't so much the problem but rather how/where to grab the board, where to keep the board in mid air and how to get it back under your feet. Right now the board just gets caught in the wind and doesn't stay close to me, so it usually ends up behind me. Also I land quite heavily, maybe I need to time the loop better to get the kite to catch me after the loop is done?
A how-to video would be ideal but can't find too much out there on strapless freestyle stuff.

I take off my switch direction right foot forward. I then transition the kite and pop more low and upwind than high. I catch the board with my right hand just up from the middle of the board. ive already given a good hard pull with my left hand to initiate the loop. This board (Axis free wave) allows me to have a good grip on the board though i can do it with a normal surfboard with wax on the rail. I change my feet to regular during the third frame and try to get in a solid position for landing with a nice wide stance. Land straight downwind and then get back on your heal edge. The key for me is not to go too high on take off so i can handle the landing. I know some of the pro's do more of a high "mega" loop with board between there legs and rely on the kite catching them... i don't do that. another tip if you're coming in too hot to land make sure you chuck the board sideways so you don't hurt yourself- too much. Also make sure you are using a board that can handle a beating!! Good luck Rich

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richierich said..

EPIC

How good must that superman shot feel??

And must be a core work out bring your legs back forward

backrool nose grab kite loop for me is the easier to start

Just updated my insurance! Im off to give this a go today!

www.facebook.com/rich.stenning/posts/10154692650362489


video of same trick

That is such a sick move. How do you stop the kite from looping again with one hand? I always seem to need my other hand to pull on the bar to stop the kite going around again.

The kite has only just come around before I land so no need to get other hand back on. when it's windy I'll wait longer before initiating the loop both on 12m or 8m.

Thanks for the write up Rich! Looks amazing, great stuff mate.
Will give it a go next time I'm a bit underpowered on my 6m.

Zebra mentioned the backroll kiteloop, for me that was always easier on twintip when learning loops, maybe its the same strapless. However I havent gotten my backrolls locked in yet, a write up / image series / video on a strapless backroll would be awesome as well =)

Doing a backroll with a loop is not easier in fact it's much harder. Problem is the way the board goes in the wind when you get the pull. I've been trying them on my opposite tack with low success rate but it is exciting!! Here's a sequence from Troy Gibson at the Blo-down kite comp

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curls said..
Thanks for the write up Rich! Looks amazing, great stuff mate.
Will give it a go next time I'm a bit underpowered on my 6m.

Zebra mentioned the backroll kiteloop, for me that was always easier on twintip when learning loops, maybe its the same strapless. However I havent gotten my backrolls locked in yet, a write up / image series / video on a strapless backroll would be awesome as well =)

lots of good tutorials on youtube for bankrolls...good one with no grab-which is the best way to go from Switch-Felix and Cythia Brown. Good front roll one from Evan Netsch. Google them up and have fun trying them. (Tried to copy in links but failed)