Broad??

After your first couple lessons you should be starting to get the hang of it!

nickalie said...
[br]Hi All I'm a newbie to kite broading Question
how long did it take you all before getting up on the broad and started riding the broad?

Imo you shouldnt look at other beginners times, the more skilled you are with the kite will make you a better rider, do it at your own pace

Thanks Kite247 for picking me up on that one

I found after about 4 or 5 sessions (1 hour or so each session) I was up and riding. 12 sessions or so later I was going upwind and not doing the walk of shame (at least not everytime anyhow).

I'll give you a more constructive post this time (sorry earlier).

The one thing I found when I started board riding was the direction of the wind behind me versus the location or way I was diving the kite into the powerzone. Most times I *thought* I was putting it into the power zone but in fact I was simply trailing it along the edge of the wind window and it had little power. Even if I was able to get up, the kite stalled easily. I just had to get serious with the kite and just power dive it into the zone (back to 10 or 11 oclock and then straight into it) - even in 20 knots! And the result was instant! I got up and went. Yeah at first you'll face plant, but you'll soon be able to control that by leaning back more and not pulling on the bar. Find the "sweet spot" of the bar along the depower line and leave it there as you slide your feet into the straps. Keep your legs bent and dive the kite! Of course, the trick was to always point the board towards the kite (sort of like cable skiing) so that you can get going, and then edge the board gently (or quickly depending on circumstances) into the direction you want to go. It's true when they say that the direction you look over your shoulder is really the direction you'll go, as the body naturally adjusts its stance into that direction (leading foot forward, back leg slightly bent).

And of course practice is the only thing left...

Get out there!

One of my problems was being too safe...

I used to try and kite in not enough wind and would get frustrated and spend endless time walking up the beach. I think a lot of newbies do this - inability or inexperience in handling the power of the wind, and that is, of course, scary.
IMO you actually need MORE power than an experienced rider because you don't have the finesse to make "proper" wind/kite/board combo work.

Don't go out crazy-overpowered, but do go out with enough power. So you don't get hurt remember this:

DISTANCE IS YOUR FRIEND

Keep at least another line length between your kite and beach or other people and objects - more is better. Body drag or walk out away from the shore... and keep going.
If your wind is onshore, add more distance.
If there's current pushing you to the shore, add more distance.
You'll eat your safety space up pretty quick with just a couple of water-starts.

Don't kite in shallow water - waist to chest deep with a soft bottom is probably the minimum. Know what's in the water too - check out the spot on a calm day, when the water is clear, if you can... or ask an experienced local about what's lurking under the surface.

Another tip: keep the kite powered but not too much at 3oclock (touching water). What I mean is that you will notice the power and easy-ness of kiting is when you lean back and pull the kite up to 12 and down again to 2... up, down,,, up,,, down... when it goes up is when it's strongest (I found) and it keeps you pulled. When the kite is about to hit the water you're too late! As soon as you dive the kite, pull the bar the other way to quickly get the kite back up around 10 or 11 oclock and you will feel the power. It's awesome seeing yourself glider over the water and the kite doing the rest. That's when it's parked and you're going. The only thing left is to keep upwind and you're doing it!