By Robert G Murray
Trainer kites are a fantastic way to learn the kite skills you will need as a kiteboarder - if you master these ten points you'll get the most out of every dollar spent on lessons and minimize the time it takes to learn how to kiteboard.
1. Learn How to Find The Wind Window
The wind window is the only area where you can fly your kite, and every kiteboarding skill makes reference to it. To find it, face downwind with both arms extended out to your sides at shoulder height and imagine you are the center of a clock; 9 o'clock is the ground to your left, 3 o'clock is the ground to your right, 12 o'clock is directly overhead, and 10, 11, 1, and 2 are at their usual clock positions.
2. Understand the Two Main Zones of the Wind Window
Each zone of the wind window is used for a unique purpose. The edge or shoulder is where a kite has the least amount of power, and it is the furthest you can fly your kite into the wind. Unless you are doing something specific, your kite should be kept here, as it is the safest place. The power zone is where a kite has the most power, and is located directly downwind of you. This area is where you generate any power that you need to kiteboard, and it can produce a tremendous amount - your kite should never accidentally fly here.
3. Learn Where to Safely Launch and Land Your Kite
The proper place to launch or land any power kite is as close to the edge of the wind window as possible. Different types of kites require different positioning, but always start close to the edge; if your kite does not have enough power, walk a few steps upwind and try again. Repeat this until you have enough power.
4. Get into the Habit of Using the Kite's Safety System
A trainer kite's safety system requires that you let go of the control bar if you are overpowered, yet many people instinctively fight with the kite only to let go too late. If you start building good habits by practicing releasing the bar until it becomes second nature, you will save yourself plenty of grass-stains and bloody knees.
5. Practice Parking the Kite
Fly your kite to the edge of the wind window and keep it in one spot as long as you possibly can; it is considered 'parked' as long as it stays stationary. Much of your time kiteboarding will be spent with a parked kite, so it pays to practice this one!
6. Fly Your Kite Slowly and Smoothly on the Wind Windows Edge
Flying a larger kite too fast on the edge of the wind window will lift you off of the ground and can carry you away - and there's no telling where you might land! If you can fly your trainer slowly from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock and back, you have nothing to worry about.
7. Learn How to Power Stroke
From water starts to jumping, the power stroke is found everywhere in kiteboarding. Start to get the hang of it by flying your kite back and forth through the power zone. Pay attention to how the kites pull changes if you fly it in and out of the power zone in different directions. Can you figure out which flight-path is used to jump?
8. Fly the Kite One Handed
You can't possibly tighten a strap or put on your board without taking one hand off of your bar. If you learn this skill on a trainer kite, you're less likely to crash and potentially damage a more expensive kiteboarding kite - which makes this skill more than worth it!
9. Simulate Water Starts
The more your practice resembles actual kiteboarding skills, the quicker you will learn the real thing. Start simulating water starts by sitting on the ground and using a power stroke to pull you to your feet. Adjust the power of the kite as needed by flying it deeper or shallower in the wind window.
10. Just Have Fun and Fly the Kite
Kiteboarding isn't about following a series of rigid steps; it's about doing something that you love. Have as much fun as possible when flying your trainer kite - experiment and try new things. If you do something that makes you smile, do it again! The more fun you have with your kite, the sooner you will master all of the small things that can't be written about - besides, having fun is what kiteboarding is all about.
Trainer kites are a fantastic way to learn the kite skills you will need as a kiteboarder - if you master these ten points you'll get the most out of every dollar spent on lessons and minimize the time it takes to learn how to kiteboard.
1. Learn How to Find The Wind Window
The wind window is the only area where you can fly your kite, and every kiteboarding skill makes reference to it. To find it, face downwind with both arms extended out to your sides at shoulder height and imagine you are the center of a clock; 9 o'clock is the ground to your left, 3 o'clock is the ground to your right, 12 o'clock is directly overhead, and 10, 11, 1, and 2 are at their usual clock positions.
2. Understand the Two Main Zones of the Wind Window
Each zone of the wind window is used for a unique purpose. The edge or shoulder is where a kite has the least amount of power, and it is the furthest you can fly your kite into the wind. Unless you are doing something specific, your kite should be kept here, as it is the safest place. The power zone is where a kite has the most power, and is located directly downwind of you. This area is where you generate any power that you need to kiteboard, and it can produce a tremendous amount - your kite should never accidentally fly here.
3. Learn Where to Safely Launch and Land Your Kite
The proper place to launch or land any power kite is as close to the edge of the wind window as possible. Different types of kites require different positioning, but always start close to the edge; if your kite does not have enough power, walk a few steps upwind and try again. Repeat this until you have enough power.
4. Get into the Habit of Using the Kite's Safety System
A trainer kite's safety system requires that you let go of the control bar if you are overpowered, yet many people instinctively fight with the kite only to let go too late. If you start building good habits by practicing releasing the bar until it becomes second nature, you will save yourself plenty of grass-stains and bloody knees.
5. Practice Parking the Kite
Fly your kite to the edge of the wind window and keep it in one spot as long as you possibly can; it is considered 'parked' as long as it stays stationary. Much of your time kiteboarding will be spent with a parked kite, so it pays to practice this one!
6. Fly Your Kite Slowly and Smoothly on the Wind Windows Edge
Flying a larger kite too fast on the edge of the wind window will lift you off of the ground and can carry you away - and there's no telling where you might land! If you can fly your trainer slowly from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock and back, you have nothing to worry about.
7. Learn How to Power Stroke
From water starts to jumping, the power stroke is found everywhere in kiteboarding. Start to get the hang of it by flying your kite back and forth through the power zone. Pay attention to how the kites pull changes if you fly it in and out of the power zone in different directions. Can you figure out which flight-path is used to jump?
8. Fly the Kite One Handed
You can't possibly tighten a strap or put on your board without taking one hand off of your bar. If you learn this skill on a trainer kite, you're less likely to crash and potentially damage a more expensive kiteboarding kite - which makes this skill more than worth it!
9. Simulate Water Starts
The more your practice resembles actual kiteboarding skills, the quicker you will learn the real thing. Start simulating water starts by sitting on the ground and using a power stroke to pull you to your feet. Adjust the power of the kite as needed by flying it deeper or shallower in the wind window.
10. Just Have Fun and Fly the Kite
Kiteboarding isn't about following a series of rigid steps; it's about doing something that you love. Have as much fun as possible when flying your trainer kite - experiment and try new things. If you do something that makes you smile, do it again! The more fun you have with your kite, the sooner you will master all of the small things that can't be written about - besides, having fun is what kiteboarding is all about.
Post a Comment