Down-looping

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

I've been trying it. First time worked perfectly. Next time, crashed it in the water. Anyone want to give some tips? I should say that I want to do it as I'm turning.

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

i've just been trying the same thing - figured out kite crashes if i have it too low when i start the loop/turn and second have to keep pulling hard until it goes all the way round - with my 14m Waroo that means REALLY hard!

good fun though! also like in your other post have to move the leash or it gets wrapped

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Also, don't ride downwind too much. If you do it'll slack the lines and prevent the kite from completing the loop, which could cause it to crash. This is more of a problem in lighter winds obviously.

wylieflyote · Sat May 17, 08 2:37 pm

Really fun, I love coming out of the transition with the additional speed this gives you. Be prepared for power:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axGkmJYeO1A

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1899277

B · Since 29 Apr 2008 18 Posts Hood River

just been learning my downloop turns this year as well, i agree with pauls that
it's important to start with your kite higher than you would normally going into turns,
and also when going left it helps me to just let go with the right hand and lean
into a toe side transition, if i leave my right hand on the bar it wants to do too
much

have fun

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

so do you do them while airborn or just riding around?
If you just do it as a transition, key is to not loose you edge (like mentioned above).

Keeping tension in the lines wil have the kite turn faster, with more power, and you can actually get a good spray from your board...go from toeside to heelside for lots of power...make the edge to edge transition really fast, and down be afraid of leaning in...

If you do them while airborn, remember to have enough height while initiating the down loop, the kite needs a little more time to get back into the power zone. Throwing in a s-bend at the same time is the trick that stalled me...

a.

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

oh, man. Not in the air yet. I'm just getting comfortable with 'big' air. I've been executing some dloops in transitions, it's working alright. Gotta practice more.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

tried sme fo these the other day, really fun. I ended up just doing a little hop to switch to toeside right before downlooping. I can't really ride toeside very well and really don't ever plan on learning. It's uncomfortable and I make next to zero upwind progress, if any at all. But the the quick hop barely even counts as toeside as I prety much lean to heel side as soon as I land it.

And is there a way we can cover some of those rocks at stevenson where the kites alwas drift back in during launch? some old ratty piece of carpet would be just fine. plus, nobody walks there so it doesnt matter if it gets all slimy with algae. Had to send my kite in for the second time to get stevenson launch rock damage repaired Mad

Mark · Tue May 20, 08 9:06 am

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

Spike,
Riding toeside can be fun. You can do epic cut-backs as you rock onto your heels. How would you ride a wave breaking to the right? I'm not very good at it yet, but I am practicing.

B · Since 29 Apr 2008 18 Posts Hood River

Spike,
I agree w/ Kyle, riding toeside is a necessary part of your riding skills, going frontside
down the line on a wave(which on the OR coast requires riding toeside), should be
a goal of all of us, if not already proficient at it. imho

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

This happened to me, too spike. Luckily my kite wasn't hurt somehow. I think now I'm going to say "have you ever launch a kite here before?" And then just be really explicit about only letting go in a gust. Launching there is a team effort.

Mark · Tue May 20, 08 1:04 pm

A common phrase I have heard and use is:
"Let it go when u feel it" of course I have already "picked" out my launcher. Usually I ask if they have launched anyone from stevenson before. I am not interested in having a bystander put me in harms way.

Hope that helps.