While learning to kite skate, it is crucial to spend enough time learning to fly power kites so that you may comfortably focus your attention on the
unexpected situations that occur while kite skating. This brief guide assumes the skater is already proficient at flying power kites.
Think First. Always wear safety gear, kite skate in open fields free of obstacles or wind blocks, and use care kite skating at high
speeds or on bumpy terrain.
Step 1. Position the kite on the ground at 45 degrees from straight downwind. Point the kite skate wheels directly at the kite and
launch. Tip for beginners: When the kite first launches, it climbs through the most powerful part of the wind window. When launching in high winds, it
is best for beginners to have a friend launch the kite or sit while launching to avoid being overpowered. Launching while seated gives you leverage
against the power of the kite without pulling you off balance. A slight dip of the kite into the power zone can lift you to a standing position. From
there you are ready to skate away.
Step 2. As you start moving forward, fly the kite out to the edge of the wind window and concentrate on skating a line slightly
upwind from the kite's position (10-20 degrees) thus increasing the power of the kite and your forward speed. If you start slowing and becoming
overpowered, turn the skates slightly downwind toward the kite. If you become under powered and the kite begins to sink, turn the skates slightly
upwind away from the kite. Focus on how much is enough and how much is too much.
Step 3. To turn around, fly the kite to the top of the wind window and turn the skates slightly upwind to slow down. Carve or "step
turn" the skates in a downwind direction. As you complete the turn, lower the kite in the new direction and power up to speed.
Step 4. Stopping is the same as on a buggy... fly the kite to the overhead position and turn the skates upwind. The more aggressive
the upwind angle, the faster you will stop. "Parachuting" the kite (flying the kite to the opposite side of the flying window) is a good way to
control speed as long as you are very careful not to get the kite too far behind you. You don't want the kite to power-up while you are in this
position. You will then need to bring the kite overhead and skate upwind to stop.
Step 5. Advanced tricks such as big air jumps and jump turns should only be attempted after a skater is extremely proficient with
kite skating basics. Use great care in attempting high powered tricks.
Hey Doom - can you explain the third line in Step 2 a little more? "If you start slowing and becoming overpowered". If I have the kite out at the edge
of the window and start slowing it's usually because I was trying to go too hard upwind, no? I actually power out I think. Perhaps I've misunderstood
something. Let me know - this could help me in all disciplines, not just the skates.doomwheels - 8-10-2008 at 01:00 AM
Quote:
I was trying to go too hard upwind, no?
Exactly. If you're cutting too aggressively upwind, your forward speed will slow and the
kite will pull too hard for the amount of speed it is producing. When this happens, adjust your skating line slightly downwind until you speed up and
feel more efficient power from the kite.
