Good news and bad. If you aren't crashing, your aren't learning they say. I'm not sure even elbow pads would have saved you from that one?
Were you just riding down wind or cross wind. If you are at the cross wind stage then getting the kite to the edge and heading upwind should slow your
speed. If you were running down wind try and go more cross wind next time before you pick up too much speed. .
Don't be discouraged it all comes together and is the best feeling you can imagine.
Pad up and if you don't have one already, get a helmet. You would be amazed at how much blood even a minor head trauma can pump out.
Drop the air pressure in your tires. Less air, more rolling resistance, less speed.
Nothing says you have to "drop in" at the top of the hill. Go to the bottom of the hill. Go back up the hill about 20, 30, or 40 feet and drop in
from there. You'll build up less speed before the hill flattens out and then you will start decelerating.
How to drop in on a hill
On the first few runs, practice J-Turns. Most boards don't come with brakes, and the J-Turn is the way to stop.
If you just want to slow down, the technique you'll want to practice is "scrubbing:"
Props to Jasper of One Day Media and his girlfriend for the videos.
ATB,
Sam
"I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12 - Jesus, does anyone?" - The Body by Stephen King
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After having my forearms and knees look like that
while learning I bought Race Face forearm & elbow pad and knee pads