hey guys i been on the board for about 3 months and got the hang of it where the kite is placed and flew it anywhere from 12mph to 21mph winds. past oh i dunno 3 times i been out, i tried some small jumps and lol don't laugh but my highest jump was probably 4ft off the ground. Picture this. I am cruising some pretty good speed not too too fast (IMO) and I turn the kite in opposite direction i am crouched down and i freeze. I don't spring up and pull my power towards me, and i manage a small jump. I know it would be higher if i just sprung up. I done it once or twice (by accident, showing off to friends) and mangaged to land well. But i just get soo soo nervous seeing that kite swoop so fast in opposite direction and i feel the strong pull that i get soo scared and i get in the air and depower almost as quick as i powered up. Any advice to getting over this fear or should i just continue on this path of doing this until i get comfortable with kite's pull? I just have visions of me getting really high air and freaking out and forget to redirect. I have had this happen to me before just flying static with my Montana when i first got it and sprained both ankles and had a fracture in my foot and sprain in my hand. (And yes i am in full out helmet and pads and wrist guards when i ATB) Damm tan lines though i look weird lol


oh and another thing that might be adding to my fear is that the only place i am comfortable and got space to fly is behind an old Civil War fort that is surrounded by the ocean with 15ft drop offs 3 out of 4 corners of the field.

keep doing it ! put your head back right before you go up.
the movement of your head controls alot of your. movement in the air. the head movement can counter some of that kite pull it also can add turns. where the head goes the body will follow. discovering the same as you with the vertical game 4 inches 4feet 14 feet if you control and redirect for float it is all the same. a hunderd 4 footers with control beats a big show with a crippling finish
peace

Awesome advice. just what i was looking for. I will def work on putting my head back and see what results i get. thanks alot

Sounds like you need more practice and maybe a better place to fly without cliffs nearby:o Get out and practice practice practice. I've been riding for quite a few years but still only manage small jumps on an ATB. It's to easy to get really really broken if you crash hard.

Scott

what kite it are you trying to jump on?

you don't mention using depower, so maybe you are trying to jump on a 2.4 crossfire?

Any jumping on a kite less than 5m will be quick and fast, I know I would not dare (yet, and maybe never) jumping on a kite that size!

With bigger kites it's much more secure, even almost comfy... I feel much more confident jumping with my biggest kite than with anything smaller.

BUT: the wind must be right! (not too strong for the big kite)

So, it might be worth getting out the Montana again: your skills are likely a bit better by now! Time to get back in the saddle!

The other thing is the quality of the wind. If you have cliffs around your area, and the wind is blowing up and over the cliffs, it will be really gusty and wiggly (worse in stronger wind), and so a difficult wind to feel secure jumping in.

Try finding a kite area with smooth wind from the ocean, that will help loads!

@DMD: I used to do a lot of kayaking, the position / movement of the head is just as important when doing tricks in fast currents! I never thought to transfer that to kiting, and will definitely be remembering your advice when I have another go tomorrow!

Having said all that, I've never flown depower (no money no funny) and haven't yet tried ATB (my biggest area is 100m by 100m at low tide and the sand is soft)

last thing: you might want to try nailing jumps as much as possible flying static before going large on a board.

Good luck, and I hope you don't get injured again! Do be really careful flying big kites, I almost always fly something smaller first to get a feel for the wind b4 getting out the big beast!

cheers,

furbo

Quote:

Originally posted by furbowski what kite it are you trying to jump on? you don't mention using depower, so maybe you are trying to jump on a 2.4 crossfire? Any jumping on a kite less than 5m will be quick and fast, I know I would not dare (yet, and maybe never) jumping on a kite that size! With bigger kites it's much more secure, even almost comfy... I feel much more confident jumping with my biggest kite than with anything smaller. BUT: the wind must be right! (not too strong for the big kite) So, it might be worth getting out the Montana again: your skills are likely a bit better by now! Time to get back in the saddle! The other thing is the quality of the wind. If you have cliffs around your area, and the wind is blowing up and over the cliffs, it will be really gusty and wiggly (worse in stronger wind), and so a difficult wind to feel secure jumping in. Try finding a kite area with smooth wind from the ocean, that will help loads! @DMD: I used to do a lot of kayaking, the position / movement of the head is just as important when doing tricks in fast currents! I never thought to transfer that to kiting, and will definitely be remembering your advice when I have another go tomorrow! Having said all that, I've never flown depower (no money no funny) and haven't yet tried ATB (my biggest area is 100m by 100m at low tide and the sand is soft) last thing: you might want to try nailing jumps as much as possible flying static before going large on a board. Good luck, and I hope you don't get injured again! Do be really careful flying big kites, I almost always fly something smaller first to get a feel for the wind b4 getting out the big beast! cheers, furbo

Crossfire 2.4???? heck no, i can barely stand when i take it out in really high winds. I am using my Hq Montana 2 7.0m it's the only depower i got at the moment

gotcha...

I shoulda thought for moment, haven't heard of anybody jumping on a 2.5! Has anybody?

good luck with the montana!

bummer about the 4.0, though.

cliffs around your field will def make wiggly winds...

cheers,

furbo

4 ft. high jumps with a 7m is pretty good. You must be working the heck out of it too! Hillbilly butt padz and impact shirt...helmet and gloves will keep you kiting longer than one not wearing protective gear.

Quote:

Originally posted by furbowski gotcha... I shoulda thought for moment, haven't heard of anybody jumping on a 2.5! Has anybody? furbo

I did a superman with my Beamer early on. I didn't really mean to, but does that still count?

uncontrolled supermen in insane winds early on def does count, had one with my 3m legend in typhoon winds, been lofted by my symphony 2.7 (2m) in the same as well!

controlled jumps, that's another matter... I would need the reflexes of a fruit fly, don't have those anymore (just passed 40 yrs old, but kites make me feel like 30!)

@ dgkid: don't wanna hijack your thread, so best of luck and fortune with your ATB / montana adventures, and may your 4m thief have terrible karma!

cheers, BB

furbo

Quote:

Originally posted by furbowski gotcha... I shoulda thought for moment, haven't heard of anybody jumping on a 2.5! Has anybody? furbo

*raises hand* Well, you give someone limited resources and only 1 kite, what else do you expect? :D Someone will find a way! i've gotten some 6 foot jumps. Fast freaking redirecting tho. :D

seems like the 3m beamer has gotten a few folks in the air!