So I've been reminiscing a lot about Saturday's hijinx and the whole notion of "load & pop" crossed my mind. I think I was only doing the "load" part of things really and the kite was yanking me skyward a foot at a time. How much of a role then does the "pop" part of the plan play in the bigger picture? Am I off to the stratosphere if I dare try jumping into the pull of the kite?

With the Blade IV or Crossfire I or II, the difference between load and load and pop can be 5-8 feet extra height in optimal winds. Just loading might get your feet off the ground but you can feel when it is about to all come together and up you go.

finding the timing is the secret... on the water the event is faster more definite feel,,, the amount of resistance can be extreme in a deep carve . kite power with speed then the release(pop) of stored energy moves to the kite and it lifts you at quick rate as the kite accelerates.

total boost up! on the ride up you are carried by seating into the harness and balancing through the ride to fly down to A CONTROLLED LANDING after the peak and float. (the quicker you pull the bar down in the direction you're headed the faster and harder you will land) so if you are easy smooth on the bar the kite will be easy and smooth with you.

the ability to resist the pull (not sliding) and accelerate edging hard,, really powered it all adds up to produce MORE kite lift.

once timing is felt out with confidence you will realize you have more control than you think.

The pop is a big part of jumping with a kite, snow, land or water.

As the others have mentioned, you'll get noticeably more air, but you'll also put your body in a good position for landing. By jumping with your legs (pop), you naturally get ready for a landing.

On snow, it can be hard to pop. You need to have good surface conditions that allow you to really carve hard. If it's icy, there really is no "pop". On skis, it's really hard to pop because of those hard boots, and the fact that you're facing the wrong way. (I'm a boarder in case you can't tell)

If you're not crashin, you're not tryin hard enough :o

"If you're not crashin, you're not tryin hard enough :o "
well i was trying hard the last time out then
Paul