Hey all,

Transitions seemed to be the toughest part of the day today.

I was fine when the winds were lower today. I would almost come to a standstill, redirect the kite, and be on my way. That was nice.

When the winds picked up, it was a different story. I started getting dragged downwind a good 5-10 feet just plowing with my backedge (snowboard) before moving in the right direction. Is this normal during higher winds?

I didn't want to get dragged that far, so I after redirecting I moved the kite higher up in the wind window to avoid the powerzone. This worked for a number of transitions, but for a few attempts the kite went to high in the window...and...I figured out how a jump is done. Thankfully, I didn't go that high (1 foot or less), but I did end up spinning 180 degrees and landing on my backside - twice. Don't want to do that again.

So, during a regular (nothing fancy) transition. I am wondering where you all start your kite before the redirect? (ie, how far above the horizon, 30. 45, etc). Also, how high will you allow your kite to go in the window (ie, 45, 60, or more?) after redirecting?

During higher winds, I have some ideas, but I am looking for feedback on them, and also would be interested in finding out what other people do.

1) I could move towards the kite by carving a semicircle onto my toe-edge, but I would end up on my toe-edge and this seems too advanced for the time being. Would this even work to reduce the power?

2) I guess I could still move towards the kite while keeping on my backedge but letting the back-edge go until the power surge is done. This way, I don't plow at least. But, I can forsee myself getting some serious speed this way.

3) Regarding General technique of getting through the powerzone.

I am assuming that I should depower when going through the powerzone (even if it is top portion of the powerzone) during a transition?

I am wondering if the kite will overshoot the window on the other side if I depower too much or too long. Should I power up the kite after moving through the center of the window to avoid overshooting?

Also, any other suggestion would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Alex

balancing is the key.

knowing the limits of your ability to hold an edge and when to let it run

your course of travel , cross wind, upwind, down wind... your board position needs to favorable to go to the new direction ...so good speed control by kite position higher and edge control. this balance and timing allows controlled trans.

as you come to your transition point, your kite should be rising and relaxing the edge some but controlling your speed as you feel all is slowing , move the kite to the 12 and through it with a controlling pace and ready for the new direction by looking and shifting your balance for new direction. depower through the apex (or as you discovered CHOOSE to get a lift by pulling in on the bar) give redirect to new direction and the harder you redirect the more speed & power.

knowing the power points with your rig and your counter balance against it gives you the control. if you're losing you position and going down wind, edge harder, if possible, or keep the kite out of the power zone hot spots.

idling the kite while on the board, speed control and balance are all elements of smooth controlled transitions.

keeping the kite in the wind window by powering up or redirecting works but really should become a reflex with time. keep flying!

thanks Phreerider,

that info did help.

I got out today, but it was pretty light wind, but I did get a few stronger prolonged gusts to try out things.

I got to test out a few things

1) starting lower in the window before the first redirect, this gave me the chance to end up around 45-60 degrees. This at least would reduce the chances of unwanted lift, even if I made a mistake on the bar. This was more of a safety buffer move than anything else.

2) stop edging so much before the redirect. I realized that I was edging a ton during my last session. The comments about relaxing the edge didn't quite sink in until I saw this small segment around 1:16-1:20 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghupmT6Gt_k)

I guess I was happy with my edging upwind that I thought the more the merrier! haha...seems I was giving the kite more power via tension by my edging!

3) give more attention to the bar when going through the center of the window making sure it is depowering, that helped a lot too. I think during my mistakes yesterday, I was 'hanging on' to the bar when things started to heat up in the transition, and probably accidentally pulled it in a bit and poped some unwanted air.

Phreerider, when discussing the general technique, you mention going to the apex? Do you really mean sending the kite above your head, or where you just using apex loosely to mean just mean the center point of the wind window, regardless of the angle?

I just don't want to send the kite above 60 degrees again during a high wind transition for fear of taking unwanted air before my skills are there!

Thanks for the info so far.

apex of the wind window and kinda the apex of the trans.(more of a feeling of center when direction change is eminent ) this a quick "through the top" of the window DEPOWERED, kite can move super fast with min. lift. very quick and almost a pivot point and the kite smokes across at the edge of the window dropping to the new direction at the edge. if you pull in as it descends to the new direction then off you go. basically its the fast version of the controlled speed, slowing down version trans. really got to be comfortable with kite control and feel for how much power and lift in the depower of your rig.

SLOW and BALANCED beats frenzied fast for skill development. time will add speed and flow.