When I came to grips with this sport I realized I would never be King of anything. Too old and too little natural ability . Never sailed / flown kites or ridden board style.

I met a guy that started Montana Kite Rodeo, Keith Kalio R.I.P. that was master of all things wind related . He said something about just wanting to be able to ride anything with anybody rather than restricting himself that really struck a cord. I decided I want to be able to be proficient and safe at all sorts of kiting even if I would not likely master any style. I think I reached that level a few years ago.

I find I am stuck in my progression ! A combination of many things contribute. Less drive as I move through my 50's . 3 terrible wind summers before this one. People who were pushing me having moved on ......

I am happy in so much as I am able to jump + ride most skills . I think I managed the goals I set for myself. I am unhappy in that I had about 3 years of amazing progression followed by about 4 with no growth.

I have a feeling I am not alone ??

Who else feels they have plateaued ?
Are you happy with the level you have plateaued at ?

been there!! I think the trick is focus on one new trick at the beginning of your session then weather you land it or not, just go and have some fun

I'm just getting started.... I hope i can at least get up on the water before that happens!

BR,
I think you're just being down on yourself. Like all GP fliers you're always developing your flying skills for light and even lighter winds. Think of how much better you are at going over areas of deep, loose sand without burying the wheels of your board or blades than a couple years ago and how much worse condition the field is in. You've progressed from avoiding the 15 foot whiffle ball at GP to being able to avoid whatever that 60 foot thing is at Vanier is.
Your skills may not have developed in more conventional directions, but if they ever have competitions for no wind flying on an obstacle course, you will be in the money.
S

First off BR, you're not a novice...having seen you at WWBB in buggy and on your Coyotes.... flying well,and in difficult very low winds. So maybe you've misspoke w/ this title thread a bit? You may feel stuck and have plateaued at a level-but it is way above novice!

People stuck at a novice level- at any sport- are not fully able to enjoy the fruits of the sport that competent experienced participants do. They are often limited from participating in many conditions and situations, or handicapped if they can.

This applies whether kiting, skiing, playing baseball, and so on.

If skiing, it might limit you to what trail you can safely descend, how fast, and what quality of turns. If a team sport(a little different- as others are expecting something from your performance)- like baseball.... it might be if you can't get many hits and make a run for your team...or throw a guy out at first with a good percentage. This can be frustrating only when you are expected to be at a certain level(to be a good team player), or are expecting too much of your self.

In kiting, being a novice may mean not being able to fly in high gusty winds...without hurting kite or yourself, not being able to fly in low winds, not being comfortable going more than slowly in a buggy, turning transition, looping.......etc.

With that being said though, novices are in a unique position to -if not fully enjoy the fruits of the sport yet- enjoy all the successes as they rise along the learning curve and gain competence and skills to whatever level of participant they become...including perhaps an expert or champion. And even an expert may become a little bored if he misses that thrill of success they had long along the learning curve....now perhaps having plateaued.

Often it is enjoying the ride there, and not the destination itself. Then it's enjoying all you can do.

But if you ARE truely stuck at a novice level-as the thread title suggests....you will not be enjoying much ascension in skills and the joy of all those successes. Nor will you enjoy the sport fully( not your attitude, but meaning fully in all disciplines of sport previously alluded to) with the abilities you would need to do so.

You will have to a great positive attitude to enjoy your limitations(and abilities), say this is all I can do(or will do), and I'm still going to get out and have fun within these limits. Not so easy to do sometimes and if goal driven. If you are progressing, it's easy to enjoy each level's abilities(as opposed to limitations-the glass half empty/half full idea). If you are not progressing and stuck as a novice, you have to be complacent, positive and satisfied somewhat.

Or....find a way to break thru!

It's about attitude, I guess.

You are wrong my good friend
I have always kind of considered you a master of the wind.

Many wish they had your skills on so many different wind vehicles

See ya Soon!!!
C 1

Thanks for the replies everybody.

I am not at all feeling down . Perhaps just a bit disappointed / frustrated.

Whatever level I am at , it is about what I wanted . I have gained all the skills I lacked and obtained the goals I set out for myself. I wanted to get to a point I could ride whatever style with whoever wants to go out. Keep myself and them relatively safe. Jump . I can do that and am very happy. Thing is I think I got to that level 3 or more years ago ? I guess I thought I was headed into " more than I imagined " territory ! 4 years ago at SOBB I jumped over Eli in his buggy and felt I was on my way there, 3 years ago I got tossed into the ocean ! It's kinda gone like that ?????

I am just frustrated that my progression isn't exactly there and hasn't been for a few years now.

A whole lot of what is holding me back is our local conditions and being a weekend warrior. Vanier park only affords me space to pull off a transition jump but has excellent winds and surface. I had a day about a month ago there that I was actually holding back because there isn't room to go bigger. Most would say I'm crazy even riding there due to the obstacles ! Garry point is a series of sand traps and really restricts me from pushing limits riding stand up.

Another weekend with no wind predicted. Another bite out of summer . I think I am mostly just jonesing ! :ticking:

I find it amazing that many others aren't feeling stuck in their progression ?

After reading the definition of novice I see I am above that by years of experience alone ! :D

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

I find it amazing that many others aren't feeling stuck in their progression ?

I am sure others have also felt what you are feeling, but there are rules...





ATB,
Sam

every session ....the wind is different ,, TOO MUCH..not enough ..gusty, unnerving offshore, switching, violent, lightening,...people, obstacles,...gear broken ..i'm broken...pain injury.... something everytime.

always first thought , JUST GRATEFUL TO RIDE! have fun! and stop thinking.

every session NO MATTER WHAT ...BALANCE , TIMING and KITE CONTROL no matter the trick! always must be nurtured...and if thats all you do YOU ARE ADVANCING.

we are all always learning

Bringing up age factor...

....as you get way beyond youth ,the goal might be lack of regression.....and not progression.

One would wish to stay at any high level until their 80's as their body wears and oxygen efficiency wanes.


Enjoy the sights and sounds and great outdoors around you. Don't focus too much on any goals.

"Youth is wasted on the young".. 'sitting idle, playing their x-box games'.

I can remember the first time I went to the WBB, I was in a little Eolo Rad buggy with big foot tires flying the trusty ol 5m Beamer. I was truly intimidated by the size and speed of the hardpack. At first it was let's see how far I can go with out killing my self or anyone else. Back then, the WBB consisted of about 20-25 people. Then it became a challenge to go further and further each time I went down the beach, and make it back. Now I can go from end to end and the only thing I truly think about is how peaceful it is to be in the buggy and the only thing I hear is the wind on my lines and occasionally a bearing that soon needs to be replaced. I only have one goal now in the buggy and that is to continue to just enjoy the ride.

with that said, I am riding ATB now as well. Just on the grass fields at home till I get comfortable enough to give it a go at the beach. I am sure that I can handle it, but time will tell. I have always been at home in the buggy and plenty happy with that, but I am also willing to give other disciplines a try. I like you will not be a master at any, but have a good time with all.

I have been into the 45 mph range in the buggy and that is a thrill all on it's own. If I one day go faster, so be it. I do push myself a little harder when the GPS is on just to see if I can beat the last posted top speed for the conditions that day.

Quote: Originally posted by skimtwashington

Bringing up age factor... ....as you get way beyond youth ,the goal might be lack of regression.....and not progression.

Now that is a new way of looking at things for me . Very sage advice !

I do think my new goal should be to carry myself safely into my 60's and hold on to the skills / lessons I learned in my late 40's . I kind of forget how grateful I am that I found the sport just young enough to take the lumps required to progress.

I have always looked up to Morrie and a few others for their sensibility and skill. Time put in early that is allowing them to enjoy the sport endlessly, effortlessly !

I always focus on something new to try. Sometimes it's hard to get out of the comfort zone because of fear, but it is always work while when you learn something new or go bigger than ever

I am far from your position because every day I ride is still a challenge for ne.

Oops. Dumb mobile phone has tiny buttons. Anyway, I'm still in that taking lumps mode, so I can't empathize about progression, but I hear you about age and wanting to be safe while still progressing. Some people see progression as better PB speed or bigger air or a new trick. Not accomplishing SOMETHING feels stagnant, but I think it's easy to slip into feeling stagnant if you haven't actually defined what the Delta is between the way you *wanna* ride and the way you *do* ride. Personally, I think it might even help to take a break for a few months. Send your kites to live with a friend for 3months and when you come back, you'll be giddy as a schoolgirl the first time out. I had to do that with golf a while ago and coming back was awesome.

Sounds like you need to move to Colorado and fly with us this.ski.season . I won't push you, but there is some fantastic terrain to explore here and we have fun.

BR you are far above a novice level my friend! I am still trying to reach your level on Coyotes

I have plateaued at my comfort zone. I am always exploring the edges and try to take advantage of conditions that allow a new experience but my goal is to stay healthy while having fun. As I get older there are fewer days when my little voice says "Go for it old fart" but they still happen. Every session is different, and you might not think there is progression but you are constantly learning to adapt. Learning is progression.

BR, it wasn't a no wind day today. Started on my 6m, went to 4m, down to 2m, then back to 4m. Lots of the usual rotor on ESE, but Vladimir, Greg and I had fun.
S

I know how you feel. I can ride all of them except coyotes and skis but I can't rock any of them. With school work I have so little time to even kite. The most I have ridden was at Sunset this spring. I was so hoping to really progress but without much practice I feel I was only able to relearn some skills. It is difficult when skills stagnate. Oh, and I am right with you too, I still feel like a novice though I suppose neither of us are.

Quote: Originally posted by Scudley

BR, it wasn't a no wind day today. Started on my 6m, went to 4m, down to 2m, then back to 4m. Lots of the usual rotor on ESE, but Vladimir, Greg and I had fun. S

I think I got punished by the wind gods for whinging !

The weathernetwork wasn't calling for wind when I got up so I committed to hike Lynn Canyon . Right before we headed out the wind picked up. Lynn Canyon was a ZOO !!! :ticking:

Canuck : Does this mean you have caught up to me on ATB !

You will beat me every day on snow now buddy ! Only one truly powered session this whole winter !

BR I have truly loved our friendly rivalry over the years. Know that you've been a driving force in my progression. If it makes you feel better I've felt a bit stagnant for the last year. I haven't increased my pb speed since February of last year. But I've gotten more comfortable at technical turns and speeds I once considered totally out of reach have been surpassed a dozen times or more. Progression might not show in the numbers but might be part of scary skills becoming more ordinary. And above all it's important that we continue to have fun and be safe to ride another day. I have learned that some days the best thing to learn is that it's ok to pack it up and arrive home with me and my equipment intact.

But no you can't call yourself a novice by any standard!

@ BR .you my friend are no novice.
@BB ,time for a landboard Bro! And I'm waitin on paint for your Kokopelli w/ a Phanny II.

Just coming up to my 1st anniversary of starting to kitesurf on the 27th August.

Progress has been great. spent Sept & Oct last year getting to grips with just getting up and riding & getting used to the whole being in the sea with a big ass kite deal.

then had to stop for winter. its pretty cold here Nov - March so back on the beach with the bug and landboard.

April comes and i'm straight back in the water, quickly get riding upwind, sliding turns, toeside riding and carving turns/gibes nailed.

This takes me to June and i'm starting to learn jumps and pop.

Its now August and i'm still working on jumps and pop! I think as you progress past the basics of anything the progression slows down. I can Jump pretty well with sent jumps and i land more than i crash - pop is proving harder for some reason - i get off the water but not much. Its frustrating cos I know its the key to a lot of other cool stuff i want to learn.

The way to progress is to keep trying new things I guess. If you can jump pretty well then start throwing in some rotations. Thats where i want to go once I feel I have more or less got full control of basic jumps.

Its hard if you are not getting regular conditions - you don't want to waste a precious session falling on your ass - but you have to!